Consensus-based co-development of a comprehensive social frailty scale for older carers: an e-Delphi consultation
Date and Time
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Theme / Track
Health, medical and integrated care
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Aim: To achieve expert consensus on evidence‑informed assessment domains to inform the development of a tool that reflects the unique social circumstances of older carers with, or are at risk of, social frailty.
Methods: This initiative comprised five activities: (1) a scoping literature review to identify validated constructs and select items with the strongest psychometric properties; (2) consultation with 12 Australian older carers to assess the relevance and importance of proposed items and domains when used by care providers; (3) e‑Delphi process involving invites sent to 134 multi-disciplinary experts from 21 countries to prioritise items feasible for routine practice; (4) periodic consultation with an Academic–Community Partnership Group for face validity; and (5) supplementary qualitative consultation with 15 Australian health and social care practitioners regarding their identification of social frailty and its impact in practice.
Results: Data extraction from the scoping review identified 211 articles containing 63 instruments. Input from carers reduced the number of relevant items to 25. Round 1 of the Delphi process is currently underway, with responses being collected. Consensus findings and item prioritisation will be finalised following completion of all Delphi rounds.
Implications: This project has produced a holistic resource for identifying social frailty, addressing previously unmet measurement gaps. A validation study is planned among carers accessing community‑based and government‑delivered services. The tool is expected to support clinicians, policy‑makers, and service administrators in planning services that mitigate the physical and emotional impacts of caregiving among older Australians.
Keywords
Community, Informal Caregivers, Social Isolation, Wellness / Well Being
Authors
Yogalatha Konduru
Samantha Fien
Emily Clark
Academic-Consumer Partnership Group.*