Article

A National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) scoping exercise
in 2007 identified the use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) following stroke as a
clinical improvement priority, leading to the development of a best practice
statement (BPS) on AFO use after stroke. This paper outlines the development
process of the BPS which is available from NHS QIS. The authors were involved as
part of a working group that included practitioners from the fields of orthotics,
physiotherapy, stroke nursing and bioengineering, staff of NHS QIS and a patient
representative. In consultation with an NHS QIS health services researcher, the
authors undertook a systematic literature review to evidence where possible the
recommendations made in the BPS. Where evidence was unavailable, consensus was
reached by the expert working group. As the BPS was designed for the
non-specialist and non-orthotic practitioner the authors also developed
educational resources which were included within the BPS to aid the understanding
of the principles underpinning orthotic design and prescription. The BPS has been
widely distributed throughout the health service in Scotland and is available
electronically at no cost via the NHS QIS website. As part of an ongoing
evaluation of the impact of the BPS on the quality of orthotic provision, NHS QIS
has invited feedback regarding successes and challenges to implementation.

Langue : ANGLAIS