Physiotherapy service provision in a specialist adult cystic fibrosis service : A pre-post design study with the inclusion of an allied health assistant
Journal article
Hall, Kathleen, Maxwell, Lyndal, Cobb, Robyn, Steele, Michael, Chambers, Rebecca, Roll, Mark, Bell, Scott Cameron and Kuys, Suzanne. (2021). Physiotherapy service provision in a specialist adult cystic fibrosis service : A pre-post design study with the inclusion of an allied health assistant. Chronic Respiratory Disease. 18, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731211017895
Authors | Hall, Kathleen, Maxwell, Lyndal, Cobb, Robyn, Steele, Michael, Chambers, Rebecca, Roll, Mark, Bell, Scott Cameron and Kuys, Suzanne |
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Abstract | What is the impact of including an allied health assistant (AHA) role on physiotherapy service delivery in an acute respiratory service? A pragmatic pre-post design study examined physiotherapy services across two 3-month periods: current service delivery [P1] and current service delivery plus AHA [P2]. Clinical and non-clinical activity quantified as number, type and duration (per day) of all staff activity categorised for skill level (AHA, junior, senior). Physiotherapy service delivery increased in P2 compared to P1 (n = 4730 vs n = 3048). Physiotherapists undertook fewer respiratory (p < 0.001) and exercise treatments (p < 0.001) but increased reviews for inpatients (p < 0.001) and at multidisciplinary clinics in P2 (56% vs 76%, p < 0.01). The AHA accounted for 20% of all service provision. AHA activity comprised mainly non-direct clinical care including oversight of respiratory equipment use (e.g. supply, set-up, cleaning, loan audits) and other patient-related administrative tasks associated with delegation handovers, supervision and clinical documentation (72%), delegated supervision of established respiratory (5%) and exercise treatments (10%) and delegated exercise tests (3%). The AHA completed most of the exercise tests (n = 25). AHA non-direct clinical tasks included departmental management activities (11%). No adverse events were reported. AHA inclusion in an acute respiratory care service changed physiotherapy service provision. The AHA completed delegated routine clinical and non-clinical tasks. Physiotherapists increased clinic activity and annual reviews. Including an AHA role offers sustainable options for enhancing physiotherapy service provision in acute respiratory care. |
Keywords | allied health assistants; cystic fibrosis; physiotherapy; skill mix; scope of practice; delivery of healthcare |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Chronic Respiratory Disease |
Journal citation | 18, pp. 1-10 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
ISSN | 1479-9723 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731211017895 |
PubMed ID | 34142582 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85108171802 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC8216416 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-10 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 18 Jun 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 23 Apr 2021 |
Deposited | 04 Nov 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wzyx/physiotherapy-service-provision-in-a-specialist-adult-cystic-fibrosis-service-a-pre-post-design-study-with-the-inclusion-of-an-allied-health-assistant
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Publisher's version
OA_Hall_2021_Physiotherapy_service_provision_in_a_specialist.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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