50 research outputs found
Contemplating change: a focus on manual handling in higher education
No full textManual handling activities in healthcare are a major risk factor for work related musculoskeletal injury and both graduate and undergraduate physiotherapists are at risk of injury. Current approaches to manual handling training lack evidence to support their efficacy in reducing musculoskeletal injury. Despite this, these approaches remain commonly used as occupational health and safety interventions both in industry and higher education. Issues associated with the education of undergraduate physiotherapy students on the topic of manual handling are the focus of this discussion paper. The authors propose that integration of behaviour change theory (based on the Trans-Theoretical Model of Change) with the development of knowledge and skills within the curriculum is worthy of consideration.Jane Coffee, Rose Boucaut, Steve Milanes
The effects of thoracic manipulation versus mobilization for chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial pilot study
No full text[Purpose] To investigate effects of thoracic manipulation versus mobilization on chronic neck pain. [Methods] Thirty-nine chronic neck pain subjects were randomly assigned to single level thoracic manipulation, single level thoracic mobilization, or a control group. The cervical range of motion (CROM) and pain ratings (using a visual analog scale: VAS) were measured before, immediately after and at a 24-hour follow-up. [Results] Thoracic manipulation significantly decreased VAS pain ratings and increased CROM in all directions in immediate and 24-hour follow-ups. The thoracic mobilization group significantly increased in CROM in most directions at immediate follow-up and right and left rotational directions at the 24-hour follow-up. Comparisons between groups revealed the CROM for the manipulation group to increase significantly more than for control subjects in most directions at immediate follow-up and flexion, left lateral flexion and left rotation at the 24-hour follow-up. The CROM for the thoracic mobilization group significantly increased in comparison to the control group in flexion at immediate follow-up and in flexion and left rotation at the 24-hour follow-up. [Conclusion] The study demonstrated reductions in VAS pain ratings and increases in CROM at immediate and 24-hour follow-ups from both single level thoracic spine manipulation and thoracic mobilization in chronic neck pain.Thavatchai Suvarnnato, Rungthip Puntumetakul, David Kaber, Rose Boucaut, Yodchai Boonphakob, Preeda Arayawichanon, Uraiwan Chatchawa
A survey of musculoskeletal pain / discomfort and organisational factors in South Australian workplaces
No full textOBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent the largest injury cost burden in workplaces. A baseline survey in South Australian workplaces was conducted as the first element of a randomised controlled trial of MSD preventative interventions based on stage of change (SOC). The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and its association with worker and organisational characteristics. METHOD: Twenty three companies and 406 workers in a wide range of industries were surveyed. Data on worker characteristics, pain / discomfort in the last 7 days, SOC, job satisfaction, and safety climate were collected using previously published questionnaire survey instruments. Workload and vibration were classified by an experienced ergonomist. RESULTS: In this sample (mean age 39 years, 49% male), 40% reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort (MSPD) and 15% reported severe pain (rating of 5 or more out of 7). In bivariate analyses, age, length of employment, safety climate (supportive environment), and job satisfaction were significantly associated with categories of pain (MSPD and severe pain).In a logistic regression model, job satisfaction (odds ratio 2.72), length of employment (1.78), safety climate (supportive environment; 2.22) and SOC (2.14) were significantly associated with pain/discomfort. With respect to severe pain, only, age (2.18) and safety climate (management commitment; 2.40 and supportive environment; 1.89) were significant. CONCLUSION: This baseline study found musculoskeletal pain to be common, with safety climate being an important correlate.Diana V Doda, Dino Pisaniello, Paul Rothmore, Afzal Mahmood, Janet Hiller, Helen Winefield, Rose Boucaut & Sasha Stewar
Physiotherapists in occupational health : the Australian experience
No full textOccupational health physiotherapy (OHP) as a distinct discipline has been practised in Australia since the 1970s. In 1984, a national special interest group was formed within the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) to provide professional support and education for the growing numbers of physiotherapists in the field. In its latest form the group has nearly 300 members with chapters in each of the six states and in one of two territories. Since 1999, the APA has facilitated the development of a structured tiered career pathway for its members in all the special interest groups. To date, a number of OHP members have successfully completed the recognition process for advanced standing in the field of OHP and become either Titled or Specialist. It is planned to increase the numbers of physiotherapists working at advanced practitioner levels in workplace health and safety and continue to have OHP representatives on peak national health and safety groups and key bodies in the workers' rehabilitation and compensation field. The way forward for the special interest group lies in furthering educational opportunities for group members, and improving knowledge of other stakeholders including the physiotherapy profession about the skills group members have. Opportunities for networking and sharing resources via an international subgroup may be a reality in the near future.
Occupational health and safety activities undertaken by physiotherapy students: A retrospective review of industry placement reports
No full textData source: Supplementary materials, https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-220676BACKGROUND: The University of South Australia’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy course, ‘Work Health and Safety (WHS) Practice’, provides students with introductory practical WHS experience. Students undertake 80-hour effort WHS projects for industry, culminating in a report for hosts.
OBJECTIVE: To establish types of industry that host WHS undergraduate physiotherapy placements and the nature of activities that students conduct.
METHODS: Reports were retrospectively, systematically classified using a descriptive, document content analysis approach. Demographic data were collected: report and student numbers, placement locations and industry types. Selected reports were used as a subset for further analysis with definitions created to classify the nature of placement activities.
RESULTS: Most reports were written by a pair of students (88%, n = 269), with placements based in metropolitan YY (91%, n = 284). Various industries hosted students, including healthcare and social assistance (40%, n = 117) and manufacturing (30%, n = 89). Reports primarily included risk management activities as required by WHS legislation (97%, n = 229).
CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy student WHS activities maintain close links with industry, a goal of the University of South Australia as a university of enterprise; involving stakeholders (workforce, students, University of South Australia and academics). At an entry-level standard, the student WHS activities align well with some criteria set as key competencies for Australian Occupational Health and Safety practitioners
A Qualitative Analysis of Management Perspectives on Seeking to Implement the Foster Cat Project in Residential Aged Care in the Context of COVID-19
No full textThis study explores the challenges facing a pilot project aiming to foster homeless cats in an Australian residential aged care facility. The global COVID-19 pandemic stalled the project but also presented an opportunity to gain reflective insights into the perceived barriers, enablers and tensions involved in seeking to implement pet animal inclusion in residential aged care. Perspectives from aged care management, animal welfare services and researchers/project managers were all sought using semi-structured interviews, and themes developed using a qualitative descriptive analysis. Perceived barriers to the project before and after the pandemic were not dissimilar with four key themes emerging: competing priorities, risk and safety, resources, and timing. All existed differently across stakeholder groups creating tensions to be negotiated. These themes are then mapped to the competencies established by the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) for undertaking health promotion, demonstrating that this skill base can be drawn on when seeking to implement human–animal inclusive projects. Creating supportive healthful environments for frail older persons is a moral imperative of extended lives. Health Promotion skills as outlined in the Ottawa Charter and IUHPE competencies for health promotion workers need to be extended to include animal services, agendas and cultures to promote multi-species health promotion into the future
Facilitating manual wheelchair skills following lower limb amputation using a group process: A nested mixed methods pilot study
No full textINTRODUCTION: The manual wheelchair skills training programme is used to structure teaching manual wheelchair use for people following injury or disability. This pilot study aimed to explore the outcomes of introducing a group wheelchair skills training programme on skill performance, confidence and frequency of wheelchair use for people with lower limb amputation in a rehabilitation setting from the perspective of participants and group facilitators. METHOD: This pilot study used a two‐phase mixed methods nested design. Eleven people with lower limb amputations received a minimum of two 45‐min wheelchair skills sessions, using the Wheelchair Skills Training Program, delivered in a mix of group and one‐to‐one sessions. In phase one, wheelchair skill performance, confidence and frequency were measured using the Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire‐Version 5.0, goal achievement was measured through the Functional Independence Measure and Goal Attainment Scale. These measures were repeated in phase two. Nested within phase two was qualitative data collection. Interviews were conducted with eight participants and a focus group held with three programme facilitators, to gather their perceptions of the training process. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and report quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to combine qualitative data from the two participant groups. RESULTS: Post intervention, the mean Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire score increased in performance (42.3 ± 13.4), confidence (33.9 ± 20.7) and frequency (33.9 ± 27.3). Goal Attainment was achieved or exceeded by 91% of all participants. Four themes were developed from qualitative data including, “motivators driving learning,” “delivery methods, structure and profile of the Wheelchair Skills Training Program,” “managing risk and safety” and “confidence in wheelchair use.” CONCLUSIONS: The pilot study found that The Wheelchair Skills Training Program can improve wheelchair performance, confidence and frequency to support enhanced safety, independence and quality of life for people with lower limb amputations
Physiotherapy and planetary health: a scoping review
No full textEnvironmental physiotherapy is an emerging area of importance in the profession as physiotherapists and clients of physiotherapy experience the effects of climate change on health, and physiotherapists are challenged by professional obligations to mitigate the effects of climate change on health of individuals and communities. The objective of this scoping review is to identify and map the literature reporting on the relationship between physiotherapy (theory and practice) and planetary/environmental health
Physiotherapy and planetary health: a scoping review
No full textThe objective of this scoping review is to identify and map the literature reporting on the relationship between physiotherapy (theory and practice) and planetary/environmental health
