Strengthening teamwork capability in allied health: implementation of a team development program in a metropolitan health service

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela J. Wood ◽  
Kathy Grudzinskas ◽  
Julie-Anne Ross ◽  
Sarah Bailey ◽  
Gail E. Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Team Development ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Structure Evaluation

ObjectiveCollaborative practice is critical to optimising patient outcomes in contemporary healthcare settings. Evidence suggests interprofessional learning is an effective way to develop teamwork capabilities, yet these skills are traditionally developed in professional silos, or not at all. This study evaluated the implementation of a team development program, the Team Management Systems (TMS) program, for allied health staff within a large metropolitan health service. MethodsA mixed-methods audit–quality improvement study was conducted, using Kirkpatrick’s four-level evaluation model to structure evaluation of the program. Semistructured questionnaire and workforce survey data were retrieved immediately, 6 months and 1–2 years after training and applied to each level of the model (Reaction, Learning, Behaviour, Results). ResultsIn all, 886 staff participated in the TMS program from 2014 to 2018. High satisfaction with the program was observed. Knowledge of what constitutes effective teamwork improved significantly (P=0.008) in TMS participants compared with a matched untrained cohort. Participants reported positive behaviour change and continued engagement with TMS principles 6 months after training. Perceived impact of the program on patient and/or organisational outcomes was evident, although less compelling than the changes to knowledge and behaviour. ConclusionsThe TMS program yielded positive effects on staff satisfaction, knowledge, team dynamics and team behaviours. These findings demonstrate the significant value of such initiatives to enhance the capability and effectiveness of interdisciplinary healthcare teams. What is known about the topic?Complex conditions, increasing comorbidities, specialisation and scarcity of resources mean healthcare workers need to work effectively in teams to achieve quality, safe, person centred patient care. There is some evidence of the effect of teamwork initiatives on knowledge or behaviour in specific clinical specialities, single services or single professions, but limited research is available regarding the effects of teamwork programs across multiple professions, including allied health professions, and on patient and organisational outcomes. What does this paper add?This paper describes the effect of a large-scale teamwork program implemented across multiple professions, including enablers and barriers. It presents outcomes at all four levels of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model, including the less studied behaviour and results levels. What are the implications for practitioners?This paper supports health service leaders to consider developing and implementing interprofessional teamwork programs to foster essential teamwork capabilities. Learning together about teamwork, across professional silos, will lead to collaborative, patient-centred care, which leads to safe, quality patient outcomes.

Mapping of allied health service capacity for maternity and neonatal services in the southern Queensland health service district

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley A. Wilkinson ◽  
Leyanne Duncan ◽  
Catherine Barrett ◽  
Robin Turnbull ◽  
Sally McCray
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Queensland Health ◽  
Specific Support

Objective Allied health professionals (AHPs) in maternity and neonatology services are essential for quality care and outcomes, reflected in the minimum service delivery requirements in the Queensland Health clinical services capability framework (CSCF). However, allied health (AH) capacity across the Southern Queensland Health Service Districts (SQHSD) is not known. The aim of this project was to redress this knowledge gap to inform ongoing service planning and delivery. Methods Maternity and neonatal AH clinicians in all birthing facilities in SQHSD were surveyed between October and December 2011 to investigate AHP staffing, practices and models of care. The professions surveyed included dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists. Results were grouped per question, with stratification by CSCF and/or profession. Results Fifty-five valid surveys from the 16 facilities were received. All professions were represented. Gaps in maternity AH services were identified. Awareness and use of evidence-based practices were more likely to be reported where higher full-time equivalents (FTE) were allocated. Conclusion Very low staffing levels have been recorded in all Maternity and Neonatology Services AHPs in the SQHSD. Gaps exist between actual and recommended CSCF staffing standards across all levels and professions. The results indicate that profession-specific support networks for AHPs have positive effects in the spreading of information, and continued promotion, support and involvement in these profession-specific networks is suggested for all facilities. What is known about the topic? Maternity and neonatology service allied health (AH) professionals provide essential services for quality maternal and infant care and outcomes, reflected in their inclusion in several Queensland Health maternity and neonatal clinical guidelines. Queensland Health has also released a clinical services capability framework, which outlines minimum requirements for the provision of health services in Queensland public facilities, including minimum service and workforce structure. These include AH staff in the provision of key elements of care. What does the paper add? Staffing levels and description of models of care for AH professionals across the (former) Southern Queensland Health Service District is not known. This paper describes the outcome of a mapping process that provides a clear picture of AH staffing levels and service gaps, models of care in use, and models of care or resources that may be shared within the network for the professions of nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, social work and speech pathology. What are the implications for practitioners? This profile of AH practitioners across the district provides a baseline reference that may prove useful for future planning of maternity and neonatology services in Queensland Health. Very low levels of staffing were identified and the staffing requirements outlined in the clinical services capability framework was not met at some sites. The results indicate that profession-specific support networks for AH practitioners have positive effects in the spreading of information; in addition, the continued promotion, support and involvement in these profession-specific networks are suggested for all facilities.

Medical and allied health staff self-reported long-term conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Smyth ◽  
David Lindsay ◽  
Daryl Brennan ◽  
Daniel Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Term Condition ◽  
Professional Groups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the self-reported long-term conditions of medical officers and allied health staff working in a regional public health service in northern Australia and how these conditions are managed. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample was all medical officers and allied health staff employed in mid-2015. Findings Of the 365 respondents, 217 (59.5 per cent) reported having at least one long-term condition. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and the number of long-term conditions reported, χ2=10.24, p<0.05. A greater proportion of medical officers (n=29, 43.9 per cent) reported having only one long-term condition compared with allied health staff (n=36, 24.5 per cent). The top four categories of conditions were respiratory, musculoskeletal, mental health and episodic and paroxysmal, although the patterns varied amongst the professional groups, and across age groups. Respondents usually managed their main long-term conditions with personal strategies, rarely using workplace strategies. Research limitations/implications Although somewhat low, the response rate of 32 per cent was similar to previous surveys in this health service. Since this survey, the health service has implemented a broad Health and Wellness Programme to support their qualified workforce. Future evaluations of this programme will be undertaken, including whether the programme has assisted health professionals to manage their long-term conditions. Practical implications There is an urgent need for targeted, workplace-based health promotion strategies to support staff with long-term conditions. Such strategies would complement self-management approaches, and also provide an important recruitment and retention initiative. Originality/value This study adds empirical evidence regarding the long-term conditions among health professionals and their self-management strategies. Little is known about the long-term conditions among the various health professional groups and the findings thus make an important contribution to the existing literature.

Domestic Violence Screening: Findings of a Pilot Project Conducted by Allied Health Staff in Community Health

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Howard
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Community Health Service ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Domestic Violence Screening

This article examines a pilot project that introduces screening for domestic violence into an allied health team at a community health service. The screening was delivered over a three-month period from May 2005, with 44 clients screened. It explores the context in which the project was initiated, the experience of allied health staff in undertaking the screening, and project findings. It concludes that although the screening did not result in significant numbers of women disclosing domestic violence, it enhanced the capacity of allied health staff to respond to women who have experienced domestic violence, and strengthened the linkages between allied health and counselling staff.

scholarly journals Effects and mechanisms of an allied health research position in a Queensland regional and rural health service: a descriptive case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel J. Wenke ◽  
Anna Tynan ◽  
Annette Scott ◽  
Sharon Mickan
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
Building Research ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Rural Health Service ◽  
Use Of Technology

The aim of the present case study is to illustrate the outcomes of a dedicated allied health (AH) research position within a large Queensland regional and rural health service. The secondary aim of the case study is to describe the enabling and hindering mechanisms to the success of the role. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the Executive Director of Allied Health and the current AH research fellow incumbent within the health service. A focus group was also undertaken with six stakeholders (e.g. clinicians, team leaders) who had engaged with the research position. Outcomes of the AH research fellow included clinical and service improvements, enhanced research culture and staff up-skilling, development of research infrastructure and the formation of strategic research collaborations. Despite being a sole position in a geographically expansive health service with constrained resources, key enabling mechanisms to the success of the role were identified, including strong advocacy and regular communication with the Executive. In conclusion, the case study highlights the potential value of an AH research position in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Factors to facilitate ongoing success could include additional research and administrative funding, as well as increased use of technology and team-based research. What is known about the topic? Dedicated research positions embedded within health care settings are a well cited strategy to increase research capacity building of allied health professionals (AHPs). However the majority of these positions are within metropolitan health settings and unique challenges exist for these roles in regional and rural areas. Few studies have described the impact of dedicated AH research positions within regional health centres or the factors which facilitate or hinder their role. What does this paper add? Dedicated research positions within a non-metropolitan Australian health service may have a positive impact on AH clinical services, research culture, staff upskilling, research infrastructure and research collaborations. Key enabling mechanisms to support the role may include advocacy from higher level management, strong networks and communication channels. Additional research and administrative funding, the use of technology and team based research may enhance sustainability of such roles. What are the implications for practitioners? AH research positions have potential value in building research capacity within a large non-metropolitan health service. Health managers and researchers should be aware of the unique challenges to these roles and consider mechanisms that may best enhance and sustain outcomes of the positions including: the development of infrastructure (i.e. technology, website of resources), networks, and communication strategies (i.e. regular meetings with leadership and promotion internally).

scholarly journals The effects of clinical decision support system for prescribing medication on patient outcomes and physician practice performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharare Taheri Moghadam ◽  
Farahnaz Sadoughi ◽  
Farnia Velayati ◽  
Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh ◽  
Shayan Poursharif
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Decision Support ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Physician Practice ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Practice Performance

Abstract Background Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) for Prescribing are one of the innovations designed to improve physician practice performance and patient outcomes by reducing prescription errors. This study was therefore conducted to examine the effects of various CDSSs on physician practice performance and patient outcomes. Methods This systematic review was carried out by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from 2005 to 2019. The studies were independently reviewed by two researchers. Any discrepancies in the eligibility of the studies between the two researchers were then resolved by consulting the third researcher. In the next step, we performed a meta-analysis based on medication subgroups, CDSS-type subgroups, and outcome categories. Also, we provided the narrative style of the findings. In the meantime, we used a random-effects model to estimate the effects of CDSS on patient outcomes and physician practice performance with a 95% confidence interval. Q statistics and I2 were then used to calculate heterogeneity. Results On the basis of the inclusion criteria, 45 studies were qualified for analysis in this study. CDSS for prescription drugs/COPE has been used for various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, AIDS, appendicitis, kidney disease, malaria, high blood potassium, and mental diseases. In the meantime, other cases such as concurrent prescribing of multiple medications for patients and their effects on the above-mentioned results have been analyzed. The study shows that in some cases the use of CDSS has beneficial effects on patient outcomes and physician practice performance (std diff in means = 0.084, 95% CI 0.067 to 0.102). It was also statistically significant for outcome categories such as those demonstrating better results for physician practice performance and patient outcomes or both. However, there was no significant difference between some other cases and traditional approaches. We assume that this may be due to the disease type, the quantity, and the type of CDSS criteria that affected the comparison. Overall, the results of this study show positive effects on performance for all forms of CDSSs. Conclusions Our results indicate that the positive effects of the CDSS can be due to factors such as user-friendliness, compliance with clinical guidelines, patient and physician cooperation, integration of electronic health records, CDSS, and pharmaceutical systems, consideration of the views of physicians in assessing the importance of CDSS alerts, and the real-time alerts in the prescription.

Allied health: integral to transforming health

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucylynn Lizarondo ◽  
Catherine Turnbull ◽  
Tracey Kroon ◽  
Karen Grimmer ◽  
Alison Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Health Practitioners

Objective South Australia is taking an innovative step in transforming the way its healthcare is organised and delivered to better manage current and future demands on the health system. In an environment of transforming health services, there are clear opportunities for allied health to assist in determining solutions to various healthcare challenges. A recent opinion piece proposed 10 clinician-driven strategies to assist in maximising value and sustainability of healthcare in Australia. The present study aimed to seek the perspectives of allied health clinicians, educators, researchers, policy makers and managers on these strategies and their relevance to allied health. Methods A survey of allied health practitioners was undertaken to capture their perspectives on the 10 clinician-driven strategies for maximising value and sustainability of healthcare in Australia. Survey findings were then layered with evidence from the literature. Results Highly relevant across allied health are the strategies of discontinuation of low value practices, targeting clinical interventions to those getting greatest benefit, active involvement of patients in shared decision making and self-management and advocating for integrated systems of care. Conclusions Allied health professionals have been involved in the South Australian healthcare system for a prolonged period, but their services are poorly recognised, often overlooked and not greatly supported in existing traditional practices. The results of the present study highlight ways in which healthcare services can implement strategies not only to improve the quality of patient outcomes, but also to offer innovative solutions for future, sustainable healthcare. The findings call for concerted efforts to increase the utilisation of allied health services to ensure the ‘maximum value for spend’ of the increasingly scarce health dollar. What is known about the topic? In medicine, clinician-driven strategies have been proposed to minimise inappropriate and costly care and maximise highly appropriate and less expensive care. These strategies were developed based on clinical experiences and with supporting evidence from scientific studies. What does this paper add? Major changes to the health system are required to slow down the growth in healthcare expenditure. This paper describes opportunities in which allied health practitioners can implement similar strategies not only to improve the quality of patient outcomes, but also to offer cost-effective solutions for a sustainable healthcare. What are the implications for practitioners? Allied health practitioners can provide solutions to healthcare challenges and assist in the transformation of healthcare in Australia. However, for this to happen, there should be concerted efforts to increase recognition of and support for the use of allied health services.

scholarly journals Migrant mental health and representation in routine administrative registers

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-95
Author(s):  
Ciara Mary Close ◽  
Tania Bosqui ◽  
Dermot O’Reilly ◽  
Michael Donnelly ◽  
Anne Kouvonen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Migrant Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Migrant Mental Health

Purpose There has been an increase in the use of registers and record linkages to study migrant mental health. However, the accuracy of these registers and the degree to which they are representative of the migrant population in Northern Ireland (NI) are unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore: the coverage of the NI migrant population in general practitioner (GP) data and Census records; the issues faced by migrants in terms of registering and accessing the local health system; and the reporting of racial hate crimes against migrants to police. Design/methodology/approach Two focus groups of professionals (n=17) who worked with migrants were conducted. Group discussions were guided by a research-informed topic guide, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes emerged: issues with the use of GP registration, Census and hate crime data for researching migrant mental health; barriers to health service use (e.g. low cultural awareness among health staff and access to interpreters); and risk factor exposure and mental health status in migrant communities (e.g. poverty, isolation and poor working conditions). Originality/value Record linkage and registry studies of migrant health and well-being using Census and health service sources need to be mindful of the likelihood that some migrants may be missed. The possible underrepresentation of migrants in health registers may be explained by reduced use of such services which may be caused my encountering staff with limited cultural competency and the inability to access an interpreter promptly.

scholarly journals Evaluation Program for the Career Development of Indonesian Navy Civilian Personnel using the Cipp Evaluation Model and Analytical Hierarchy Process (Ahp)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1309-1316
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
Analytical Hierarchy Process ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Nowadays, the implementers of Civilian Personnel (Pegawai Negeri Sipil/PNS) Career Development Programs within the Indonesian Navy are still one with military personnel where their existence is only complementary so that they become less optimal/less focused. In its implementation, it is only carried out by officials at the level of Head of Affair (Superintendent/PNS class III/c), the impacts are low of performance, competence and confidence that can be related with weakening work performance. This study aims to provide an evaluation of Civilian Personnel career development programs within the Indonesian Navy by using the CIPP evaluation approach (Content, Input, Process, Product) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. Based on the results of the program evaluation study, it can be seen that the results of the Context aspect evaluation amounted to 85.84% with the Excellent category; Input aspects amounted to 76.38% with good categories; Process aspects were 79.77% with good categories; Product aspect is 82.48 in the excellent category. So, the overall evaluation of the Civilian Personnel career development program is 81.12% with an Excellent category. The results of the recommendations state that career development programs need to be revised on several aspects of the criteria.

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