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Introduction: The views of patients and carers are important for the development of research priorities. This study aimed to determine and compare the top research priorities of cancer patients and carers with those of multidisciplinary clinicians with expertise in prehabilitation. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed patients recovering from cancer surgery at a major tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia, and/or their carers between March and July 2023. Consenting patients and carers were provided a list of research priorities according to clinicians with expertise in prehabilitation, as determined in a recent International Delphi study. Participants were asked to rate the importance of each research priority using a 5-item Likert scale (ranging from 1 = very high research priority to 5 = very low research priority). Results: A total of 101 patients and 50 carers participated in this study. Four areas were identified as research priorities, achieving consensus of highest importance (> 70% rated as “high” or “very high” priority) by patients, carers, and clinical experts. These were “optimal composition of prehabilitation programs” (77% vs. 82% vs. 88%), “effect of prehabilitation on surgical outcomes” (85% vs. 90% vs. 95%), “effect of prehabilitation on functional outcomes” (83% vs. 86% vs. 79%), and “effect of prehabilitation on patient reported outcomes” (78% vs. 84% vs. 79%). Priorities that did not reach consensus of high importance by patients despite reaching consensus of highest importance by experts included “identifying populations most likely to benefit from prehabilitation” (70% vs. 76% vs. 90%) and “defining prehabilitation core outcome measures” (66% vs. 74% vs. 87%). “Prehabilitation during neoadjuvant therapies” reached consensus of high importance by patients but not by experts or carers (81% vs. 68% vs. 69%). Conclusion: This study delineated the primary prehabilitation research priorities as determined by patients and carers, against those previously identified by clinicians with expertise in prehabilitation. It is recommended that subsequent high-quality research and resource allocation be directed towards these highlighted areas of importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aimed to review the existing evidence on the cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments for neurological disorders. It mentions that ten studies were included, highlighting the potential cost-effectiveness of aerobic training, progressive strength training, and a pragmatic physiotherapy program for specific conditions. It also mentions that the study emphasizes the importance of considering the cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in neurological disorders.

Background: There are few reports of new functional impairment following critical illness from COVID-19. We aimed to describe the incidence of death or new disability, functional impairment and changes in health-related quality of life of patients after COVID-19 critical illness at 6 months.Methods: In a nationally representative, multicenter, prospective cohort study of COVID-19 critical illness, we determined the prevalence of death or new disability at 6 months, the primary outcome. We measured mortality, new disability and return to work with changes in the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 12L (WHODAS) and health status with the EQ5D-5LTM.Results: Of 274 eligible patients, 212 were enrolled from 30 hospitals. The median age was 61 (51-70) years, and 124 (58.5%) patients were male. At 6 months, 43/160 (26.9%) patients died and 42/108 (38.9%) responding survivors reported new disability. Compared to pre-illness, the WHODAS percentage score worsened (mean difference (MD), 10.40% [95% CI 7.06-13.77]; p < 0.001). Thirteen (11.4%) survivors had not returned to work due to poor health. There was a decrease in the EQ-5D-5LTM utility score (MD, - 0.19 [- 0.28 to - 0.10]; p < 0.001). At 6 months, 82 of 115 (71.3%) patients reported persistent symptoms. The independent predictors of death or new disability were higher severity of illness and increased frailty.Conclusions: At six months after COVID-19 critical illness, death and new disability was substantial. Over a third of survivors had new disability, which was widespread across all areas of functioning. Clinical trial registration NCT04401254 May 26, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended scope of practice (ESoP) and advanced scope of practice (ASoP) physiotherapy roles have been in place in the UK for over 20 years. However, interest in these types of services appears to be only just evolving within Australia. Although ESoP and/or ASoP cardiorespiratory roles in intensive care units (ICU) may be perceived to be more achievable in large metropolitan teaching hospitals, at least 67% of Australian ICUs provide physiotherapy services. Very little has been published on the practicalities (e.g. training pathways, evidence for use and guidelines) of developing advanced or extended scope cardiorespiratory physiotherapy services within Australian ICUs. This report describes the development and implementation of a physiotherapy-led bronchoscopy service from a regional hospital perspective. What is known about the topic?: Although ESoP and ASoP physiotherapy roles are well established in the UK, such services appear to be only just evolving in Australia. Clarity on the definitions of extended and advanced physiotherapy roles have been articulated by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. However, there is a paucity of evidence published on the practicalities of establishing advanced or extended scope cardiorespiratory physiotherapy services within Australian ICUs. What does this paper add?: One of the main emerging areas of ESoP and/or ASoP in the cardiorespiratory field is the use of bronchoscopy by physiotherapists. This paper describes the framework, implementation, limitations and barriers of developing a physiotherapy-led bronchoscopy service from a regional hospital perspective. What are the implications for practitioners?: This paper allows the potential for our credentialing and practice framework model to be transferred in other public hospitals commencing or considering implementing physiotherapy-led bronchoscopy services within their ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]