Tim Romanec, physiotherapist, (on screen) works with a rehab assistant and client via a telepresence robot at Pinaymootang First Nation. (Photo: WRHA)
Partnership brings physiotherapy to two First Nations communities
Tele-rehab technology expands access to services
Residents of Lake Manitoba First Nation and Pinaymootang First Nation now have access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation expertise without having to travel.
Telerehabilitation services, which use videoconferencing to connect clients with health-care professionals, have been introduced in the two Interlake communities through a collaboration among Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, Riverview Health Centre and the University of Manitoba.
“Tele-rehab physiotherapy services are an innovative way to ensure Manitobans in these communities get the care they need in a timely manner,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “We look forward to seeing the success of this model, which has great potential to improve access to care in rural and remote communities.”
Partners comprising the Ashern Hodgson and Area My Health Team steering committee initially identified need for these services in the area. The team experienced difficulty recruiting a physiotherapist making it even more challenging for residents of the First Nations to obtain care.
Now a partnership is in place to fund tele-rehab services and Riverview Health Centre has hired Tim Romanec, a UM-educated physiotherapist. Romanec is working out of Riverview in Winnipeg and travelling to Lake Manitoba and Pinaymootang First Nations every second week for in-person consultations. Between visits, he works with clients via videoconference, linking a room at Riverview with health centres in each First Nation.
“I operate a remote-controlled camera to make sure I can see the client correctly as I’m treating them remotely,” Romanec said. “There is also a rehabilitation assistant from the community on hand at each First Nation health centre to assist the clients and me.”
“This is something that has been long-needed in our community,” said Gwen Traverse, health director of Pinaymootang First Nation. “This new model will help our community members and alleviate the travel pressures that patients used to deal with when seeking services.”
“This is a way for our community to transition into the future,” said Lawrence West, heath director of Lake Manitoba First Nation. “I’m open to anything that can make it easier on our community and community members.”
The project expands on tele-rehab services that UM’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences, part of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, has been offering through its student-led clinic at Riverview Health Centre since 2022.
“Tele-rehab is an innovative and invaluable service that ensures patients can continue recovery at home with the benefit of a physiotherapist’s expertise,” said Kathleen Klaasen, chief executive officer of Riverview Health Centre.
“The College of Rehabilitation Sciences and Riverview Health Centre have a strong relationship and overlapping visions of outreach,” said Mark Garrett, head of the UM physical therapy department.
“Students on clinical placements at Riverview will now have the potential for an even broader experience that connects them with remote Indigenous communities. And rehab services will be more visible in these communities, which we anticipate will attract more Indigenous learners to careers in this field.”
The college will provide program evaluation through the work of faculty members Amine Choukou, Margaret Hart, dean Reg Urbanowski and Funminiyi Olatoye, a PhD student in Applied Health Sciences.
“If this model proves successful, we hope to be able to expand it to other communities in the future and include access to occupational therapy and speech therapy services,” said Riverview’s Klaasen.