Creen Julie, Kennedy-Behr Ann, Gee Kellee, Wilks Leigh, Verdonck Michele
Women's and Families Services, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2021 Jan;57(1):126-131. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15156. Epub 2020 Sep 12.
This study investigated the impact of a transdisciplinary advanced allied health practitioner (AAHP) in a public hospital general paediatric outpatient department for children referred for concerns with neurodevelopment, learning and/or behaviour. It was hypothesised that time from referral to initial consultation and diagnosis was reduced for children initially assessed by AAHP. It was also hypothesised that children seen by AAHP were less likely to require a medical specialist appointment.
De-identifiable data were gathered from hospital records both retrospectively and prospectively for each group. Data were collected from: 75 children who attended a medical consultation only clinic in 2014; 75 children who attended an AAHP clinic and a medical officer in 2014 and 75 children who attended an AAHP clinic and a medical officer 2 years after establishment in 2016/2017.
On average, 52% children were managed independently by the AAHP. Wait time from referral to consultation significantly decreased from 169 days to 48 days. Similarly, time from referral to diagnosis significantly reduced by almost a half, from 57.2 to 30.59 weeks.
This study provides preliminary evidence that utilisation of transdisciplinary AAHPs in general paediatric outpatient departments may reduce waitlists, reduce amount of medical specialist appointments required and provide earlier diagnosis for children with neurodevelopmental, behavioural and/or learning difficulties.
