Developing an evidence-based fall prevention curriculum for community health workers

Date Issued
2014Publisher Version
10.3389/fpubh.2014.00209Author(s)
St John, Julie A.
Shubert, Tiffany E.
Smith, Matthew Lee
Rosemond, Cherie A.
Howell, Doris A.
Beaudoin, Christopher E.
Ory, Marcia G.
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Show full item recordPermanent Link
https://hdl.handle.net/2144/37772Version
Published version
Citation (published version)
Julie A St John, Tiffany E Shubert, Matthew Lee Smith, Cherie A Rosemond, Doris A Howell, Christopher E Beaudoin, Marcia G Ory. 2014. "Developing an evidence-based fall prevention curriculum for community health workers.." Front Public Health, Volume 2, pp. 209 - ?. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2014.00209Abstract
This perspective paper describes processes in the development of an evidence-based fall prevention curriculum for community health workers/promotores (CHW/P) that highlights the development of the curriculum and addresses: (1) the need and rationale for involving CHW/P in fall prevention; (2) involvement of CHW/P and content experts in the curriculum development; (3) best practices utilized in the curriculum development and training implementation; and (4) next steps for dissemination and utilization of the CHW/P fall prevention curriculum. The project team of CHW/P and content experts developed, pilot tested, and revised bilingual in-person training modules about fall prevention among older adults. The curriculum incorporated the following major themes: (1) fall risk factors and strategies to reduce/prevent falls; (2) communication strategies to reduce risk of falling and strategies for developing fall prevention plans; and (3) health behavior change theories utilized to prevent and reduce falls. Three separate fall prevention modules were developed for CHW/P and CHW/P Instructors to be used during in-person trainings. Module development incorporated a five-step process: (1) conduct informal focus groups with CHW/P to inform content development; (2) develop three in-person modules in English and Spanish with input from content experts; (3) pilot-test the modules with CHW/P; (4) refine and finalize modules based on pilot-test feedback; and (5) submit modules for approval of continuing education units. This project contributes to the existing evidence-based literature by examining the role of CHW/P in fall prevention among older adults. By including evidence-based communication strategies such as message tailoring, the curriculum design allows CHW/P to personalize the information for individuals, which can result in an effective dissemination of a curriculum that is evidence-based and culturally appropriate.
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