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Post‐stroke ankle‐foot orthoses: Examining referral trends in the Scottish multi‐disciplinary team
Author(s) -
Morrow Eileen,
Bowers Roy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the international journal of health planning and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-1751
pISSN - 0749-6753
DOI - 10.1002/hpm.2713
Subject(s) - orthotics , referral , medicine , stroke (engine) , physical therapy , foot (prosody) , family medicine , mechanical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , engineering
Summary Purpose As per the Best Practice Statement: Use of Ankle‐Foot Orthoses Following Stroke (BPS), members of the stroke multidisciplinary team should refer stroke patients with mobility problems to orthotics. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) assess awareness of the BPS; (2) assess referral patterns and trends; and (3) identify barriers to referral to the Orthotic Service in Scotland. Methods An online survey of the stroke MDT, working in Scotland, whose current role involves work with stroke patients. A survey was distributed via the Scottish Stroke Allied Health Professionals Forum, Scottish Stroke Nurses Forum, British Association of Stroke Physicians, and Scottish Stroke Managed Clinical Networks. Results Statistically significant association was found between: Awareness of BPS and NHS Board Area; Profession and whether clinicians have referred to orthotics; Confidence in assessment criteria and profession; Referral to departments other than Orthotics and profession.Conclusion Physiotherapists are relied upon by members of the Stroke MDT to identify mobility problems and refer to Orthotics. The BPS should be re‐disseminated, particularly to the East of Scotland and GPs, to improve awareness of referral criteria. Reduced waiting list times and joint physiotherapist‐orthotist clinics may reduce referral barriers to the Orthotic Service.