- Title
- Knowledge outcomes and retention of a university-based falls prevention education program (UniFPEP)
- Creator
- Pascoe, Deborah; Stumieks, Daina; Close, Jacqueline; Teidemann, Anne; Lord, S; Twomey, Dara; Finch, Caroline
- Date
- 2013
- Type
- Text; Journal article
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/72448
- Identifier
- vital:6937
- Identifier
- ISBN:1442-1100
- Abstract
- Abstract: Aim: This paper reports the evaluation of a new evidence-based university curriculum aimed at addressing workforce capacity building in the allied health sector through addressing the educational needs of exercise science students in relation to falls prevention and exercise prescription for older people. Background: Exercise scientists have the capacity to play a key role in the falls injury prevention workforce. To fulfil this role and contribute to preventing injuries in older people, it is necessary that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills. Methods: Over a 13-week period in 2008, 44 third-year and 21 fourth year students from an Australian university participated in the delivery and evaluation of a falls and injury prevention curriculum. Students' knowledge of falls and falls prevention was formally assessed using a knowledge questionnaire administered before (pre), immediately after (post) and at 13 weeks following (follow-up) completion of the curriculum. Differences in knowledge between pre-, post- and follow-up assessments were determined by repeated measures analysis of variance (p<0.05). Results: Overall knowledge levels significantly increased from 46% correct (pre) to 74% correct (post, p<0.001) and were sustained at follow-up (78% correct, p<0.001). Students' self-reported ratings of confidence in delivering exercise programs for older people and falls prevention also increased significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions: Completion of a targeted falls prevention curriculum provides significant improvements in the knowledge, skills and confidence in the preparation of exercise science students as members of the allied health workforce providing exercise prescription for falls prevention.
- Relation
- Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-disciplinary Journal Vol. 15, no. 2 (2013), p. 55-66
- Rights
- Copyright ANZAHPE
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- Falls (Accidents) in old age; Prevention; Education--Curricula--Evaluation; Exercise for older people; Allied health personnel and patient; 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
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