Postgraduate Research Guide

Improving health outcomes, quality of life THE PREVENTION OF FALLS, A LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY-RELATED HOSPITALISATION AMONG OLDER AUSTRALIANS, WAS THE FOCUS OF AN EXTENSIVE STUDY AIMED AT IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES AND QUALITY OF LIFE BOTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES. Peer education was the key to achieving a significant reduction in the incidence of falls, underpinned by two key initiatives which provided the basis for evaluation by Project teams: A large community event – a World Café – involved more than 70 older people in Western Australia in a discussion on options for promoting falls prevention. The peer-led program which flowed from the event, and was evaluated by the project’s community team, was found to be effective in significantly raising knowledge and intention to engage in individual falls prevention action plans. The project’s residential care team implemented and evaluated a Community of Practice (CoP) model within the health context of residential aged care facilities. This has led to the successful translation of more evidence-based care into clinical practice. Two PhD students and a researcher were appointed to support the project which culminated in a major Falls Event for WA health professionals, with an international speaker presenting the latest findings on Hospital Falls Prevention. In addition, an international partnership was established between Swansea (in the United Kingdom) and WA with elements of the WA project replicated in Swansea, resulting in joint presentations and publications. Project achievements included 27 publications – among them the prestigious Lancet journal, successful funding applications – including a National Health and Medical Research Council Project grant and presentations at more than 40 local, national and international conferences. The Falls Prevention project was collaboration between Notre Dame, Curtin, UWA, Injury Control Council of Western Australia and Brightwater Care Group. Jacqui Francis-Coad and Professor Max Bulsara. RESEARCH MATTERS 50 Notre Dame Research Guide