Table 2 Myths and practical approaches concerning the frailty syndrome among primary health care professionals

Misconceptions regarding fraity

  Frailty is a natural part of the aging process. (n= 479)

22 (4.6%)

42 (8.8%)

16 (3.3%)

237 (49.5%)

162 (33.8%)

  Frailty is synonymous of disability, comorbidity and advanced age. (n= 449)

107 (22.3%)

89 (18.6%)

38 (7.9%)

149 (37.4%)

66 (13.8%)

  Every frailty assessment is complex, requires specific knowledge and takes a lot of time to apply. (n= 479)

41 (8.6%)

82 (17.1%)

51 (10.6%)

172 (35.9%)

133 (27.8%)

  Once the frailty syndrome is installed in older adults, its reversal is not possible.(n= 479)

139 (29.0%)

147 (30.7%)

70 (14.6%)

106 (22.1%)

17 (3.5%)

  I believe that the evaluation of the frailty syndrome should be performed only by specialists in the care of older adults.(n= 472)

178 (37.7%)

120 (25.4%)

39 (8.3%)

99 (21.0%)

36 (7.6%)

  I believe that the provision of care for frail older adults should be performed only by specialists in the care of older adults. (n= 472)

222 (47.0%)

122 (25.9%)

34 (7.2%)

67 (14.2%)

27 (5.7%)

Practices regarding frailty in Primary Care

  I feel prepared to identify frail older adults who seek care at the primary health care where I work. (n= 472)

35 (7.4%)

97 (20.7%)

43 (9.1%)

237 (50.2%)

60 (12.6%)

  In the primary health care where I work, instruments are used to detect and screen for frailty in older adults.(n= 472)

142 (30.1%)

101 (21.4%)

71 (15.0%)

124 (26.3%)

34 (7.2%)

  I feel prepared to provide care to frail older adults at the primary health care where I work. (n= 472)

44 (9.3%)

104 (22.0%)

50 (10.6%)

207 (43.9%)

67 (14.2%)

  At the primary health care where I work, activities aimed at preventing frailty in older adults are offered.(n= 472)

97 (20.6%)

80 (16.9%)

43 (9.1%)

171 (36.2%)

81 (17.2%)

  I believe that every older adult should be periodically evaluated for the frailty syndrome in the primary health care service.(n= 479)

4 (0.8%)

7 (1.5%)

15 (3.1%)

95 (19.8%)

358 (74.8%)

  I believe that recognizing the state of pre-frailty is crucial in providing care to older adults in primary health care.(n= 472)

7 (1.5%)

16 (3.4%)

20 (4.2%)

100 (21.2%)

329 (69.7%)