Mr Duncan Lodge1, Dr Jane Bickford2
1Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia, 2Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
Abstract:
Background:
Outpatient waiting times for specialist review are a challenge in public health. In 2020, neurosurgical wait times at a large metropolitan hospital in South Australia had a median waiting time of 26.4 months and a maximum waiting time of 122.6 months. Many patients on the waitlist have referrals for degenerative spinal conditions not requiring surgery. This study used the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework to develop a physiotherapy led triage and assessment model of care for spinal patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementation of the model and measure triage agreement between physiotherapists and neurosurgeons for spinal patient referrals.
Method:
This multi-methods study used the KTA framework to guide evaluation of the model of care. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected including consumer, referrer, and stakeholder satisfaction; audit of neurosurgical waitlist times; cost effectiveness; and agreement between neurosurgeons and physiotherapist for triage of spinal referrals.
Results:
Results indicate high satisfaction from consumers (n=39), referrers (n=11), and stakeholders (n=10). Average wait times for spinal assessment have decreased from 800 days to 120 days. Cost analysis suggests the model of care is beneficial to the local health network. A 100% correlation between neurosurgeons and physiotherapist for triage of spinal referrals (n=75) was measured.
Discussion/Conclusion:
Results suggest the new model of care has provided cost effective health care which meets the needs of consumers and their referrers, has stakeholder approval, and reduces wait times. Study findings suggest the model of care is feasible to manage non-urgent neurosurgical outpatient waitlists.