Evaluating a Fall Risk Assessment Inter-Professional Educational Training Program
Location
Lions Eye Center
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2025 1:30 PM
Description
Introduction: Approximately one-half of older adult patients report at least one incidence of a fall to their Audiologist each year (Criter et al., 2013). Audiology is one of the unique professions that studies both the vestibular system's function relating to dizziness and balance and auditory impairments, thus it is logical that fall risk assessments are implemented into clinical education and practicum. A review in 2014 discovered most audiology clinics are not providing this service due to lack of fall risk assessment training, professionals do not have the education to counsel patients on fall risks, and audiologists feel like they do not feel it is within their scope (Patterson & Honaker, 2014). Purpose: This research investigates the perspectives of students regarding their participation in a fall risk assessment inter-professional educational training program. Participants: 17 AuD students participated in an educational fall risk assessment training. Procedures: This educational training was led by a team of educators consisting of 1 Occupational Therapy (OT) professional, 1 AuD professional, and 1 PhD Audiology professional. The training consisted of two 3-hour sessions and included various lectures, hands-on activities, and an evaluation of student competencies. Outcomes of this training were assessed by comparing the students' self-perceived confidence ratings pre- and post- the training. Results: Pre-training survey results indicate most students were not confident at all or slightly confident in their abilities. Post survey results demonstrate students had a higher confidence in their abilities to evaluate fall risks. Discussion: Overall, the findngs of this research suggest an increase in students' confidence in assessing fall risk that they feel prepared to incorporate fall risk assessments into their practice post-graduation.
Recommended Citation
Bevrotte, Alison, "Evaluating a Fall Risk Assessment Inter-Professional Educational Training Program" (2025). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 5.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2025/posters/5
Evaluating a Fall Risk Assessment Inter-Professional Educational Training Program
Lions Eye Center
Introduction: Approximately one-half of older adult patients report at least one incidence of a fall to their Audiologist each year (Criter et al., 2013). Audiology is one of the unique professions that studies both the vestibular system's function relating to dizziness and balance and auditory impairments, thus it is logical that fall risk assessments are implemented into clinical education and practicum. A review in 2014 discovered most audiology clinics are not providing this service due to lack of fall risk assessment training, professionals do not have the education to counsel patients on fall risks, and audiologists feel like they do not feel it is within their scope (Patterson & Honaker, 2014). Purpose: This research investigates the perspectives of students regarding their participation in a fall risk assessment inter-professional educational training program. Participants: 17 AuD students participated in an educational fall risk assessment training. Procedures: This educational training was led by a team of educators consisting of 1 Occupational Therapy (OT) professional, 1 AuD professional, and 1 PhD Audiology professional. The training consisted of two 3-hour sessions and included various lectures, hands-on activities, and an evaluation of student competencies. Outcomes of this training were assessed by comparing the students' self-perceived confidence ratings pre- and post- the training. Results: Pre-training survey results indicate most students were not confident at all or slightly confident in their abilities. Post survey results demonstrate students had a higher confidence in their abilities to evaluate fall risks. Discussion: Overall, the findngs of this research suggest an increase in students' confidence in assessing fall risk that they feel prepared to incorporate fall risk assessments into their practice post-graduation.