Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42013225›Full record

ArticleJournal of evaluation in clinical practice2026

Implementing Systematic Assessment of Physical Function in Hospitalised Medical Patients: Description and Evaluation Guided By the Quality Implementation Framework.

Helene Nørgaard Kristensen, Jannie Rhod Bloch-Nielsen, Morten Tange Kristensen, Helle Høgh, Loui Hannibal, Anne Mette Schmidt

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Helene Nørgaard KristensenMedical Diagnostic Centre, University Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Regional Hospital Central Jutland, Silkeborg, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0044-1841
Jannie Rhod Bloch-NielsenMedical Diagnostic Centre, University Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Regional Hospital Central Jutland, Silkeborg, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2226-3495
Morten Tange KristensenDepartment of Physical- and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5868-4677
Helle HøghCentre for Innovation and Development of Methods, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark.
Loui HannibalDepartment of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Medical Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark.
Anne Mette SchmidtMedical Diagnostic Centre, University Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Regional Hospital Central Jutland, Silkeborg, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3077-4985

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationaleAlthough older adults comprise 16%-22% of the population, they account for up to 75% of hospital admissions and nearly half of related costs. Frailty, multimorbidity and reduced physical function are common, requiring assessment and follow-up. Systematic assessment of physical function using the Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS), 30-second sit-to-stand test (30s-STS), and handgrip strength (HGS) has shown predictive value for outcomes such as length of hospital stay, complications, readmission and survival in hospitalised older patients. This underscores the importance of early intervention in rehabilitation. The successful integration of evidence-based practices necessitates the use of an evidence-based implementation model, such as the Quality Implementation Framework (QIF), which clearly outlines what to address and which actions to take to secure the quality of the implementation process and patient outcomes in the clinical setting. AIMS AND

objectivesThis study aims to describe and evaluate the implementation process of systematic assessment of physical function in hospitalised medical patients using QIF.

methodA prospective implementation study, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods, was conducted at two medical wards in a Danish hospital. QIF was employed to guide the implementation and the evaluation of the systematic assessment.

resultsImplementation of the systematic assessment showed that early stakeholder engagement and leadership support ensured ownership and staff buy-in. A structured implementation plan clarified roles and accountability. Process evaluation revealed high penetration and acceptability, with improved fidelity over time. Workflow challenges remained, and adoption into daily practice among therapists was limited due to time constraints and documentation burden. Expansion to new departments demonstrated scalability.

conclusionA structured QIF-based approach to implementing systematic assessments in hospitalised medical patients proved feasible, acceptable, and potentially scalable. Stakeholder engagement, management support and strengthened cross-sector collaboration were key to success. Sustainability depends on workflow integration, timely data-driven feedback and continued training.

Indexed as

Geriatric AssessmentHospitalizationAgedAged, 80 and overDenmarkFemaleHumansMaleProspective Studiesdisability evaluationhospitalizationimplementation scienceinpatientsneeds assessmentphysical functional performancerehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID42013225
PMCPMC13099113

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.