Ms Maria Zucco1, Ms Joanna Shelton2
1Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Sefton Park, Au, 2Joanna Shelton, Sefton Park, Australia, 3Usha Ritchie, Sefton Park, Au
Biography:
Maria Zucco, Physiotherapy Service Coordinator, CALHN – BRIGHT and has extensive experience in the planning and provision of public funded, community-based physiotherapy services. Maria’s role includes the development of pathways and services that promote a ‘home first’ approach to support discharge and models of care where multidisciplinary care is delivered outside the acute setting.
Joanna Shelton, Seniors Physiotherapist, BRIGHT, has worked across public funded services, private practice and non-government organisations. Jo’s clinical expertise includes muscular skeletal assessment and management of acute through to chronic conditions in the community and has an in-depth understanding of primary care.
Abstract:
Back pain is the 6th most common condition presenting to emergency departments in Australia. Although a small proportion of back pain is caused by serious pathologies, one third of patients are admitted to hospital and there is a 6%-12% re-presentation rate within 5 days.
The CALHN BRIGHT Personify Back Pain Pathway is an innovative digital program which supports patients diverted from an Emergency Department to self-manage back pain and access primary care services. The Pathway is evidence based and in line with relevant National guidelines.
Patients periodically complete an online questionnaire which is reviewed by the Physiotherapist. Telehealth is used to support patients manage their condition with easy to access targeted information in a range of modalities. Care is escalated as required. Most importantly the Pathway helps patients feel reassured and supported, directly addressing the key psychological risk factors.
Over 150 patients have participated in the pathway over 12 months and evaluation indicates:
– 95 % found the provision of new information was helpful
– 100% felt supported and reassured
– 92% were provided with effective linkages with ongoing supports.
Patient feedback includes:
“I was having leg weakness. The Physio called me within 2 hours, and I was reassured.”
“The Physio call was the turning point to managing and not returning to ED. “
The success of this pathway in supporting patients avoid hospital and transition to primary health care in line with best practice standards demonstrates the potential to modernise the management of back pain in urgent care settings.