The Tasmanian electronic falls ascertainment tool—A pilot study

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of using an electronic tool to ascertain falls and their circumstances (TASeFALL) in people aged over 60 years.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Forty participants (mean age: 69.3 ± 5.4 years, 55% women) were randomised to receive a monthly paper-based questionnaire (control group n = 19), compared with the same questionnaire sent via email with LimeSurvey software (TASeFALL n = 21). Falls and their circumstances were recorded prospectively over 12 months in all participants. The main outcomes were feasibility of enrolment, number of falls, adherence to completion of questionnaires and cost.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The incidence, number of falls and adherence to the completion of the questionnaire over the 12-month follow-up were similar in both the TASeFALL and control groups. However, the monthly paper-based questionnaire approach was 45% more expensive.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The TASeFALL is a feasible and cost-effective method of falls ascertainment for older people with email access that could have a wide research uptake.</p>