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Evaluating paediatric brain injury services in NSW
H Badge1, J Hancock, M-C Waugh
1University of Sydney, Outcomes Manager, GMCT Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Insights
The Community Outcome Project systematically measures outcomes in paediatric brain injury rehabilitation. Key priorities include family functioning, school performance, and participation, enhancing clinical practice and service evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric Rehabilitation
- Health Outcomes Measurement
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Measuring health outcomes for children in community-based brain injury services is challenging.
- The Community Outcome Project aims to implement systematic outcome measurement.
- This initiative supports clinical practice and service evaluation within the New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce systematic outcome measurement in paediatric community-based brain injury services.
- To support clinical practice and service evaluation.
- To enhance the quality of evidence-based services for children.
Main Methods:
- A literature review identified appropriate paediatric outcome measures.
- Clinician consultations defined key clinical priorities for measurement.
- Outcome measures were shortlisted, trialled, and evaluated for clinical utility and feasibility.
Main Results:
- Three primary clinical priorities for outcome measurement were identified: family functioning, school performance, and participation.
- Three specific outcome measures were selected for the pilot project.
- The chosen measures are the Family Burden of Injury Interview, Academic Competence and Evaluation Scales, and Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation.
Conclusions:
- Systematic outcome measurement requires extensive preparation and staff engagement.
- Managing change is crucial for the successful implementation of new outcome measures.
- The project will discuss benefits and costs for clinicians and services.
Background:
Rehabilitation professionals strive to provide high-quality evidence-based services for children. Developing systems to measure and monitor the benefits of our services, and health outcomes for children is complex and challenging. The Community Outcome Project aims to introduce systematic outcome measurement across the network of paediatric community-based brain injury services within the New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) to support clinical practice and service evaluation.
Methods:
A literature review informed the development of the evaluative framework and identified available paediatric outcome measures which may be appropriate. Extensive consultation with clinicians supported project planning and identified clinical priorities that the outcome measures needed to capture. Outcome measures were shortlisted by matching them to identified clinical priorities, and then trialled in clinical practice. Qualitative feedback regarding clinical utility and feasibility was obtained from clinical staff. The process has utilized change management strategies to ensure the success of the project and keep staff engaged.
Results:
The process identified the three main clinical priorities for outcome measurement - family functioning, school performance and participation. Three outcome measures were chosen for the pilot project that is currently underway. They are Family Burden of Injury Interview, Academic Competence and Evaluation Scales and Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation. Plans for analyses of outcome data within the paediatric BIRP services are discussed.
Conclusions:
Extensive preparation is required to optimize staff engagement in a project that systematically introduces outcome measures that are useful to clinicians, clients and service providers. Managing the change required is a key focus of the project. Benefits and costs to clinicians and services will be discussed.
