Your Input Needed: Feedback to Ministry of Health

CAOT-BC attended the Ministry of Health (MOH) Setting Priorities presentation on April 23^rd, 2015. The presentation was delivered by Assistant Deputy Minister Ted Patterson, and was attended by representatives of various professional associations and regulatory colleges, including Resident Doctors of BC, Midwives Association of BC, BC Naturopathic Association, and others.

The presentation offered an overview of the MOH’s strategic plan to restructure BC’s health care system, which has been outlined in several policy papers published in the past year (links included below).

Letters from the Minister and Deputy Minster of Health provide context and justification for the proposed initiative, and the Setting Priorities for BC paper outlines goals, priorities and enabling strategies.  

The three proposed areas of focus include:

1. Effective primary and community care to reduce hospital use
2. Timely access to appropriate surgical care
3. Effective and sustainable rural health services

All information can be found on the Ministry of Health website

Supplementing the proposed plan are additional policy papers that outline a Patient-Centered Care Framework as well as provincial strategies for Health and Human Resources, Information Management/Information Technology (not yet published), and Health Sector Funding (not yet published).

The MOH is seeking feedback and input from stakeholders regarding their initiative. They want to know:

Have we hit the mark?

Have we hit the mark in assessing the population needs?

Have we hit the mark in focusing our efforts on those health services - primary and community care, surgical services, and rural services – which are critical to the sustainability of the publicly funded health system in B.C.?

Are there key pieces of information we have missed?

Are there gaps in our analysis, and if so, what are they?

Do you agree with the recommendations in the policy papers?

What would be the top three recommendations you would see as a priority for each paper?

Are there other cross system actions that you believe would provide better system wide results?

If you could do anything in the current system to improve it, what would it be?

CAOT-BC is currently working on a response to these questions, and your input is needed!

We are asking you to review the papers and email us your feedback by May 19^th, 2015.

Thank you!

ResOurce for your PracTice- HMEDA BC

The Home Medical Equipment Dealers Association of BC (HMEDA) is an association of companies providing for the needs of people living with disabilities in BC. HMEDA members work together with consumers, their families, healthcare professionals, and funding agencies to achieve common goals, maintaining high standards in medical equipment used at home or in care facilities.

HMEDA has produced a helpful document listing all HMEDA members across BC. The list is organized by region, showing all contact details and identifying companies who will rent in addition to selling equipment. The list also identifies dealers who are part of the current MSA Provincial Services Contract, providing equipment for clients served through the following entities; 

-  Ministry of Children and Family Development (“MCFD”),

- Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (“SDSI”),

- the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (“ICBC”)

- WorkSafeBC.

 

Please find a copy of the current list here.

Final weeks to register for Kelowna Pain Workshop- CANCELLED

May 4 update:
THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE POSTPONED TO A NEW DATE- STAY TUNED

Pain BC has been working with our partners to train health care providers in best-practice pain assessment and management.

In February, we launched our latest program aimed at building skills among Occupational Therapists. The 2 day course is offered in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - BC, and has been developed by advanced-practice OTs with several decades experience in managing chronic pain.

Want to learn more? Check out the registration page for the program in Kelowna (May 8-9, 2015).

Participants in these courses will join Pain BC's pharmacist, PT and GP pain champions - all of whom are working with us to create virtual interdisciplinary networks of pain experts in communities across the province in 2015 and beyond!

Workshop discounts for CAOT-BC members!

Link for Kelowna: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/best-practice-pain-management-a-dynamic-two-day-workshop-for-occupational-therapists-tickets-14974927411 

CAOT-BC Mental Health Special Interest Group- May 4, 2015

What:
Mental Health SIG

When:  

May 4, 2015
430-600pm

Where:

Teleconference & In-Person

Topic:

• Discussion regarding creation of a briefing note about the role of OT in psychosocial interventions and mental health (facilitated by Stephen Epp,Occupational Therapy Practice Coordinator, Mental Health and Addictions in Vancouver)
• Provincial roundtable (facilitated by CAOT-BC)

RSVP:  

Online registration here

2015 Private Practice Fee Survey- We Need Your Input!

It's time for CAOT-BC to review occupational therapy rates in British Columbia. The CAOT-BC Private Practice Fee Survey is reviewed bi-annually and was last updated in July 2013. This resources is widely used by a variety of stakeholders who fund occupational therapy services.

The survey will be circulated in the OTalk newsletter (April and May editions). We ask that you complete this survey and provide information about your current rates as well as any projected rate increases for 2015/2016. The survey questions address rehabilitation services, medical-legal services, rehabilitation assistant services as well as administrative charges.

The survey will be open until May 15, 2015, so make sure to provide your input before that date. If you did not receive your OTalk newsletter or would like the survey link sent to you, please send an email to caotbc@caot.ca. 

cOnnecT with Iris Tung

Iris Tung: CAOT-BC Advisory Committee member (2014-2015 University of Alberta representative) 

Why did you choose OT as a career?

Growing up in Canada has taught me to appreciate how occupations are a vibrant part of living. Two years ago, I was given a life-changing experience to teach day camps in rural areas of China. This experience has helped me develop a supportive and holistic approach that fosters meaningful relationships with others. These relationships drive my enthusiasm for helping people reach their full physical potential to achieve their goals.  My interest in occupational therapy strengthened with my work experience at UBC OS&OT department as a research assistant developing various projects that foster participation of students with disabilities. This experience has inspired me to use evidence, and critical thinking skills in making a lifelong positive impact to the community. As I complete my last year at the University of Alberta's Occupational Therapy program, I will continue to cherish the freedom to explore, learn, and excel. My aim is to bring hope while working with all those around me to create possibilities.

What has been your most interesting job?

One of most enjoyable experience was working at the First Nations reserves for my first placement (Morinville and Rocky Mountain House) where I experienced a combination of phys med, mental health, pediatrics, palliative care and homecare. This experience has helped me learn the importance of listening and communicating with our clients and to treat them with empathy and respect. My second placement was in Surrey, BC at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre where I gained experience working in the chronic pain ward, cardiac, lung health and neuro clinic. In the next few months, I am hoping to embark on international placements to further my skills and experience. I will continue to cherish the opportunity to encourage, inspire, and understand others as they are.

Why do you volunteer for CAOT-BC?

I am thankful for the opportunity to have served as a volunteer with the CAOT-BC Advisory Committee. Being a part of the CAOT-BC is a great way to connect with students and professionals. My hope was to bring an international voice for promoting OT and to improve people’s health and well-being.

What do you do when you aren't working or volunteering?

I am a seeker, learner, listener and lover.  Outside of school/work life, I love to go paddling, hiking, snowboarding, being active. Paddling allows me to clear my mind and to revel in creativity and enjoy life's beautiful moments. 

Update from RoadSafetyBC

Dear Road Safety Partner:

I am writing to you to advise you of proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act.  These amendments will enhance and safeguard the life-saving benefits of B.C.’s road safety programs, including the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program.  These amendments will do three things: improve fairness and transparency, respond to direction from the court, and ensure the continued toughness of our drinking and driving laws.

Attached to this e-mail is a copy of Government’s news release regarding the proposed amendments.  Going forward, my staff will be working with impacted stakeholders as we develop and implement the changes, as many will require regulatory work that will be conducted over the next 6-12 months.  Should you have questions or concerns about these proposed changes, you can contact my office at roadsafetybc@gov.bc.ca. 

Government’s news release regarding the proposed amendments is available here:  www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2015/03/motor-vehicle-amendment-act-2015-introduced.html.

Thank you for your continued support of our road safety initiatives,

Curtis Smith

On behalf of,

Sam MacLeod

Superintendent of Motor Vehicles

RoadSafetyBC

Ministry of Justice

Email      RoadSafetyBC@gov.bc.ca

Mail        PO Box 9254, STN Prov Govt

                Victoria BC  V8W 9J2

Follow us on Twitter @RoadSafetyBC (twitter.com/roadsafetybc)

Watch us on You Tube at RoadSafetyBCGov (YouTube.com/RoadSafetyBCGov) 

iPAD/Tablet Drive for Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate, Vector Rehabilitation Services and The VITAL Program are conducting a Tablet Drive for teens and young adults in Victoria.  Members of the business community have generously donated gift cards that we are exchanging for the used tablets, to say thank you to donors.

Tablets are so essential for people with Autism and they provide a platform for learning basic skills, teaching communication and social skills and preparing for job readiness.  They are, however, expensive and are either out of reach for some individuals or cause treatment dollars to be spent that could be used elsewhere.    For young adults that have aged out of the funding system, they are particularly hard to come by and often even more important at this juncture.

In an effort inspired by the desire to unite a spirit of recycling with community engagement, we are asking members of the community to donate their gently used tablets, that will then be cleaned off by our good friends at BlackApple Cellular and distributed to families or individuals in need.

Please see http://www.thevitalprogram.ca/tablet-drive-for-autism-awareness.html for more information or to donate!"

CAOT-BC Mid-Year Update- Last Day to Register for Water Cooler Talk

Join CAOT-BC Managing Director, Giovanna Boniface, in this mid-year update. This session will:

• discuss CAOT-BC activities
• provide an overview of the public awareness campaign
• offer an opportunity for members to provide dialogue with the professional association
• offer an opportunity to obtain input and feedback from members

WHEN:  April 23, 2015

TIME:   12pm to 1pm (PST)

HOW:   Webinar

Register today 

CAOT-BC Public Awareness Campaign

CAOT-BC is happy to announce we are working with The Pace Group in our 2015 public awareness campaign. This project will work to build awareness about our profession to the public, media and government and raise the profile of occupational therapy in BC. We need your support to make that happen. We are seeking financial sponsorship contributions specifically directed to this public awareness campaign. Can you contribute $25 or $50? We have hit the 50% mark of our overall goal, and every little bit counts. PLUS, CAOT will match all sponsorships to support this strategy, so take advantage and double your contribution—send a cheque payable to CAOT to:

     PO BOX 30042 RPO Parkgate Vlg

     N. Vancouver BC V7H 2Y8

No contribution is too small--all are welcome!! Read more about this initiative here.

We would like to thank all of our contributors who have helped kick start the campaign:

• Access Community Therapists
• ADL Consulting;
• AR OT Rehabilitation Services
• Back in Motion
• Boniface Consulting OT Services
• CBI Health Group
• Community Therapists
• Creative Therapy
• Dr. Catherine Backman
• Ergo Rehabilitation Inc.
• OT Consulting
• OT Works!
• Progressive Rehab
• JR Rehab
• Les Smith 
• Lisa Kristalovich
• Seasons Consulting Group

 What else can you do to help?

•  Share your OT success stories that can be highlighted to the public, government and media
• Participate in meetings with your MLAs to share these stories and the value of OT in the health care system

Send an email to caotbc@caot.ca if you can support this project by volunteering.

Community OT SIG Lunchtime Webinar

Community OT Special Interest Group

DATE:     April 22, 2015
WHEN:    Lunch Hour Education, 12pm-1pm
WHAT:    iGuard Stove- Product Information Webinar

President of iGuardFire, Bill Ferguson will provide a presentation and answer questions about this automatic stove shutoff device and how it may benefit clients.

Online registration here

Survey: Virtual Reality Learning Needs of OTs and PTs

Calling ALL OTs and PTs in Canada!

You're invited to participate in a 10-30min anonymous online research survey to identify therapists’ learning needs related to virtual reality (VR) use in order to develop free resources for therapists to support skill development in VR/gaming use across clinical settings/systems.

Access the survey and consent statement here: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/VR4Rehab/

Survey participants will have the option of entering a draw for 1 of 5 $50 Amazon gift certificates!

Please contact the principal investigator Dr. Danielle Levac at d.levac@neu.edu or 617-373-5198 for more information about this study.

FREE Pediatric Seating & Mobility Workshop by Ottobock

WHEN:    April 29, 2015

WHERE:  Burnaby, BC

WHAT:    Pediatrics: Seating & Mobility
              Considerations for the 0-16 Population

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Session Information

Agenda

Instructor Details


Select the free option for registration: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pediatrics-seating-and-mobility-considerations-for-the-0-16-population-registration-16004421656

Neurology Special Interest Group Meeting- April 15

What:
Neurology SIG

When:  

April 15, 2015 
To be rescheduled

Where:

Surrey Memorial Hospital &
Teleconference

RSVP:  

Online registration available

OT on Jeopardy!

April 1, 2015--In honor of Occupational Therapy month in the US, Jeopardy had an OT category on the show! Watch the clip here.

Interprofessional Approaches to Dyshagia Management

WHEN:    October 4-6, 2015

WHERE:  Toronto

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), Dietitians of Canada (DC) and Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) are pleased to offer this interprofessional workshop intended for experienced clinicians seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in dysphagia assessment and management.

The workshop will delve into areas of practice that may take you out of your comfort zone, challenge your assumptions and help you realize the power and benefits of interprofessional practice. The workshop has been specifically designed to engage clinicians from different disciplines so that we may all learn more about the areas of expertise and skills our colleagues bring to the table when discussing challenging cases. If you are interested in honing your clinical skills and taking your team contributions to the next level, this workshop is for you.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

CAOT-BC Dysphagia Special Interest Group Meeting: April 14, 2015

When:  

April 14, 2015
4:00-5:30pm

Where:

Teleconference

RSVP:  

Email: caotbc@caot.ca 

Cost:

Free for CAOT-BC members

$15 for non-members-email caotbc@caot.ca to pre-register