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Survey – Exploring Attitudes Towards and Impacts of Working in the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Credit: Department of Surgery, University of Calgary & O’Brien Institute for Public Health

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

 

New Disability Tax Credit Information from Revenue Canada

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Credit: Revenue Canada

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are medical practitioners who can certify speaking or hearing impairments for the Disability Tax Credit.

  • As of October 4, 2021, there is a new digital application that guides medical practitioners through the completion of Part B of Form T2201. Go to Disability Tax Credit – digital application for medical practitioners to use this new service.
  • Register for a free webinar for medical practitioners on the disability tax credit that will take place on November 17, 2021. For more information, see the webinar registration page.

Click here to learn more

 

Survey: Swallowing Problems in Fibromyalgia – The Practice and Experiences of Healthcare Professionals

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Credit: Trinity College Dublin

Are you currently working within one of the following professions?  

• Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Physiotherapist, Dietician, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist 

Please consider taking part in our international research study: 

Ellen Carroll is a final year undergraduate Clinical Speech and Language Studies student at Trinity College Dublin. As part of her thesis, Ellen is carrying out research in the area of swallowing problems in fibromyalgia- specifically the practice and experiences of healthcare professionals (both with and without clinical experience with this population). This research study has been granted ethical approval by the Research Ethics Committee, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, Trinity College Dublin 
If you have any questions or would like further information please contact:

Ellen at ecarrol7@tcd.ie or her supervisor Dr. Órla Gilheaney at ogilhean@tcd.ie 

 

To complete the anonymous survey, click here
 

NIHB Update: Unit Price Change for Cochlear Implant Rechargeable Batteries and COVID-19 Changes Extended to March 31, 2022

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Credit: NIHB

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.

 

Study: Assessing Cognitive-Communication Skills in the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Return to Work Population

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Credit: Metro South Health

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 personalised 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 enquiry 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

Survey on how clinicians in different countries assess and diagnose the language skills of multilingual children

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Credit: International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP)

The members of the Multilingual-Multicultural Affairs Committee of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) recently launched an international survey to find out how clinicians in different countries assess and diagnose the language skills of multilingual children.

The researchers are seeking participants with significant skills and experience in assessment of multilingual children.

Participate in the survey now.

 

Resource for Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID) Guidance for Canadian Rehab and Exercise Professionals

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Credit: The Interdisciplinary Long COVID Advisory Panel

The Contributors of the Interdisciplinary Long COVID Advisory Panel have released a resource entitled Rehabilitation for Clients with Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID): Guidance for Canadian Rehabilitation and Exercise Professionals.

The purpose of this living document is to consolidate resources that will serve to inform clinical decision making. Long COVID is an emerging health condition for which evidence is still emerging regarding the safe application of exercise.

This resource is for health care professionals who may have had clients referred to them for rehabilitation or exercise to manage the symptoms of Long COVID.

Access the resource.

If you have questions about this resource or wish to share additional resources with this group that may serve to evolve the document, please contact information@physiotherapy.ca.

 

Lead Change with the UBC Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care

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Credit: University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine

 

The UBC Faculty of Medicine, in conjunction with Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, has recently launched a new certificate.

This part-time Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care was developed to support working health care professionals for the transformation to patient-centred, team-based care. Navigate the complexities of interprofessional teams, integrate and apply your skills in context, and lead change in your organization.

Apply for the January 2022 cohort.

So You Want to Learn About Speech-Language Pathology? New Student Resource Guide

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Credit: Evonne Syed & Imad Ali, McMaster University

Two students from McMaster University have developed a student resource guide which serves as an introduction to the profession of speech-language pathology for high school students, youth and all aspiring speech-language pathologists.

Written and designed by Evonne Syed and Imad Ali, in consultation with their professor and SAC member, Dr. Lyn Turkstra, the guide aims to inspire generations of speech-language pathologists to come.

The guide answers questions like:

  • What is a speech-language pathologist?
  • What do they do? Who do they help?
  • How much money can I expect to make?
  • Is this career right for me?
  • … and more!

Access the student resource guide now.

Report on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication Accessibility for Adults with Hearing Loss

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Credit: Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

The Survey & The Report

Earlier this year, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA), University of British Columbia (UBC), and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility worked together to collect information from Canadians who experience hearing loss and deafness about how the pandemic has impacted their daily lives.

They received insights from close to 700 responses who noted the demand for universal captioning, impacts of masks on communication, and the ability to receive accessible information from the government and media outlets on COVID-19.

The results from this report will provide a foundation to better understand the impact the pandemic has had on our communities and to ensure that moving forward, we can address these challenges as we continue to manage COVID-19 throughout the recovery phase and beyond.

Click here to read the full report.

Key Findings in The Report

  • More than 80% of individuals with hearing loss found it difficult to understand others with face masks.
  • 60% of individuals reported that their mental health has been negatively affected as a result of the pandemic.
  • At least one-quarter of individuals with higher severity of hearing loss were unable to obtain hearing health services due to COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Only 16% of respondents reported obtaining hearing or hearing aid services remotely from a specialist such as an audiologist or hearing instrument practitioner.
  • Over 60% of respondents reported difficulty in understanding others who are behind plexiglass barriers.
  • At least 60% of respondents indicated that having captioning available would help improve communication with others in video calls and at virtual events.

The Webinar

In May 2021, the research team hosted a webinar where the principal investigators, Dr. Brenda Poon, Wavefront Centre Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at UBC, and Dr. Lorienne Jenstad, Associate Professor at UBC School of Audiology & Speech Sciences, presented the preliminary findings from their work.

Watch the recording of this webinar.

 
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