Dietitian First Gastroenterology Clinic – a statewide, virtual model of care providing timely access to care closer to home.
Simone McCoy1, Jennifer Ellick1,2, Matthew Walker3, Shelley Smith4, Enoka Gonsalkorala1, Belinda Gavaghan5, Adrienne Young1,2, Kellie Stockton1,21Metro North Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia2University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 3Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia 4West Moreton Health , Ipswich, Queensland, Australia5Department of Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
The Dietitian First Gastroenterology Clinic is a safe and effective allied health led model of care that reduces wait times for specialist outpatient care and provides cost savings. The aim of our project is to implement a statewide, dietitian led telehealth service to reduce gastroenterology wait times and improve access to specialist outpatient care within Queensland.
The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), formed partnerships with West Moreton and Wide Bay health services, as well as consumers to pilot this statewide telehealth service, supported by an OCAHO grant. Referral pathways were developed, leveraging digital systems where able. Co-design workshops were facilitated to inform service improvements. Referral rates, waiting times and changes in IBS symptom severity following dietary intervention are reported in this preliminary analysis.
Eighty-three patients were referred over an 8-month period, with 77% of referrals from within the Metro North health service. On average, patients were waiting 110 days prior to transfer to STARS, compared with only 30 days from referral acceptance to Dietitian assessment. Mean IBS symptom severity improved from moderate (260) to low (123) in patients who had attended at least two Dietitian appointments. Consumers reported satisfaction with the service and identified an opportunity to enhance patient experience through the development of a website. Formal project evaluation is underway.
This statewide telehealth model is effective in expediting patient care, achieving IBS symptom reduction and patient satisfaction, however barriers exist in establishing sustainable inter-health service referral pathways to alternative pathways of care contributing to low rates of referrals.
Biography
Simone is a Team Leader Dietitian at the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitaion Service (STARS) in Brisbane, Queensland. She is an experienced healthcare professional, with a passion for leading change through systems innovations to achieve better patient, staff and service outcomes. She has over 15 years’ experience working in clinical and leadership roles across Queensland tertiary hospitals, employing a collaborative approach to leadership and teamwork. She is experienced in leading the development, implementation and evaluation of innovative models of care in a digital hospital, including the statewide Dietitian First Gastroenterology Clinical, as the Project Lead.