scholarly journals The Changing Nature of Palliative Care: Implications for Allied Health Professionals’ Educational and Training Needs

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deidre D. Morgan ◽  
Deb Rawlings ◽  
Carly J. Moores ◽  
Lizzie Button ◽  
Jennifer J. Tieman

CareSearch is an Australian Government Department of Health funded repository of evidence-based palliative care information and resources. The CareSearch Allied Health Hub was developed in 2013 to support all allied health professionals working with palliative care clients in all clinical settings. This cross-sectional online survey sought to elicit allied health professionals palliative care experiences and subsequent considerations for educational and clinical practice needs. The survey was disseminated nationally via a range of organisations. Data was collected about palliative care knowledge, experience working with palliative care clients and professional development needs. Data were evaluated by profession, experience and practice setting. In total, 217 respondents answered one or more survey questions (94%). Respondents (65%) reported seeing >15 palliative care clients per month with 84% seen in hospital and community settings. Undergraduate education underprepared or partially prepared allied health professionals to work with these clients (96%) and 67% identified the need for further education. Access to postgraduate professional development was limited by available backfill and funding. Study findings support the importance of free, accessible, relevant educational and professional development resources to support clinical practice. This is particularly relevant for allied health professionals who have limited opportunities to attend formal professional development sessions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Freene ◽  
Sophie Cools ◽  
Danny Hills ◽  
Bernie Bissett ◽  
Kate Pumpa ◽  
...  

Objective Nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs) are in an ideal position to promote physical activity (PA) as part of their health care provision. The aim of this study was to investigate current promotion and knowledge of PA among people in these disciplines. Methods A cross-sectional online survey of practicing Australian physiotherapists, nurses, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, dietitians and pharmacists was conducted in 2016. Results A total of 433 nurses and AHPs completed the survey. All disciplines agreed that providing PA advice was part of their role, although nurses were less likely to agree. All disciplines felt they had the skills to promote PA but nurses were more likely to report a lack of time as a barrier. Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists were more confident giving PA advice to patients. Most health professionals (68%) were aware of the PA guidelines, although only 16% were accurately able to describe all relevant components. In logistic regression modelling, women and those working in public hospitals were less likely to encourage PA. Awareness of the PA guidelines doubled the odds of encouraging PA in patients (odds ratio 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.18–3.43). Conclusions Australian nurses and AHPs perceive that PA promotion is part of their role, however few have specific knowledge of the PA guidelines. To increase PA promotion by nurses and AHPs awareness of the PA guidelines appears to be essential. What is known about the topic? Nurses and AHPs are in an ideal position to promote PA, although there is limited evidence of their PA promotion and knowledge. What does the paper add? Australian nurses and AHPs are confident and think it is feasible to promote PA to patients in several healthcare settings but many lack sufficient PA knowledge, limiting their PA promotion. What are the implications for practitioners? Increasing PA knowledge of nurses and AHPs could generate increased levels of PA in the Australian population and improve national health and wellbeing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Mubashir Siddiqui

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The havoc caused by COVID-19 leads to have an adverse impact on medical priorities for consultation however e-consultation has been used widely by practitioners to aid the patient and healthcare providers. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional survey was conducted on allied health professionals, considering physical and occupational therapists. A self-administered questionnaire regarding impact assessment and level of attained satisfaction was distributed to participants in Google Docs via email or Whatsapp groups. RESULTS A total number of 109 responses obtained from the participants showed (34.9%) were agreed to understand the completed condition of the patient, (38.5%) but (41.3%) disagreed to treat the patient same as physical appointment and (35.58%) disagreed to work more productively. Only (32.1%) were agreed to be satisfied during their consultation, (49.5%) agreed that e-consultation can never be adopted as a good substitute of physical appointments. CONCLUSION It was concluded that limited number of therapists were satisfied with their e-consultation services while majority were agreed that the service cannot be a good substitute for a physical appointment. Therefore, further trials needs to be conducted to evaluate the factors causing hindrance in healthcare delivery.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e030595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Trusson ◽  
Emma Rowley ◽  
Louise Bramley

ObjectivesThe clinical academic trajectory for doctors and dentists is well-established, with research embedded in their career development. Recent years have also seen a burgeoning interest and push for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) to pursue a clinical academic career. However, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 10-year review suggested that there may be problems with progression post Master’s degree level for this group, with nurses and midwives receiving less NIHR funding than allied health professionals. This study responds to these concerns, tracking the progression and exploring experiences of NMAHPs in the East Midlands region of England.DesignAn online survey and in-depth interviews were used to capture a wide range of experiences.Participants67 NMAHPs who were pursuing a clinical academic career were surveyed, supplemented by 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews.ResultsThree themes emerged during data analysis: Embarking on a clinical academic career, overcoming barriers and benefits.ConclusionsNMAHPs are motivated to pursue a clinical academic career by a drive to improve services for the benefit of patients and the National Health Service more widely, as well as for personal development and career progression. People working in these roles have opportunities to explore possible solutions to issues that they encounter in their clinical role through academic study. Findings reveal benefits emanating from the individual level through to (inter)national levels, therefore academic study should be encouraged and supported. However, investment is needed to establish more clinical academic roles to enable NMAHPs to continue to use their experience and expertise post-PhD, otherwise the full extent of their value will not be recognised.


Author(s):  
Mieke Deschodt ◽  
Anthony Jeuris ◽  
Bastiaan Van Grootven ◽  
Eline Van Waerebeek ◽  
Evie Gantois ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Inpatient geriatric consultation teams (IGCTs) provide recommendations for the care of older patients hospitalized on non-geriatric wards based on comprehensive geriatric assessment. The lack of adherence to their recommendations hinders the potential impact of IGCTs. We evaluated the adherence to IGCT recommendations and determined which team and recommendation characteristics are related to higher adherence rates. Methods Multicenter observational study in older adults aged ≥ 75 years admitted to an acute non-geriatric ward. Demographic and adherence data were collected for 30 consecutive patients. A cross-sectional survey mapped team and organizational characteristics of the participating IGCTs. Results Analyses were conducted in 278 patients (51.4% male, mean age 82.5 years, and median length of stay 10 days). There was a median number of 3 recommendations (range 1–13) per patient. The overall adherence rate was 69.7%. Recommendations related to ‘social status’ (82.4%) and ‘functional status/mobility’ (73.3%) were best adhered to. Recommendations related to ‘medication’ (53.2%) and ‘nutritional status’ (59.1%) were least adhered to. Adherence rates increased if recommendations were given to allied health professionals (OR = 6.37, 95% CI = 1.15–35.35) or by more experienced IGCTs (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04–1.72) and decreased when more recommendations were given (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33–0.80). Conclusion Adherence rate to IGCT recommendations increased if given to allied health professionals or by more experienced IGCTs and when fewer recommendations were given. Study replication in an international multicenter study with a larger number of centers and evaluating the quality of the recommendations is suggested.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document