Mrs Crystle Gambetta¹, Mrs Kate  Miller¹, Mrs Megan Simons¹, Mrs Sarah Wright¹, Professor Roy Kimble¹

¹Queensland Children’s’ Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia

Abstract:

Physiotherapy burns management and rehabilitation is multifaceted requiring specialised knowledge and skills to manage varied physical responses to injury including musculo-skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological changes. Inter-professional practice is key to delivering optimal health outcomes as well as supporting the sharing of expertise.   At QCH there are many options for specialised training in burns physiotherapy management, however access to such targeted training at rural and regional centres is limited.

Aim: The aim of this project is to develop and deliver an online learning tool to increase awareness, confidence and self-efficacy for physiotherapists working in the rural and regional areas, to enhance skills in managing paediatric patients with burn injuries.

Method: An online learning project was developed by the physiotherapy burns subject matter expert in collaboration with the education team, working with key stakeholders including burns occupational therapists, and endorsed by burns consultants and nurse practitioner at QCH. This scenario takes the learner through a common paediatric case presentation with specific learning objectives embedded. It is designed to interactively build knowledge and skills whilst developing clinical decision-making capabilities and identifying risks and importance of MDT. This resource is published online with free access state and worldwide.

Results: The online burns project was developed with targeted objectives that will provide the learner with capabilities to deliver safe and effective care. Feedback regarding the model of training will be presented.

Conclusion: Development of an interactive online training tool for rural and regional physiotherapists has enhanced the confidence and self-efficacy for the management of paediatric patients with burn injuries.

Biography:

Crystle has 12 years’ experience primarily in paediatrics and worked at the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) for 6 years extensively within the burns service. Her interests include rehabilitation of significant burn injuries as well as training and supporting physiotherapist across the state regarding physiotherapy in burns and plastics.