P72-T Extended roles for physiologists. A case for autonomous physiologist reporting

Abstract

Changes to healthcare delivery have become a resounding call over the last 20 years, driven by a multitude of documents (Dept of Health, 2000a; DoH, 2000b,2000c; Dod, 2004), particularly as part of a 10 year plan to reform the NHS. Continuous attention is being paid to training, employment and development of health care professionals promoting collaborative working and role expansion. Demands for a change in healthcare delivery have brought the needs for new understandings of professional practice into sharp focus. Professions need to evolve. Can physiologists evolve to encompass a more clinical role? In many departments highly specialised physiologists reporting on normal EEGs is common practice. In a department without consistent clinical cover, expanding the role of highly experienced physiologists is a possible solution. In preparation towards this goal, this pilot study examines the concordance between physiologist and consultant determined ’normal’ EEGs. Two physiologists (both highly specialised) with a combined experience of >55 years have recorded and peer reviewed adult EEGs they consider to be ’normal’. These results were then correlated in retrospect with consultant opinion. Normal EEG as defined by Neidermeyer and Lopes. This is a study in progress. To date with almost 50 ‘normal’ adult patients reviewed, concordance is 100%. This is a preliminary step towards introducing role expansion into our neurophysiology department. It is hoped that the results of this study will show the competence of the staff involved. The aim being to show that physiologists are capable of undertaking extended roles regarding EEG reports.