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Stute M, Moretto N, Waters R, Raymer M, Sam S, Bhagwat M, Banks M, Comans T, Buttrum P. Allied health primary contact services: results of a 2-year follow-up study of clinical effectiveness, safety, wait times and impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists. AUST HEALTH REV 2021; 45:344-352. [PMID: 33271059 DOI: 10.1071/ah19225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective Long specialist out-patient waitlists are common in public health facilities, but not all patients require consultation with a medical specialist. Studies of single allied health primary contact services have shown they provide timely, appropriate care and reduce demand on medical specialist out-patient waitlists. This study evaluated the collective benefits across multiple allied health primary contact services and models to determine their clinical effectiveness, safety, timeliness of care and impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists. Method Using a prospective observational study design, data were collected and analysed for patients attending 47 allied health primary contact services in Queensland public hospitals over a 2-year period. Outcomes reported are global status, adverse events, wait times and impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists. Results In all, 10634 patients were managed in and discharged from the allied health services. Most adult patients (80%) who attended at least two consultations reported an improvement in health status. No adverse events were attributed to the model of care. Approximately 68%, 44% and 90% of urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent out-patients respectively were seen within clinically recommended time frames. Between 35% and 89% of patients were removed from out-patient waitlists without medical specialist consultation across the service models. Conclusions Allied health primary contact services provide safe, effective and timely care. The impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists varied depending on service model and pathway characteristics. What is known about this topic? Most studies of allied health primary contact services have focused on the management of patients on orthopaedic specialist out-patient waitlists by a physiotherapist. These studies of either individual services or groups of services with the same model cite benefits, including reduced waiting times, high levels of patient and referrer satisfaction, improved conversion to surgery, cost-effectiveness and more effective utilisation of medical specialists. What does this paper add? This paper highlights that, collectively, allied health primary contact services are safe, effective and provide timely care. The proportion of patients independently managed and removed from various medical specialist out-patient waitlists and the services involved are reported, demonstrating the variety of service models. This study reports outcomes for primary contact services for which there is a dearth of published literature, including dietician services for patients on gastroenterology waitlists, speech pathology and audiology services for patients on ear, nose and throat waitlists, occupational therapy hand services for patients on orthopaedic waitlists and physiotherapy led pelvic-health services for patients on gynaecology waitlists. Possibilities for efficiency gains are identified and discussed. What are the implications for practitioners? Health service managers should consider allied health primary contact services as a viable option to increase specialist out-patient capacity. Service model characteristics that maximise impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlist management are highlighted to inform resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Stute
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ; ; and Corresponding author.
| | - Nicole Moretto
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital Campus, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia. ;
| | - Rebecca Waters
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
| | - Maree Raymer
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
| | - Sonia Sam
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
| | - Marita Bhagwat
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
| | - Merrilyn Banks
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
| | - Tracy Comans
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital Campus, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia. ;
| | - Peter Buttrum
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; ; ; ; ;
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Eakin EG, Reeves MM, Goode AD, Winkler EAH, Vardy JL, Boyle F, Haas MR, Hiller JE, Mishra GD, Jefford M, Koczwara B, Saunders CM, Chapman K, Hing L, Boltong AG, Lane K, Baldwin P, Millar L, McKiernan S, Demark-Wahnefried W, Courneya KS, Job J, Reid N, Robson E, Moretto N, Gordon L, Hayes SC. Translating research into practice: outcomes from the Healthy Living after Cancer partnership project. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:963. [PMID: 33023538 PMCID: PMC7539431 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07454-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthy Living after Cancer (HLaC) was a national dissemination and implementation study of an evidence-based lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors. The program was imbedded into existing telephone cancer information and support services delivered by Australian state-based Cancer Councils (CC). We report here the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the program. METHODS In this phase IV study (single-group, pre-post design) participants - survivors of any type of cancer, following treatment with curative intent - received up to 12 nurse/allied health professional-led telephone health coaching calls over 6 months. Intervention delivery was grounded in motivational interviewing, with emphasis on evidence-based behaviour change strategies. Using the RE-AIM evaluation framework, primary outcomes were reach, indicators of program adoption, implementation, costs and maintenance. Secondary (effectiveness) outcomes were participant-reported anthropometric, behavioural and psychosocial variables including: weight; physical activity; dietary intake; quality-of-life; treatment side-effects; distress; and fear of cancer recurrence and participant satisfaction. Changes were evaluated using linear mixed models, including terms for timepoint (0/6 months), strata (Cancer Council), and timepoint x strata. RESULTS Four of 5 CCs approached participated in the study. In total, 1183 cancer survivors were referred (mostly via calls to the Cancer Council telephone information service). Of these, 90.4% were eligible and 88.7% (n = 791) of those eligible consented to participate. Retention rate was 63.4%. Participants were mostly female (88%), aged 57 years and were overweight (BMI = 28.8 ± 6.5 kg/m2). Improvements in all participant-reported outcomes (standardised effect sizes of 0.1 to 0.6) were observed (p < 0.001). The program delivery costs were on average AU$427 (US$296) per referred cancer survivor. CONCLUSIONS This telephone-delivered lifestyle intervention, which was feasibly implemented by Cancer Councils, led to meaningful and statistically significant improvements in cancer survivors' health and quality-of-life at a relatively low cost. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) - ACTRN12615000882527 (registered on 24/08/2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Eakin
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
| | | | - Ana D Goode
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Frances Boyle
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Mater Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marion R Haas
- University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Janet E Hiller
- Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gita D Mishra
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael Jefford
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Kathy Chapman
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Liz Hing
- Cancer Council New South Wales, Woolloomooloo, Australia
| | - Anna G Boltong
- University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Polly Baldwin
- Cancer Council South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lesley Millar
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer Job
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natasha Reid
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erin Robson
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole Moretto
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Louisa Gordon
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sandra C Hayes
- Griffith University, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Moretto N, Stute M, Sam S, Bhagwat M, Raymer M, Buttrum P, Banks M, Comans TA. A uniform data set for determining outcomes in allied health primary contact services in Australia. Aust J Prim Health 2020; 26:PY18104. [PMID: 31954431 DOI: 10.1071/py18104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The project aim was to develop and implement a set of metrics to capture and demonstrate the performance of newly established allied health primary contact services. Selection of the metrics and performance indicators was guided by an existing state-wide data collection system and from a review of the published literature. The metrics were refined after consultation with a working group of health service managers and clinicians. The data collection and reporting framework were developed for use in allied health primary contact services and implemented at public health facilities in Queensland, Australia. The set of metrics consists of 18 process and outcome measures. Patient-reported metrics include the global rating of change scale and patient satisfaction. Service metrics include wait times; referral source; triage category; diagnosis; occasions of service; referrals and investigations initiated; effects; care duration; discharge status; waitlist reinstatement reasons; treatment non-completion reasons; and expedited care. Safety, patient demographics and service improvement metrics were included. The metrics will enable analysis of the effectiveness of allied health primary contact services and will facilitate reporting, advocacy, service improvement, service continuity and research. The metrics are suitable for use by all providers of allied health primary contact services in hospital and primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Moretto
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital campus, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia; and Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia; and Corresponding author
| | - Michelle Stute
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Sonia Sam
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Marita Bhagwat
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Maree Raymer
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Peter Buttrum
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Merrilyn Banks
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Tracy A Comans
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital campus, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia; and Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia
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Stute M, Moretto N, Raymer M, Banks M, Buttrum P, Sam S, Bhagwat M, Comans T. Process to establish 11 primary contact allied health pathways in a public health service. AUST HEALTH REV 2019; 42:258-265. [PMID: 28483033 DOI: 10.1071/ah16206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective Faced with longstanding and increasing demand for specialist out-patient appointments that was unable to be met through usual medical consultant led care, Metro North Hospital and Health Service in 2014-15 established 11 allied health primary contact out-patient models of care. Methods The models involved six different allied health professions and nine specialist out-patient departments. Results All the allied health models have been endorsed for continuation following demonstration of their contribution to managing demand on specialist out-patient services. Conclusion This paper describes key features of the allied health primary contact models of care and presents preliminary data including new case throughput, effect on wait times and enablers and challenges for clinic establishment. What is known about the topic? Allied health clinics have been demonstrated to result in high patient, referrer and consultant satisfaction, and are a cost-effective management strategy for wait list demand. In Queensland, physiotherapy-led orthopaedic clinics have been operating since 2005. What does this paper add? This paper describes the establishment of 11 allied health primary contact models of care in speciality out-patient areas including Ear, Nose and Throat, Gynaecology, Urology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, and involving speech pathologists, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists as primary contact practitioners. Observations of enablers for and challenges to implementation are presented as key lessons. What are the implications for practitioners? The new allied health primary contact models of care described in this paper should be considered by health service executives, allied health leaders and specialist out-patient departments as one strategy to address unacceptably long specialist wait lists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Stute
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Nicole Moretto
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Maree Raymer
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Merrilyn Banks
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Peter Buttrum
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Sonia Sam
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Marita Bhagwat
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Tracy Comans
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street Herston, Qld 4006, Australia. ; ; ;
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Moretto N, Comans TA, Chang AT, O’Leary SP, Osborne S, Carter HE, Smith D, Cavanagh T, Blond D, Raymer M. Implementation of simulation modelling to improve service planning in specialist orthopaedic and neurosurgical outpatient services. Implement Sci 2019; 14:78. [PMID: 31399105 PMCID: PMC6688348 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-019-0923-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced physiotherapist-led services have been embedded in specialist orthopaedic and neurosurgical outpatient departments across Queensland, Australia, to ameliorate capacity constraints. Simulation modelling has been used to inform the optimal scale and professional mix of services required to match patient demand. The context and the value of simulation modelling in service planning remain unclear. We aimed to examine the adoption, context and costs of using simulation modelling recommendations to inform service planning. METHODS Using an implementation science approach, we undertook a prospective, qualitative evaluation to assess the use of discrete event simulation modelling recommendations for service re-design and to explore stakeholder perspectives about the role of simulation modelling in service planning. Five orthopaedic and neurosurgical services in Queensland, Australia, were selected to maximise variation in implementation effectiveness. We used the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) to guide the facilitation and analysis of the stakeholder focus group discussions. We conducted a prospective costing analysis in each service to estimate the costs associated with using simulation modelling to inform service planning. RESULTS Four of the five services demonstrated adoption by inclusion of modelling recommendations into proposals for service re-design. Four CFIR constructs distinguished and two CFIR constructs did not distinguish between high versus mixed implementation effectiveness. We identified additional constructs that did not map onto CFIR. The mean cost of implementation was AU$34,553 per site (standard deviation = AU$737). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first time the context of implementing simulation modelling recommendations in a health care setting, using a validated framework, has been examined. Our findings may provide valuable insights to increase the uptake of healthcare modelling recommendations in service planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Moretto
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital campus, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102 Australia
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Queensland 4029 Australia
| | - Tracy A. Comans
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital campus, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102 Australia
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Queensland 4029 Australia
| | - Angela T. Chang
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Queensland 4029 Australia
| | - Shaun P. O’Leary
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Queensland 4029 Australia
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia
| | - Sonya Osborne
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland 4305 Australia
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059 Australia
| | - Hannah E. Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059 Australia
| | - David Smith
- West Moreton Health, Ipswich, Queensland 4305 Australia
| | - Tania Cavanagh
- Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
| | - Dean Blond
- Gold Coast Health, Southport, Queensland 4215 Australia
| | - Maree Raymer
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Queensland 4029 Australia
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Comans T, Moretto N, Byrnes J. Public Preferences for the Use of Taxation and Labelling Policy Measures to Combat Obesity in Young Children in Australia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:ijerph14030324. [PMID: 28335575 PMCID: PMC5369160 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Childhood obesity is a serious concern for developed and developing countries. This study aimed to assess the level of support in Australia for regulation and to assess whether systematic differences occur between individuals who support increased regulation and individuals who oppose it. Methods: An online survey (n = 563) was used to assess parental/caregiver preferences for taxation policy options and nutrition labelling designed to address the incidence of childhood obesity. Participants were parents or caregivers of young children (3 to 7 years) who were actively enrolled in an existing birth cohort study in South-East Queensland, Australia. Results: The majority of the parents (over 80%) strongly agreed or agreed with labelling food and drink with traffic light or teaspoon labelling. Support for taxation was more variable with around one third strongly supporting and a further 40% of participants equivocal about using taxation; however, a quarter strongly rejected this policy. Cluster analysis did not detect any socio-demographic differences between those who strongly supported taxation and those who did not. Conclusions: Better food labelling would be welcomed by parents to enhance food choices for their children. Taxation for health reasons would not be opposed by most parents. Implications for Public Health: Governments should consider taxation of unhealthy drinks and improved labelling to encourage healthy food purchasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Comans
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service District, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia.
| | - Nicole Moretto
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service District, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia.
| | - Joshua Byrnes
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
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Standfield L, Comans T, Raymer M, O'Leary S, Moretto N, Scuffham P. The Efficiency of Increasing the Capacity of Physiotherapy Screening Clinics or Traditional Medical Services to Address Unmet Demand in Orthopaedic Outpatients: A Practical Application of Discrete Event Simulation with Dynamic Queuing. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2016; 14:479-491. [PMID: 27116359 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-016-0246-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital outpatient orthopaedic services traditionally rely on medical specialists to assess all new patients to determine appropriate care. This has resulted in significant delays in service provision. In response, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinics and Multidisciplinary Services (OPSC) have been introduced to assess and co-ordinate care for semi- and non-urgent patients. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficiency of delivering increased semi- and non-urgent orthopaedic outpatient services through: (1) additional OPSC services; (2) additional traditional orthopaedic medical services with added surgical resources (TOMS + Surg); or (3) additional TOMS without added surgical resources (TOMS - Surg). METHODS A cost-utility analysis using discrete event simulation (DES) with dynamic queuing (DQ) was used to predict the cost effectiveness, throughput, queuing times, and resource utilisation, associated with introducing additional OPSC or TOMS ± Surg versus usual care. RESULTS The introduction of additional OPSC or TOMS (±surgery) would be considered cost effective in Australia. However, OPSC was the most cost-effective option. Increasing the capacity of current OPSC services is an efficient way to improve patient throughput and waiting times without exceeding current surgical resources. An OPSC capacity increase of ~100 patients per month appears cost effective (A$8546 per quality-adjusted life-year) and results in a high level of OPSC utilisation (98 %). CONCLUSION Increasing OPSC capacity to manage semi- and non-urgent patients would be cost effective, improve throughput, and reduce waiting times without exceeding current surgical resources. Unlike Markov cohort modelling, microsimulation, or DES without DQ, employing DES-DQ in situations where capacity constraints predominate provides valuable additional information beyond cost effectiveness to guide resource allocation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Standfield
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia.
| | - T Comans
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - M Raymer
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
| | - S O'Leary
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
- Physiotherapy Department, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - N Moretto
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia
| | - P Scuffham
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD, 4131, Australia
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Scuffham PA, Moretto N, Krinks R, Burton P, Whitty JA, Wilson A, Fitzgerald G, Littlejohns P, Kendall E. Engaging the public in healthcare decision-making: results from a Citizens' Jury on emergency care services. Emerg Med J 2016; 33:782-788. [PMID: 27323789 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2015-205663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policies addressing ED crowding have failed to incorporate the public's perspectives; engaging the public in such policies is needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at determining the public's recommendations related to alternative models of care intended to reduce crowding, optimising access to and provision of emergency care. METHODS A Citizens' Jury was convened in Queensland, Australia, to consider priority setting and resource allocation to address ED crowding. Twenty-two jurors were recruited from the electoral roll, who were interested and available to attend the jury from 15 to 17 June 2012. Juror feedback was collected via a survey immediately following the end of the jury. RESULTS The jury considered that all patients attending the ED should be assessed with a minority of cases diverted for assistance elsewhere. Jurors strongly supported enabling ambulance staff to treat patients in their homes without transporting them to the ED, and allowing non-medical staff to treat some patients without seeing a doctor. Jurors supported (in principle) patient choice over aspects of their treatment (when, where and type of health professional) with some support for patients paying towards treatment but unanimous opposition for patients paying to be prioritised. Most of the jurors were satisfied with their experience of the Citizens' Jury process, but some jurors perceived the time allocated for deliberations as insufficient. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the general public may be open to flexible models of emergency care. The jury provided clear recommendations for direct public input to guide health policy to tackle ED crowding.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Scuffham
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia
| | - N Moretto
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Krinks
- Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia
| | - P Burton
- Urban Research Program, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - J A Whitty
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia.,School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - A Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - G Fitzgerald
- School of Public Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - P Littlejohns
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - E Kendall
- Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia
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Moretto N, Kendall E, Whitty J, Byrnes J, Hills AP, Gordon L, Turkstra E, Scuffham P, Comans T. Yes, the government should tax soft drinks: findings from a citizens' jury in Australia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2014; 11:2456-71. [PMID: 24583829 PMCID: PMC3986986 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110302456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Taxation has been suggested as a possible preventive strategy to address the serious public health concern of childhood obesity. Understanding the public’s viewpoint on the potential role of taxation is vital to inform policy decisions if they are to be acceptable to the wider community. A Citizens’ Jury is a deliberative method for engaging the public in decision making and can assist in setting policy agendas. A Citizens’ Jury was conducted in Brisbane, Australia in May 2013 to answer the question: Is taxation on food and drinks an acceptable strategy to the public in order to reduce rates of childhood obesity? Citizens were randomly selected from the electoral roll and invited to participate. Thirteen members were purposively sampled from those expressing interest to broadly reflect the diversity of the Australian public. Over two days, participants were presented with evidence on the topic by experts, were able to question witnesses and deliberate on the evidence. The jurors unanimously supported taxation on sugar-sweetened drinks but generally did not support taxation on processed meats, snack foods and foods eaten/ purchased outside the home. They also supported taxation on snack foods on the condition that traffic light labelling was also introduced. Though they were not specifically asked to deliberate strategies outside of taxation, the jurors strongly recommended more nutritional information on all food packaging using the traffic light and teaspoon labelling systems for sugar, salt and fat content. The Citizens’ Jury suggests that the general public may support taxation on sugar-sweetened drinks to reduce rates of obesity in children. Regulatory reforms of taxation on sugar-sweetened drinks and improved labelling of nutritional information on product packaging were strongly supported by all members of the jury. These reforms should be considered by governments to prevent childhood obesity and the future burden on society from the consequences of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Moretto
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Kendall
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Whitty
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Joshua Byrnes
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Andrew P Hills
- Centre for Nutrition and Exercise, Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia.
| | - Louisa Gordon
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Erika Turkstra
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Paul Scuffham
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
| | - Tracy Comans
- Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook QLD 4131, Australia.
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