June 3, 2024
Harold Isaac and his wife Kathy, left, are pictured with therapy assistant Carla Engen. Here he tests a new wheelchair as part of an assessment pilot project held in Hythe and Beaverlodge earlier this year. Photo supplied.
Story by Diana Rinne
BEAVERLODGE / HYTHE — A pilot project aimed at reducing the waitlist for wheelchair assessments for people in Beaverlodge and Hythe has proven a remarkable success.
“Clients with wheelchair and seating needs from the North Zone have been waiting for services that were traditionally done by occupational therapists in face-to-face settings,” says Dalique van der Nest, executive director of Allied Health for the North Zone.
In collaboration with the Health Link Rehabilitation Advice Line, her team is striving to alleviate the pressures of Allied Health staffing vacancies and provide virtual occupational and physical therapy services for North Zone communities.
Since August 2023, two occupational therapists (OT) from the Rehab Advice Line team, supported by two local therapy assistants, have been doing virtual work in Beaverlodge and Hythe.
“They’ve been seeing the things that are appropriate for virtual care,” says Kira Ellis, program manager for the AHS Health Link Rehabilitation Advice Line.
In January 2024, a plan took shape to prioritize wheelchair assessments using a newly hired OT, local Allied Health and onsite staff — with virtual support from the Rehab Advice Line team. Within three weeks, the project came to fruition thanks to the teamwork of local Allied Health, site staff, the Health Link Rehabilitation Advice Line and wheelchair vendors.
“It was a new way of meeting the local population’s needs with the help of additional providers, which creates better access to secondary rehabilitation, new technology and synchronized efforts,” adds van der Nest.
“We’re excited to see this innovative work happen,” says Ellis. “Everything was so well-coordinated.”
Several OT’s from the Rehabilitation Advice Line provided support. Among them were Luis Ballester, who travelled from Edmonton to Beaverlodge to meet with OT Emily Bouma-de Jong and therapy assistant Carla Engen, to conduct on-site assessments. Calgary-based Natasha (Tasha) Yuill handled virtual support with her specialized training.
“The virtual piece was facilitated with multiple camera angles. Tasha could see and ask follow-up questions to better understand the client,” says Bouma-de Jong. “It was a great chance to collaborate and share guidance for a thorough assessment of the hands-on portion.”
This pilot project sought to address waitlist priorities in an efficient manner, complete comprehensive assessments with both client and family involvement, and initiate wheelchair trials.
Over the course of three days, the team successfully completed 10 assessments for local clients.
“It was a great outcome,” Ellis adds. She recalls two clients who previously relied on staff for mobility in Broda wheelchairs, but after their assessments, were able to move independently in their trial using tilt wheelchairs.
With assessments now complete, Bourma-de Jong, Engen and their virtual team are busy with follow-ups. “Some of the follow-up has been done by me independently — and some are with the virtual team and/or Carla, our wonderful therapy assistant.”
Clear lines of communication and designated therapists have also been established to ensure care will continue.
“We have divided the clients so that there’s a primary therapist following each client to ensure their needs are met.”
