Personalized Data for Rehabilitation Clients

The Current Landscape

The rehabilitation industry is responsible for helping those who have experienced an accident or illness recapture their previous health status as much as possible, but is it working? Hundreds of thousands of Canadians each year enter some sort of rehabilitation program, but the World Health Organization (2019) suggests that rehabilitation needs are left largely unmet. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2013) suggests that a substantial increase in rehabilitation services can be expected in Canada after the year 2020, in large part because of our aging population. The current demographics of Canada consists of a large population of baby boomers, those born between the ages of 1946 and 1965 who are now surpassing the age of 65. With a suspected increase in care and rehabilitation needs, how can we ensure people’s needs are being effectively met in this industry?

Rehabilitation Intelligence

The suspected increase in rehabilitation needs in the Canadian population points to the importance of providing quality care to attain better functional outcomes for rehab clientele. One such way to encourage high quality care in this population is through the utilization of Rehab Intelligence.

Rehab Intelligence refers to the collection of objective insights during rehabilitation as a means to provide more individualized care. Data of this sort helps in understanding each clients’ unique health behaviour, symptoms and circumstances that may influence their health trajectory during rehabilitation.

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This type of data can be used by professionals in the rehabilitation industry to provide tailored care to each client they are working with. This is in line with a continual call for Humanization of Care in the Healthcare Industry, of which one of the key focal points is to recognize the individuality of people’s circumstances and subsequent behaviour (Busch, Moretti, Traivaini, Wu & Richmondini, 2019). Similarly, a 2015 study by Kjersti Danielsen and colleagues highlighted that, “…an exploration of individual experiences is essential for programs to serve individual participants” (p. 694). Utilizing rehab intelligence creates the opportunity to provide care that is aligned with these healthcare values. The promise of this type of individualized approach to the rehabilitation industry is unprecedented and has the potential to drastically improve healthcare outcomes in a rehabilitation program.

Growth of Health Tech

The healthcare environment is changing dramatically, and data is becoming more and more important as we continue to embrace the technological shift in our society today. Digital Authority Partners, a digital marketing and product development firm based out of Illinois, recently posted an article pertaining to digital transformation in Healthcare. One of the key points the author makes note of is data is becoming increasingly important in strengthening care delivery and promoting healthcare sustainability (Reddy, 2020). HealthCareCan recently suggested that while it is a new concept, data driven healthcare through digital health has enormous potential in strengthening our healthcare system (HealthCareCan, 2019). Through data collection strategies, the collection of this real-life data can be used to provide care that is tailored to meet clients’ individual rehabilitation needs.

Driving Results

It is continually important to recognize how Canada’s demographic trends will influence future care needs. The aging of our population suggests that the number of Canadians requiring rehabilitation will increase in the future, and providing optimal care for

this group of people will become fundamentally important. Rehab Intelligence provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding individuals’ unique circumstances and the necessary support required to promote optimal health outcomes.

Partners in Care

As we continue to witness to the technological revolution occurring in society today, healthcare professionals will be valuable partners in bringing innovations forward for their clientele. In the case of those receiving rehabilitation treatment, rehab intelligence could serve as valuable tool for improving their current health status and their future quality of life.

Key Metrix delivers purpose-built innovations in health technology with a focus on Rehabilitation and Human Performance. Any questions about Key Metrix? Please check our FAQ for more information.

References

Busch, I. M., Moretti, F, Travaini, G., Wu, A. W., % Richmondini, M. (2019). Humanization of care: key elements identified by patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. A systematic review. The patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 1-14.

Danielsen, K. K., Sundgot-Borgen, J., & Rugseth, G. (2016). Severe obesity and the ambivalence of attending physical activity: exploring lived experiences. Qualitative health research, 26(5), 685-696.

HealthCareCan, 2019. Digital Health and Data Platforms: An Opportunity for Canadian Excellence in Evidence-Based Health Research. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://www.healthcarecan.ca/2019/01/25/digital-health-and-data-platforms-an-opportunity-for-canadian-excellence-in-evidence-based-health-research/

General Auditor, (2013). Annual Report 2013. Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.

Reddy, M. (2020, October 07). Digital Transformation in Healthcare in 2020: 7 Key Trends. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.digitalauthority.me/resources/state-of-digital-transformation-healthcare/

Statistics Canada, (2018, July 23). Generations in Canada. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-311-x/98-311-x2011003_2-eng.cfm

World Health Organization, Rehabilitation. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rehabilitation