Developing an Allied Health Assistant led Occupational Therapy - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Developing an Allied Health Assistant led Occupational Therapy ‘Daily Living’ group in a physical rehabilitation setting

Ally Skate – Occupational Therapist

SVPHM Background

• 4 campuses – East Melbourne
• 4 acute wards, inpatient rehabilitation unit

(24 beds) & outpatient rehabilitation centre

• Primarily orthopaedic and reconditioning
• Typical length of stay: 7-10 days
• 7 day Allied Health service – OT & PT
• 4 OTs & 1 OT AHA

OT & AHA Role

Rehabilitation goal: improve patient’s independence in activities of daily living, through a multidisciplinary approach, to allow them to return home after a major surgery or health event OT Role: Assessment, goal setting, treatment planning and delivering patient-centred intervention AHA Role: Delivering patient-centred intervention prescribed by the treating OT; provide regular handover to treating clinicians on patient progress

AHA Role & Duties

• Self-care reviews
• Co-facilitating meal preparation groups

with the OT

• Completing equipment orders
• Providing 1:1 education
• Managing organisational duties

Identifying gaps in

• ur service
• Service expansion – 18 to 24 beds
• Increased external expectations and pressure
• Focus on patient-centred care
• Considerable amount of therapist time spent

in patient education

• Under-utilised potential in our AHAs

Project process

• Identify service gap and needs
• Develop project plan, with goals &

timeframes

• Information gathering: brainstorm

frequency, duration, topics

• Develop group protocol
• Create group content

1. Planning

• Develop/gather resources for group –

presentation, information handouts, patient invitations

• Develop resources for project – data

forms, feedback forms

• Train and upskill AHA
• Trial group 2x weekly for 3 months

2. Implementation

Group overview

• Post-surgical precautions
• Introduction to long-handled aids
• Strategies & long-handled aid techniques for undressing,

washing, drying, dressing

• Familiarising with other equipment: over-toilet-frames, shower

chairs, grab rails, adjustable chairs etc.

• Basic energy conservation &

task adaptation principles

• Equipment hire/purchase process

• Record data from each group over 3

month trial – minutes in group, patient numbers

• Gather patient & staff feedback

(formal & informal) throughout 3 month trial

3. Data Gathering

• Interpret data and compare to previous

data from 1:1 interventions

• Staff reflection on trial phase and

review of outcomes/goals

• Identify modifications/improvements

required

4. Evaluation

Project process

Results

Results

Observations/feedback

• Group successfully run on 11 occasions to a total of 30 patients
• Optimal timing: first 2-4 days of stay
• Average group time: 22.8 minutes
• Most relevant populations: total hip replacement & spinal surgery
• Peer learning reported as valuable experience by patients
• 375 minute reduction of direct OT clinical time across 3 month trial
• Improved consistency in service delivery;

high quality patient care

100% of patients reported the daily living group was beneficial to their rehab!

AHA Outcomes

• Greater application of AHA skills and knowledge
• Development of group facilitation skills & enhanced

communication skills

• Improved self-efficacy & job satisfaction with taking on new skills

and added responsibilities

• Opportunity for AHA to be involved in quality improvement and

project development

• Encouraged and challenged our AHAs to think creatively about

improving our service

Moving forward…

Expanding the role and skillset of AHAs

• Identify opportunities in your workplace for development and

expansion of the AHA role

• Don’t be afraid to discuss these ideas with your supervisor &

team

• Seek opportunities to be involved in existing or upcoming quality

improvement projects to build your skills in project development and management

• Prioritise your professional development and communicate your

learning goals with your supervisor/manager

Questions