Allied Health Impact Tool (AHIT): Measuring Allied Health ‘Hitting It Outta the Park’
Tara Brady1, Alison McCarthy1, Kristen Farrell1 1Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Background: Allied Health outcome measures are often specific to patient conditions or functional ability. Recent shifts to value-based health care have prompted innovation to demonstrate impact of allied health services to consumers and health services. The Allied Health Impact Tool (AHIT) is a custom, clinician-rated outcome measure that demonstrates impact of NAP allied health care across 8 domains. This project aimed to pilot the AHIT across three non-admitted patient services as a test of concept and validation of values.
Method: 151 AHIT submissions were completed across four NAP services. Treating clinicians recorded ratings on service-nominated AHIT domains and provided verbal and/or written feedback on the utilisation and effectiveness of the tool and rating process.
Results: 5 domains were rated most-frequently: i) functional independence (n=149) where 62% of patients improved their ability to fulfil life roles; ii) stage of patient’s health condition (n=148) where 52% facilitated recovery of an acute condition, iii) journey through organisation (n=146) where 29% of ratings identified services were an alternative to admitted care and 24% minimised risk of future admission; iv) emotional wellbeing of the patient (n=134) where 95% reduced distress following intervention; and v) self-management (n=132) where 60% of patients were independently managing their condition.
Discussion: AHIT ratings were quick and measured impacts of allied health not historically captured. The tool was flexible to the needs of services and patient cohorts. Potential bias of clinician-rating could be minimised through discussions with patients and/or families when determining ratings. Clarification of drop-down values and case examples have been incorporated into the next iteration of the tool.
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