Mr Min Jiat Teng1,2, Dr Alla Melman2, Ms Isabella Khoudair1,2, Mr Ben Warnock1, Dr Paula Knight1, Dr Anna Thai1, Dr Winston Lo1, A/Prof Gustavo Machado2
1RPA Virtual Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia, 2Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
Biography:
Min Jiat Teng is the Physiotherapist Coordinator at RPA Virtual Hospital and a PhD candidate at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health. As a clinician researcher, his work focuses on leveraging virtual care to improve access to quality care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. He is a recipient of a Sydney Research Scholarship and a MRFF grant scholarship to pursue his clinical trial in evaluating whether a virtual fracture clinic model is effective, acceptable and sustainable compared to an in-person fracture clinic. Min Jiat was awarded the 2023 Researcher of the Year by RPA Virtual Hospital.
Abstract:
Low back pain is one of the primary reasons for patients presenting to emergency departments within Australia. Previous studies completed by our research group had demonstrated 70% receive opioids, 18% are admitted to hospital, and when admitted, spend a mean of 10.4 days in hospital, costing the hospital $14,000 per patient. Back@Home is a virtual service supporting patients with back pain at home to reduce hospital admissions. Adult patients with non-serious low back pain are referred from the emergency department. Patients with serious spinal pathology, pregnancy-related pain, or those who can access an outpatient clinic are excluded. A physiotherapist or General Practitioner contact patients within 24 hours of referral to provide care in line with the Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard. Our preliminary evaluation of the first 50 patients (13 February to 31 July 2023) found that the service had high levels of reach (91%) and adoption (73-95%), very low re-presentations to emergency department (n=3, 6%), and no adverse events. The median costs for an episode of virtual care costs A$2215. Back@Home patients had the same satisfaction with care compared to those admitted to hospital, with Back@Home patients reporting less pain and better physical function. We have completed our final data collection on 31 July 2024, and are currently analysing the data to ascertain the impact of Back@Home on the admission rates and length of hospital stay for patients admitted to the traditional hospital.