Falls: Predictable and Preventable
In B.C., one older adult is hospitalized with fall-related injuries every 30 minutes. Falls represent the single largest preventable source of hospitalization, disability, and death among adults age 65+.
However, falling is not the inevitable result of aging – most falls are caused by an accumulation of known risk factors. By assessing these risk factors, we can manage the treatable ones to prevent some falls.
This course, based on B.C.'s Fall Prevention: Risk Assessment and Management for Community-Dwelling Older Adults guidelines, is intended to help clinicians implement the guidelines, conduct quick fall risk assessments, and support patients with appropriate interventions.
By the end of this online course, you will be able to
- Explain the importance of falls and their enormous cost to individuals and society
- Perform efficient fall-risk assessments using either the 3-question method or the Staying Independent checklist
- Have positive, well-received conversations with patients about falls, autonomy, and independence
- Conduct multifactorial assessments to identify sources of fall risk in people at increased risk
- Identify the appropriate people, referrals, and resources for a personalized fall-prevention care team
The Division of Continuing Professional Development, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee (CACME) to provide CPD credits for physicians. This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC) of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by UBC CPD. You may claim a maximum of 1.00 hours (credits are automatically calculated). This one-credit-per-hour Assessment program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by UBC CPD for up to 1.00 Mainpro+® credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.