Table 3 Jury Recommendations
From: Older people’s perspectives on frailty screening in primary care settings – a citizens’ jury study
Recommendation number | Order of recommendation development | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
SCREENING AGE AND FREQUENCY | ||
1 | 1 | Screening for frailty should be available for everyone at 70 + years of age |
2 | 17 | Patients should be offered frailty screening as part of a comprehensive health assessment every 12 months |
CONSENT | ||
3 | 4 | Screening should be optional |
4 | 16 | Patients should be fully informed before consenting to frailty screening |
5 | 3 | Screening results can only be shared with the permission of the patient |
ACCESS AND SETTING | ||
6 | 7 | Screening should be part of a comprehensive health assessment |
7 | 6 | Screening should be conducted by a GP, allied health professional or practice nurse (12 yes, 2 uncertain) |
8 | 5 | The Department of Health and Aged Care should notify people before 70 years of age to contact their health professional for their screening |
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS | ||
10 | 9 | Health professionals should communicate with patients in terms that encourage participation and empowerment |
12 | 8 | Health practitioners conducting frailty screening should avoid the terms ‘frail’ and ‘frailty’ |
9 | 10 | The government should conduct a public health campaign to encourage people 70 years and over to have a health assessment that includes frailty screening |
11 | 15 | Public health communications about frailty should be appropriate for culturally and linguistically diverse communities |
RESOURCES AND COSTS | ||
13 | 2 | Screening should be free for people at 70 + years of age |
16 | 13 | Resources should be provided to treat frailty identified through screening |
14 | 12 | Sufficient resources should be provided to ensure a successful screening program |
15 | 14 | If a person tests positive for frailty, a follow-up assessment should be done in a timely manner |
17 | 11 | In the event of a positive screening result, the GP team should offer appropriate education and other support to empower the patient to be actively involved in their health plan |
Overarching statement | We would also like to bring the following to the attention of health professionals: A preventive approach should be prioritised in the general practice team . A preventive approach should be emphasised in medical education and professional development. Health professionals should recognize that functional disability is not the same as frailty. | |