TeleCDR

The British Columbia Tele-Child Development and Rehabilitation (TeleCDR) Network

Objective: To increase opportunities for professional and client education, clinical consultation and joint planning through the establishment of a Tele-CDR Network in British Columbia as a collaboratively defined program of activities.

Project Description: The Tele-CDR network was established in 2002 as part of a federal grant known as Canadian Health Infostructure Partnership Program (CHIPP). The grant enabled videoconferencing capability (through the installation of videoconferencing equipment and wiring) between Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and 8 CDR community agencies within British Columbia.

Methods: During the first year of the program (May 2002 - April 2003) applications were developed based on community needs and tertiary delivery capacity in the areas of specialized clinical services, education and joint planning. Clinical service included pre- and post-assessment activities related to acute rehabilitation, seating and mobility, augmentative communication and complex feeding.

Education applications included discipline-specific, interdisciplinary and family topics. Sessions were provided by Sunny Hill staff based on community needs assessment. Education was provided in two ways: TeleCDR rounds and Ad Hoc. TeleCDR rounds were set up to allow community professionals to attend monthly scheduled one hour sessions. Ad Hoc sessions were arranged in response to community requests. Joint planning sessions involved project development and professional networking.

Results: During the implementation year of the project 59 TeleCDR sessions were conducted (30 education, 23 clinical, and 6 joint planning) through a total of 186 network connections, reaching over 1100 participants.Education evaluation feedback indicated 67% of respondents scored a 4 or 5 on a Likert Scale to indicate their knowledge of the education topic had increased. Of these respondents 66% also scored a 4 or 5 (Likert) to indicate they would not obtain this information without telehealth. The number of sites connected per delivered session ranged from 1-19 with an average of 5 connections per session.

What can Tele-CDR be used for?

To Provide:

• Clinical services (eg.follow up, pre-assessment, visual info)
• Education Sessions (eg.Tele- CDR rounds, training sessions for professionals, guest speakers, equipment manufacturers)
• Administrative meetings (eg. professional networking, cross site meetings)

To Receive:

• Education training (training from around the world)
• Administrative meetings (professional provincial mtgs)

What is the cost?

• Cost varies depending on length of session and the number of sites that are connecting

Presently, Tele-CDR charges not covered by C&W:

• SH staff receiving education outside of C&W
• SH staff providing education sessions longer than 2 hours

Who can I connect to?

Connections can be:

• Point to point (SH + 1 site)
• Multi Point (SH + > 1 site)

We have 12 sites that we invite regularly to our multi-site sessions. These are our Tele-CDR partners. There are many more sites throughout the province that we are able to connect to.

How do I provide info via Tele-CDR?

• Talk to SH Tele-CDR coordinator (Anita Connolly)
• Provide SH Tele-CDR coordinator with specifics (session content, length, audience etc)

Prior to session:

• Provide SH Tele-CDR coordinator with handouts
• Discuss equipment needs with Tele-CDR Technical Support (David Jordan)

How do I receive info via TH?

• Talk to SH Tele-CDR coordinator (Anita Connolly)

If receiving education outside of C&W apply to department head as per usual education process.

For further information contact Susan Widera mailto:swidera@cw.bc.ca