Virtual Care

Tele-Rehab 2.0

Alberta has about 25% of its population dispersed across our rural communities, from the far south all the way up to the border of the Northwest Territories. These communities are often far from major health centers, and some are accessible only by ice road or helicopter year round! This means that rural Albertans are at a disadvantage when receiving health care based solely on where they live. And in 2018, we started exploring how we could make a difference in this access issue. With a PAC grant from Pfizer and Alberta Innovates, we built a modular system of technology and processes to tackle 4 rehabilitation assessments online - vestibular and balance issues, hip and knee replacement follow up, severe shoulder pain, and wheelchair seating services. With technology like markerless motion capture, infrared goggles, telepresence robots, and various strength and motion sensors, we are able to provide specialized clinicians with the same quality of information as an in-person assessment, without the patient having to travel into a major center. With all the complexities of COVID lockdowns, we were able to expand into senior's care in supported living environments, thanks to a partnership with The Evergreens Foundation, and are now working in areas like Pelvic Floor health, stroke spasticity assessments, and community transition care. To learn more about Tele-Rehab 2.0, please visit our project website: www.telerehabilitationcollaboration.com.

Cognitive Projections

How can Extended Reality (XR) support patient care, student learning, and continuing education? These are the questions that our Cognitive Projections program has attempted to answer over the years. Thanks to our ongoing work with ELIXR Simulations, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, and multiple faculties and researchers on campus, we have been able to develop and assess the impact of XR technologies on things like test anxiety and patient adherence to treatment and exercise regimes.

Interested in Volunteering?

We welcome volunteer inquiries from students of all faculties and backgrounds, and particularly those who find the following areas interesting: