11 January 2023
Allied health professionals (AHPs) play a crucial role in the rheumatology workforce. When members noticed a gap in training, they worked alongside us to develop a unique education experience to support AHPs development.
Here we explore how our AHP members made our new course happen.
The role of AHPs
Recognised in our Rheumatology workforce: a crisis in numbers report, AHPs deliver vital assessment, treatment and care throughout each patient’s journey.
NHS England’s national programme, Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT), is designed to improve the treatment and care of patients. In the rheumatology report it emphasises the opportunity to develop enhanced or advanced roles for AHPs.
Investment in the rheumatology workforce, embracing advanced practice for AHPs and increasing exposure to the specialty during training are some of our key recommendations for futureproofing the workforce.
As part of our work to support this, we’ve developed a course specifically for AHPs. Launched for the first time in July 2022, our Rheumatology Practice for AHPs course focuses on giving AHPs the knowledge and skills they need to deliver first-class care.
“There’s a huge variation in what AHPs do in rheumatology departments. The GIRFT report acts as a line in the sand. Units need to make full use of the multidisciplinary workforce to address capacity challenges, optimise services and increase their resilience and sustainability.”
Will Gregory, Consultant Physiotherapist at Salford Royal Hospital
Identifying learning needs
The development of the course was led by four of our members who are all physiotherapists: Hannah Chambers, Will Gregory, Dr Carol McCrum, and Jade Skeates.
The team had previously designed the Rheumatology Physiotherapy Capabilities Framework, working as part of our Physiotherapy Working Group. The idea behind the national framework is to support service delivery, role development and commissioning. When they were developing the framework, the group consulted with over 30 expert physiotherapists.
“It was very clear that none of us had a smooth journey developing our careers and levels of practice,” explained Will. “We’d identified learning needs in rheumatology specialist physiotherapists and thought it could be similar for other rheumatology AHPs like occupational therapists, podiatrists, and rheumatology pharmacists. There was a definite gap that needed filling.”
From the main capabilities in the framework, the group worked on developing the course content to support the patient pathway.
A course for all AHPs
While some AHPs benefit from our more established courses like our core skills course and the two levels of BSR nurse education, it was clear that AHPs needed a tailored, specialist course.
The team was supported by Daisy Southam, our Head of Education, to develop an engaging programme suitable for all rheumatology AHPs.
“Although our backgrounds are all physiotherapy-based, we were conscious that AHPs make up 14 different professions,” said Hannah. “We knew the main capabilities we wanted to cover from the framework. As the framework is aimed at physiotherapists, we then worked on providing content and speakers that were applicable to everyone.”
The course incorporated a national approach, with learning relevant to all four nations of the UK. It was structured to complement the patient journey, from seeing a patient, investigations, early treatment and long-term care. Topics included sleep, exercise, imaging, bloods and running clinics.
It was delivered online through an interactive platform that allowed for breakout rooms and networking. The 69 attendees were made up of physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, physicians
associates, and nurses.
“You don’t know what you don’t know unless you come on a course and are exposed to more information,” said Hannah. “It creates lots of thinking and opportunities for learning where service changes can happen.”
A unique learning experience
The course was designed for AHPs with varying levels of knowledge around the specialty. From those with general MSK experience, to people working specifically in rheumatology and those in advanced roles.
“We all see rheumatology patients even if you’re not specifically treating that condition,” explained Hannah. “It shouldn’t be something to fear. This course gives all AHPs something that they can incorporate easily into daily practice.”
“The best care is delivered by a broad MDT, and we all have a role to play in that,” added Will. “In departments where AHPs are funded by their base profession, rather than rheumatology, they regularly find themselves explaining to their professional leads the benefits of their role in rheumatology. We were keen that this course supports those AHPs to deliver a broad package of care, no matter where our patients are seen.”
“Not everyone works in a team and that can be isolating. This course empowers people to identify gaps in their knowledge and share in discussions around pathways. It can give AHPs ammunition to take back to their workplace for what can be done to improve patient services.”
Hannah Chambers, Advanced Practice Physiotherapist in Rheumatology, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Your opportunity to shape the next course
The team is now planning another AHP course in summer 2023 and we’re encouraging all AHPs to help us shape the course and get involved. We’re hoping a wider range of AHPs will partivcipate in the planning stages to make sure we deliver a unique opportunity for learning.
“As AHPs, we can deliver excellent outcomes for our rheumatology patients and we’re a crucial part of the workforce,” said Will. “We’d love to have every AHP in rheumatology across the country involved with this journey so we can provide the training that works for you.”
Get involved
By getting involved, AHPs will be able to support the upskilling of the workforce, influence the content of the course, and learn from a wider group of professionals.
If you have some ideas of what you’d like this course to deliver, please contact Marina Serrano by emailing mserrano@rheumatology.org.uk.
Please click here if you’d like to attend, or find out more about our next AHP course.