Orthopedic nurses' attitudes towards frailty and their predictors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine orthopedic nurses’ attitudes towardfrailty and identify the factors influencing these attitudes. This descriptive,cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey with a sample of 120 ortho-pedic nurses. Data were collected online via Google Forms using a NurseInformation Form and The Health Professionals’ Frailty Attitude Scale.Descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyseswere employed to evaluate the data. The average age of the nurses was31.85 ± 8.34 and 77.5% had a bachelor’s degree education. The majority oforthopedic nurses did not have knowledge about the concept of frailty, itsassessment, prevention and management. It was assessed that none of theorthopedic nurses assessed frailty in the patients they treated and cared forusing a specific/validated measurement tool. It was determined that theconcept of frailty was mostly associated with advanced age (12.5%), pre-sence of chronic disease (11.6%) and limitation in physical activity (10.9%).The mean score of the Health Professionals’ Frailty Attitude Scale was 68.46± 5.82; it was determined that they had a moderately positive attitude.Educational status and discussing about the frailty in practice with theircolleagues are factors that statistically significant affect attitudes towardvulnerability. This study revealed that orthopedic nurses have a moderatelypositive attitude toward frailty and that their level of education and discuss-ing about the concept of frailty with their colleagues in practice have animpact on attitudes. Understanding nurses’ attitudes toward frailty is essen-tial for improving the assessment and management of frailty in orthopedicpatients.