title: The impact of increased weekend physiotherapy service provision in critical care: a mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At the hospital studied, weekend physiotherapy (WEPT) is routinely provided and in 2013 WEPT was increased from one (PRE) to three (POST) physiotherapists (PTs) to cover intensive care and ward patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) To evaluate the impact of increased WEPT on patient volumes, treatments provided and conditions treated in critical care and wards; and (2) to understand the PTs' perspectives on the new coverage model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods design was utilized. The quantitative component consisted of retrospective document reviews of all weekend patients treated January 1-May 5 (PRE) and May 11-December 31 (POST). The qualitative component used a questionnaire to collect staff feedback. PRE-POST comparisons were conducted using χ(2) or Mann-Whitney U tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (p = 0.00) increases POST were seen in number of patients treated, number of mobility treatments provided and number of post-surgical patients seen in both clinical areas. The majority of survey respondents reported feeling adequately trained, but had concerns regarding the impact of increased WEPT on work-life balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTs perceived enhanced service was beneficial for continuity of weekday care and improved patient function. Future studies need to focus on measuring the effect of increased weekend provision on outcomes, preventing complications and length of stay.
authors.affiliation: a University Health Network, Allied Health, Toronto General Hospital , Toronto , ON , Canada and.|b Department of Physical Therapy , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Catharine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: a University Health Network, Allied Health, Toronto General Hospital , Toronto , ON , Canada and.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.affiliation: a University Health Network, Allied Health, Toronto General Hospital , Toronto , ON , Canada and.|b Department of Physical Therapy , University of Toronto , Toronto , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016526:Workload
keywords: Critical care; mobility; physiotherapy; staffing; weekend