Quirindi researchers take to the state stage
Two talented Hunter New England Health professionals recently addressed a state-wide conference about their research into cardiac rehabilitation care in rural and remote settings.
Physiotherapist Nicol Connor and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Co-ordinator Robyn Leece represented Quirindi District Health Service at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Association of NSW State Conference in November.
The pair presented a paper to delegates at the event, sharing leading research which has been undertaken in Quirindi.
Physiotherapist at Quirindi District Health Service Nicol Connor said the conference attracted a range of health professionals, with the opportunity to share ideas in a combined health forum.
“The state-wide cardiac rehabilitation conference is wonderful opportunity for health professionals to promote cardiovascular health and address strategies to meet the challenge of secondary prevention,” Ms Connor said.
Research shows cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia.
“Cardiovascular disease contributes to acute and chronic illness, repeated hospital admissions, diminished quality of life and loss of functional ability,” she said.
“Cardiac rehabilitation helps to counter these effects by empowering individuals and their families to take responsibility for improved cardiac health and wellbeing.
“Cardiac rehabilitation services assist individuals in their recovery from a cardiovascular event, incorporating education, counselling, support and physical therapy.
“Our goal as clinicians is restoration of functional capacity and resumption of preferred social and functional role,” Ms Connor said.
The paper, which was presented at the conference by Robyn Leece and Nicol Connor, explored the challenges faced by clinicians working in a rural and remote settings with limited resources.
“Our talk presented issues such as the need for early and appropriate referrals from the major tertiary hospitals, better understanding of distances and location of our country towns, the size of our hospital and the type of equipment we have access to.
“The paper also addressed the need for continuing education for those less common presentations,” Ms Connor said.
“Our aim was to make the bigger centres aware of the challenges we have to overcome to provide the best possible care to clients returning to our area from the bigger hospital settings.
“Our talk was met with enthusiasm and our experiences were shared with representatives from many other small rural communities,” she said.
“We had a wonderful two days and have brought home with us some new and exciting ideas to help manage cardiovascular disease and the complexity of issues surrounding it,” Nicol said.
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136