6th UK Implementation Science Research Conference
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PRESENter
Malarvizhi D
presenter biography
Malarvizhi completed her undergraduate & postgraduate degree in Physiotherapy from the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She has more than two decades of academic and clinical experience. She is currently doing her PhD at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kanchipuram, India. Her PhD investigates the effect of lifestyle modifications in overweight school children. She is interested in collaborative research and knowledge exchange in implementing evidence-based physiotherapy interventions in clinical practice.
background
Background
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease leading to chronic pain, disability and reduced quality of life.
KOA is managed by pharmacological and conservative interventions before surgery is considered.
Patient education and self-management are core components of conservative care.
We developed a KOA patient resource for Tamil speaking people in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India (population 77 million).
This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of using the booklet in physiotherapy practice.
MEthod
Methods
The booklet was based on available research evidence and a needs assessment with patient representatives and physiotherapists.
It covered clinical aspects of KOA and self-management strategies, exercise illustrations and frequently asked questions by patients.
Participants: Adults with KOA, carers, and physiotherapists at the SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre provided input and feedback in telephone or face-to-face sessions.
results
Results
21 adults with KOA (4 males; 17 females; average age 59 years)
14 carers (7 males; 7 females; average age 50.3 years), 15 physiotherapists
(7 males; 8 females; average 18 years work experience) participated.
Participants found the booklet easily readable, useful and acceptable.
The booklet was regarded as easy to implement in daily practice.
A few changes were recommended: simplify text; reorganize exercises easy to difficult levels; include WHO Body Mass Index criteria for Asians.
The booklet was refined and proofread by a patient representative to produce the final version.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The KOA booklet is to be widely disseminated in digital & printed formats.
The booklet can improve patient-therapist communication and easily integrated into routine physiotherapy plans.
The next stage is to evaluate the clinical impact of patient education with a personalized exercise programme in people with KOA.