Allied health students join forces to provide holistic service

CQUniversity's physiotherapy' occupational therapy and speech pathology students have been working together to provide a holistic health service to Rockhampton children.

As part of their course curriculum' the students have commenced multi-disciplinary visits to the Rockhampton Children & Family Centre playgroup.

CQUniversity's Health Clinic Manager Helen Bourne said by working together the allied health students are providing a comprehensive approach to the health and well-being of the young clients.

'To ensure these visits are client-centred' evidence-based and meet the priority areas for each discipline' the students are conducting multi-disciplinary team meetings at the CQUniversity Health Clinic.

'Physiotherapy' occupational therapy and speech pathology students conduct weekly multi-disciplinary meetings to debrief client caseloads' problem solve and overcome challenges' and session plan to continuously deliver a high-quality paediatric health service.'

This is the first time all three disciplines have teamed up to work together' although there has been cross-disciplinary work between speech pathology and occupational therapy' and physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the past.

CQUniversity Clinical Educator for Occupational Therapy Robyn Reddiex said the response to the students' work with the playgroup has been overwhelmingly positive from both the staff and clients who attend.

'While our visits only commenced recently' we already feel that we have been able to establish a respectful relationship with the playgroup families'' Mrs Reddiex said.

'Additionally' the students have been exposed to invaluable learning experiences including development of interpersonal skills' working within a multi-disciplinary team' building awareness of other disciplines and exposure to the challenges and triumphs of setting up a new service.

'Perhaps the most valuable outcome so far has been the practical' hands-on exposure we have received to developing our own cultural awareness.'

The project will continue until the end of the school calendar and reviewed for continuation in 2022.