Mid North Coast - Training and; Development in Paediatrics for Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
The aim of this project was to provide local training for paediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Therapists who are recognised experts in their field were contacted to provide training within the Mid North Coast Area Health Service, on subjects that were identified by clinicians as being areas of need.
The lack of access to training and support for rural clinicians has long been recognised. This is particularly the case for paediatric Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. Paediatrics is a very defined subspecialty, and often paediatric therapists are professionally isolated in rural areas. They may be the only member of their profession on a paediatric team, or the only person seeing paediatric clients within a department. This leads to difficulties in accessing appropriate continuing professional development. Most professional development is run in metropolitan centres, which creates difficulties with regard to travel time and expenses, accommodation expenses and time away from family. In addition, this education may be tailored to the metropolitan environment and may require adaptation to be applicable in rural settings. By increasing the skills of local therapists it is hoped that this will lead to improved care for paediatric clients and in doing so lead to improved outcomes and reduced need for travel to metropolitan centres. Whilst professional development that can be delivered locally and be tailored to the needs of the Mid North Coast Area Health Service staff is obviously more cost efficient and beneficial, it has not been possible to organise for paediatric therapists previously.
The aims of the project were:
- To conduct a needs analysis for training for paediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
- To provide well evaluated workshops for paediatric occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
A committee consisting of one paediatric physiotherapist, one paediatric occupational therapist and the Area Advisor for Physiotherapy was formed. This committee surveyed the perceived needs of the therapists, and on the basis of this survey identified a number of workshop topics that it was felt would be most beneficial for the MNCAHS and its paediatric clientele. The topics identified were:
- Botox Therapy
- Working with Indigenous families
- Serial Casting
- The NSMDA
- SI/PRPP
- Babies Assessments
Therapists who are recognised experts in their field were contacted to provide training. Six workshops were held. Each workshop received very positive feedback. Many therapists have reported using their newly acquired skills and knowledge with their patients.
A new programme providing services to indigenous paediatric clients has been trialled, arising out of the "Working with Indigenous Families" workshop.
This project has demonstrated the viability and cost effectiveness in providing professional education locally. Conducting the workshops locally meant they could be tailored to the local need of the therapists, and adapted to fit local scenarios and resources. They provided invaluable opportunities for networking and building relationships between paediatric therapists and improved the core strength of the paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapy services. By providing training locally more staff were able to attend than would have if the courses had been held in metropolitan centres.