We are currently experiencing a global pneumonia pandemic lacking any recent precedent, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). To date, it has infected over 167,600,000 persons worldwide. Drastic measures have been taken by governments and public health officials in an attempt to decrease the spread of this infection. These measures have included restrictions on border crossing, airline travel, work, and gathering of people for any reason. Further, medical and surgical care pathways during the pandemic have been variably. Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) is considered a high-risk setting for the possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection and safer surgical pathways are imperative while maintaining services for those at need. The impact of both the infection and the responses taken may be affecting persons working in high-risk settings as OHNS.

As the impact of the infection and the responses to it may be significant in high-risk surgical settings as OHNS and be far-reaching, we aim to explore these measures on the health of individuals working in these settings.

We are inviting any English-speaking health care provider working in the OHNS setting to complete this survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives. If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online, anonymous survey. The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, depending on certain responses which may have follow-up questions. An email address can be left optionally if you are interested in being contacted for a follow-up interview and this data will be stored separate to your survey responses to ensure that there is no identifying information linked and all data will be analyzed in aggregate. 

To learn more and to complete the survey, click here.

This innovative, online learning programme focuses on interprofessional issues related to healthy ageing and rehabilitation.

You will get the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy ageing and rehabilitation practice, research and policy development from a global and interprofessional perspective. Upon completion you will be a competent scholar capable of leadership and interprofessional practice in the field.

You will learn about:

• Globally relevant theories, practices and research in the field of healthy ageing and rehabilitation
• Critical approaches to challenges of healthy ageing and rehabilitation locally, nationally and globally with reference to socio-cultural, economic and political contexts
• How to collaborate in interprofessional and intersectoral teams and with various stakeholders in the field of healthy ageing and rehabilitation
• How to use innovation, technology, and leadership in rehabilitation for shaping services and policies to address capabilities and well-being in everyday life for ageing populations globally
• How to conduct research and use of evidence in policy and service development
• How to direct focus to health promoting and reabling measures, ranging from older adults’ functioning and their living conditions, to the environmental contexts

Click here to learn more

Project goal:

The study aims to explore the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and other care providers (including those who provide rehabilitation care in a team) during COVID-19 while working with older adults with combined hearing and vision loss (or dual sensory loss/DSL). We aim to identify the service delivery and training needs to provide optimal care to older adults with DSL.

To participate, you must:

• Be either a health care professional or a care provider working with seniors (65 years and older) living with combined hearing and vision loss
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a Canadian resident
• Be fluent in French or English
• Have access to a reliable internet connection, via a smart phone, tablet or computer

The nature of your participation:

• Complete an online survey (15 minutes) on the challenges faced by professionals and other care providers in providing care to older adults with combined hearing and vision loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Participate in an optional online interview (30 minutes) to elaborate on the survey responses.

Duration of participation:

A total of 15 minutes for the survey or 30 minutes if you agree to participate in the optional interview.

Location:

Virtually. The questionnaire can also be mailed or made available by phone, if you wish.

The Ethics Committee for Clinical Research (CERC) at the University of Montreal has approved this research project.

The survey deadline is November 7, 2021.

For any questions, please contact a member of the University of Montreal team:
Responsible researcher and over-manager:

Walter Wittich
PhD, FAAQ, CLVT
School of Optometry
University of Montreal
Phone: (514) 343-7962
Email: walter.wittich@umontreal.ca
Postdoctoral fellow:

Atul Jaiswal
PhD, MSW, BSc. OT
School of optometry
University of Montreal
Phone: (514) 343-6111 – 29913
Email: atul.jaiswal@umontreal.ca

As published in the Fall 2021 NIHB Newsletter, effective May 5, 2021, the unit price for rechargeable batteries for cochlear implant processors (codes 99401250 [RT] and 99401251 [LT]) has been revised. Providers are required to bill according to the manufacturer price indicated in the price file for each battery type. This information can be found on the NIHB Provider and Client Website at nihb.express-scripts.ca > provider > medical supplies and equipment > forms. These batteries continue to be covered as an open benefit i.e. no PA is required.

NIHB has also announced that temporary COVID-19 changes have been extended until March 31st, 2022. This includes coverage of delivery charges where delivery of an item is not usually a benefit (prior approval required), coverage for some services provided through tele-audiology as well as laryngectomy and tracheostomy supplies.

You are invited to take part in a study that aims to understand how to assess cognitive-communication skills in the return to work (RTW) population after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Change in the ability to communicate is a common consequence of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). These changes can have an impact on a person’s employability. A body of evidence points to assessment and treatment processes that may better support people with cognitive-communication disability RTW. Despite this, there has been limited translation of this evidence into clinical practice. While assessing cognitive communication earlier and developing a personalized goal-driven approach is considered best practice in ABI rehabilitation, therapists do not have specific clinical tools to do this for vocational rehabilitation clients.  

This project aims to systematically understand the current knowledge base around changes in cognitive communication following ABI and the impact on vocational outcomes.  It aims to develop a clinically driven assessment resource and/or a client and employer self-assessment resource for gathering information about workplace communication needs. Once developed future areas of inquiry will look at validation and clinical use. 

The research is being conducted as part of the requirements of a Clinical Fellowship, which is funded by The Hopkins Centre.  

For more information, please click here