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Allied health weekend service provision in Australian rehabilitation units
Author(s) -
Caruana Erin L,
Kuys Suzanne S,
Brauer Sandra G
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12500
Subject(s) - staffing , rehabilitation , service delivery framework , service (business) , nursing , medicine , service provider , business , physical therapy , marketing
Objectives To determine current Australian allied health rehabilitation weekend service provision and to identify perceived barriers to and facilitators of weekend service provision. Methods Senior physiotherapists from Australian rehabilitation units completed an online cross‐sectional survey exploring current service provision, staffing, perceived outcomes, and barriers and facilitators to weekend service provision. Results A total of 179 (83%) eligible units responded, with 94 facilities (53%) providing weekend therapy. A Saturday service was the most common (97%) with the most frequent service providers being physiotherapists (90%). Rehabilitation weekend service was perceived to increase patient/family satisfaction (66%) and achieve faster goal attainment (55%). Common barriers were budgetary restraints (66%) and staffing availability (54%), with facilitators including organisational support (76%), staff availability (62%) and staff support (61%). Conclusion Despite increasing evidence of effectiveness, only half of Australian rehabilitation facilities provide weekend services. Further efforts are required to translate evidence from clinical trials into feasible service delivery models.