A/Prof. Casey Peiris1,2, Ms Jennifer Langford1, Ms Annie Lu1, Ms Celeste Trussell1, Ms Elika Loughnan1, Ms Anita Ayling1
1Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia, 2La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
Biography:
Dr Casey Peiris is a physiotherapist and Associate Professor, jointly appointed at La Trobe University and the Royal Melbourne Hospital as Head of Allied Health Research. With a background in chronic disease management, she integrates clinical experience into her research on physiotherapy, physical activity, chronic disease, and rehabilitation.
Passionate about solving real-world healthcare challenges, Dr. Peiris conducts research that directly addresses the needs of clinicians and patients. Her work focuses on enhancing the role of physical activity in chronic disease management and improving health service delivery.
Abstract:
Background:
Ensuring patients receive enough therapy during rehabilitation is a critical challenge. The My Therapy self-management program has been shown to increase therapy dose in physiotherapy and occupational therapy but has not been explored more broadly in allied health. This study evaluated its implementation in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and music therapy.
Methods:
An observational study using the RE-AIM framework to implement the My Therapy self-management program on a rehabilitation ward. The study had three phases: (1) baseline audit, (2) My Therapy implementation (with strategies informed by baseline findings), and (3) post-implementation audit. Implementation success was assessed by considering Reach (patients with an independent program), Effectiveness (therapy practice dose), Adoption (staff uptake), and Implementation (adherence to the four My Therapy pillars). Change in frequencies was assessed using Chi-squared tests.
Results:
A total of 189 patients (mean age 61, 49% female) participated. The proportion prescribed an independent program increased from 34% to 41% (p=0.13). Patient awareness of programs rose from 71% to 77% (p=0.38), and nursing staff encouragement to practice programs increased from 45% to 63% (p<.001). Post-implementation, 12 of 17 (71%) allied health staff adopted My Therapy, and programs were up to three times more likely to follow best practice by adhering to the My Therapy pillars (p<0.001).
Discussion:
My Therapy was successfully implemented across allied health to improve the quantity and quality of unsupervised practice and engagement by nursing staff. Adopting a standard approach to independent task practice across allied health could improve practice and rehabilitation outcomes.