Sustainability of a rehabilitation self-management program (‘My Therapy’) 6 months post implementation

Introduction

The aim of this study was to explore sustainability of a self-management program in inpatient rehabilitation (‘My Therapy’) 6 months following a randomised controlled trial.

Methods

A patient audit of rehabilitation hospital medical records was completed to determine program reach and an electronic survey of occupational therapists/physiotherapists to understand perceptions of program sustainability.

Consumer and community involvement

This study included a lived experience consumer as part of the trial steering committee.

Results

Of 185 patients audited, the program reach was 41%. Of 13 therapists surveyed, most reported they knew how to deliver self-management programs (93%), that they provided My Therapy as part of usual care ‘some of the time’ (77%), and that appointing a My Therapy clinical champion on the ward supported sustained implementation (77%). They also reported reduced confidence delivering ‘My Therapy’ with patients who were not motivated or when time was limited.

Conclusion

Six months post-trial, a self-management program was still being delivered by therapists in rehabilitation. Ongoing support strategies are required to sustain self-management programs.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Doing exercises and practising tasks is an important part of rehabilitation. A self-management program called ‘My Therapy’ enables patients to do exercises or tasks on their own. Patients doing My Therapy completed an extra 26 minutes of exercises or tasks each day. This study in Melbourne, Australia, found out if the program was still being used 6 months later. We also found out what therapists thought about the program. Less than half of patients were doing My Therapy at 6 months. Therapists reported they liked their patients doing the program. However, they found it harder to deliver to patients who lacked motivation. It was also hard to deliver when the therapist felt they had little time.