InfoRehab

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About InfoRehab

InfoRehab is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research-funded program of research comprised of team members that span the country. The team is diversified across professions, disciplines, and sectors with the shared vision of enhancing musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation through more effective use of health information.

InfoRehab researchers works with health care administrators and clinicians to improve the understanding and use of health information for rehabilitation clients. In a similar vein, we hope to explore the culture and context of information need, use, and transfer before, during, and after transitions across the continuum of care from the perspective of hip fracture patients.

Goals of the project

  • Enhance understanding and use of health information for rehabilitation clients.
  • Examine the employment of advanced statistical techniques to answer important questions using large existing databases containing comprehensive health information on rehabilitation clients in a number of settings.
  • Realize the potential of information systems in other parts of the health system.

Focus questions of the InfoRehab research team

  • How can clinicians make better use of data collected through the interRAI/MDS assessment systems to target rehabilitation services to those patients most likely to benefit?
  • What are the barriers and facilitators of more effective use of health information in planning and providing care for rehabilitation patients?
  • What are the risk factors for poor outcomes for MSK patients?
  • How can we improve the exchange of health information by health care providers, MSK patients, and caregivers, at critical points of transfer between health care settings

InfoRehab Transitions

The third project in the InfoRehab program of research follows patients with hip fracture as they transition from one care setting to another. We examined the info sharing culture surrounding these transitions, including the use of, need for, and exchange of health information. This research identified how information systems can better meet the needs of patients, and also benefited information system development in other parts of the health system.

Primary aim of project

  • Explore the culture and context of information need, use and transfer before, during, and after health care setting transitions across the continuum of care from the perspective of patients (with a focus on older persons with hip fracture), their families, and health care providers; and
  • Address important information gaps relevant to MSK rehabilitation, through application of advanced statistical techniques to large databases with comprehensive health information on clients in home care, complex continuing care, and long-term care.

InfoRehab Homecare

The second InfoRehab program of research was developed to address the needs of rehabilitation patients in home care. Our aim was to enhance the role of rehabilitation in home care and to facilitate the recognition of the potential of information systems in other parts of the health system.

Primary aims of project

  • Use available health information to answer important questions regarding the role of rehabilitation in home care. This will be achieved through advanced statistical analyses of available health information, using a large existing database of comprehensive health information on over 300,000 home care clients; and
  • Engage home care administrators and clinicians in improving the understanding and use of health information for rehabilitation clients

InfoRehab Development

InfoRehab development was the first project in the InfoRehab program of research, and set the stage for subsequent applications.

Primary aims of project

  • Investigate/establish novel techniques for statistical analysis and data mining of relevant clinical and administrative databases.
  • Develop innovative strategies to ensure those involved in planning and providing rehabilitation services can use this information effectively to enhance the health and quality of life of persons with musculoskeletal disorders.

Investigators

Katherine Berg, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

 Kerry Byrne, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo

 Christine Ceci, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta

 Bert Chesworth, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario

 Richard Cook Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo

 Ann Cranney Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Division of Rheumatology, Ottawa Hospital

 Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz, University of Ottawa, Rehabilitative Sciences, University of Ottawa

 Mary Egan, University of Ottawa

 Dorothy Forbes, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta

 John Hirdes, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo

 David Hogan, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Calgary

 Susan Jaglal, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto

 Jeff Poss, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo

 Joanie Sims-Gould, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Practice,University of British Columbia

 Paul Stolee, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo

 Jennie Wells, Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario,Division of Geriatric Medicine, Parkwood Hospital

 Mu Zhu, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo