Research suggests too few accredited exercise physiologists in Aussie hospitals
December 2, 2014
With new research conducted by industry body Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) revealing less than five per cent of accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) are employed in Australian hospitals, the organisation has called on the hospital sector to increase engagement with AEPs within tertiary and community health settings to reduce strain on the nation’s health system.
ESSA Industry Development Officer Katie Williams said introducing larger numbers of AEPs within Australian hospitals would play a key role in reducing the financial and community impact of avoidable hospitalisations and readmissions.
“The Australian healthcare system is under substantial pressure, with too much focus being placed on treatment rather than prevention, and not enough funding being directed towards minimising readmissions,” Ms Williams said.
“If the system is going to meet the needs of our rising population’s healthcare demands over the coming years, it will need to undergo an urgent and significant transformation.”
Ms Williams said currently the skills and specialties of the AEP workforce were not being engaged to their full potential, and it was crucial that exercise prescription became an essential component of patient care.
“There is a significant body of evidence supporting the benefit of exercise in rehabilitation and chronic disease management, justifying the role of AEPs in tertiary and community health settings,” Ms Williams said.
“Perhaps most important is the ability of these healthcare professionals to facilitate behaviour change for individuals with complex and chronic disease and injury.”
“Chronic diseases continue to be the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia —accounting for 90 per cent of all deaths in 2011**— so involving AEPs more heavily in the hospital healthcare system will be highly beneficial in minimising the occurrence and impacts of chronic disease.”
Ms Williams said clinical exercise interventions delivered by AEPs were proven to accelerate patient recovery and minimise the risk of complications both before and after hospital discharge.
“This lessens the strain on the medical and nursing workforce and also minimises demand on resources over the long-term as the average length of stay within hospitals can be reduced,” Ms Williams said.
“Having AEPs teach patients how to manage their condition also increases patients’ ability to maintain their health and independence following hospital discharge and reduces the prevalence of avoidable hospitalisations in the future.”
At present, cardiovascular disease is the most costly disease group in Australia, accounting for $7.9bn or 11 per cent of direct healthcare expenditure each year***.
Ms Williams said with half of all Australians possessing multiple risk factors for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, action needed to be taken to address preventable risk factors like low inactivity levels.
“The World Health Organisation predicts that chronic disease will account for almost three quarters of all deaths by 2020, so it’s critical that we act now and do what we can to stop this expectation from becoming a reality.”
“AEPs need to be integrated into hospital settings as an indispensable element of patient care, and we also need to drive health promotion initiatives much harder to prevent patients from becoming ill in the first place.”
To find out more about ESSA or locate an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in your area who can devise a tailored exercise program for your needs, visit www.essa.org.au.
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Sources:
*Exercise & Sports Science Australia, National Hospital Workforce Mapping & Analysis, November 2014, https://www.essa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/National-Hospital-Workforce-Support-Doc-FINAL-with-APPENDICES.pdf.
** Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s Health 2014: In Brief, June 2014, http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129547555.
*** Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Chronic Diseases, 2013, www.aihw.gov.au/chronic-diseases.
About ESSA
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports its 4,000-plus members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au
Media contact:
Kristen Roder
Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0406 546 461
E: kristen@freshprm.com.au
Official media spokesperson for this release:
Katie Williams
Industry Development Officer, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
E: katie.williams@essa.org.au
P: 07 3862 4122
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