Influences on general practitioner referral to allied health professionals for fall prevention in primary care

Jeannine Liddle; Lindy Clemson; Lynette Mackenzie; Meryl Lovarini; Amy Tan; Sabrina W Pit; Chris Roberts; Anne Tiedemann; Cathie Sherrington; Karen Willis

doi:10.1111/ajag.12680

Influences on general practitioner referral to allied health professionals for fall prevention in primary care

Australas J Ageing. 2020 Mar;39(1):e32-e39. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12680. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Authors

Jeannine Liddle¹, Lindy Clemson^{1

2}, Lynette Mackenzie¹, Meryl Lovarini¹, Amy Tan¹, Sabrina W Pit^{3

4}, Chris Roberts⁵, Anne Tiedemann⁶, Cathie Sherrington⁶, Karen Willis^{7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia.
² CEPAR-ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ University Centre for Rural Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine, Medical School, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ Sydney Medical School-Northern, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁸ Allied Health, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 31161705
DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12680

Abstract

Objective: To explore influences on referral for fall prevention from general practitioners (GPs) to allied health professionals (AHPs) to better equip AHPs engage with GPs regarding fall prevention.

Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with GPs (n = 24), practice nurses (n = 3) and AHPs (n = 15) and field notes were analysed inductively using constant comparative methods.

Results: Three main themes regarding influences on GP referral to AHPs for fall prevention were identified as follows: GPs' knowledge of AHPs; The "reliable and good" AHP; and Patient feedback-Patient choice. Three-way communication and trust between GP, patient and AHP underpinned each of these themes.

Conclusions: Strategies for encouraging GP referral include AHPs personally contacting GPs to explain their services; writing to GPs about every patient seen; and being aware that interprofessional relationships are based on trust and take time to develop. GPs and AHPs are encouraged to communicate directly rather than relying on patients to convey verbal information.

Keywords: accidental falls; interprofessional relations; primary health care; qualitative research; referral and consultation.

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls / prevention & control*
Allied Health Personnel*
Communication
Female
General Practitioners*
Humans
Interprofessional Relations
Male
Primary Health Care*
Referral and Consultation*

Abstract

MeSH terms

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