Optimal care for the management of older people non-weight bearing after lower limb fracture: a consensus study

Aloraibi, S.; Gladman, J.; Godfrey, D.; Booth, V.; Robinson, K.; Lunt, E.; Caswell, A.; Kerr, M.; Ollivere, B.; Gordon, A. L.

Abstract

Background: Older people who are non-weight-bearing after a lower limb fracture are at risk of poor outcomes but there are no clinical guidelines for this group of patients. Given the paucity of the research evidence base, we conducted a consensus exercise to ascertain expert opinion about the management of this group.

Methods: A three-round e-Delphi technique was planned to use the online JISC survey tool with a multidisciplinary panel of health professionals. Panellists were invited by email via professional organisations and UK NHS Trusts. The initial statements for this study were prepared by the authors based upon the findings of their scoping review. Consensus required >/= 70% agreement with statements.

Results: Only 2 survey rounds were required. Ninety panellists, representing seven clinical disciplines, reached consensus for 24 statements about general issues (osteoporosis detection and management, falls risk reduction and nutrition) and specific non-weight bearing issues (such as the need for activity to be promoted during this period).

Conclusions: These findings can be used in the generation of a clinical guideline for this group of patients.

Citation

Aloraibi, S., Gladman, J., Godfrey, D., Booth, V., Robinson, K., Lunt, E., …Gordon, A. L. (2021). Optimal care for the management of older people non-weight bearing after lower limb fracture: a consensus study. BMC Geriatrics, 21(1), Article 332. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02265-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2021
• Publication Date: May 24, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 24, 2021
• Journal: BMC Geriatrics
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
• Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 332
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02265-z
• Keywords: Geriatrics and Gerontology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5569556
• Publisher URL: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02265-z
• Additional Information: Received: 20 January 2021; Accepted: 5 May 2021; First Online: 24 May 2021; : ; : Research ethics committee approval was obtained (University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee [reference number: 423–1911]). All online survey participants were provided with necessary study information at the beginning of the survey and consent was implied from their voluntary submission of the survey. In the study information sheet, the participants requested to indicate online that they consent to take part in the study by accepting the invitation to participate. The procedure for obtaining implied consent was approved by the ethics committee. To minimise respondent burden and hence optimise participation, we collected limited information about panellists, recording their professional group, their specialities, education level and length of experience.; : All panellists who completed tow round of this survey gave consent via email for their full names to be published in this article as acknowledgement for their participation.; : A declaration was required that the panellists of this study had experience of this patients’ group and had no significant financial conflict of interests