Ms Andrea King1, Ms Stephanie Coates2
1Brightwater Care Group, Inglewood, Australia, 2Fiona Stanley & Fremantle Hospitals Group, Murdoch, Australia
Biography:
Andrea oversees a 300 strong Allied Health workforce at Brightwater Care Group that supports people receiving aged care, disability support and ABI rehabilitation. Having worked for nearly 3 decades in tertiary health across Melbourne and Perth as a physiotherapist specialising in neuro and late effects of disability, moving to the not-for-profit sector 7 years ago found a passion for allied health driving innovation for best functional health outcomes. Andrea believes the answers to some of our most wicked health problems will come from equitable, efficient access to allied health outside of expensive hospital care.
Stephanie Coates is the Head of Department, Occupational Therapy, for the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group in the South Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia. She is also the Co-lead of the Disability Health Network for the WA Department of Health.
Abstract:
Aims:
1. To enable experienced, mid-career clinicians to develop new skills, knowledge, awareness of other elements of the health system, and insights to the whole client journey within it.
2. To improve networks and opportunities for collaboration (and referrals) between services, leading to better client outcomes, staff engagement, and improved reputations of Brightwater/FSFHG.
Methods:
A formal agreement was developed to ensure that exchangees remained paid and covered during the exchange period. Exchangees agreed to participate in the exchange and abide by the host service’s policies and procedures, and act as an ‘ambassador’ for their employer. Exchangees and hosts agreed on the goals and objectives of the exchange. The hosts supported the exchangees with appropriate exposure to clinical experiences and supervision, facilitating a positive, immersive experience.
Results:
Two occupational therapists ‘traded places’ for 6 months between the State Rehabilitation Service Acquired Brain Injury unit, and Brightwater’s Capacity Building Program (community neuro, NDIS). Initially the exchangees felt like ‘fish out of water’, but by the end were confident with their new skills and ways of working. On returning to their original workplace, their colleagues and seniors noted significant improvements in their confidence and skills.
Conclusion:
Both organisations developed new links to each other, and better awareness of the client journey. More referrals and consultations have occurred incidentally after the exchange. Offering an alternative, interesting professional and personal development opportunity has led to an improved environment for integrated health care for people with ABI in WA.