FRIEND Trial: Knowledge of Frailty Management Among Caregivers and Staff in a Residential Care Facility
Tracks
Ballroom 3
Best practice
Diet / Nutrition
Exercise
Implementation
Medications
| Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
| 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM |
Speaker
Ms Chidiamara Maria Njoku
Phd Candidate
James Cook University
FRIEND Trial: Knowledge of Frailty Management Among Caregivers and Staff in a Residential Care Facility
Abstract
Introduction: Frailty is a pervasive and highly prevalent syndrome of older age in residential aged care associated with adverse outcomes. However, frailty remains misunderstood, poorly identified, and under-treated. A key part of successful translation is understanding the knowledge of key aged care stakeholders. We report novel findings on baseline knowledge of caregivers and staff on frailty management within a residential aged care facility.
Methods: The Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Robust Exercise, Nutrition, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial (ANZCTR No.ACTRN12622000926730p) is a hybrid implementation-effectiveness translational trial evaluating the implementation of best-practice frailty intervention in a residential aged care facility (Townsville, Australia). Caregivers and staff completed a multiple-choice questionnaire (42-items) at baseline prior to completion of education modules covering best-practice frailty management; robust exercise, medication optimisation and nutritional support.
Results: 14 staff [median 54 months (range 3-240) experience; involving executive, nursing, care, leisure, and kitchen staff] and 14 caregivers (Mean 74±16yrs of age) completed the baseline knowledge assessment. Staff mean score was 56±17% with low cohort knowledge (<30% correct) in medication interactions and polypharmacy; nutrition guidelines; and exercise guidelines, implementation, and outcomes. Caregivers mean score was 42.5±12.7% with a broader deficit in knowledge across frailty and its treatments.
Conclusions: There are significant gaps in the knowledge of frailty management among aged care staff and caregivers of residents. Effective implementation requires education of all stakeholders in key principles to facilitate organisational change. The FRIEND trial has developed ~8 hours of comprehensive modules and accompanying resources to build capacity in optimal frailty care.
Methods: The Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Robust Exercise, Nutrition, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial (ANZCTR No.ACTRN12622000926730p) is a hybrid implementation-effectiveness translational trial evaluating the implementation of best-practice frailty intervention in a residential aged care facility (Townsville, Australia). Caregivers and staff completed a multiple-choice questionnaire (42-items) at baseline prior to completion of education modules covering best-practice frailty management; robust exercise, medication optimisation and nutritional support.
Results: 14 staff [median 54 months (range 3-240) experience; involving executive, nursing, care, leisure, and kitchen staff] and 14 caregivers (Mean 74±16yrs of age) completed the baseline knowledge assessment. Staff mean score was 56±17% with low cohort knowledge (<30% correct) in medication interactions and polypharmacy; nutrition guidelines; and exercise guidelines, implementation, and outcomes. Caregivers mean score was 42.5±12.7% with a broader deficit in knowledge across frailty and its treatments.
Conclusions: There are significant gaps in the knowledge of frailty management among aged care staff and caregivers of residents. Effective implementation requires education of all stakeholders in key principles to facilitate organisational change. The FRIEND trial has developed ~8 hours of comprehensive modules and accompanying resources to build capacity in optimal frailty care.
Biography
Sr. Chidimara M. Njoku MPharm is a registered UK Pharmacist with over 16 years of experience in Hospital pharmacy practice and Community settings. Over 16 years, Chidi was the Formulary Pharmacist for the University of North Midlands Teaching Hospitals and North Staffordshire Joint Formulary Committee. The role involves reviewing of every medication used in the hospitals and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System. Chidi completed all the requirements and is now a registered practicing Australian Pharmacist and currently working for Priceline Pharmacy Stockland. Chidi completed her MPhil at the University of Tasmania in 2020 investigating the prevalence of and risk factors for COPD-related hospital readmission in the four major hospitals in Tasmania from 2011-2015.
Chidi subsequently took on a Clinical Consultancy role for Southern Cross Care Tasmania, a leading organisation in delivering care to the elderly in Tasmania. This role involved medication management review, developing clinical policy and guidelines, research, education, and training of staff. Chidi’s main research interests are in medication optimisation in nursing residential homes, respiratory medicines, and improving research outcomes/output within developing countries. She has experience in systematic reviews and management of big data using Microsoft Database and is currently a sessional academic at James Cook University for master’s students in the nursing department. Chidi is currently a PhD candidate at James Cook University as part of the Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition Support, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial where she coordinates the medication optimisation of residents participating in the trial from The Good Shepherd Home, Townsville. Her thesis is exploring the efficacy, barriers and facilitators of medication optimisation performed as part of a holistic frailty intervention in residential aged care.
Session Chair
Yulisna Mutia Sari
Assistant Professor/Research Fellow
Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre, Monash University
