Clinics without walls

Paid consultants help patients navigate Canada’s Byzantine health-care system

Andrée Colella had been in and out of hospital for months with bladder and bone infections when her husband, Tom, broke down and asked for help from an unconventional source: a private health-care advocate. Patient navigator, Jana … READ MORE

The rise of the private patient advocate

After bouncing around doctors’ offices in an effort to treat her debilitating back pain, Maureen had become discouraged with the lack of progress. She had seen multiple specialists yet nothing seemed to provide relief, and she began … READ MORE

Calgary doctor connects disabled children with accessible activities

Let’s make it easy for these kids. Dr. Sarah MacEachern is on a campaign to get kids with disabilities more physically active — and help parents make that happen. MacEachern, a first-year University of Calgary pediatric … READ MORE

The wheels of freedom: My first motorized wheelchair

What were you doing when you were seven years old? Most seven-year-olds are playful and energetic, and enjoy running freely. But cerebral palsy changes a normal perspective into something extraordinary. When I was seven, a brand new … READ MORE

New app offers personalized rehab therapy for stroke patients

A new, first-of-its-kind app is now available to support clinicians with decisions on best practice rehabilitation strategies for patients with arm impairment due to stroke. Easily find the right therapy for your patients’ goals … READ MORE

State-of-the-art special needs school opens its doors in Calgary

After three long years of lobbying and construction, a unique school welcomed its students in for the first time this week [January 2017] in Calgary’s northwest. Students at Christine Meikle used to learn in an aging, cramped … READ MORE

Knee surgery may have minimal quality of life effects in those with less severe symptoms

According to a recently published study, knee replacement surgery had a minimal effect on quality of life for patients with osteoarthritis and was not cost-effective. Forest walk. Roger Bates photo, flickr Marni Goldstein, The Mount … READ MORE

Aquatic exercise for knee OA: beyond treating pain alone

The prescription of therapeutic aquatic exercise to people with knee OA should focus on trying to improve the patient’s own individual symptoms and functional impairments which both affect patients’ quality of life, as well as … READ MORE

Aquatic resistance training improves physcial function in women with mild knee osteoarthritis

Aquatic resistance training significantly decreases body fat mass and increases walking speed, (i.e., phsyical function) in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis. Aquatic exercise has been shown to decrease pain and … READ MORE

Anatomy of a referral: Why wait times for specialists are still too long

Nancy is “beyond frustrated” with how long her family has had to wait to see specialists. She has been waiting 16 months to see a rheumatologist, and has been told there’s a two-year wait to a pain management centre to help with … READ MORE

Leisure-time physical activity improves cartilage health and quality of life for women with knee OA

Higher leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) level promotes cartilage health in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis (OA). This was observed in a study carried out in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at … READ MORE

Calgary Herald’s ‘Life with Emily’ documentary a finalist for international media award

The Calgary Herald has been named a finalist in a prestigious international media awards competition for a 2016 project called Without Limits: Kids With Special Needs. Our Special Children. Taking a break from lunch, 7 year old Emily … READ MORE

Children experience long wait times for developmental specialists

Rutgers study also finds language barriers limit access. An estimated one in six children in the United States have development disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or cerebral palsy, according to the … READ MORE

Scoliosis-specific exercises likely reduces curve severity AIS

Results from this study demonstrated superior outcomes with the addition of Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises to the standard of care vs. the standard of care alone for patients with adolescent idiopathic … READ MORE

2017 Adapted Bike Program – Cerebral Palsy Kids & Families

Enjoy the use of a custom-fit bike for $75. Trix youth wheels. Hase Come out and try a bike! Register for the 2017 Adapted Bike Program in Calgary. We will have specialists on hand experienced in fitting your child with an adaptive … READ MORE

Calgary mom raising funds to bring music therapy to public high school

A Calgary mom is raising money so teenagers can benefit from a program that’s changed her daughter’s life. Christina Ryan dances with her daughter Emily Pitchers in 2016. Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald Photo Annalise Klingbeil, … READ MORE

Alberta stroke treatment now among fastest in world

Quality improvement program cuts time for life-saving drug treatment from 70 to 36 minutes. The clot-busting drug tPA (tissue Plasmonogen Activator) can be used with ischemic stroke patients to greatly improve their care. John … READ MORE

Controversial changes to physiotherapy coverage put on ice: Alberta Health Services

‘The hardest hit people would have been the working poor or people who are struggling to get by.’ Alberta Health Services has backed away from planned changes that would have restricted physiotherapy services now covered. … READ MORE

Aids to Daily Living program could be outsourced to Alberta Blue Cross: AUPE

The province’s largest public sector union has some concerns about an anticipated move by the government to outsource the Aids to Daily Living program. Alberta Aids to Daily Living, AADL helps Albertans with a long-term disability, … READ MORE

Horseback riding improves children’s cognitive ability

Study shows how the effects of horseback riding improve learning in children. Recent research published in Frontiers in Public Health shows that the effects of vibrations produced by horses during horse-riding lead to the activation … READ MORE

Publicly funding drugs for all Canadians could save over $4 billion a year

Universal public coverage of 117 essential medicines could address the needs of most Canadians for pharmaceutical drugs, and possibly save more than $4 billion a year, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical … READ MORE

Digital toolkit aims to prevent falls amongst the elderly

The Falls Risk Assessment Toolkit identifies patients at risk of falls and, potentially unplanned hospital admissions, and is available to all UK healthcare professionals to implement a review of patients at risk of potentially … READ MORE

Four ways Canada can shorten wait times for specialists

Vanessa Milne, Joshua Tepper & Sachin Pendharkar, Healthy Debate February 23, 2017 Two weeks ago, we reported on some of the difficulties around referrals to specialists. Shortly after our story ran, the Canadian Institute of … READ MORE

Online intervention reduces knee pain, improves mobility

A suite of online interventions provided substantial pain relief and improved mobility for patients with chronic knee pain, according to a study published online February 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The interventions … READ MORE

Life With Music – Fundraiser by Christina Ryan

Emily Pitchers, 16, plucks the strings on a guitar with JB Music therapist Catherine Mitchell during a weekly session at the teenager’s family home. Christina Ryan, Calgary Herald. In celebration of National Music Therapy Month, we … READ MORE

Calgary Flames sign Fionn Daly to one-day contract

The nine-year-old is currently playing for the Calgary Venom of the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association. On Monday, the Calgary Flames, with the help of Make-A-Wish, signed nine-year-old defenceman Fionn Daly to a one-day contract. … READ MORE

Getting the equipment you need and learning to self-advocate

It all started when I was in rehab dealing with a particularly insensitive sales rep from a major mobility company who seemed far more concerned with an upcoming Hawaiian vacation than properly outfitting me with my first wheelchair. … READ MORE

Specialized physical therapy helps teens with scoliosis get ahead of the curve

For teens with scoliosis, a new study shows specialized physical therapy exercises can improve the curve of the spine, muscle endurance and quality of life, as researchers advocate for conservative management to be added to the … READ MORE

Tai chi improves well-being and pain relief in knee osteoarthritis

Tai chi was found to improve well-being and relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Master Geng Zhang Cai is the Canadian national Wushu team coach, official … READ MORE

Issues for parents caring 24/7 for children with complex care needs

A new research report has been published by the charity WellChild which explores parents’ experiences of managing care for children with complex care needs throughout the 24-hour day. Calgary photojournalist Christina Ryan and her … READ MORE

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