May 23, 2018 - Shyanthi Pattapola and Anupama Nandagudi. Rheumatology, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital. Foundation Trust, Baslidon, UNITED ...
ii100 Wednesday 26 April 2017
eye coordination. Despite the game play being perceived as fun and stimulating, the difficulty needs to be matched to individual levels of ability to prevent frustration and reduced motivation. Further, the performance decline after ten trials suggests that breaks are needed to allow a short mental and physical recovery phase to prevent fatigue. We are now aiming to develop a portable biofeedback game that specifically targets commonly experienced movement limitations of scleroderma patients determined by a functional three dimensional movement assessment. Disclosure statement: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
BHPR: AUDIT AND CLINICAL EVALUATION 129. TRAINING RHEUMATOLOGY NURSE SPECIALISTS: WHERE ARE WE NOW? Julie Begum1, Andrew J. K. Ostor2 and Muhammad K. Nisar1 1 Rheumatology, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, Luton and 2 Rheumatology, Addenbrookes University Hospital, Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM Background: Since the introduction of Rheumatology nursing in the UK in 1980s, there has been gradual development of the specialty. Despite the proven benefits, both clinical and economical, of a well-trained rheumatology nurse specialist and the evolution of the role, there is a lack of a clear career path for the profession. We undertook a pilot survey to understand the present climate of rheumatology practitioner training in the region. Methods: Following a focus group discussion of an ideal development route for rheumatology practitioners, ten items were unanimously identified as areas for job progression. These included appropriate induction, prescribing skills, involvement in research and education, opportunities for combined working and scope for clinical development. A questionnaire was created based on these items and mailed to all the rheumatology units in the East of England. Replies were compiled to ascertain the current picture of regional training. Results: There are 19 centres providing rheumatology services in the region with 51 rheumatology practitioners. All of them (100%) replied to the questionnaire. Only four units (21%) provide formal induction programme for training. 11/19 (57%) have nurse prescribers. All providers replied positive to the question pertaining nurses’ participation in research and education; 12 (63%) have presented locally or nationally and eight (42%) have submitted posters to conferences. 12 centres have partly nurse delivered early arthritis pathway and 13 have access to departmental ultrasound. Ten units provide patient educational events. Conclusion: This is a pioneering survey outlining access of rheumatology practitioners and nurse specialists to developmental opportunities. This initiative highlights a wide variation in the provision of clear career pathway regionally. Although most centres are delivering contemporary services, these are not being used effectively for developing key team members. There is lack of formal induction programme. Although most nurses are involved in education, less than a quarter are presenting at any level and even fewer are publishing research endeavours. Prescribing is limited to 15/51 (29%) members. Less than 20% are training to do intra-articular injections or learning musculoskeletal ultrasound. Despite patient education being a core skill for this group, only 10 units deliver these as a formal event. In conclusion, there is wide variation in the provision of career advancing opportunities to rheumatology nurse specialists. This can potentially have a negative impact on staff recruitment and retention. There is a need for improving standards and delivery of rheumatology professionals’ career development. Disclosure statement: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. 130. ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AND NURSE INTERNSHIPS SCHEME: EVALUATION OF YEAR 1 COHORT 2016 Mary Fry1, Heidi J. Siddle2, Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch2, Michael Backhouse2, Fiona Cramp3, Sarah Hewlett3, Candy McCabe3, Gail Lang4, Carina Price5, Anita Williams5,
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Jo Adams1, Catherine Bowen1 and the Arthritis Research UK Allied Health and Nurse Internship Scheme Consortium 1 Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, 2Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, 3Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, 4Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford and 5Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Salford, UNITED KINGDOM Background: The Allied Health Professional (AHP) and Nurse Internships Scheme 2015–18 is open to final year students or recent graduates who are predicted to receive a 2:1 or first degree in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, or Nursing. Building on similar schemes it is a successful model of a collaborative project working with our wide consortium of researchers at the Universities of Southampton, Oxford, Salford, Leeds and the West of England. The aim of the scheme is to identify and introduce graduate AHPs and nurses to musculoskeletal (MSK) research. Methods: In 2016, 6 (4 female) graduates from Allied Health and Nursing participated in the scheme. Over an intensive 8 week period the interns contributed to the conduction of research in projects focused on key public health priorities for people with MSK conditions. Projects included both qualitative and quantitative methodology, including an investigation into online self-management support websites for patients and an assessment of footwear choices in knee osteoarthritis. The interns presented their research findings and development journey at a dissemination day held at the University of Leeds. The placements were evaluated through reflective logs and progress reports completed by the interns, supervisors and mentors. The interns completed additional evaluation questionnaires before and after their placements. Evidence of impact of the internships scheme was collated. Results: All of the interns stated their career aspirations and expectations changed over the 8 week period and all reported they now plan a future career in research. One intern quoted ‘‘In relation to my career plans, my expectations have completely changed. The scheme has provided me with the skills, knowledge and contacts I need to build my profile and apply for future research opportunities’’. Supervisors and mentors reported all of the interns completed required research tasks and met or exceeded initial agreed learning outcomes. Further evidence of impact included two press releases and an article reporting on progress of the first cohort. All 6 interns wrote two blogs (pre- and post-internship) - published on the Arthritis Research UK website and have submitted a conference abstract and a journal article. Further conference and journal submissions are anticipated from all 6 interns alongside the work supporting grant applications. This scheme’s Twitter site has to date gained over 100 followers. Conclusion: Evaluation from the interns has demonstrated how valuable the scheme is in introducing newly qualified AHPs and nurses to a network of rheumatology researchers and linking their clinical roles with the latest research; benefiting patients with MSK conditions with the latest evidence-based care. All interns intend to remain involved in research, providing mentorship for future cohorts, sharing their experiences and promoting the scheme. We thank our consortium for their expertise and dedicated time with our interns. Disclosure statement: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. 131. MANAGMENT OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT– INDUCED BONE LOSS Shyanthi Pattapola and Anupama Nandagudi Rheumatology, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital Foundation Trust, Baslidon, UNITED KINGDOM Background: Breast cancer treatment therapies are associated with early menopause and adverse effect on bone density. Identifying highrisk patients and managing them appropriately will help reduce their fracture risk. We wanted to ascertain whether our management of breast cancer patients referred to the osteoporosis clinic was as per the national and international guidelines. A consensus position statement from a UK Expert group regarding breast cancer treatment induced bone loss was published with the support of the National Osteoporosis Society, the National Cancer Research Institute, Breast Cancer Study Group and the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Methods: Data were collected from 1 June 2014 to 31 August 2016 for all patients referred to the osteoporosis clinic that had a history of or were presently being treated for Breast cancer. All patients underwent a DEXA scan prior to consultation in clinic. Patients were placed into
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