La Trobe Rural Health School study for Occupational Therapy Australia identifies practice issues
Almost half a million Australians have served with the Australian Defence Force. Given the high prevalence of physical and mental health conditions and complexity of civilian life adjustment after military service, high-quality occupational therapy services are critical. However, there is limited description of occupational therapy service provision to individuals funded by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs to inform government policy.
A cross-sectional study, led by Professor Carol McKinstry, Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean with La Trobe University’s Rural Health School at the Bendigo campus has used an online survey to collect information from occupational therapists providing services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs clients.
The aim of this study was to describe the practice of Australian occupational therapists working with former service members and identify opportunities to enhance practice and policy. Professor McKinstry was instrumental in the development of the occupational therapy course at the La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus and also the establishment of the Rural Health School. She is also the a Board Director of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Participants in the study included 123 Australian occupational therapists residing in metropolitan (47%), regional (28%) and rural/remote (23%) areas. Most occupational therapists (69%) had over 15 years of clinical experience and worked in private practice (87%). Common interventions included home modifications, equipment prescription and assistive technology (77%), goal-oriented rehabilitation (16%) and activities of daily living or function assessments and education (13%). Three themes describing practice issues were identified: (1) Service provision as rewarding yet underfunded, (2) Administrative complexity and lack of understanding of the occupational therapy role and (3) Need for specialist professional development opportunities.
Australian Health Journal spoke with McKinstry about the study, and its conclusions.
Australian occupational therapists are providing a range of services to Department of Veterans’ Affairs clients although mostly relating to physical conditions, states Professor McKinstry.
Her conclusions for the study are that occupational therapy practice with former Australian Defence Force members be expanded to meet their diverse and complex needs. Further research and education is needed to support use of specialist knowledge and interventions. Advocacy by peak associations and policy reform are urgently required to ensure sustainable services, particularly in rural areas.
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Specialist physiotherapist successfully mixes online & in-person
Dr. Kieran Richardson (FACP) is a Specialist Physiotherapist, conferred by the Australian College of Physiotherapists (Australian Physiotherapy Association) in 2016. Dr Richardson is the Director of Global Specialist Physiotherapy, a consultancy company providing online Formal Mentoring and Professional Development individual clinicians, clinics, and groups, as well as Second Opinions to clinicians and directly to patients all around the world.
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Australia’s Nursing Crisis Snapshot
“Nursing, already under pressure, is reaching breaking point due to the pressures of COVID-19 and a disjointed healthcare system, including the acute, primary and aged care sectors”, says Kylie Ward, Australian College of Nursing CEO adding, “We must act now to protect our nurses and healthcare; the time has come for a national reckoning on nursing in Australia.”
Australian nurses cannot continue to work under the extreme pressure they are currently operating under – the impacts are mounting.
The almost 400,000 Australian nurses are a constant presence in every one of our major life milestones, national emergencies and global crises. The nurse of today holds a science degree, possesses highly technical training, valuable medical opinions, front-row expertise, is an effective trainer, and is skilled in population and systemic thinking. But the pandemic is inflicting a major emotional and physical toll on nurses.
In this “Perspectives” special, Australian Health Journal spoke with 4 nurses on the challenges they or nurses in their circle have experienced, the key issues as well some of the opportunities. These nurses come from national leadership & policy, large scale workforce management, a final year student completing over a year on placement across 6 Melbourne Hospitals and a NSW based ICU nurse stranded in Mexico, unable to return to a critical role in nursing to an already strained team due to incoming quotas.
While the issues are challenging, there are strategies that can be put into place to ease the pressure, to support nurses, and nursing care in Australia. These are discussed by the the 4 nurses.
– Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN CEO, Australian College of Nursing
– Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN ACN Chair of Workforce Sustainability Policy Chapter & Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Metro North Health
– Natalie Reyes, NSW based ICU Nurse Currently stranded in Mexico
– Hayley Pollock, Final Year Bachelor of Nursing Student & ACN Emerging Nurse Leader
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Scott Willis, talks Physiotherapy
Health Executive Leadership Insights (HELI)
Scott Willis, the National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association talks Physiotherapy
