The ANZFPS has successfully run biennial conferences since 2004.  Over this time, a small surplus has accrued from each conference such that the ANZFPS is able to re-invest some of these funds into promoting opportunities to grow fall prevention research and practice in Australia and New Zealand.  The ANZFPS has allocated $5,000 in 2021 to support a travel fellowship for one of its members.  We welcome applications for the travel fellowship for the purpose of supporting fall prevention research and practice capacity in Australia and/or New Zealand and build career opportunities in fall prevention of the successful applicant(s). The outcome of the travel fellowship will be presented back to the ANZFPS at the subsequent biennial conference and through the Society’s online newsletter.

Application Guidelines

Applications are now open to members of the ANZFPS who are at the time of application enrolled in research higher degrees (Research Masters or PhD) or less than four years following completion of a research higher degree. Career interruptions will be considered pending the scope of this interruption. Applicants are encouraged to identify a host institution (which may be located in Australia or New Zealand), organise their own research activities to be conducted at the host institution, and make their own travel and accommodation plans.

Applications must be submitted on the template provided (2-page maximum) and also include: a CV (2 pages maximum); host letter of support; and contact details for a referee who is happy to be contacted about your application.

The maximum budget for any one application is $5,000.  Research, economy travel and accommodation costs can be included. Research infrastructure costs (e.g. purchase of computers) cannot be included. Costs for the provision of childcare services from registered childcare providers can be included.

Application Assessment Criteria

• Potential impact on building fall prevention research and practice capacity in Australia and/or New Zealand – 10 points;
• Potential impact on the career development of successful applicant – 10 points;
• Value for money – 10 points.

Condition of the Award

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report at the completion of the fellowship (including an abbreviated version to appear in the Society’s online newsletter) and present their work at the following ANZFPS conference.

Submission:

Applications should be submitted to Anna Hatton, Secretary, Australian & New Zealand Falls Prevention Society: a.hatton1@uq.edu.au

Closing Date & Notification
Applications close 5:00 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time Friday 20th August. Successful applicants will be notified 6-8 weeks after the closing date.

• Full (early-bird): NZD $130
• Student/Concession (early-bird): NZD $80
• Full (standard): NZD $180
• Student/Concession (standard): NZD $130

You are invited to attend the Australasian Vestibular Rehabilitation Conference at Randwick, Sydney, from 22-24 May 2020. For more information click here.

From the US National Council for Aging Care, Fact sheet: Falls – the biggest threat to senior health and safety 

Fall rates in hospital rehabilitation units after individualised patient and staff education programmes: a pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial

Hill AM, McPhail SM, Waldron N, et al. The Lancet. 2015 Apr 9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61945-0.

Background

Falls are the most frequent adverse events that are reported in hospitals. We examined the effectiveness of individualised falls-prevention education for patients, supported by training and feedback for staff, delivered as a ward-level programme.

Methods

Eight rehabilitation units in general hospitals in Australia participated in this stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised study, undertaken during a 50 week period. Units were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups by use of computer-generated, random allocation sequences. We included patients admitted to the unit during the study with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of more than 23/30 to receive individualised education that was based on principles of changes in health behaviour from a trained health professional, in addition to usual care. We provided information about patients’ goals, feedback about the ward environment, and perceived barriers to engagement in falls-prevention strategies to staff who were trained to support the uptake of strategies by patients. The coprimary outcome measures were patient rate of falls per 1000 patient-days and the proportion of patients who were fallers. All analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, number ACTRN12612000877886).

Findings

Between Jan 13, and Dec 27, 2013, 3606 patients were admitted to the eight units (n=1983 control period; n=1623 intervention period). There were fewer falls (n=196, 7·80/1000 patient-days vs n=380, 13·78/1000 patient-days, adjusted rate ratio 0·60 [robust 95% CI 0·42–0·94], p=0·003), injurious falls (n=66, 2·63/1000 patient-days vs 131, 4·75/1000 patient-days, 0·65 [robust 95% CI 0·42–0·88], p=0·006), and fallers (n=136 [8·38%] vs n=248 [12·51%] adjusted odds ratio 0·55 [robust 95% CI 0·38 to 0·81], p=0·003) in the intervention compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in length of stay (intervention median 11 days [IQR 7–19], control 10 days [6–18]).

Interpretation

Individualised patient education programmes combined with training and feedback to staff added to usual care reduces the rates of falls and injurious falls in older patients in rehabilitation hospital-units.

Funding

State Health Research Advisory Council, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia.