When it comes to managing chronic health conditions, medication and support from healthcare professionals is effective, but is only part of the solution. It is often impossible to improve clinical outcomes without patients also being engaged in managing their own health and changing their behaviours. But behaviour change is an enormous challenge. It takes time to nurture in an environment where healthcare professionals already struggle with limited capacity and an overwhelming demand for services.
Recognizing we are on an unsustainable path to managing chronic health conditions in Canada, this panel will explore the potential of digital tools as a supplement to clinical care and a catalyst in producing sustainable behaviour change and improved chronic disease management.
Moderated by:
Dr. Edward M. Brown, founder and former CEO, Ontario Telemedicine Network, one of the largest and most active integrated virtual care networks in the world. Dr. Brown conceived and implemented numerous landmark health care transformations, and helped many providers and governments develop their virtual care programs. Dr. Brown has won numerous awards for his work in virtual care and is a Past President of the American Telemedicine Association. An emergency physician who studied mathematics and engineering before embarking on his medical career, Dr. Brown is a passionate advocate for digital health as a means of improving access to care and as an enabler of health system transformation.
Presented by:
Harriet Ekperigin, She/Her, Vice President, Mental Health, Green Shield Holdings brings over 20 years’ experience in the mental health sector. In her current role she is responsible for growing GSH’s Mental Health Strategy. Prior to this role, Harriet was the Senior Lead for Virtual Mental Health at the Ontario Telemedicine Network and Ontario Health. She oversaw the dramatic growth of Ontario’s virtual mental health program—from pilot project to Canada’s first province-wide, fully-funded internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy program. Harriet has held several transformative roles in the private and public sector, including with KPMG, the Ministry of Transportation, eHealth Ontario and Haldimand County. Harriet began her career as a mental health nurse in the U.K. and moved to Canada in 2001 to work at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, where she held several roles, including Manager of the Mood and Anxiety outpatient program.
Loreen Wales is the CEO and owner of My Viva Inc. Loreen’s journey started when she decided to pursue both a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a degree combination that set her on a unique path as a healthcare provider. Over the past 25 years, Loreen has applied her knowledge working as a dietitian with individuals diagnosed with chronic health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. With her tenacious drive to help people improve their quality of life, Loreen learned early on that an integrated approach to healthcare was essential to improve clinical outcomes for patients and improve efficiency in the clinic setting. Frustrated with the lack of tools available to help patients become engaged in managing their health, Loreen’s embarked on a journey of building out the vision for a digital health program called My Viva Plan™ with one focus in mind- help individuals take control of their health. Loreen has been a strong advocate for improving patient care, and this persistence led to her being the recipient of three innovation awards throughout her career. Loreen is committed to making a difference in each life she embraces and is passionate about empowering people to live the lives that they dream!
Martin Ferguson-Pell, Ph.D. FRSA CPhys, Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Executive Director, Alberta Bone and Joint Institute completed a BSc in physics (1973) at Exeter University in UK and then a PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Strathclyde (1977), where he subsequently was appointed lecturer for 5 years. In 1982 he was appointed as a Research Scientist in Rehabilitation Engineering at Helen Hayes Hospital. He was appointed in 1995 Founding ASPIRE Chair in Neuromuscular Restoration and Rehabilitation (Disability and Technology) at University College London, Institute of Orthopaedics. In 2007 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at University of Alberta in Canada. Since 2016 he has also led the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute as Executive Director. From 2011 -2018 he held a range of senior administrative positions at University of Alberta and has now resumed his research and academic interests. He has dedicated his academic career to the application of technologies for people with physical disabilities, studying underlying causes of secondary complications and ways to reduce their incidence. Dr. Ferguson-Pell designed and developed the Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory at University of Alberta where he uses virtual reality systems to simulate the biomechanical and physiological conditions faced by long-term wheelchair users and elite wheelchair athletes. His research team is also advancing methods for delivering assessments and treatments using tele-rehabilitation, extending the scope of care that can be delivered remotely using advanced IT systems and advanced, easy to use sensor systems.
Earn One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for attending this webinar. Content from the webinar aligns with Core Health Informatics Topics: Information Technology; The Canadian Healthcare System; Information Technology; Information Management.
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