New online training for physiotherapists treating whiplash
Researchers from The University of Sydney and The University of Queensland (UQ) have developed an online training hub for clinicians treating people with whiplash.
, a collaboration between The University of Sydney, UQ, Motor Accident Insurance Commission and State Insurance Regulatory Authority includes nine new training modules.
笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤听Trudy Rebbeck from The University of Sydney said over 2000 clinicians managing an estimated 20,000 people with whiplash have accessed the website.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had feedback that the information for people with whiplash was helpful in their recovery and the exercises were easy to understand,鈥� said Professor Rebbeck from the Sydney School of Health Sciences听补苍诲 John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research.
鈥淭o develop the new modules, we consulted with our government partners and injured people to ensure the resources include key messages from clinical guidelines and help injured people recover.
鈥淚n addition to physiotherapists understanding how to manage pain and distress, we鈥檝e developed modules that assist primary health care clinicians to assess and manage people from simple to more complex presentations.
鈥淭he modules include interactive case studies providing real-time feedback.
鈥淭hese resources are also embedded within student university and professional post-graduate education.鈥澛�
聽is an online resource for people with whiplash and health care professionals treating injured people with physiological symptoms including neck pain, stiffness and headaches; and psychological distress including stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance.
Professor Michele Sterling from UQ鈥檚 RECOVER Injury Research Centre said the new modules upskill physiotherapists with simple psychological strategies, in addition to exercise, to target physical and stress related symptoms.
鈥淭he modules are based on聽聽that found psychological strategies combined with standard physiotherapy care delivered by physiotherapists, to be more effective in symptom improvement when compared to standard physiotherapy alone,鈥� Professor Sterling said.
鈥淲hiplash is the most common injury for over 2.6 million Australians involved in a non-catastrophic motor vehicle collision.
鈥淥ver 50 percent of people with whiplash develop chronic pain, disability, psychological distress, and long-term interference in daily life.
鈥淔or optimal treatment it is important for physiotherapists to understand how to help patients with psychological distress, however many lack the confidence and skills due to inadequate training in this area.
鈥淭he training modules address this gap.鈥澛�