Research Report Abstracts - Gesundheit

WPT2011, Research Report Abstracts eS177
of the multi-disciplinary healthcare may be expected to assist
in providing such advice as part of patients’ overall management.
However, there is little research exploring whether
AHPs see providing nutritional advice as part of their role,
have training in aspects of nutrition and what, if any, advice
they give to patients.
Participants: Twenty-three AHPs (registered paramedics,
pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, radiotherapists)
were recruited from the local NHS Trusts (in-patients,
out-patient and community) throughout the East of England
to participate in the focus groups.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was used: Phase 1
consisted of five focus groups, one for each of the five professional
groups. Focus groups were run by an independent
facilitator assisted by a discipline specific professional. A
questionnaire (Phase 2) was developed based on the themes
and analysis from the focus groups. The final version consisted
of: Professional Background; Current role and duties;
Nutritional training and Barrier to the provision of advice.
The on-line questionnaire was piloted within the five professions.
The link to the questionnaire was sent by the lead
contact for each professional group to different NHS Trusts
than those used in Phase 1. The exact sample size was
unknown due to the sampling strategy but 22 responses were
received.
Analysis: Focus group discussions were taped and transcribed.
Data were analysed for emerging themes assisted
by the use of a computer program (NVivo 8 ® ). Data from
the questionnaires were presented as frequencies and counts
and open ended questions analysed using thematic content
analysis.
Results: Shared themes emerged from the focus groups of
‘provision of advice’ and ‘lack of specific training about
nutrition’. ‘Provision of advice’, highlighted the cross professional
role in the provision of nutritional advice with
each profession identifying scenarios where this frequently
occurred, e.g. radiographers in relation to procedure preparation,
Paramedics in relation to hypoglycaemic events
and Physiotherapists within assessment for rehabilitation.
Responses from the questionnaire supported these findings
with 11/22 respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that
they had a role to provide nutritional advice. However, in
regard to ‘lack of specific training about nutrition’, 16/22
reported that there was inadequate nutritional education
during their preregistration training. Barriers to provision
of nutritional advice included time constraints with 11/22
reporting there was inadequate time during consultations to
provide nutritional advice.
Conclusions: The development and piloting of the questionnaire
was successful. Refinement of the questionnaire has
been undertaken and replication in a larger sample is required.
The ability for AHPs to provide accurate and timely nutritional
advice has the potential to improve the holistic care of
patients.
Implications: A greater emphasis on nutritional education in
preregistration training would support AHP providing nutritional
advice to patients.
Keywords: Allied health professionals; Nutritional advice;
Mixed methods
Funding acknowledgements: School of Health & Emergency
Professions, University of Hertfordshire.
Ethics approval: Health & Emergency Professions Ethics
Committtee, University of Hertfordshire HEPEC/01/09/21.
Research Report Platform Presentation
Number: RR-PL-854 Tuesday 21 June 17:15
RAI: Elicium D201-202
THE ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN PATIENT
EDUCATION IN THE UK – A CASE STUDY
Caladine L.
University of Brighton, School of Health Professions, Eastbourne,
United Kingdom
Purpose: 1. To understand the perceptions of UK physiotherapists,
associated with one higher education Institution
(HEI), in relation to their role in patient education. 2. To
understand the competing and contrasting discourses which
physiotherapists use when talking about patient education.
Relevance: Although physiotherapists’ role in educating students
is well recognised and is the focus for a growing body of
research relatively little research has previously been carried
out with physiotherapists in the UK or elsewhere in relation
to their role in patient education. There is no requirement
from the regulatory body (Health Professions Council) to
include preparation for a teaching role as part of pre registration
education. Postgraduate preparation in this respect is
not compulsory and receives little funding.
Participants: Participants (16) were all physiotherapists
associated with one Higher Education Institution (HEI) in
the UK. They represented a spectrum of experience from
novice to expert and included recently graduated physiotherapists,
recent participants on a postgraduate clinical education
course and academic staff teaching on that course.
Methods: This is a qualitative, interpretive case study using a
modified discourse analysis approach. Semi structured interviews
were recorded, transcribed and analysed.
Analysis: A two stage approach to analysis was adopted, with
a thematic approach to the total data set followed by deeper
analysis of key themes to identify interpretative repertoires
(a form of discourse analysis).
Results: Five themes were identified: – Concepts of teaching
– Role – Preparation for the role – Therapeutic relationship
– Context. The repertoires participants employed included
metaphors suggesting that patient education was an integral
and extensive component of their practice. Deeper analysis
of key themes provided insight into approaches to teaching.