Submission ID 78308
| Code | OC-2-3 |
|---|---|
| At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: | |
| Category | Medical Education |
| Type | Oral |
| Will the presenter be a: | Other |
| Presenter Other | Faculty |
| Title | Virtual Care Providers Experience (Vcape) in Supporting Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als): A Needs Assessment |
| Background/Purpose | There has been rapid uptake of virtual care (VC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed benefits related to VC may be particularly relevant for patients with ALS. Previous research has outlined that healthcare providers require additional support and education to enhance VC delivery. Prior to such curriculum development for ALS providers, a needs assessment was conducted. |
| Methods | Healthcare providers involved in virtual ALS care across Canada were invited to participate in an interview or focus group in 2021-2022. Providers included dietitians, nurses, occupational therapists, physicians, physiotherapists, social workers, and spiritual advisors. The interviews/focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo. |
| Results | A total of 51 providers participated, representing all 8 Canadian provinces/territories with specialized ALS clinics. There were logistical differences across the VC clinics. In some, providers attended VC encounters together, whereas in others they rotated individually. Generally, providers were very open to providing VC, suggesting this may be more beneficial for patients with severe/advanced disease and that VC increased access to care. Several barriers to uptake were also identified, including lack of equipment, remote living, and limited caregiver support. Most providers reported no training specific to VC. They identified a number of desired topics for education, including guidelines, understanding of roles across the team, overview of platforms, and standardization. |
| Discussion | The findings highlight multiple content areas that can be used to support providers delivering VC in ALS across Canada. Additionally, participants were eager to learn from other clinics' approach/experiences and to receive further education in VC delivery. |
| Keyword 1 | Needs assessment |
| Keyword 2 | Curriculum |
| Keyword 3 | |
| Abstract content most relevant to: (check all that apply) | Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (faculty development, CME) |
| Abstract Track - First Choice | Virtual Care |
| Authors | Heather Braund Nancy Dalgarno Ramana Appireddy Hailey Bergman Benjamin Ritsma Benjamin Ritsma |
