Research Report Abstracts - Gesundheit

eS916
Relevance: The economic burden of LBP is enormous and
this appears to be increasing, despite the increasing awareness
of LBP as a socioeconomic burden, few data exists about its
cost in developing countries. Objective data on the economic
burden placed on patients with LBP in a developing community
like Nigeria has been established. The findings from
this study could have compelling and urgent ramifications
for health policy, planning and further research. This study
appears to be the first study to be carried out on the cost analysis
of LBP in Nigeria and is an initial step towards providing
evidence on the economic burden of LBP in Nigeria. Physiotherapists
as health educators and policy makers could help
in determining how resources are being allocated to health
institutions in developing countries.
Participants: Forty (25 males, 15 females) individuals (age
range of 30–80 years) with LBP receiving physiotherapy in
secondary and tertiary health institutions in Ibadan participated
in this cross sectional survey.
Methods: Data on the economic burden of LBP and
socio-demographic information of participants were collected
using a self-developed questionnaire. Component
items/questions on this developed questionnaire were
adapted from information obtained from literature on socioeconomic
impact of LBP. Participants’ disability was assessed
using the Rolland Morris Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire.
Analysis: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
of proportions, mean and standard deviations and inferential
statistics of Chi-square and independent t-test. Level of
significance was set at 0.05.
Results: The overall estimated annual economic costs
(direct cost: 318955.09 ± 107829.80 Naira; indirect cost:
77552.00 ± 38385.00 Naira) of LBP are averaged at
319193.37 ± 146214.80 Naira. The average loss of work
hours is estimated at 10.25 ± 6.75 hours per month. There
was no significant difference between the economic costs of
male and female patients with low back pain (p > 0.05). There
was a significant association (p < 0.05) between economic
cost of care and disability.
Conclusions: It was concluded that the direct cost of care
accounted for majority of the money spent on patients with
low back pain receiving physiotherapy treatment. Low Back
Pain places a burden on individuals suffering from the disease.
Low Back Pain results in disability in the majority of
individuals with the disease.
Implications: More emphasis to be laid on educational programmes
that teach proper use of body mechanics as well
as proper lifting techniques is recommended while policy
makers should determine how resources are being allocated
to health institutions in developing countries. Funding agencies
could be encouraged to support a larger study on the
economic costs of LBP as this study is limited in its scope.
Keywords: Low back pain; Economic cost; Disability
Funding acknowledgements: This study was unfunded.
Ethics approval: This study was approved by the University
of Ibadan (UI)/University College Hospital (UCH)
Ethics committee. UI/UCH EC registration Number:
NHREC/05/01/2008a.
Research Report Poster Display
Number: RR-PO-204-7-Wed Wednesday 22 June 12:00
RAI: Exhibit Halls2&3
EVALUATION OF A CASE BASED
INTERPROFESSIONAL MODEL OF EDUCATION:
PERSPECTIVES OF STUDENTS, THERAPISTS AND
PLACEMENT FACILITATORS
O’Donnell M., Cahill M., Warren A., Gowen O., Taylor A.
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Purpose: To implement and evaluate an innovative model
of Interprofessional Education (IPE). The aim is to improve
interprofessional communication and team working skills for
the students and therapists.
Relevance: Therapists are working in environments which
require interprofessional collaboration therefore it seems
imperative that interprofessional working should be mirrored
in student education, especially during placements. IPE is
also being advocated by the World Health Organisation who
have identified IPE as an important component of primary
healthcare.
Participants: Three separate IPE projects were conducted. In
each setting the therapists worked directly with the students
of their own discipline on a 1:1 or 2:1 model. The profile of
the participants are: 4 students each from physiotherapy and
occupational therapy, 3 physiotherapy practice educators and
4 occupational therapy practice educators and one University
based Placement Facilitator from Physiotherapy, Speech and
Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy.
Methods: This research project implemented the MAGPIE
(Meet, Assess, Goal set, Plan, Implement, Evaluate) framework
for interprofessional case based teaching in conjunction
with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF)
framework. Students on the placement site were involved in
case based sessions concerning one of their clients which was
facilitated by University based Placement Facilitators. This
was for one half day per week and the sessions informed
the student’s interventions with patients. The students and
practice educators worked together with the client during the
week. In the final week the students presented their case from
an interprofessional perspective to team members. A series
of focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to
evaluate the experiences of all stakeholders.
Analysis: Data from the focus groups and interviews were
transcribed ad verbatim and analysed using thematic content
analysis.
Results: Formation and strengthening of relationships was a
theme for all stakeholders including the importance of communication
and collaboration. Learning for all was a positive
outcome, the benefits of the MAGPIE model and common