Patient – clinician tensions avoidable: Interdisciplinary approach needed to improve patient outcomes

A leading expert has renewed the call for a coordinated approach to patient care, particularly for those who suffer long-term illness and injury.

Professor Kathryn McPherson from the School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies, AUT University, Auckland has called for greater emphasis to be placed on integrated care to promote better patient outcomes and system-wide efficiencies.

“The concept of relationship-centred care has emerged as an overarching rehabilitation paradigm,” Professor McPherson said.

“However while rehabilitation guidelines, textbooks and research papers reference the importance of team work for the patient outcome, an integrated treatment plan is difficult to achieve.”

Speaking at The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) Annual Scientific Meeting, McPherson called for an improved, patient-centred model of care to enhance communication with the patient and their carer, placing increased emphasis on goal-setting. “Rehabilitation is different to other areas of health due to the long-term nature of treatment and the interdisciplinary approach required for effective patient outcomes,” Professor McPherson said.

“The relationships between the various treating clinicians and the patient are intrinsic to achieving successful patient outcomes. The patient – clinician relationship is dependent on trust, and communication.”

Fostering a positive experience for both the patient and clinician requires a patient-centred coordinated model, according to McPherson, to ensure the treatment process is a seemless experience for the patient.

“Interdisciplinary care planning is a complex process that involves collecting and organising information from multiple team members.

“Varying work schedules and the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation of inpatient rehabilitation makes information dissemination and care coordination a considerable challenge.”

The coordination and integration of care is commonly seen as the ‘gold standard’ for healthcare delivery, particularly for people with complex health conditions who receive care and services from a variety of providers.

The AFRM is calling for a collaborative approach to rehabilitation and disability care and seeks to work with the government and external stakeholders to help realise a patient-centred model in the healthcare system.

The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Australia’s largest specialist medical college, is currently holding its Annual Scientific Meeting, this year with the theme ‘Striking AcCORD – succeeding through teamwork’.

The 2011 AFRM Annual Scientific Meeting is currently being held in Brisbane from 13 to 17 September, 2011 [www.spinalrehab2011.com]