POS1493-HPR IMPACT OF THE EULAR HCP CORE COMPETENCIES ON RHEUMATOLOGY PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN THE UK: SURVEY RESULTS
Authors: W. J. Gregory, S. Burchett, C. Mccrum
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: A European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) initiative in 2019 saw the first-ever publication of Core Competencies for Health Care Professionals (HCPs) working in Rheumatology (Edelaar et al 2019). This document sets the tone for how HCPs in Rheumatology should be working. One of the listed research agenda items created as a part of this project was to define discipline-specific competencies related to each of the HCPs unique roles in the multidisciplinary team. Objectives: In response to this call for discipline-specific application, a recent national survey of physiotherapists working in rheumatology in the UK included a section looking at the comfort these clinicians feel in the day-to-day application of these Core Competencies. Methods: In late 2019, an internet-based survey was emailed, and shared via other digital platforms, aiming to target all UK-based rheumatology physiotherapists. Other areas were covered and have been published (Gregory, Burchett and McCrum 2021), but there are unpublished data from Question 8 on this survey which involved listing the EULAR HCP Core Competencies and asking responders to rate on a 5-point Likert scale their comfort with these statements in relation to their day-to-day practice. Results: Ninety-seven UK-based physiotherapists working at least some of their job in rheumatology completed the survey. Overall the EULAR HACP core competency statements with the highest scores were statements 2 and 5; those statements with the lowest comfort response were statements 4 and 6. Statement 2 relates to assessment and statement 5 to non-pharmacological management; it is in line with the traditional physiotherapy job role that these are the two areas identified by survey responders as their strongest areas. Statement 4 relates to pharmacological management, and as this is not a formal part of expected specialist rheumatology physiotherapist job role at banding levels below band 8, this result was lower level of comfort probably to be expected. Statement 6 relates to patient education and whilst this is clearly a big part of the physiotherapist role, we expect the lower score here represents respondents awareness that broader disease education may sit better with other members of the rheumatology multi-disciplinary team. Conclusion: Written for all HCPs, the competency statements do show less comfort on this survey of physiotherapists with regards to less profession-specific statements, namely medication management and disease education. Team working means these areas will be picked up by other rheumatology HCPs. Generally there is a good amount of familiarity with and comfort in application of these new core competencies. An alternative conclusion is that the EULAR working group creating the competencies achieved a strong understanding of the HCP roles and the competencies are hence seen to fit well in this survey. As per the concluding statements of the 2019 EULAR core competencies document, there does remain a requirement to work on profession specific competencies in rheumatology. References: [1]Edelaar L, Nikiphorou E, Fragoulis GE , et al. 2019 EULAR recommendations for the generic core competences of health professionals in rheumatology. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020; 79: 53-60. [2]Gregory, W.J., Burchett, S. and McCrum, C. (2021), National survey of the current clinical practices of the UK rheumatology physiotherapists: A short report. Musculoskeletal Care. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1516 Disclosure of Interests: William J. Gregory Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Novartis and Abbvie., Consultant of: Advisory boards for Pfizer and Novartis., Sharon Burchett: None declared, Carol McCrum Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Novartis