4th International Global Telehealth Conference

Submitted by BCATPR on Tue, 05/26/2015 - 14:36

We are proud to share that four BCATPR members will be presenting at this year’s Global Telehealth Conference in Toronto, May 29th-30th.

Conference presentations cover a breadth of thought provoking topics and innovative research in the areas of telehealth, mobile and virtual health. Our members will be participating in sessions that include discussing how technology can extend access to underserved populations, advances in virtual mental health services, and practical considerations for planning, implementing and managing telehealth programs.

 

BCATPR at Global Telehealth 2015 

 

Improving access to cardiac rehabilitation using the Internet: A randomized trial

Joel Singer, Dan Horvat, Joanna Bates, Andrew Ignazewski, Davina Banner-Lukaris, and Julie Park
 
Session #1 "Extending Access"
Friday, May 29th 10:30am-12:00pm
 
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is essential for secondary prevention, yet only 10%-30% of eligible patients attend as geographical proximity is a major barrier. We evaluated a virtual CR program (vCRP) delivered by the Internet to patients in small urban and rural areas. In-patients (n=78) with acute coronary syndrome or post-revascularization were randomized to usual care (UC) or vCRP. The vCRP was a four-month program that included heart rate monitoring; physiologic data capture; education sessions; ask-an-expert sessions; and chat sessions with a nurse, exercise specialist and dietitian. Participants were assessed at baseline and four months, and followed for another 12 months. The primary outcome was change in maximal time on the treadmill stress test (MTT) between groups adjusted for age, sex, diabetes status and Internet use for health information. The vCRP resulted in a greater increase in MTT by 45.7 seconds (95% CI: 1.0, 90.5) compared to usual care (p=0.045). Cholesterol levels and dietary quality improved in the vCRP compared to the UC group. Participants perceived the vCRP to be an accessible, convenient and effective way to received healthcare. Eleven (30%) and 6 (18%) participants in the UC and vCRP groups, respectively, had cardiovascular-related events (p=0.275). Conclusions: The vCRP was safe and effective and resulted in sustainable risk reduction without the requirement of face-to-face visits and directly monitored exercise.

 

The experiences of patients undertaking a ‘virtual’ cardiac rehabilitation program

 

Davina Banner 

Scott Lear, Daman Kandola, Joel Singer, Dan Horvat, Joanna Bates and Andrew Ignaszewski.

 
Session #1 "Extending Access"
Friday, May 29th 10:30am-12:00pm
 
Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) are medically supervised, multidisciplinary programs that provide secondary prevention aimed at addressing risk factors and improving lifestyle behaviours for patients following an acute cardiac event. CRPs have been demonstrated to be a cost-effective and evidence-based mechanism to improve patient outcomes, but despite the known benefits of these programs, uptake remains poor.  Poor attendance has been linked to many factors, but geographical accessibility is a key concern, since many CRPs are limited to hospitals in urban areas.  The widespread availability of the internet has made it possible to provide virtual health services to populations that may have previously been hard to access. This paper examines the qualitative findings from a 16-month mixed methods randomized controlled trial examining the impact of a virtual CRP (vCRP). The vCRP was revealed to be an accessible, appropriate, convenient and effective way to deliver cardiac rehabilitation services, with patients experiencing both clinical improvements and a high level of satisfaction. To understand the experience of patients undertaking the vCRP, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 22 participants. An analysis of the qualitative interviews revealed that the vCRP improved participants’ access to healthcare professionals, supported them to make healthy choices, and enhanced feelings of accountability due to greater surveillance. Barriers to participation, such as computer literacy, and general perceptions of a vCRP were also examined. Further investigation into the use and long-term effectiveness of virtual programs across a broader range of healthcare settings is warranted, particularly in those with multiple chronic diseases and those located in rural and remote communities.
 

Emergency Department Urgent/Emergent TeleMental Health Care

 

Margarita Loyola

Mya Aylott

Session #2 "eMental Health"
Friday, May 29th 1:30-3:00p,

At Island Health, patients can be held in the Emergency Department for 48 hours after admission if they are certified. Beyond this time frame, the patient is released or transferred for psychiatric evaluation, as a patient assessment cannot be held over the phone. The Emergency Department Urgent/Emergent TeleMental Health project uses Telehealth technology to meet the time frame requirements by connecting the patient to the psychiatrist for evaluation.

The project aims to increase patients' opportunities to psychiatric care; potentially reduce patients' transfer for the sole purpose of a second assessment, potentially decrease the number of patients admitted, and in some situations, avoid a patient's condition from deteriorating. Campbell River General Hospital and Port McNeill Hospital are two facilities that do not have psychiatrists on site and are participating in this project to bridge the distance between patients and psychiatrists.

 

Emerging Clinical Business Models – What Doctors Want

Nancy Gabor

 

Session #3 "Planning, Implementation & Management of Telehealth Services
Saturday, May 30th 9:00 - 10:00am

BC's Telehealth Innovation Working Group initiated a research program with a range of specialists, primary care providers, and a nurse currently using or interested to use telehealth services. The research program was created to better understand clinician’s expectations and requirements for telehealth services and technologies, and to develop appropriate testing protocols for telehealth technology innovation.

Four desired telehealth business models were identified. Each business model has different needs for access and speed of service. Clinicians may require services from some or all of the business models depending on the service they are providing at any given time. All business models feature greater mobility, access to patients and care providers outside Health Authority network boundaries, and self-scheduling for on-demand patient care.

This presentation will outline the findings of this study and encourage thought and conversation about the future of telehealth in Canada.

 

Using Telehealth to Improve the Delivery of Healthcare for Seniors

 

Lisa Saffarek & Mya Aylott

Session #3 "Planning, Implementation & Management of Telehealth Services
Saturday, May 30th 9:00 - 10:00am

Vancouver Island is a prime example of Canada's shifting demographics with a burgeoning seniors' population. The number of Vancouver Island residents over the age of 75 is expected to double in the next twenty years. The services of geriatricians are not available regionally, limiting medical resources for the specialized needs of seniors. The Island Health Telehealth team worked with a Seniors Out Patient Team to expand and amend Telehealth as a care modality for seniors. The Seniors team were set up with a Telehealth cart, training, and an agreed upon workflow. During and after six months of expanded service, the Telehealth team worked with the clients, geriatricians, and nurses using TeleGeriatrics to determine efficacy.

 

BCATPR is a proud sponsor of this year's conference.

For more information visit the conference website or follow on Twitter: @GT2015_ and #GT2015