To understand the current utilisation of the clinical framework for delivery of health services to manage compensable musculoskeletal injuries from the perspectives of insurer case managers and ...clinical panel members.
Using a qualitative descriptive approach, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of key organisations including WorkSafe Victoria and Transport Accident Commission Victoria. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Four over-arching themes were identified: (i) current use of the framework and principles is suboptimal leading to several problems including lack of evidence-based treatment by clinicians; (ii) barriers to optimal use of the framework include lack of adequate training of healthcare professionals on the framework principles and financial aspects of the compensation system; (iii) utilisation of the framework could be improved with training from peak associations, insurers, and regulating bodies; and (iv) optimal use of the framework will result in better health and work outcomes.
The current use of the framework and its principles is suboptimal but can be improved by addressing the identified barriers.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation of compensable musculoskeletal injuries is often complex.
Implementing the "Clinical Framework for Delivery of Health Services" can lead to provision of time and cost effective, evidence-based rehabilitation for compensable injuries, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Clinicians can enhance the implementation of the framework principles by integrating evidence-based practice and recommendations from clinical practice guidelines in treatment of compensable musculoskeletal injuries.
Implementation of the framework principles may be enhanced by reviewing the compensation funding model to allow the healthcare practitioners adequate time and remuneration to adopt the framework principles when treating persons with compensable injuries.
Background: Universities are major producers of research evidence, and timely translation and uptake of evidence to sectors such as healthcare is imperative to inform best practice. Knowledge ...translation (KT) is complex and there is increasing awareness of the need for KT to facilitate evidence-informed changes, with grant funders increasingly requiring researchers to demonstrate KT and research impact. Despite this, there is little research about KT in university settings related to healthcare research. Aims and objectives: To evaluate the practice, attitudes, knowledge, confidence and perceived support needs in KT and communicating impact of university staff and higher degree research (HDR) students. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 42 staff and 19 HDR students in a Health and Rehabilitation Sciences School in an Australian University setting. Descriptive and correlational quantitative analyses and qualitative content analysis of responses to open-ended questions was carried out. Findings: Participants regarded skills in KT and communicating impact as necessary for their work, and wanted support to build their capacity. Despite previous training for staff in some areas of KT and high levels of research experience of the staff in this sample, the level of knowledge, confidence and frequency of their KT practices was relatively low. Discussion and conclusion: There is a need to design and evaluate initiatives which aim to improve knowledge and skills, such as training and resources, as well as organisational structures that facilitate staff to plan and carry out KT activities concurrently with research production.
