Browsing by Author "Koh, Vanessa Jean Wen"

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    Reducing Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults From Clinicians' Perspectives: A Systems Modeling Approach.
    (Innovation in aging, 2023-01) Koh, Vanessa Jean Wen; Matchar, David B; Chan, Angelique Wei-Ming; Lee, June May-Ling; Lai, Wei Xuan; Rosario, Dulcie; George, Anne; Ho, Vanda; Ismail, Noor Hafizah Bte; Lien, Christopher Tsung Chien; Merchant, Reshma A; Tan, Shuyan Melissa; Wong, Chek Hooi; Xu, Tianma

    Background and objectives

    Falls among older adults are a significant health problem globally. Studies of multicomponent fall prevention programs in randomized controlled trials demonstrate effectiveness in reducing falls; however, the translation of research into the community remains challenging. Although there is an increasing interest to understand the factors contributing to implementation barriers, the dynamic relationships between factors are less well examined. Furthermore, evidence on implementation barriers from Asia is lacking as most of these studies originate from the West. As such, this study aims to engage stakeholders in uncovering the factors that facilitate or inhibit implementing community-based fall prevention programs in Singapore, with a focus on the interrelationship between those factors.

    Research design and methods

    Health care professionals familiar with fall prevention programs were invited to discuss the enablers and challenges to the implementation. This effort was facilitated using a systems modeling methodology of Group Model Building (GMB) to share ideas and create a common conceptual model of the challenges. The GMB employs various engagement techniques to draw on the experiences and perceptions of all stakeholders involved.

    Results

    This process led to the development of a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD), a qualitative conceptual model of the dynamic relationships between the barriers and facilitators of implementing fall prevention programs. Results from the CLD show that implementation is influenced by two main drivers: health care provider factors that influenced referrals, and patient factors that influenced referral acceptance and long-term adherence. Key leverage points for potential interventions were identified as well.

    Discussion and implications

    The overall recommendation emphasized closer coordination and collaboration across providers to ensure sustainable and effective community-based fall prevention programs. This has to be supported by a national effort, involving a multidisciplinary stakeholder advisory group. These findings generated would be promising to guide future approaches to fall prevention.
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    Systems modelling as an approach for eliciting the mechanisms for hip fracture recovery among older adults in a participatory stakeholder engagement setting.
    (Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences, 2023-01) Ansah, John Pastor; Chia, Aloysius Wei-Yan; Koh, Vanessa Jean Wen; Lai, Wei Xuan; Koh, Joyce Suang Bee; Goh, Kiat Sern; Yeo, William; Howe, Tet Sen; Seow, Dennis Chuen Chai; Mamun, Kaysar; Balasubramanian, Diraviyam; Varman, Surendra Doraiswamy; Yeo, Andy Kuei Siong; Elamin, Amal; Chan, Angelique Wei-Ming; Matchar, David Bruce

    Introduction

    Due to an aging population, the rising prevalence and incidence of hip fractures and the associated health and economic burden present a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Studies have shown that a complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and social factors often affects the recovery trajectories of older adults with hip fractures, often complicating the recovery process.

    Methods

    This research aims to actively engage stakeholders (including doctors, physiotherapists, hip fracture patients, and caregivers) using the systems modeling methodology of Group Model Building (GMB) to elicit the factors that promote or inhibit hip fracture recovery, incorporating a feedback perspective to inform system-wide interventions. Hip fracture stakeholder engagement was facilitated through the Group Model Building approach in a two-half-day workshop of 25 stakeholders. This approach combined different techniques to develop a comprehensive qualitative whole-system view model of the factors that promote or inhibit hip fracture recovery.

    Results

    A conceptual, qualitative model of the dynamics of hip fracture recovery was developed that draws on stakeholders' personal experiences through a moderated interaction. Stakeholders identified four domains (i.e., expectation formation, rehabilitation, affordability/availability, and resilience building) that play a significant role in the hip fracture recovery journey..

    Discussion

    The insight that recovery of loss of function due to hip fracture is attributed to (a) the recognition of a gap between pre-fracture physical function and current physical function; and (b) the marshaling of psychological resilience to respond promptly to a physical functional loss via uptake of rehabilitation services is supported by findings and has several policy implications.