Barwon Health trismus project
In May 2023, in response to a service gap caused by the absence of the sole treating physiotherapist in Barwon Health Dental Services, BSWRICS funded a clinical project worker to develop and implement a trismus intervention model of care within Barwon Health Cancer Services.
Trismus is a condition experienced by people with head and neck cancers, often caused by the side effects of radiation therapy. Early prevention is key, and if not addressed in its earliest stages, trismus can cause profound loss of movement in the jaw, seriously inhibiting a person’s ability to open their mouth.
A preventative, collaborative model of care between Speech Pathology and Physiotherapy was developed to capture high-risk patients going through head and neck cancer treatment. The endorsed model of care includes –pre-treatment education, weekly touch points throughout treatment and then the transition to active, preventative intervention post treatment to preserve and rehabilitate mouth opening and encourage lifetime compliance. A Trismus Education Information Booklet was developed and integrated in a revised Andrew Love Cancer Centre Head & Neck Patient Cancer Informational Booklet.
Project evaluation was undertaken with clinicians at 3- and 12-month intervals. Over the 12-month period, approximately 100 patients received head and neck treatment at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, 80 of them received specific education and preventative exercises for trismus, and 53 of these patients were deemed to have trismus on measurement. These patients identified with trismus now have exercises and stretches to perform daily to minimise any risk of the condition worsening over time.
After 12 months, clinicians reported their clinical skillset and confidence in trismus intervention had improved, patients were making clinical gains and there had been increased use of appropriate education tools developed during the project implementation phase. The most satisfying aspects of change in clinical practice included:
- Improved patient outcomes
- Working collaboratively with other allied health professionals and learning from each other
- Opportunity to learn, develop and broaden clinical skills
- Providing care for a condition where previously none was offered
- The observable physical changes in patients with trismus who have had active intervention
For more information on this project please contact the BSWRICS team.