Mrs Prasha Sooful1, Ms Alex Hogan1, Ms Justine Williams1, Ms Renae Moore1
1Top End Health, Tiwi, Australia
Collaboration and interprofessional practice between allied health professionals based in rural and remote regions of the Northern Territory are essential for Aboriginal patient health outcomes and reduced hospital admission rates. Training content that is relevant and promotes interprofessional practice allows for the cost effective and time efficient professional development of numerous employees in a single training course.
An “escape room” format workshop was trialed for the Katherine region and the community allied health workforce.
The escape room was a unique way to improve interprofessional collaboration for an isolated workforce and improve professionals’ knowledge on the organisation’s principles of patient centered care. There was an overwhelmingly positive response from participants who enjoyed the novelty of this professional development activity.
Immediate post escape room activity evaluations indicated statistically significant improvement in participants’ knowledge of principles of patient centered care. A three-month post evaluation indicated retention of the knowledge and reported increased considerations of the principles in daily practice.
Long term evaluation is required to report on improvement of referrals between allied health professions as well as referrals to outreach and telehealth services in the area. Additionally, a paediatric escape room and facilitator guide is under development and there exists the potential to expand the escape room case study to include nursing and medical professions.
Biography:
Prasha Sooful is a clinical Audiologist by background and currently works as the Allied Health Clinical Educator for Top End Health Service. She has worked clinically and in research and education for 17 years. She has published papers both audiology and clinical education areas.