Testing the SNOWDROP Intervention: Using a Clinical Decision Support System and Patient Portal for Falls Prevention Among Older Patients in Primary Care

Falls are a leading cause of injuries among older patients. Medication use is a major risk factor for falls. Because we lack tools to assess individualized risks, general practitioners (GPs) struggle with fall-related medication management for older patients. Furthermore, these older patients are often not properly equipped to engage in the joint management of their medication. A Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for GPs and a patient portal for older patients may stimulate shared decision making between GPs and older patients when discussing the medication-related fall risk. The CDSS provides the GP with advice on how to alter medication in such a way that the fall risk decreases, and the patient portal helps the older patient to prepare for a consultation and to engage in the joint management of their medication.