Although the PT Knowledge Broker facilitated projects are diverse in topic and type, the common thread which unites them is the incredible quality and quantity of work undertaken by many dedicated partners. As the end of 2017 approaches, it is a perfect time to acknowledge the contributions of a small army of individuals who have given of their time and talents to two projects: (1) The Total Joint Arthroplasty and Outcome Measures Toolkit and (2) The ‘Move More. Sit Less’ Physical Activity Support Kit Initiative.
The Total Joint Arthroplasty and Outcome Measures Toolkit
Despite recognizing the significant benefits of using outcome measures routinely after joint arthroplasty, clinicians state that they struggle with knowing which ones to use at different stages e.g. Pre, peri and post–operatively. To address this need, The Total Joint Arthroplasty and Outcome Measures (TJAOM) Toolkit was developed by over 30 BC Physiotherapy clinicians, students and researchers.
The TJAOM toolkit includes: (1) a summary of the recommended outcome measures (both patient-reported and performance measures) appropriate for each phase of the joint arthroplasty continuum; and (2) two formats of information to assist clinicians in selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting each measure (a) one-page written summaries, and (b) on-line interactive learning modules. The TJAOM online learning modules were developed in co-operation with The Centre of Excellence for Simulation, Education and Innovation (CESEI) at Vancouver Coastal Health, and provide the key points (with videos) on 12 patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures recommended for patients with total joint arthroplasty. The learning modules are freely available by creating an account at http://goo.gl/forms/paj0MBZbZx.
Clinicians tell us that a particularly helpful component of the TJAOM toolkit is the template for discharge letters that provides options for reporting results to physicians and other health care team members.
The entire toolkit can be easily accessed at http://tinyurl.com/TJAOM. It has been viewed over 5000 times provincially, nationally and internationally and was recently awarded the 2016 Arthritis Health Professions Association Clinical Innovation Award. In addition, an online article about the toolkit was recently published in The Rheumatologist http://www.the-rheumatologist.org/?s=TJAOM+toolkit and the manuscript published in 2014 that reported the results of the survey (McAuley et al, 66[3]) was selected as the article of the month by Physiotherapy Canada.
Kudos to the entire team that has been responsible for the TJAOM Toolkit: Chart Audit Team – Phil Lawrence, Tracey Wong, Fatima Inglis, Susan Carr, Greg Noonan: Focus Group: Masters of Rehabilitation Science project – Maureen Duggan: Survey Team – Dr Darlene Reid, Dave Troughton, Catherine McAuley, Dr Marie Westby, Ronda Field, Dolores Langford, Lauren Lozinsky, Belinda Wagner, Drey Voros, Danielle Balik, Veronica Naing; Knowledge Translation Team: Dr Marie Westby, Phil Sweeney, Steven Longstaff , Maureen Duggan, Ronda Field, Dolores Langford, Lauren Lozinsky and Robyn Laytham
The “Move. More Sit Less” Physical Activity Support Kit Initiative (PASKI)
There is overwhelming evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior on the prevention and management of ~40 chronic diseases. However, health care providers and persons living with chronic disease report frustration in knowing where to access credible and feasible resources to enable them to facilitate safe and effective change in physical activity and sedentary behavior.
The PASKI Core Committee (Greg Noonan, Dr Marie Westby, Dr Lynne Feehan, Dr Kim Miller, Dr Zainisha Vasanji, Rosalyn Jones, Chiara Singh and Alison Hoens) are leading an impressive team of 145 patients, clinicians, researchers and students in the development of a repository of resources – The Move More. Sit Less Toolkit – that will include audiovisual and print resources that support screening/assessment, prescription of and adherence to physical activity level in varied chronic diseases,and provision of equipment and services that enable it.
This is a massive undertaking and we are pleased to share that a tremendous amount of work has been completed. Six of the eight working groups have completed their work in identifying, cataloguing and evaluating (using standardized tools) existing resources (such as videos and pamphlets) to support people living with chronic musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, renal, neurological and mental health conditions to move more and sit less. The resources which received the highest evaluation were then vetted by members of the Advisory Committee (recognized research experts) to ensure that each resource was in agreement with the current evidence. The resources which have passed both of these evaluation processes (“the best of the best) are currently been loaded onto a website that has been designed and built by the PASKI Core Committee with a team of dedicated students from UBC and SFU.
Given (1) the magnitude of this project, (2) the reality that everyone is graciously contributing ‘off the sides of their desks/lives’ and (3) that there is no dedicated funding, there is no fixed date for completion. However, the progress has been remarkable and is a testament to the fact that passionate people can accomplish anything!
It is not feasible to list in this newsletter format the names of all those whom have been involved in this project. However, a complete list may be accessed on the Knowledge Broker area of this website under “Who is Involved?”