Research Projects 2012
Title of Project
Major CHIRI theme(s)
Program theme
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Chief Investigator
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Project outline
(For example
background, aim,
methodology etc)
Safe and effective co-management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
by community-based physiotherapists. Implementation of the WA
Inflammatory Arthritis Model of Care
Human Movement and Rehabilitation
January 2011
Andrew Briggs
Robyn Fary, Helen Slater, Sonia Ranelli, Peter Bragge, Madelynn Chan
In Australia, physiotherapy services for RA are predominantly provided
through the public hospital system. Although this service model can
facilitate inter-professional management of patients with RA, significant
service access issues exist for patients due to waiting lists and distance
from public hospitals. The importance of improving and expanding
primary care services for individuals with chronic health conditions,
particularly at the community level, is strongly emphasised by
government. Therefore, engaging community-based health care
professionals, such as physiotherapists, in the management of patients
with RA is warranted, especially in regional areas where access to health
services is limited. Developing and delivering RA-specific education
resources for community and primary care physiotherapists will assist with
translating evidence into practice within a clinically-reasoned framework.
The aims of this project are to:
1. Map the clinical skills, disease-specific knowledge and learning
requirements of community-based physiotherapists in the context of
RA.
2. Develop clinically-oriented, evidence-based and consumer-informed
RA learning modules for Australian physiotherapists.
3. Evaluate the efficacy of this resource in improving knowledge and
clinical behaviours of community and primary care physiotherapists
who may co-manage patients with RA.
This project is
suitable for
Essential
Qualifications
Essential skills
Honours
Keywords
Access to Care, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Health
policy, Physiotherapy, workforce, chronic disease
Grant funding awarded
Andrew Briggs
Funding
Contact for further
information
Masters
PhD