Allied health primary contact services: results of a 2-year follow-up study of clinical effectiveness, safety, wait times and impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists.

Objective Long specialist out-patient waitlists are common in public health facilities, but not all patients require consultation with a medical specialist. Studies of single allied health primary contact services have shown they provide timely, appropriate care and reduce demand on medical specialist out-patient waitlists. This study evaluated the collective benefits across multiple allied health primary contact services and models to determine their clinical effectiveness, safety, timeliness of care and impact on medical specialist out-patient waitlists.

A uniform data set for determining outcomes in allied health primary contact services in Australia.

The project aim was to develop and implement a set of metrics to capture and demonstrate the performance of newly established allied health primary contact services. Selection of the metrics and performance indicators was guided by an existing state-wide data collection system and from a review of the published literature. The metrics were refined after consultation with a working group of health service managers and clinicians.

Comparison of paired and single clinical placement models: a time-use analysis.

Background: To meet rising clinical placement demand caused by increasing health student numbers, the use of paired (two students) rather than single (one student) placement models has been proposed. There is, however, limited research available to inform placement providers about the relative effects of both models on healthcare services, including patient- and non-patient-related activities and patient occasions of service.

Aims: To investigate a key clinical question: Does clinical educator (supervisor) and student time use differ during paired placements compared with single placements? Also to examine the satisfaction levels of clinical educators (CEs) and students with paired and single clinical placement models.

Process to establish 11 primary contact allied health pathways in a public health service.

Objective Faced with longstanding and increasing demand for specialist out-patient appointments that was unable to be met through usual medical consultant led care, Metro North Hospital and Health Service in 2014-15 established 11 allied health primary contact out-patient models of care. Methods The models involved six different allied health professions and nine specialist out-patient departments. Results All the allied health models have been endorsed for continuation following demonstration of their contribution to managing demand on specialist out-patient services.