Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2020 | Page 29

EATING DISORDERS FEATURE ‘Information was gathered in order to help us create a patient- The result, she says, has been encouraging. ‘Unfortunately, led and patient-centred therapeutic timetable.’ as the timetable project was implemented shortly after my After Emma had gathered feedback from the patients, she commencing the job, there wasn’t existing patient engagement obtained further information from therapy department staff. data for me to use in comparison. While some educational and reflective groups were set However, six months on, and Emma says that ‘engagement groups that had to be part of the timetable – including two has been more consistent…patients feel more included in their groups from psychology, two from the dietician, and two activity programme and feel they have choice, this also makes occupational therapy groups – the remainder were comprised of them more willing to engage’. groups that staff had thought of, previous groups, and groups ‘Looking at data from month to month and comparing the that patients had thought of. patient group, new patients admitted in the month, or discharges, ‘When patients provided feedback on the educational and it can be seen that popularity of groups can actually be predicted,’ reflective groups, they were still groups that they she says. wanted,’ she says. ‘If a patient group changes during the quarter, ‘The collaborative work attendance may fade towards the end of implemented on the ward the period and it can be predicted that The timetables began with the introduction of a the patient group may choose different are reviewed quarterly and quarterly rolling timetable review, groups in the next review. these are spring, summer, as the timetable was previously ‘A prime example of this change ‘‘ only changed in an ad hoc way, is the relaxation group. This group autumn and winter. In different or left to become stagnant. has gone from no votes, to a few, seasons different groups are ‘In an acute setting in to lots and back to a few again. It suggested and voted for, particular, it is clear that the is a group that can go either way patient group is always changing, and it is interesting to see the including garden games group and so I felt that the timetable correlations to the patient group at or festive arts and crafts. would need to as well.’ that time.’ This too gives variety to the Emma says that the patients She concludes: ‘While it may were informed that there would be not be successful or relevant for all timetables. a session to plan the next timetable inpatient wards, working collaboratively a few weeks before a new one would be with patients to choose their activity implemented. programme has been largely successful in our ‘This session would involve them coming to a large eating disorders inpatient setting. therapy room,’ she says. ‘In the room were a number of ‘However, the patient choice that comes with the programme suggestions for different groups; each piece of paper had a review also means that boundaries need to be maintained, as group suggestion, a small description, where it would be held, while some patients asked for outings or regular trips, some and a column for ideas from patients. examples were inappropriate, for example to places that could not ‘The patients had time to read the suggestions, write be funded, or were too active. comments on each and then finally submit a voting slip for the ‘There needs to be a limit with the choice, as ultimately patients groups they wanted on the new timetable.’ are in care, and the activities need to be appropriate to the care She adds: ‘The voting slips were then added up and, they are receiving. However, providing a full overview of groups excluding the six standing groups that were always put onto before the review and keeping to these is a useful way of working. the timetable, the groups with the most votes were put on to ‘The programme review continues to be successful following the timetable and scheduled appropriately, producing a new the initial six month audit and the next six months will look to timetable for the quarter. establish the success over a year.’ ‘Different groups are suggested and voted for in different Finally, Emma says that the main learning outcome she has seasons,such as garden games group or festive arts and crafts, taken from this initiative is, ‘if you provide a patient group with which also gives variety to the timetables.’ choice and opinion about their activity programme, it ultimately Emma says that the rationale for the work centred largely leads to consistent engagement, with patients feeling valued and on the patient group themselves. ‘Within the eating disorder heard, and a fluid timetable that can keep up with an acute ward’s service there had been fluctuating engagement with the existing changing patient group.’ timetable and so there was scope to see if patient engagement in the timetable selection would lead to increased and consistent Emma Rudduck, occupational therapist, SWLSTG NHS Trust, engagement in a new collaborative timetable.’ Springfield Hospital. 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