Allied health interprofessional falls prevention: A consumer socioecological perspective
Date and Time
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Theme / Track
Health, medical and integrated care
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Background:
As global life expectancy increases, falls remain a major public health concern and a leading contributor to disability, aged-care entry, mortality, and healthcare costs. Falls prevention care is often limited by the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of services. Although multidisciplinary care is recommended, limited understanding of older adults’ experiences of primary and community-based team care may mean current approaches do not adequately reflect their needs.
Methodology:
Focus groups with older adults were conducted across Australia, and interviews were undertaken with Greek older adults in Melbourne, one of Australia’s larger culturally and linguistically diverse ageing communities. Data from both studies were thematically analysed and interpreted using the socioecological model.
Findings:
Key insights related to awareness of allied health, difficulties accessing care, limited care coordination, and preferences for care delivery. Across both participant groups, older adults described limited understanding of allied health roles as a major barrier to care, alongside broader system and policy constraints. Greek older adults emphasised the importance of recognising individual strengths and autonomy, and of tailoring communication and care approaches to generational and cultural context. These findings support the need for accessible, coordinated, person-centred falls prevention pathways, alongside public health messaging that reinforces that falls prevention is both possible and worthwhile.
Keywords
Community, Falls / Fall Prevention
Authors
Rebecca Wospil, Victoria University
Dr Jack Feehan, RMIT University
Dr Brett Vaughan, University of Melbourne
Professor Rebecca Lane, Swinburne University
Dr Danielle Baxter, RMIT University