Respiratory physios are playing central roles at this year's British Thoracic Society summer meeting
Respiratory physiotherapists Pearlene Antoine-Pitterson and Dr Enya Daynes will play key roles at the British Thoracic Society’s (BTS) summer meeting, which is being held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from 20-21 June.
Pearlene, an assistant professor of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham’s sport exercise and rehabilitation sciences department, is giving one presentation herself as well as chairing two linked ‘mini short courses’. She is keen to encourage other physiotherapists to attend the two-day event and play their part in other BTS activities.
‘Physiotherapists have a key role in both the acute and long-term management in respiratory care,’ she told PhysioUpdate.
‘If you have never been to a BTS conference, or are a seasoned attendee, the BTS summer meeting is a great conference to attend there is a warm, friendly, and inclusive environment.'
Opportunities to fulfil your curiosity
Pearlene added: ‘Whether you are new to respiratory, experienced in the field or have a genuine curiosity for the diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions the BTS offers a wide range of sessions over two days designed to meet the needs of all members of the multidisciplinary team.
‘As a physio it is great to attend and represent our role, influence and our voice in the respiratory community. It is a warm, friendly atmosphere, and you gain continuing professional development along with it keeping up to date with the latest evidence-based practice.'
Pearlene is due to speak in a morning symposium on the second day of the prestigious event. Her presentation is titled ‘Hospital acquired pneumonia: a review and best practice.’
After catching her breath, she is back on stage in the afternoon, co-chairing two sessions of a mini short course with the title ‘The patient’s journey receiving respiratory support, from acute care to home.’ Her co-chair is Dr Ben Jones, a consultant respiratory physician who is based in Cardiff.
As a physio it is great to attend and represent our role, influence and our voice in the respiratory community ... you gain continuing professional development along with it keeping up to date with the latest evidence-based practice [Pearlene Antoine-Pitterson]
The learning outcomes for the two-part course on the patient's journey are as follows
- to gain further insight and understanding into how high flow is being utilised as a treatment technique across the healthcare environments. From patient selection, initiation, weaning and understanding why high-flow nasal cannula therapy is effective in some patients and not in others.
- to follow the patient journey from front door services, critical care, management of the complex airway, weaning units and long-term support and care. Insight into the practicalities and challenges of weaning patients with complex ventilation needs and the role the multidisciplinary team has to play in specialist weaning units.
- to ensure understanding of multidisciplinary involvement in the care of complex ventilation patients. To provide a first-hand personal experience from the multidisciplinary team and the patient’s journey of how they felt during treatment. This will provide insight into any challenges or barriers to healthcare and highlight healthcare inequalities.
Group singing on social prescription
Enya, meanwhile, will be co-chairing a simultaneous symposium on the second day. The session, titled ‘How can we take pulmonary rehabilitation forwards equitably?’, will be co-chaired by Professor William Man, a consultant chest physician based at Harefield Hospital in London.
Delegates attending that symposium can look forward to hearing an intriguing presentation from Dr Róisín Cahalan, an associate professor of physiotherapy at the University of Limerick. Her presentation is titled ‘Group singing on social prescription: how can this complement pulmonary rehabilitation for everyone?’
Her biography, which is featured on the University of Limerick’s website, states: ‘My research area of interest are split between injury surveillance in elite athletes and dance, and physical activity in people with chronic disease.
It adds: ‘I am the co-founder of the SingStrong project, which is a clinically-based singing and breathing retraining programme for people with chronic respiratory disease.
There are many sessions where physiotherapy practice is a key focus, but there is always something to learn or be inspired by in all the sessions [Enya Daynes]
Chance to be inspired
Clinical academic physiotherapist Enya Daynes is based at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. She is a member of the BTS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Advisory Group.
Enya told PhysioUpdate: ‘The BTS is an excellent opportunity to be involved in shaping the future direction of respiratory care, where physiotherapists play a vital role. The BTS summer meeting promises a packed programme to inspire your practice, and the ability to network with other professionals to continue to improve the landscape of respiratory disease.
She added: ‘There are many sessions where physiotherapy practice is a key focus, but there is always something to learn or be inspired by in all the sessions.’
Alison Armstrong, who chairs the BTS education and training committee, also encouraged a range of healthcare professionals to make their way to Manchester in May.
She said: 'As always, the summer meeting provides a comprehensive, clinically grounded programme, delivering a wide range of topics. The speakers are chosen carefully to ensure the wider MDT is fully represented. I am confident that we have a programme that delivers for the whole respiratory team.'
Author: Ian A McMillan
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