Innovations

Exercise and physical activity is increasingly being encouraged with palliative care patients due to emerging evidence suggesting the physical and psychosocial benefits to patients. This small, local audit analyses the changes in physical outcome measures of a group of patients undertaking a weekly circuit exercise group.

To analyse and add further understanding of the extent and nature of stress and burnout in the physiotherapy workforce, its impact on the workforce and patient care. To identify coping strategies that can be used by clinicians and managers in the workplace to reduce stress and burnout.

1 in 4 people experience mental health problems in any given year, 1 in 6 experience work related stress, depression or anxiety. Only 25% of those experiencing emotional distress seek and receive treatment, with many being dependent on the informal support of family or colleagues.

Physiotherapists are also encouraged to investigate Biopsychosocial issues with their patients, through management of persistent pain conditions and may not feel equipped to successfully interpret or manage the information that they receive from the patient. This additional stress can also impact on the Physiotherapists emotional wellbeing and have an impact on patient care.

The aim of this project was to ensure that all Physiotherapists have an appropriate level of emotional literacy so that they are able read/notice the signs of emotional distress in themselves and others and then act appropriately to support themself and others.

Adults and children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) are regularly exposed to ionising radiation, from chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT). This poses an issue as life expectancy has increased into the fifth decade of life.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) has the ability to assess many lung pathologies experienced in CF with accuracy close to CT but without the exposure to ionising radiation. The purpose of this review is to explore the literature to establish if LUS is being used to aid the management of patients with CF.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy teams within Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) historically used a variety of outcome measures including the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) alongside condition specific PROMS and a patient experience-reported experience measure, in line with Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) recommendations. However, teams used different outcome measures and data collection, inputting and analysis methods varied considerably.

In 2017, the MSK Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) was introduced and a data inputting and analysis calculator was developed following a consensus group exercise with the clinical and operational leads of MSK physiotherapy teams to facilitate the implementation of the MSK-HQ.

Achilles tendinopathy is a common pathology that is considered difficult to treat. At a time of austerity in the NHS it is essential to have carefully designed pathways that are monitored in terms of cost and effectiveness. However, a paucity of evidence exists for what the “best value” dedicated “joined up” pathway of care is for this difficult condition. Design, implement and evaluate the impact of a new therapist lead pathway for Tendon- Achilles Pain (TAP).

To publish the newly developed Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy website for the NHS GGC and to collect patient feedback on the website.

To use Quality Improvement (QI) science, for the implementation of a patient self referral initiative “go2physio”. The initiative took place over 12 months.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an acquired, inflammatory myopathy presenting in the over 50´s. Characterised with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy in the quadriceps and long finger flexors. Currently, this complex health problem, that has a prevalence of 5-10 per million, does not have an effective treatment or cure, therefore forearm tendon transfers provide a viable option to address finger weakness in suitable patients. The marked finger flexor weakness poses a significant limitation to patients´ quality of life and functional abilities.

This case demonstrates how physiotherapists can be pivotal in managing complex and challenging conditions through multi-disciplinary team (MDT) working, demonstrating how our roles evolve in response to complex cases.

The Peri-operative Review Informing Management of the Elderly (PRIME) Clinic was developed in response to the increasingly frail population undergoing complex major surgery. Due to this, it was recognised that clinicians with advanced skills were required to manage and optimise this patient group pre-operatively, which led to the formation of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of consultant geriatricians, consultant anaesthetists, a senior physiotherapist and a senior occupational therapist. The aim of the team was to optimise patients from a medical, physical and social viewpoint.

The focus of physiotherapy input was to increase physical activity pre-operatively, improve respiratory function and identify falls risks in order to contribute to a reduction in post -op length of stay and improve patient function.

This service evaluation demonstrates the benefit of a highly specialised MDT model with frail elderly elective surgery patients.