AIM
A Melbourne tertiary cancer centre provides occupational therapy wellbeing sessions for patients on managing fatigue and cognitive changes. Sessions were developed and delivered by senior occupational therapy clinicians, using evidence-based literature alongside specialist clinical expertise. Aims of this project were to: a) improve clinician skills and confidence in online group facilitation b) evaluate consumer feedback following the sessions to ensure they are fit for purpose.
METHOD
1) Education on facilitation skills delivered to clinicians by 1-hour face-to-face training. The team also completed an anonymous survey (developed for this study) pre and post session on their confidence in group facilitation (1=’not confident at all’ to 5=’extremely confident’), knowledge in preparing for group facilitation and knowledge in best practice facilitating groups (1=’no knowledge at all’ to 5= ‘extremely knowledgeable’). Pre and post average scores were compared.
2) Patient attendees completed qualitative deidentified surveys and semi-structured interviews post-session. Data were analysed using content analysis.
RESULTS
Clinicians (n=6) ranged from grade 1 to grade 3 occupational therapists with clinical experience ranging 7 months to 14 years. Average confidence facilitating groups increased from 3.0 to 4.0 average knowledge in preparing for group facilitation increased from 3.0 to 4.0, average knowledge in group facilitation best practice increased from 2.8 to 4.0.
Themes from patient qualitative surveys (n=28) and interviews (n=2), July 2022 to July 2023, included increasing accessibility of the sign-up process and ensuring different methods of within and post session communication to meet patient diverse needs and schedules. Consumer feedback reinforced the importance of an experienced therapist facilitating the sessions who could emphasise and provide strategies to support symptom management.
CONCLUSION
Education improved clinician knowledge and confidence facilitating groups. Feedback enabled targeted improvements to the session and facilitator skills. This project highlights the importance of continuous improvement, clinician education and consumer feedback when facilitating patient sessions.