SiA: Developing Recommendations for Remotely Assessing and Managing Older Adults' Physical Function

SiA: Developing Recommendations for Remotely Assessing and Managing Older Adults' Physical Function

🎙 Professor David Scott 👥 604 📅 February 16, 2026 ⏱ 59 min 👁 63 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

physical functionremote assessmentremote managementDelphi methodolder adults

Summary

Professor David Scott presents the development of recommendations for remotely assessing and managing physical function in older adults, based on a Delphi consensus process involving consumers and experts. The presentation outlines the rationale for remote care, the methodology of two linked Delphi studies, and the key findings. The consumer Delphi (n=650+ in round 1) identified that physical function is a health priority, but only one-third had been asked about it by health professionals. Consumers expressed willingness to participate in remote assessments and exercise, but preferences varied regarding supervision and group vs. individual sessions. The expert Delphi (n=108) involved professionals with an average of 13 years of experience, and only 30% had used remote assessment methods. The process resulted in 18 consumer-informed recommendations and 7 consolidated recommendations, which were then used to inform the expert Delphi. The presentation also briefly mentions a co-design process for digital resources. The talk concludes with future directions, emphasizing the need for further research and implementation.

160 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, as it provides a comprehensive overview of a rigorous consensus process that addresses a gap in remote care for older adults. The argumentation is well-structured, with clear justification for the Delphi method and the importance of incorporating consumer perspectives. The presentation effectively uses data to support claims, such as the low rates of remote assessment and the positive experiences of those who used it. However, the argumentation could be strengthened by discussing potential limitations of the Delphi method, such as selection bias and the influence of the facilitator.

104 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on developing recommendations for remote assessment and management of physical function in older adults.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The presentation is based on a systematic Delphi consensus process involving consumers and experts, with published and under-review manuscripts. The methodology is rigorous, with predefined consensus criteria and transparent reporting. However, the content is primarily descriptive of the process and results, with limited critical appraisal of limitations.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Consumer Delphi manuscript (open access) — Published paper describing the consumer Delphi process and results.
  • Expert Delphi manuscript (under review) — Paper describing the expert Delphi process, currently under review.

Concurring Sources

  • Sarcopenia: Revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis — Consensus on sarcopenia, related to physical function.
  • Digital health for older adults — WHO guidance on digital health interventions for older adults.

Contribution & Novelties

This presentation provides a novel contribution by systematically integrating consumer and expert perspectives to develop recommendations for remote physical function care. The emphasis on consumer input in the Delphi process is innovative and addresses a gap in the literature. The recommendations offer practical guidance for clinicians and researchers.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Sarcopenia: Revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis — Relevant to the related condition of sarcopenia.
  • Remote patient monitoring for older adults — WHO guidance on digital health for older adults.
  • Delphi method in health research — Overview of the Delphi technique and its applications.

98 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity, quality, and reliability, with a moderate technical level. This indicates a well-rounded presentation with strong scientific content, but not overly technical, making it accessible to a broad audience.

Reliability 8/10