Critical Appraisal of Falls Prevention Research

Running head: EXTENDED ESSAY: PART B: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
EXTENDED ESSAY: PART B: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
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1EXTENDED ESSAY: PART B: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
Critical Analysis and Discussion of Findings
Theme 1: Patient Centered Approach
Walker (2011) explored the meanings elderly populations associated with falling and
reported the importance of implementing a patient centered approach. The title clearly reflected
the content of research. The abstract also enhances ease in study component identification by
mentioning all required components. A lack of psychosocial approaches in falls prevention acted
as author motivation for research (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor, 2005). Less usage of up-to-
date references can be identified as key limitations. The aim of the research is clearly mentioned
along with a clear mention of obtaining ethical approval and participant consent (Caldwell,
Henshaw and Taylor 2005). While there is clear mentioning of a qualitative research design,
there is not mention of a usage of an ethnographic research philosophy. However, credible
methods of video recordings and thematic analysis were used. Usage of clear themes as well as
exploration of elderly participants engaged in falls prevention programs demonstrates clarity and
applicability of results in non-hospital settings (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor 2011). Similarly,
Authors Dickinson et al. (2019), explored and reported the importance of incorporating the
perceptions of older people by nurses in response to falls prevention programs and exhibits the
eagerness of the elderly to place key recommendations on implementation of the same. The title
of the paper clearly shows relevance to the explorative content of the paper. However, lack of
adequate headings in the abstract make it difficult to understand the basic components of the
research. Both aims, and rationale of the study could be identified in the abstract as well as the
main content upon reading (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor, 2005). Ethical compliance was
obtained in terms of taking ethical approval as well as consent from the participants (Caldwell,

2EXTENDED ESSAY: PART B: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
Henshaw and Taylor 2005). The authors utilized credible qualitative grounded theory
philosophies, focus group research design as well as analytical methods of thematic analysis. The
validity of results may be hindered due to the possibility of bias in interviews (Caldwell,
Henshaw and Taylor 2011).
Theme 2: Non-clinical Interventions
Using performance based self-report measures as well as semi-structured interviews,
authors Fleiget al. (2016), evaluated the feasibility underlying implementation of health
behavior change theory in the form of implementation of a habit based strength exercise and
balance intervention for the purpose of falls prevention. Using framework evaluation, thematic
domains of social factors, knowledge and behavioral regulation along with session facilitation,
group formatting and participant engagement in terms of program administration the findings
proved the beneficial effects of behavior change practices such as strength and balance exercises
on prevention of falls and achievement of positive health outcomes in the elderly. The selected
title clearly reflects content of health behavior change theory and exercise interventions for falls
prevention and demonstrates readability (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor 2011).The authors hold
notable positions as university academicians and health consultants hence highlighting
credibility. No segregation for aims and rationale hinders readability (Caldwell, Henshaw and
Taylor, 2005). A major limitation, as noted was lack of currency observed as well as increased
usage of primary studies (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor 2011). However, a key advantage was
the authors mentioning a separate section for their aims. The authors demonstrated ethical
compliance by mentioning that consent and approval were obtained from participants. The
authors clearly mentioned usage of a mixed methods approach. However, the authors missed key
points in terms of highlighting hypothesis and research philosophies (Caldwell, Henshaw and

3EXTENDED ESSAY: PART B: CRITICAL APPRAISAL
Taylor, 2005). The findings were clearly highlighted in terms of formative assessment as well as
themes. However, usage of a small sample size as well as female-only sample may affect the
applicability of the research (Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor 2011). Dorresteijnet al. (2013),
evaluated the importance of administering a home based cognitive behavioral program by in-
home nurses in eradicating the fears associated with falls and the resultant avoidance of activity
engagement in the elderly and further explored its feasibility of implementation for future usage
in non-hospital settings. The title of paper clearly showed relevance to context. However, there
was no segregated sections in the abstract. There was also no clear mention of a research
rationale. However, a research aim could be identified though there was no usage of separate
headings. Ethical compliance was adhered to by obtaining informed consent as well as gaining
approval from an ethics committee. The authors seemed to use a mixed methods approach
(Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor, 2005). Similarly, there was no mention of a research
hypothesis, but the authors however, mentioned quantitative data collected in terms of process
evaluation methods and recruiting participants from a previously conducted randomized
controlled trial. The clear tabulation of process evaluation results as well as arrangement of
participant responses in terms of themes highlighted credible data collected and analysis usage.
(Caldwell, Henshaw and Taylor 2011). Walker et al. (2016), explored the effectiveness and
feasibility of implementation falls prevention intervention program in nursing care homes among
the elderly and reported the need for implementing nursing staff training, educating and
management improvement for quality administration. A clear association between the title and
the research content could be observed. The authors incorporated an abstract which was
categorized in terms of headings. Considerable difficulty was encountered in terms of exploring
the rationale of the research. Ethical compliance was observed in the authors mentioning