Can early referral to allied health improve outcomes for brain tumour patients?
Janine Gilmour, Brooke Russell 1Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
Abstract
Background: Patients with a diagnosis of high-grade glioma (HGG) are at risk of extended hospital stays and almost 50% of carers have reported unmet needs. The Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) State Cancer Centre neuro-oncology team, led by occupational therapy and social work are investigating if early access to allied health impacts on hospital admission rates and quality of life (QOL) for these patients and their caregivers. Preserving QOL has been associated with extending patient survival. Additionally, it may lead to earlier access to systems including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Question: In patients with HGG does early allied health referral at diagnosis impact on healthcare use and patient and carer outcomes over a six-month period compared to standard allied health care received at hospital admission?
Method: Before-after interventional study, comparing patients before and after implementation of an early allied health referral service to determine impact on health care use, time from diagnosis to allied health service provision receipt and evaluate patient and carer QOL.
Results: Data collection is underway (n=124) and will be available for presentation. It is hypothesised that the provision of early referral to allied health will result in more timely access to interventions such as equipment provision, rehabilitation and in home supports that will result in less unplanned healthcare use and timely hospital discharges.
Conclusion: Delayed allied health referral can impact directly on the patients’ function, QOL and carer stress. This project will share an early intervention allied health pathway and present evaluation findings.
Biography
Janine is a Senior Social Worker working in the Outpatient Cancer Centre setting at SCGH. She has worked as a hospital Social Worker for the past 25 years and specialised in Oncology Social Work for the past 3 years. Brooke Russell is an experienced Senior Cancer OT who works clinically and leads the Cancer OT team here at SCGH. She has extensive experience in the cancer field in Perth and London.