Dr Carrie-Anne Lewis1, Mr Guy Law1, Ms Nicole Thill1, A/Prof Helen MacLaughlin1, Ms Louise Moodie2, A/Prof Susan de Jersey1
1Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia, 2Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Mackay, Australia
Biography:
Dr. Carrie-Anne Lewis (BHSc, PhD) is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with 18 years of experience as a clinician researcher in obesity care. Her work focuses on providing person-centred obesity care within the public healthcare system.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Access to publicly funded obesity care in regional Queensland is fragmented and inequitable, with these regions having higher rates of obesity than the rest of Queensland.
Aim:
To scope and facilitate the expansion of a dietitian-led obesity treatment model of care.
Methods:
This project has three phases. Phase 1: Focus groups (n=31; 12 consumers recruited via social media and 19 health professionals recruited via email distribution lists) identified barriers and enablers in publicly funded obesity treatment. Phase 2: Two co-design workshops (n=7; 3 consumers, 4 health professionals, recruited from phase 1) used journey mapping, brainstorming, and prioritisation to design solutions to improve obesity care. Phase 3: Pilot implementation of the co-designed recommendations into on regional area in Queensland, Mackay, using the i-PARIHS framework2. Implementation and adoption outcomes were evaluated using the RE-AIM model3.
Results:
Phase 1 identified the challenges of living with obesity, including physical and psychological barriers, weight stigma, poor access to care, and inconsistent person-centred, evidence-based care. Phase 2 co-design workshops proposed solutions, including standardising referral pathways, access to multidisciplinary care with individual assessments and treatment, partnering with consumers and training. In Phase 3, all eligible services (3/3) participated in the implementation process. Preliminary outcomes include a novel dietitian-led obesity assessment clinic expansion of individualised treatment plans through partnering with physiotherapy, endocrinology, and nurse practitioners, and a state-wide dietitian obesity network has been established.
Conclusion:
Through co-design and facilitated implementation, Mackay Hospital and Health service has improved access to person-centred, through individualised assessment clinic and treatment services.
Acknowledgements: This project was funded by the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health.