Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Safety first: A fact-finding survey among the nursing students about the evaluation and management of fall risk |
|---|---|
| Name | Pietrangelo Daniela |
| Supervisor(s) | D'Amico Roberto, Malagoli Maurizia |
| Academic Year | 2019/20 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
Approximately 28-35% of 65-year-olds fall each year; this percentage rises to 32-42% in over 70s. (WHO, 2008). Nurses are responsible for assessing this risk. The qualitative observational study was carried out using a questionnaire written on purpose, administered on the Google modules platform, consisting of 11 questions, 2 of which were open-ended and 2 that required orders of priority. 192 replies were given. When the questionnaires were sent, the aim of the research was explained to the students and the total anonymity of the answers was guaranteed. These have been summarized through descriptive statistics. The dichotomous and categorical variables will be reported in the form of percentages. The study lasted about 70 days: 30 delegates to collect the answers and 40 to collect data and analyze them. The research can lead to the integration of practical training courses in the Nursing Degree Course for the prevention and management of the event and the addition of patient trainers' testimonies to make the presence of the phenomenon even more real and important. Most students are aware of the presence of this phenomenon and the severity of the damage it can cause and are aware of how to assess the risk of falling, but not fully aware of how to manage the event. Students demonstrated a good level of empathy by understanding how fear and pain affect the life of the patient traumatized following a fall. The risk of falling is often underestimated and is linked to a consequence of age, but it causes serious trauma and accelerates functional decline, compromising the quality of life. Therefore it is important that future nurses are more aware of this risk and how to prevent and manage it through appropriate training.