Mrs Tamara Matulick1
1Southern Fleurieu Health Service – Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, Victor Harbor, Australia
Biography:
Tamara Matulick is a Senior Generalist Physiotherapist with 16 years of clinical experience with a special interest in Respiratory Physiotherapy. Graduating from the University of South Australia in 2009, Tamara has vast clinical experience in private and public settings across metropolitan and rural locations in Australia and the United Kingdom. Most recently, she has been based in Rural South Australia working in sub-acute and community settings within the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN). This quality improvement project was completed as part of the Transition to Clinical Leadership (TCL) program which Tamara completed in 2024.
Abstract:
Chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affect nearly 8.5 million Australians, leading to poor health and wellbeing. Ensuring timely access to effective airway clearance services is essential. This presentation highlights our experience establishing an Airway Clearance Clinic for Adult Respiratory Clients in a rural setting and its impact.
Using a quality improvement framework, we first identified gaps in service delivery, including a lack of a clear referral pathway and limited clinician expertise in airway clearance physiotherapy. The nearest service was an hour away at Noarlunga GP+, leaving many clients struggling with unmanaged secretions, impacting daily life and increasing hospitalisation risk. In collaboration with key stakeholders, we developed a local model of care to improve access, particularly for complex clients. Partnering with experienced clinicians at Noarlunga GP+, we launched a physiotherapist-led airway clearance service—five half-day clinics over six months, providing 24 occasions of service. A hybrid home visit and telehealth model maximised impact and efficiency.
Thirteen clients participated in the pilot program. Pre and post evaluations showed consistent improvements in their quality of life, leading to greater freedom with speaking, walking, and socialising. This was complemented by positive client feedback in terms of ease of access to the service (location) the clinic’s overall supportiveness to maintain their independence. The service’s success led to continuation into 2025, ensuring ongoing support to the local community, and upskilling of physiotherapists across the Southern Fleurieu and Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network.