The value of allied health professional research engagement on healthcare performance: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Existing evidence suggests that clinician and organisation engagement in research can improve healthcare performance. With the increase in allied health professional (AHP) research activity, it is imperative for healthcare organisations, clinicians, managers, and leaders to understand research engagement specifically within allied health fields. This systematic review aims to examine the value of research engagement by allied health professionals and organisations on healthcare performance. METHODS: This systematic review had a two-stage search strategy. Firstly, the papers from a previous systematic review examining the effect of research engagement in healthcare were screened to identify papers published pre-2012. Secondly, a multi-database search was used to conduct a re-focused update of the previous review, focusing specifically on allied health to identify publications from 2012-2021. Studies which examined the value of allied health research engagement on healthcare performance were included. All stages of the review were conducted by two reviewers independently. Each study was assessed using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis was completed to analyse the similarities and differences between and within the different study types. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included, comprising of mixed research designs, of which six were ranked as high importance. The findings indicated that AHP research engagement appears related to positive findings in improvements to processes of care. The review also identified the most common mechanisms which may link research engagement with these improvements. DISCUSSION: This landmark systematic review and narrative synthesis suggests value in AHP research engagement in terms of both processes of care and more tentatively, of healthcare outcomes. While caution is required because of the lack of robust research studies, overall the findings support the agenda for growing AHP research. Recommendations are made to improve transparent reporting of AHP research engagement and to contribute essential evidence of the value of AHP research engagement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review protocol was registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews, PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021253461 ).

An evaluation of Fracture Liaison Services in the detection and management of osteoporotic fragility fractures: A narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the current evidence for whether Fracture Liaison Services are being utilised effectively in the UK to aid in the prevention of fragility fractures. KEY FINDINGS: Radiological under-reporting and non-standardised assessment of fragility fractures still persist, with low numbers of patients undergoing a risk assessment and treatment for secondary prevention of fracture. In order to improve care for these patients, the reporting of vertebral fractures must be improved and standardised in order to identify patients at increased risk of secondary fragility fractures. Fracture Liaison Services determine the need for anti-resorptive therapy for the prevention of future fragility fractures. Targeted treatment of at-risk patient groups has been shown to reduce the risk of further fracture. CONCLUSION: Fracture Liaison Services have been shown to be cost effective, while reducing the risk of secondary fractures, but they are not currently offered by all NHS providers.

Exploring aspects of physiotherapy care valued by breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the reported value of physiotherapy care received by patients who had accessed a Specialist Breast Care Physiotherapy Service. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative study using in-depth interviews to explore aspects of physiotherapy care valued by breast cancer patients. Thematic network analysis was used to interpret the data and bring together the different experiences of the participants and identify common themes. SETTING: Physiotherapy Department at a NHS Foundation Trust Teaching Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen participants were recruited and three were selected to take part in the in-depth interviews. All participants had received physiotherapy care from a Specialist Breast Care Physiotherapy Service and had been discharged within the last six months. RESULTS: Participants valued a patient-centred holistic approach to care and access to a Specialist Service with an experienced clinician. In particular the importance of the therapeutic alliance and the value of psychological, emotional and educational support emerged, with the participants feeling empowered in their recovery. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Participants reported an overall positive experience of their physiotherapy care. This study supports the need for service providers to evaluate their current physiotherapy provision and subsequently develop Specialised Services to meet the physiotherapy needs of breast cancer patients throughout all stages of their treatment pathway from the delivery of pre-operative care through to post-treatment follow-up.