Two occupational therapists have won a national award after Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity sponsored the creation of an informative video for patients who have had hand surgery to repair their flexor tendons.

Lisa Jordan, Senior Occupational Therapist, and Suzanne Beale, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, both work in QEHB’s Therapy Services department, in the upper limb unit. The upper limb unit helps to rehabilitate patients following surgery, nerve injury or fractures to their hands, wrists, elbows or shoulders.  Rehabilitation usually involves the patient completing simple but important exercises in their own time to help strengthen muscles and regain mobility, which means it’s important for staff to be able to show patients how to do the exercises in a way they will remember easily.

Lisa said: “We normally just give out instructions and information to patients in paper form, but Suzanne and I wanted to change that.”

Following an audit at the hospital in 2015 which showed that patients were struggling to retain information given to them by staff in its current format, Lisa and Suzanne decided to take action in their own department, focussing initially on patients who have had surgery on their hand to repair their flexor tendon. Because between 79% and 86% of these patients receiving hand surgery are under the age of 40, the innovative pair hit on the idea of producing easily accessible digital information that patients could view on their own electronic devices.

Lisa added: “We wanted the video to explain to patients what a flexor tendon does, the nature of their injury, what they could expect from therapy and why they need regular therapy, as well as visually demonstrating how to do the exercise. In the long term we hope this will reduce rupture rates for patients and increase attendance at our clinics.”

After successfully applying to QEHB Charity for funds, Lisa and Suzanne worked with a hospital videographer to produce the video – and initial audits are showing patients who watch the video are retaining information up to 60% more accurately than patients who are only given the information on paper. All of the patients who received the video said they found it either helpful or very helpful.

In October 2016, the British Society for Surgery of the Hand awarded Lisa and Suzanne with an Educational Presentation Award, which recognises healthcare professionals who create innovative educational content to benefit patients who have had hand surgery. The generous pair donated their £750 prize money back to QEHB Charity, in order to keep helping patients at the hospital.

Mike Hammond, Chief Executive at QEHB Charity, said: “This was an excellent example of staff being proactive to utilise funds to benefit patients in their department. Lisa and Suzanne should be very proud of their accomplishment – well done!”

Yvonne Pettigrew, Associate Director for Therapy Services, added: “This is a really impressive piece of work which is improving patient experience; and the OTs are already working on their next project! They aim to embed the videos into myhealth@QEHB, the web-based patient portal which allows patients to access their healthcare record and information about their condition and treatment.”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/-UGqjsCp5e8

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