O7
ESTABLISHING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMPETENCY FOR FIRST CONTACT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN THE UK
C. Black1, H. Gray2, S. Shanmugam3
1Buckinghamshire NHS Foundation Trust, UK
2Healthcare Improvement Scotland, UK
3Glasgow Caledonian University, UK
Background
Patients at risk of preventable sickness absence frequently attend at primary care. First contact physiotherapists (FCP) may provide an optimal way of reducing this risk; however, there is significant variability in clinical practice, limited research directing best practice and this work and health role is traditionally seen as outside of the ‘therapeutic relationship’. If FCP’s training and development in this area is considered, FCP’s will be able to effectively conduct fitness for work and sickness absence certification within UK primary care settings.
Aim
To reach expert consensus for work-related competencies for FCP practice for patients at risk of preventable sickness absence.
Methods
A modified Delphi technique involved a UK-wide FCP expert panel completing three rounds of an online questionnaire. The initial 30-competency questionnaire, based on two separate Nominal Group Techniques in a FCP and Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPOHE) physiotherapist cohort and Health Education England’s published Roadmap to Practice, covered occupational health specific items (knowledge and skills) related to the topic.
Results
Of the 30 initial competencies, 20 (67%) reached a strong degree of consensus. 20 OH specific competencies reached a priori consensus level of agreement to provide the final group list.
Conclusions
This paper provides an empirically derived list of OH competencies for FCP education in primary care ‘first point of care’ physiotherapy with a high level of expert agreement and high retention rate between rounds. OH professionals can support our colleagues in primary care by further developing their competency in this area.
References:
Dorrington S, Roberts E, Mykletun A, Hatch S, Madan I, Hotopf M. Systematic review of fit note use for workers in the UK. Occup Environ Med 2018;75(7):530-539.
Health Education England. First Contact Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners in Primary care : (Musculoskeletal) A Roadmap to Practice. Available from: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/primary-care/first-contact-practitioners-advanced-practitioners-musculoskeletal [Accessed 15th January 2024].
National Health Service England and British Medical Association. Investment and evolution: A five-year framework for GP contract reform to implement The NHS Long Term Plan. Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gp-contract-2019.pdf [Accessed 15th January 2024].
Public Health England. Musculoskeletal Health: A 5-year strategic framework for prevention across the lifecourse. Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/810348/Musculoskeletal_Health_5_year_strategy.pdf [Accessed 10th November 2023].
Wynne-Jones G, Artus M, Bishop A, Lawton SA, Lewis M, Jowett S, Kigozi J, Main C, Sowden G, Wathall S, Burton AK. Effectiveness and costs of a vocational advice service to improve work outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal pain in primary care: a cluster randomised trial (SWAP trial ISRCTN 52269669). Pain. 2018 Jan 1;159(1):128-38.
