My participant has recently finished a treatment programme with our local falls team – are they still eligible to take part?

Emma Withers — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:37:54 GMT

We have no hard and fast rules and are basing judgement on a case by case basis. We also are being guided by the falls team. Thus, if you have a patient who has been seen by the Falls Service before, but you think that they would potentially benefit from having another falls risk assessment and medication review, then we ask that they be re-assessed. Some patients may not have had the opportunity to attend an exercise programme and may benefit from the Otago exercise programme e.g. if their gait or balance has deteriorated.

We do specify withdraw the patient if they are “currently being treated or recently discharged” but we do not apply a strict cut-off to what is meant by “recently”. If the gap is really short, it may be appropriate to withdraw the participant from treatment and you will need to complete a treatment withdrawal form.

If you discharged the patient several months ago, then it may be appropriate to invite them for an assessment because they have been screened as being at risk of falling. Also the exercise programme may be slightly different than the programme that they have already undertaken.

Clinical Trials Unit » PreFIT MFFP Forum » My participant has recently finished a treatment programme with our local falls team – are they still eligible to take part?

My participant has recently finished a treatment programme with our local falls team – are they still eligible to take part?