Caffeine consumed prior to cardiac stress testing may affect diagnostic accuracy of nuclear medicine myocardial imaging of myocardial ischemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a well-established, non-invasive imaging procedure for the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. With the increasing use of pharmacologic stress agents in myocardial perfusion imaging, strict preparation, including caffeine abstinence, is required. The aim of this review was to determine the effect of caffeine consumed prior to nuclear cardiac stress testing on the diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: Medline, Embase and CINAHL were searched from the earliest available time until August 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2. Data pertaining to diagnostic accuracy were analysed using meta-analysis where appropriate and overall certainty of evidence evaluated using the Grades of Research, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Six studies (307 participants) from a yield of 735 articles were identified. Meta-analysis of two studies found no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction of patients pre and post caffeine consumption (MD -0.31 %, 95% CI -4.32% to 3.7%). Meta-analysis of three studies found there was uncertainty as to whether caffeine consumption affected reversibility (MD -2.16 segments 95% CI -4.61 to 0.28) and descriptive summary of three studies found mixed results for size of stress defects. CONCLUSION: The low quality evidence synthesized in this systematic review suggests caffeine may affect the diagnostic accuracy in myocardial perfusion imaging for ischemia detection in patients with chest pain and intermediate-to-high risk of coronary artery disease.

An evidence-based demand management strategy using a hub and spoke training model reduces waiting time for children's therapy services: An implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: Waiting lists for community-based paediatric therapy services are common and lead to poorer health outcomes, anxiety and missed opportunities for treatment during crucial developmental stages. The Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) model has been shown to reduce waiting lists in a range of health settings. AIMS: To determine whether providing training and support in the STAT model to champions within five community health centres using a remote 'hub and spoke' approach could reduce waiting time from referral to first appointment. METHODS: Representatives from five community health centres providing paediatric therapy services (speech therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health services) participated in five online workshops over 6 months. They were guided sequentially through the steps of the STAT model: understanding supply and demand, reducing backlogs, preserving space for new patients based on demand and redesigning models of care to maintain flow. Waiting time was measured in three consecutive years (pre, during and post intervention) and compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Employee satisfaction and perception of the model were explored using surveys. RESULTS: Data from 2564 children (mean age 3.2 years, 66% male) showed a 33% reduction in waiting time from the pre-intervention (median 57 days) to the post-intervention period (median 38 days, p < 0.01). The total number of children waiting was observed to reduce from 335 immediately prior to the intervention (mean per centre 67, SD 25.1) to 112 (mean 22, SD 13.6) after implementation (t[8] = 3.56, p < 0.01). There was no impact on employee satisfaction or other aspects of service delivery. CONCLUSION: Waiting lists are a major challenge across the health system. STAT provides a practical, low-cost, data-driven approach to tackling waiting times. This study demonstrates its effectiveness in paediatric therapy services and provides evidence for a 'hub and spoke' approach to facilitate implementation that could be provided at scale.

Co-development and evaluation of the Musculoskeletal Telehealth Toolkit for physiotherapists.

INTRODUCTION: In-person physiotherapy services are not readily available to all individuals with musculoskeletal conditions, especially those in rural regions or with time-intensive responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that telehealth may facilitate access to, and continuity of care, yet many physiotherapists lack telehealth confidence and training. This project co-developed and evaluated a web-based professional development toolkit supporting physiotherapists to provide telehealth services for musculoskeletal conditions. METHODS: A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design applied modified experience-based co-design methods (physiotherapists [n = 13], clinic administrators [n = 2], and people with musculoskeletal conditions [n = 7]) to develop an evidence-informed toolkit. Semi-structured workshops were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed, refining the toolkit prototype. Subsequently, the toolkit was promoted via webinars and social media. The usability of the toolkit was examined with pre-post surveys examining changes in confidence, knowledge, and perceived telehealth competence (19 statements modelled from the theoretical domains framework) between toolkit users (>30 min) and non-users (0 min) using chi-squared tests for independence. Website analytics were summarised. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants engaged in co-design workshops. Feedback led to the inclusion of more patient-facing resources, increased assessment-related visual content, streamlined toolkit organisation, and simplified, downloadable infographics. Three hundred and twenty-nine physiotherapists from 21 countries completed the baseline survey, with 172 (52%) completing the 3-month survey. Toolkit users had greater improvement in knowledge, confidence, and competence than non-users in 42% of statements. Seventy-two percentage of toolkit users said it changed their practice, and 95% would recommend the toolkit to colleagues. During the evaluation period, the toolkit received 5486 total views. DISCUSSION: The co-designed web-based Musculoskeletal Telehealth Toolkit is a professional development resource that may increase physiotherapist's confidence, knowledge, and competence in telehealth.

Physiotherapist-led, exercise-based telerehabilitation for older adults improves patient and health service outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Telerehabilitation can be an appropriate alternative to face-to-face rehabilitation for adults; however, it is uncertain whether it is safe and effective for older adults. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to determine the effect of physiotherapist-led, exercise-based telerehabilitation for older adults on patient outcomes (health-related quality of life, activity limitation, functional impairment) and health service costs. METHODS: Randomised or non-randomised controlled trials including community-dwelling older adults (mean age ≥ 65 years) who received exercise-based telerehabilitation led by a physiotherapist were eligible. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched from the earliest available date to August 2022. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Data were synthesised with inverse variance, random-effects meta-analyses to determine standardised mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Certainty of evidence was determined by applying Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: Eleven studies (10 randomised) with 1,400 participants (mean age 65-74 years) experiencing musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary conditions were included. Telerehabilitation was safe, effective and well adhered to. Telerehabilitation was non-inferior to face-to-face physiotherapy in relation to range of movement, strength, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), timed up and go test (TUGT) and quality of life and had lower health-care costs compared with face-to-face physiotherapy. Compared with no intervention, telerehabilitation participants had significantly better range of motion, strength, quality of life, 6MWD and TUGT speed. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapist-led, exercise-based telerehabilitation is non-inferior to face-to-face rehabilitation and better than no intervention for older adults with musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary conditions.

Effects of Using Websites on Physical Activity and Diet Quality for Adults Living With Chronic Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adults with chronic health conditions need support to manage modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity and poor diet. Disease-specific websites with health information on physical activity and diet quality may be effective in supporting adults in managing their chronic illnesses. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this review was to determine whether using websites with health information can lead to improvements in physical activity levels or diet quality in adults with chronic health conditions. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of website use on levels of physical activity or diet quality in adults with chronic health conditions were included. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched from the earliest available record until February 2023. Data for outcomes measuring physical activity levels; diet quality; and, where reported, self-efficacy and quality of life were independently extracted by 2 reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and the overall certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Where values were presented as the same unit of measure, postintervention scores were pooled for meta-analysis to yield an overall mean difference (MD). A standardized MD (SMD) was calculated for the pooled data in which different units for the same outcome were used. Individual trial data were described in cases where the data of trials could not be pooled. RESULTS: A total of 29 trials (N=6418 participants) across 8 different disease groups with intervention periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 months were included in the analysis. There was moderate-certainty evidence that using websites with health information increased levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MD=39 min/wk, 95% CI 18.60-58.47), quality of life (SMD=0.36, 95% CI 0.12-0.59), and self-efficacy (SMD=0.26, 95% CI 0.05-0.48) and high-certainty evidence for reduction in processed meat consumption (MD=1.1 portions/wk, 95% CI 0.70-1.58) when compared with usual care. No differences were detected in other measures of diet quality. There was no increased benefit for website users who were offered additional support. CONCLUSIONS: The use of websites for risk factor management has the potential to improve physical activity levels, quality of life, and self-efficacy as well as reduce processed meat consumption for adults living with chronic health conditions when compared with usual care. However, it remains unclear whether using websites leads to meaningful and long-lasting behavior change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021283168; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=283168.

Embedding lifestyle interventions into cancer care: has telehealth narrowed the equity gap?

Lifestyle interventions targeting energy balance (ie, diet, exercise) are critical for optimizing the health and well-being of cancer survivors. Despite their benefits, access to these interventions is limited, especially in underserved populations, including older people, minority populations and those living in rural and remote areas. Telehealth has the potential to improve equity and increase access. This article outlines the advantages and challenges of using telehealth to support the integration of lifestyle interventions into cancer care. We describe 2 recent studies, GO-EXCAP and weSurvive, as examples of telehealth lifestyle intervention in underserved populations (older people and rural cancer survivors) and offer practical recommendations for future implementation. Innovative approaches to the use of telehealth-delivered lifestyle intervention during cancer survivorship offer great potential to reduce cancer burden.

Prehabilitation to improve outcomes afteR Autologous sTem cEll transplantation (PIRATE): A pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Autologous stem cell transplant is a common procedure for people with haematological malignancies. While effective at improving survival, autologous stem cell transplant recipients may have a lengthy hospital admission and experience debilitating side-effects such as fatigue, pain and deconditioning that may prolong recovery. Prehabilitation comprising exercise and nutrition intervention before stem cell transplant aims to optimise physical capacity before the procedure to enhance functional recovery after transplant. However, few studies have evaluated prehabilitation in this setting. We aim to explore preliminary efficacy of improving physical capacity of prehabilitation for people undergoing autologous stem cell transplant. METHODS: The PIRATE study is a single-blinded, parallel two-armed pilot randomised trial of multidisciplinary prehabilitation delivered prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. Twenty-two patients with haematological malignancy waitlisted for transplant will be recruited from a tertiary haematology unit. The intervention will include up to 8 weeks of twice-weekly, supervised tailored exercise and fortnightly nutrition education delivered via phone, in the lead up to autologous stem cell transplant. Blinded assessments will be completed at week 13, approximately 4 weeks after transplant and health service measures collected at week 25 approximately 12 weeks after transplant. The primary outcome is to assess changes in physical capacity using the 6-minute walk test. Secondary measures are time to engraftment, C-reactive protein, physical activity (accelerometer), grip strength, health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and HDC29 supplement), self-efficacy and recording of adverse events. Health service data including hospital length of stay, hospital readmissions, emergency department presentations and urgent symptom clinic presentation at will also be recorded. DISCUSSION: This trial will inform design of a future definitive randomised controlled trial and implementation of prehabilitation for people receiving autologous stem cell transplant by providing data on efficacy and safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PIRATE Trial has been approved by the Eastern Health Human Research Ethics Committee (E20/003/61055) and is funded by the Eastern Health Foundation. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000496910. Registered April 20, 2020.

Exploring the role of medical imaging assistants in Australian medical imaging departments: A mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Allied health assistants are support staff who assist medical imaging professionals in their clinical and non-clinical role. Assistants can improve efficiency of medical imaging services; however, little is known about the specific tasks they perform. METHOD: A two-phase explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study design comprising a time motion survey and qualitative interviews was conducted across three health services in Victoria, Australia. Participants were medical imaging assistants supporting medical imaging professionals. Participants recorded tasks completed on a time motion proforma across two working days. Time spent on tasks was categorised into patient related and non-patient related tasks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore assistants' perspectives about tasks, their roles and any responsibilities. Time motion data was descriptively analysed. Qualitative data were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework analysis method. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using data triangulation. RESULTS: Four medical imaging assistants participated, providing 4170 min of time motion data and 138 min of interview data. Integration of time motion and interview data revealed the medical imaging assistant role is predominantly non-patient facing; autonomous and critical to workflow; diverse and requires flexibility; has the potential to expand into a more patient-facing role. CONCLUSIONS: Medical imaging assistants make significant contributions to workflow management. Their role is predominantly non-patient facing but there appear opportunities for the clinical role to expand. Realizing these opportunities will require careful consideration of the challenges and benefits of extending their scope of practice.

A walking programme for adults living in the community after hip fracture: A feasibility randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of a walking programme for community-dwelling adults recovering from hip fracture. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative analysis. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Aged at least 60 years and living in the community after hip fracture. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to standard care, the experimental group received weekly home-based physiotherapy for 12 weeks to facilitate 100 minutes/week of moderate-intensity walking. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility domains of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality and limited efficacy. RESULTS: Of 158 potentially eligible, 38 participated (23 women, mean age 80 years, SD 9). The recruitment rate of 24% indicated low demand. Participants considered the walking programme highly acceptable. The programme was implemented as intended; the experimental group received a mean of 11 (SD 1) consultations and averaged more than 100 min of walking per week. The programme was practical with no serious adverse events and no between-group difference in risk of falling or hospital readmissions. Demonstrating evidence of efficacy, there were moderate standardized mean differences for physical activity favouring the experimental group, who increased daily moderate-intensity physical activity compared to the control group (MD 8 min, 95% CI 2-13). There were no between-group differences in mobility, walking confidence or quality of life. CONCLUSION: A walking programme for community-dwelling older adults after hip fracture was acceptable, could be implemented as intended and was practical and demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy in increasing physical activity. However, low demand would threaten the feasibility of such a programme.

Cancer survivors maintain health benefits 6 to 12 months after exercise-based rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine if the effects of exercise-based cancer rehabilitation on physical functioning, activity (including physical activity) and participation (including quality of life) are maintained at 6 to 12 months. METHODS: Electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PubMed were searched from the earliest available time to August 2021. Randomised controlled trials examining the long-term effects (≥ 6 months post-intervention) of exercise-based rehabilitation were eligible for inclusion. Outcome data (e.g. fitness, physical activity, walking capacity, fatigue, depression, quality of life) were extracted and the methodological quality assessed using PEDro. Meta-analyses using standardised mean differences were used to synthesise data and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria were applied. RESULTS: Nineteen randomised controlled trials including 2974 participants were included. Participants who underwent exercise-based rehabilitation had improved physical activity (SMD 0.30, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.51, I2 = 0%), cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD 2.00 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.56 to 3.45, I2 = 0%), walking capacity (SMD 0.62, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.92, I2 = 0%), depression (SMD 0.71, 95% 0.05 to 1.37, I2 = 90%), quality of life (physical functioning component SMD 0.56, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.01, I2 = 62%) and sleep (MD 0.69 points, 95% 0.46 to 0.92, I2 = 0%) at 6 to 12 months follow-up. There was no data available on cancer-related mortality or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Health outcomes of cancer survivors after exercise-based rehabilitation can be maintained after rehabilitation completion. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors can maintain health benefits achieved through exercise-based rehabilitation.

Delegation of patient related tasks to allied health assistants: a time motion study.

BACKGROUND: Allied health assistants (AHAs) are support staff who complete patient and non-patient related tasks under the delegation of an allied health professional. Delegating patient related tasks to AHAs can benefit patients and allied health professionals. However, it is unclear whether the AHA workforce is utilised optimally in the provision of patient care. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of time AHAs spend on patient related tasks during their working day and any differences across level of AHA experience, clinical setting, and profession delegating the task. METHODS: A time motion study was conducted using a self-report, task predominance work sampling method. AHAs were recruited from four publicly-funded health organisations in Victoria, Australia. AHAs worked with dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, social workers, speech pathologists, psychologists, and exercise physiologists. The primary outcome was quantity of time spent by AHAs on individual task-categories. Tasks were grouped into two main categories: patient or non-patient related activities. Data were collected from July 2020 to May 2021 using an activity capture proforma specifically designed for this study. Logistic mixed-models were used to investigate the extent to which level of experience, setting, and delegating profession were associated with time spent on patient related tasks. RESULTS: Data from 51 AHAs showed that AHAs spent more time on patient related tasks (293 min/day, 64%) than non-patient related tasks (167 min/day, 36%). Time spent in community settings had lower odds of being delegated to patient related tasks than time in the acute hospital setting (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.69, P < 0.001). Time delegated by exercise physiologists and dietitians was more likely to involve patient related tasks than time delegated by physiotherapists (exercise physiology: OR 3.77, 95% 1.90 to 7.70, P < 0.001; dietetics: OR 2.60, 95%CI 1.40 to 1.90, P = 0.003). Time delegated by other professions (e.g. podiatry, psychology) had lower odds of involving patient related tasks than physiotherapy (OR 0.37, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.85, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: AHAs may be underutilised in community settings, and by podiatrists and psychologists. These areas may be targeted to understand appropriateness of task delegation to optimise AHAs' role in providing patient care.

Efficacy of Group Exercise-Based Cancer Rehabilitation Delivered via Telehealth (TeleCaRe): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Access to rehabilitation to support cancer survivors to exercise is poor. Group exercise-based rehabilitation may be delivered remotely, but no trials have currently evaluated their efficacy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group exercise-based cancer rehabilitation program delivered via telehealth compared to usual care for improving the quality of life of cancer survivors. METHODS: A parallel, assessor-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled trial with embedded cost and qualitative analysis will be completed. In total, 116 cancer survivors will be recruited from a metropolitan health network in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The experimental group will attend an 8-week, twice-weekly, 60-minute exercise group session supervised via videoconferencing supplemented by a web-based home exercise program and information portal. The comparison group will receive usual care including standardized exercise advice and written information. Assessments will be completed at weeks 0 (baseline), 9 (post intervention), and 26 (follow-up). The primary outcome will be health-related quality of life measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire at week 9. Secondary measures include walking capacity (6-minute walk test), physical activity (activPAL accelerometer), self-efficacy (Health Action Process Approach Questionnaire), and adverse events. Health service data including hospital length of stay, hospital readmissions, and emergency department presentations will be recorded. Semistructured interviews will be completed within an interpretive description framework to explore the patient experience. The primary outcome will be analyzed using linear mixed effects models. A cost-effectiveness analysis will also be performed. RESULTS: The trial commenced in April 2022. As of June 2022, we enrolled 14 participants. CONCLUSIONS: This trial will inform the future implementation of cancer rehabilitation by providing important data about efficacy, safety, cost, and patient experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001417875; https://tinyurl.com/yc5crwtr. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/38553.

Allied health assistants' perspectives of their role in healthcare settings: A qualitative study.

Allied health assistants (AHAs) are important members of the health workforce and key to meeting population health needs. Previous studies exploring the role and utility of AHAs from multiple stakeholder perspectives suggest AHAs remain poorly utilised in many healthcare settings. This qualitative study explores the experiences and perspectives of AHAs working in healthcare settings to determine the contextual factors influencing their role, and mechanisms to maximise their utility. We conducted semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling with 21 AHAs, from one regional and three metropolitan health services in Australia, between February and July 2021. We used a team-based framework approach to analyse the data. Four major themes were identified: 1) AHAs' interpersonal relationships, 2), clarity and recognition of AHA roles and role boundaries, 3) AHAs accessing education and professional development, and 4) the professional identity of the AHA workforce. Underpinning each of these themes were relationships between AHAs and other healthcare professionals, their patients, health services, and the wider AHA workforce. This study may inform initiatives to optimise the utility of AHAs and increase their role in, and impact on, patient care. Such initiatives include the development and implementation of guidelines and competencies to enhance the clarity of AHAs' scope of practice, the establishment of standardised educational pathways for AHAs, and increased engagement with the AHA workforce to make decisions about their scope of practice. These initiatives may precede strategies to advance the AHA career structure.

A Cancer Exercise Toolkit Developed Using Co-Design: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Access to exercise therapy for cancer survivors is poor. Professional development to support exercise professionals in delivering these interventions is needed. Few online resources exist for exercise professionals to address this issue. OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a freely available online toolkit to support exercise professionals working with cancer survivors. METHODS: A 2-phase, experience-based co-design approach was used to develop and evaluate the online toolkit. The two phases were as follows: 1) needs identification and co-design of resources and platform and 2) pilot evaluation. Four co-design workshops were conducted, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to identify key elements for the toolkit. For the pilot evaluation, a customized survey (the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire) was distributed to exercise professionals at baseline and 3 months after launch of the online toolkit to determine its usability, utility, and effectiveness in improving their knowledge, confidence, and behavior. Results were reported as the median and interquartile range and changes were calculated using non-parametric tests. Website analytics described site usage after the initial evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-five exercise professionals participated in co-designing 8 key elements of the online Cancer Exercise Toolkit: the homepage and pages for getting started, screening and safety, assessment, exercise prescription, education, locations, and resources. For the pilot evaluation, 277/320 respondents (87% of whom were physiotherapists) from 26 countries completed the survey at baseline, with 58 exercise professionals completing follow-up surveys at 3 months. Exercise professionals' knowledge, skills, and confidence in delivering exercise therapy to cancer survivors increased 3 months after baseline (items 1, 6, and 8: median score 5, IQR 3 to 6) to follow-up (items 1 and 6: median score 6, IQR 5 to 6; item 8: median score 5, IQR 5 to 7; P<.001) on a 1 to 7 Likert scale. Most participants (35/44, 80%) agreed or strongly agreed they would recommend the toolkit to colleagues. In the 6 months following the pilot evaluation, the toolkit received an average of 866 views per month. CONCLUSIONS: The co-designed online Cancer Exercise Toolkit was a useful resource for exercise professionals that may increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in providing exercise therapy to cancer survivors.

A national survey of oncology physiotherapy services for cancer survivors in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of illness globally. Advancements in screening and treatment have led to improved survivorship. Physiotherapy is integral in improving survivorship for people with cancer, with strong evidence supporting the use of various physiotherapy services. However, the scope and extent of these services within clinical practice in Australia is unknown. AIM: Identify and describe physiotherapy service provision for cancer survivors in Australia and describe the scope of physiotherapy services provided to cancer survivors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited physiotherapists and their respective managers involved in cancer service/s provision across Australia. Physiotherapy departments of tertiary hospitals and known oncology rehabilitation programs were contacted through a government directory and snowball sampling. The online survey included questions related to the extent and scope of service provision of physiotherapy for cancer survivors. Quantitative data were descriptively analyzed whereas open-ended responses were analyzed and presented narratively. RESULTS: Seventy-nine physiotherapy services were identified from 159 hospitals and/or health networks. Of the 55 (70%) responses received, 87% were from metropolitan areas, whereas 13% were regionally/rurally based services. Prehabilitation services mostly offered individual programs whereas rehabilitation programs had a mix of individual and group-based programs. The service content between prehabilitation and rehabilitation were similar, comprising primarily exercise-based interventions, followed by education and impairment-based therapies. CONCLUSION: Few designated physiotherapy services for cancer survivors exist in Australia. There is also disparity between service provision between metropolitan and regional/rural areas highlighting a need for clinicians, managers, and policy makers to invest more resources in establishing oncology physiotherapy services.

Behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in hospitalised patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Low physical activity levels are a major problem for people in hospital and are associated with adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed to determine the effect of behaviour change interventions on physical activity levels in hospitalised patients. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials of behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in hospitalised patients were selected from a database search, supplemented by reference list checking and citation tracking. Data were synthesised with random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses, applying Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. The primary outcome was objectively measured physical activity. Secondary measures were patient-related outcomes (e.g. mobility), service level outcomes (e.g. length of stay), adverse events and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Twenty randomised controlled trials of behaviour change interventions involving 2,568 participants (weighted mean age 67 years) included six trials with a high risk of bias. There was moderate-certainty evidence that behaviour change interventions increased physical activity levels (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.55). Findings in relation to mobility and length of stay were inconclusive. Adverse events were poorly reported. Meta-regression found behaviour change techniques of goal setting (SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.05-0.53) and feedback (excluding high risk of bias trials) (SMD 0.35, 95% CI 0.11-0.60) were independently associated with increased physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted behaviour change interventions were associated with increases in physical activity in hospitalised patients. The trials in this review were inconclusive in relation to the patient-related or health service benefits of increasing physical activity in hospital.

Consumer perspectives of telehealth in ambulatory care in an Australian health network.

We aimed to explore consumer experiences of ambulatory telehealth services and whether consumer experiences differed according to whether they received their consultation using telephone or video technology. We conducted structured telephone interviews with patient consumers who had received a recent remote consultation by telephone or video call, at local ambulatory allied health or multidisciplinary services within a large public metropolitan public health network. Respondents were asked about their recent experience and future choices in relation to telehealth. Responses from consumers who received telephone and video consultations were compared. Consumers from community rehabilitation, community health, allied health outpatients, multidisciplinary specialist clinics and mental health services participated (n = 379), of whom 245 received a telephone consultation (65%) and 134 a video consultation (35%). Almost half of respondents (49%) expressed preference for future face-to-face care and 29% reported they would choose to use telehealth over face-to-face consultation for a similar appointment again. Many commented that they would be influenced by the type of consultation required and expressed a desire to have a choice. Approximately 80% of both groups reported they had achieved the desired outcome from their telehealth consultation. Consumers using video were more likely to experience technical issues. Telehealth met the needs of most consumers, and responses were similar for telephone and video consultations.

Bridging the Divide: An Analysis of Allied Health Quality and Research Projects.

INTRODUCTION: A range of activities are conducted in health care settings aiming to improve health care processes and outcomes. In many settings, these activities are classified into two broad domains of "quality improvement" and "health services research" each with its own methods, continuing education, support structures, and governance systems. We aimed to explore differences and similarities in the purpose, methods, and outcomes of approved allied health projects conducted under each of these domains at a large metropolitan health network. METHOD: Using observational methods, we evaluated allied health quality improvement and research projects approved through the relevant governance systems in a single health network during a 12-month reporting period. Project leaders were surveyed, and project documentation was evaluated using the SQUIRE tool. RESULTS: Allied health professionals were motivated to undertake both quality improvement (n = 13) and research projects (n = 15) to improve health care. Research projects were more likely to be disseminated externally, but quality improvement projects were more frequently reported to result in internal practice change. Methods were well documented for research projects, but this information was frequently lacking for quality improvement projects. Research projects were also more likely to be supported by external funding than quality improvement projects. IMPLICATIONS: Allied health clinicians conducting improvement activities using research and quality improvement projects share common goals. There are likely to be opportunities to enhance value and implementation of findings into practice by bridging the divide between health service research and quality improvement activities in health networks.

Telerehabilitation's Safety, Feasibility, and Exercise Uptake in Cancer Survivors: Process Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Access to exercise for cancer survivors is poor despite global recognition of its benefits. Telerehabilitation may overcome barriers to exercise for cancer survivors but is not routinely offered. OBJECTIVE: Following the rapid implementation of an exercise-based telerehabilitation program in response to COVID-19, a process evaluation was conducted to understand the impact on patients, staff, and the health service with the aim of informing future program development. METHODS: A mixed methods evaluation was completed for a telerehabilitation program for cancer survivors admitted between March and December 2020. Interviews were conducted with patients and staff involved in implementation. Routinely collected hospital data (adverse events, referrals, admissions, wait time, attendance, physical activity, and quality of life) were also assessed. Patients received an 8-week telerehabilitation intervention including one-on-one health coaching via telehealth, online group exercise and education, information portal, and home exercise prescription. Quantitative data were reported descriptively, and qualitative interview data were coded and mapped to the Proctor model for implementation research. RESULTS: The telerehabilitation program received 175 new referrals over 8 months. Of those eligible, 123 of 150 (82%) commenced the study. There were no major adverse events. Adherence to health coaching was high (674/843, 80% of scheduled sessions), but participation in online group exercise classes was low (n=36, 29%). Patients improved their self-reported physical activity levels by a median of 110 minutes per week (IQR 90-401) by program completion. Patients were satisfied with telerehabilitation, but clinicians reported a mixed experience of pride in rapid care delivery contrasting with loss of personal connections. The average health service cost per patient was Aus $1104 (US $790). CONCLUSIONS: Telerehabilitation is safe, feasible, and improved outcomes for cancer survivors. Learnings from this study may inform the ongoing implementation of cancer telerehabilitation.

Clinician's perspectives of implementing exercise-based rehabilitation in a cancer unit: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To explore the clinician experience of the feasibility of a supervised, exercise-based rehabilitation program co-located within a cancer treatment unit. METHOD: A qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews was completed. Fifteen clinicians were purposively sampled from a cancer unit at a tertiary hospital where a new, exercise-based rehabilitation program was implemented. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded independently by two reviewers and analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: The main theme was, 'a co-located cancer rehabilitation program was perceived to initiate a cultural change'. A positive culture for exercise-based rehabilitation was demonstrated by consistent, positive messaging about exercise from a broad range of hospital staff. The culture shift was facilitated by the program being convenient for patients and staff, being visible, and by rapport building all within the context of filling a service gap. CONCLUSION: This study identified key practical elements in initiating a positive culture around exercise-based rehabilitation within a cancer unit. These data may inform future implementation of rehabilitation programs to improve access to exercise for cancer survivors.