Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care
Peer Information and Mentorship Using Spatial Meetings Technologies
—
Lead:
Martin Ferguson-Pell
Team Members:
Adalberto Loyola-Sanchez, Chester Ho, Brenda Kinnie, Matin Dokht Taghirad
INNOVATION STAGE
Evaluation of Prototype
Health Innovation Focus
Acute Illness & Injury
Population and Setting
Community
Technology and Intervention
Digital Communication
BENEFITS
For Users
Less Isolation: Immersive virtual meetings help participants feel more connected to peers and reduce the sense of physical isolation. Practical Guidance: Participants gain valuable advice from others with lived experience, helping them navigate life in the community. Enhanced Engagement: Spatial meetings provide a more interactive and compelling experience compared to traditional video conferencing tools.
For The System
Improved Transitions: Participants experience a smoother, more effective transition to independent living, reducing the need for ongoing clinical or institutional support.
Community Building: The program strengthens peer networks, creating a supportive environment for individuals with SCI.
Scalable Solution: Spatial meeting technologies offer a novel, scalable approach to addressing the needs of people living in isolation, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Project Theme Information
People living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), both traumatic and non-traumatic, often face significant challenges during the transition from acute rehabilitation to community life. Physical isolation, limited access to peer networks, and a lack of practical guidance can make this transition difficult, particularly for those in rural or remote areas. Traditional virtual meeting tools, such as Zoom, may not fully address the need for engaging and immersive peer interactions.
This project demonstrates the use of spatial meeting technologies to create immersive and engaging peer support networks for individuals with SCI. By comparing the merits of spatial meetings to traditional Zoom meetings, the project explores how virtual reality (VR) environments can foster meaningful connections and reduce isolation. The meetings are facilitated by experienced coordinators from SCI Alberta and focus on providing practical advice for successful community living.
Virtual Reality Spatial Meetings: Participants use VR technologies to meet in immersive virtual spaces, enhancing engagement and interaction. Sessions are designed to simulate in-person peer meetings, providing a more compelling alternative to traditional virtual platforms like Zoom.
Coordinated Peer Support: Experienced coordinators from SCI Alberta lead the meetings, fostering discussions around practical advice for community living. Topics include navigating daily challenges, accessing resources, and building independence.
Comparative Evaluation: The project evaluates the relative merits of spatial meetings versus traditional Zoom meetings, assessing factors like participant engagement, effectiveness of peer advice, and reduction in isolation.
Get Involved
View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province.
Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province.
ABOUT
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.
It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.