What is it about?
We examined 192 physiotherapy case notes of women who had been treated for Mastitis, across Australia. We found that there were differences between regions (i.e. states of Australia) and between facilities (i.e. hospitals versus private practices) in the way that physiotherapists treated women with Mastitis.
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Why is it important?
Mastitis is a debilitating, acute condition that can significantly affect a mother who is caring for a newborn baby. Examining concepts around interventions for mastitis is important to address this condition. This study indicates that interventions may vary and that further research is required to determine which interventions is best. Health professionals who refer to physiotherapy need to be aware that the interventions the mother receives, may be dependent on where they refer to.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps to plan for a future multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) on interventions for Mastitis. It showed me that to plan for a RCT that spans different regions or facilities, would require initial negotiation with physiotherapists in these different regions and facilities.
Leanda McKenna
Curtin University
I hope this articles helps educate healthcare professionals that physiotherapy can play a role in the management of mastitis, however this may vary between regions and facilities within Australia. I also hope that this article is a starting point for future research looking to determine a gold standard treatment for mastitis.
Lara Diepeveen
This article showed that Australian women with mastitis are seeking helps from physiotherapists, and that there are numerous treatments offered depending of the region or the type of physiotherapy facility the patient accesses. I hope that this article helps to inform how best to assess and measure each of the different mastitis treatments currently used across Australia in order to ensure new mothers, who are breastfeeding their children, can receive the most effective and timely care possible.
Adelle McArdle
Monash University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Regional and Facility Differences in Interventions for Mastitis by Australian Physiotherapists, Journal of Human Lactation, November 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0890334418812041.
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