The Effect of Structured Teleconsultation, as Part of Discharge Planning, on the Reversibility of Frailty in Geriatric Patients Post Hospitalization: a Clinical Trial Based on Clinical Scores and Biological Markers

Frailty is common among older adults following hospitalization and is associated with increased risk of readmission, functional decline, and mortality. Telemedicine has been proposed to support frailty management, but prior studies have used varied formats and shown inconsistent results, and no prior study has evaluated structured tele-consultation targeting physical exercise, nutrition, and home care education as a means of reversing frailty in older adults after hospital discharge, using both a validated frailty score and biological markers as outcomes.

This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted among older adults admitted to the acute geriatric ward who are deemed fit for discharge. Eligible patients are enrolled after providing informed consent, and baseline data (frailty scores, biological markers, hand grip strength) are collected prior to discharge. Participants are randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. Both groups receive standard discharge planning and follow-up at the geriatric outpatient clinic over a 12-week period after discharge. In addition to standard follow-up, participants in the intervention group receive structured tele-consultation sessions addressing physical exercise, nutrition, and home care education, delivered by a trained physician, dietitian, and physiotherapist. Outcome assessments are performed at baseline and at the end of the follow-up period by an assessor unaware of participants' group allocation.

Participants who are readmitted to hospital during the study period are withdrawn from the study. All collected data are kept confidential and used only for research purposes. Data from participants who withdraw or are lost to follow-up are retained and analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach.