Exploring current physiotherapy practices in the care of people who are potential lung donors: A qualitative study

Cassandra Raios; Jennifer L Keating; Elizabeth H Skinner; Helen I Opdam; Kimberley J Haines

doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2023.12.003

Exploring current physiotherapy practices in the care of people who are potential lung donors: A qualitative study

Aust Crit Care. 2024 Feb 15:S1036-7314(24)00001-8. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.12.003. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Cassandra Raios¹, Jennifer L Keating², Elizabeth H Skinner³, Helen I Opdam⁴, Kimberley J Haines⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Western Health, Footscray 3011, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: cassandra.raios@monash.edu.
² Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Western Health, Footscray 3011, Victoria, Australia; Department of General Medicine, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Organ and Tissue Authority, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Department of Intensive Care, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Western Health, Footscray 3011, Victoria, Australia; Department of Critical Care, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3001, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 38365522
DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.12.003

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine physiotherapists' current practices and perspectives regarding their role in caring for people who are potential lung donors in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Qualitative data were collected through audio-recorded, semistructured focus groups with a purposive sample of physiotherapists with experience working with people who are potential lung donors in ICUs. Two investigators completed independent thematic analysis to identify themes.

Results: Seven focus groups were completed with 27 physiotherapists at six metropolitan health services in Victoria, Australia. Six key themes were identified: (i) physiotherapists' involvement in care was highly variable; (ii) physiotherapists were not aware of existing evidence or guidelines for the care of people who are potential donors and followed usual practices; (iii) a consistent vision of the physiotherapy role was lacking; (iv) physiotherapists' engagement with the team routinely involved in care of people who are potential donors varied considerably; (v) physiotherapists faced practice challenges associated with delivering care to potential donors; and (vi) several enablers could support a role for physiotherapy in this patient population.

Conclusions: Variability in physiotherapy practice is associated with local ICU culture, physiotherapy leadership capabilities, knowledge, and experience. The spectrum of practice ranged from physiotherapists being highly engaged to being completely uninvolved. Physiotherapists held mixed perspectives regarding whether physiotherapists should have a role in managing people who are potential lung donors. It would benefit the profession to develop consensus and standardisation of the role of physiotherapists in caring for these patients.

Tweetable abstract: Variability in views and practices amongst physiotherapists who provide care to patients who are potential lung donors in the ICU.

Keywords: Critical care; lung transplantation; physiotherapy; practice variability; tissue and organ procurement.