In partnership with UHN/Toronto Rehab and Dr. Catherine Donnelly from Queen’s University, the RCA has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health’s recently-announced Models of Care Innovation Fund outlining the implementation of a provincial tele-rehab hub called “Rehab Connect Ontario.”

If funded, the proposed hub would be staffed with occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) who receive referrals via Ocean/eReferral from primary care providers and the provincial tele-health service Health811.  Hub-based OTs and PTs would also provide tele-rehab assessments, self-management advice, education and navigation services to support Ontarians and those who care for them.

The goals of the provincial tele-rehab hub would include:

  • to efficiently integrate OT and PT services to further promote interdisciplinary primary care
  • to support primary care providers with asynchronous electronic communications to specialists via a web-based portal
  • to enhance access to OT and PT services through a partnership between the tele-rehab hub and the provincial Health811 platform
  • to build capacity by supporting rehab providers in the community who are seeking advice on complex cases or patients requiring specialized rehab
  • to retain late-career OTs and PTs who can provide mentorship and clinical care without the physical demands of handling, lifting or transferring patients

This proposal reflects the RCA’s commitment to helping address the current rehab health human resources (HHR) challenges.  For more information about this and other HHR-related initiatives, please contact Katie Churchill, Project Manager.