Patient Participation

Participants were significantly younger than non-participants. Presenting complaints differed significantly between participants and non-participants. The participant group was predominantly female, but the sex difference was not statistically significant. Reasons for non-participation were available for 8,149 non-participants, representing 46% of non-participants. Patients were not observed directly participating in formal falls assessment or prevention planning. Relatives and carers supplied patient context that nurses often lacked time to elicit. Patients sometimes mobilised without help when call-bell responses were delayed or staff were unavailable. In practice, patient participation mainly occurred through call-bell use and rehabilitation programmes.