Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care
CONnecting and Coordinating an Enhanced Network for TRansitions in Care (CONCENTRIC)
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Lead:
Chester Ho
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INNOVATION STAGE
Proof of Concept
Health Innovation Focus
Mobility and Rehabilitation
Population and Setting
Adults, Rural & Remote
Technology and Intervention
Digital Communication
BENEFITS
For Users
Enhanced Support: Users receive guidance from Client Service Coordinators and experienced peers, improving their transition into community living.
Reduced Isolation: Immersive technologies enable rural patients to form meaningful peer connections, alleviating feelings of loneliness.
Improved Access to Resources: Virtual networks provide patients with access to necessary information and support, regardless of their location.
Better Emotional Well-Being: Stronger peer connections and support systems contribute to reduced rates of psychological disorders such as depression.
For The System
Improved Patient Outcomes: The initiative supports better reintegration for SCI patients, reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
Innovative Technology Integration: By leveraging spatial meeting technologies, the organization pioneers new approaches to virtual care and peer support.
Scalable Solutions: This model can inform future practices and policies for supporting rural patients in similar contexts.
Knowledge Advancement: The mixed-methods study contributes to research on using immersive technologies to improve patient care and transitions.
Project Theme Information
Rural patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) face significant challenges during their transition from inpatient rehabilitation back into their communities. Limited access to in-person peer networking opportunities in rural areas restricts essential social support and resources. As a result, SCI patients often experience higher rates of psychological disorders, such as depression, which further complicates their reintegration process. While virtual peer networks have shown potential, their implementation remains underdeveloped, and the effectiveness of these systems is hindered by inadequate community resources such as ongoing care and tailored programs.
This initiative introduces a virtual peer network for rural SCI patients, using cutting-edge spatial meeting technologies to enhance peer connections and community reintegration. The intervention leverages mixed-reality headsets, 360-degree cameras, and a combination of Zoom and immersive meeting applications to create engaging, supportive environments. By addressing gaps in traditional care transitions, this model utilizes technology to foster meaningful connections and improve patient outcomes.
Participants in the virtual peer network engage in twice-monthly networking sessions, alternating between traditional videoconferencing (Zoom) and immersive spatial meeting technologies. These sessions are facilitated by Client Service Coordinators and experienced peers. The use of mixed-reality headsets and 360-degree cameras creates an engaging, immersive experience, fostering deeper connections. A mixed-methods evaluation compares the effectiveness of these technologies against traditional videoconferencing to assess their impact on patient outcomes and community reintegration.
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The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system.
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