Smooth moves Enhancing travel support for children with complex needs
Tracks
Activities of daily living (ADLs) (General)
Children and families (Paediatrics)
Driving (General)
Knowledge exchange, mobilisation, and transfer (Knowledge Translation)
Meaningful activities (General)
Practice challenges and future directions (Knowledge Translation)
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| 12:05 PM - 12:30 PM |
| Mezzanine M1&2 |
Speaker
Madeleine Boyle
Occupational Therapist
Royal Children's Hospital
Smooth moves: Enhancing travel support for children with complex needs
Presentation summary
Introduction/Background:
Children with complex medical needs often require specialised transport arrangements for travel to tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia. They may travel by air, road, or sea, and frequently need Occupational Therapy (OT) input to develop individualised travel and positioning plans that optimise safety and occupational performance. Currently, there is no evidence-based clinical pathway ensuring consistent and timely OT support for safe transport. This project aimed to fill this gap by developing clinical procedures and educational resources to guide transport planning across different travel methods.
Method/Implementation:
This quality improvement project involved: (1) Reviewing current processes and mapping against evidence and clinical practice, (2) Co-development sessions with OTs and stakeholders (including airlines), (3) Development and implementation of departmental policy and educational resources, and (4) Dissemination of resources and education locally and externally.
Discussions/Outcomes:
A clinical OT protocol has been developed and is now in use to support access to special assistance on planes, boats, and complex transfers into cars. Early feedback indicates the practice has been well received and integrated into practice. Initial reviews of complex plane transfers have shown successful and safe outcomes. Consumer and clinician survey feedback will be presented. Educational resources, including handouts and videos, are in development, and case studies will be included in the presentation.
Conclusion:
Supporting safe transport is essential for accessing healthcare and promoting participation. The developed pathways and resources will enable OTs to provide quality care. Next steps include expanding educational content into an online format for families and paediatric OTs.
Children with complex medical needs often require specialised transport arrangements for travel to tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia. They may travel by air, road, or sea, and frequently need Occupational Therapy (OT) input to develop individualised travel and positioning plans that optimise safety and occupational performance. Currently, there is no evidence-based clinical pathway ensuring consistent and timely OT support for safe transport. This project aimed to fill this gap by developing clinical procedures and educational resources to guide transport planning across different travel methods.
Method/Implementation:
This quality improvement project involved: (1) Reviewing current processes and mapping against evidence and clinical practice, (2) Co-development sessions with OTs and stakeholders (including airlines), (3) Development and implementation of departmental policy and educational resources, and (4) Dissemination of resources and education locally and externally.
Discussions/Outcomes:
A clinical OT protocol has been developed and is now in use to support access to special assistance on planes, boats, and complex transfers into cars. Early feedback indicates the practice has been well received and integrated into practice. Initial reviews of complex plane transfers have shown successful and safe outcomes. Consumer and clinician survey feedback will be presented. Educational resources, including handouts and videos, are in development, and case studies will be included in the presentation.
Conclusion:
Supporting safe transport is essential for accessing healthcare and promoting participation. The developed pathways and resources will enable OTs to provide quality care. Next steps include expanding educational content into an online format for families and paediatric OTs.
Biography
Madeleine, Kathryn, and Brianna are Occupational Therapists at the Royal Children’s Hospital working within the acute neurosciences and musculoskeletal stream. They deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care, supporting early rehabilitation, functional recovery, and safe discharge planning for children with complex musculoskeletal and neurological presentations.
