Accelerating technology uptake during a pandemic: enabling and extending delivery of rehabilitation
COVID-19 significantly disrupted the delivery of healthcare, especially in areas that require physical interaction, such as disability and rehabilitation. Although existing technology could enable remote interventions, its widespread adoption is limited. In this project, a Technology Assessment and Adoption framework will be co-designed across multiple stakeholders, to accelerate and facilitate the uptake of remote technology in rehabilitation settings across Queensland.
Accelerating the adoption of technological solution in healthcare requires clinical and end-user involvement throughout the development process, but this involvement is rare. The Framework will be co-designed increasing the relevant of solutions and likelihood of successful adoption. The framework will advise providers and guide technology and device companies.
Funders/sponsors
Advance Queensland, Queensland Government
Division of Rehabilitation, Metro South Health
Menzies Health Institute Queensland
Motor Accident Insurance Commission
Rehabilitation Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital
Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland
Research Team
Dr Camila Shirota, Advanced Queensland Fellow, Research Lead @ HabITec
Prof Timothy Geraghty, A/Director Medical Services & Chair Division of Rehabilitation, Metro South Health
Ms Frances Porter, Executive Manager Business Development, Spinal Life Australia
Dr Leslie Gan, Co-Director Rehabilitation, Logan Hospital, Metro South Health
Dr Ben Chen, Director of Rehabilitation. Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Health
Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo, Research Fellow Biomedical Engineering, University of Queensland
Dr Cori Stewart, CEO ARM Hub
Describing the use of Technology in Rehabilitation in a Queensland Tertiary Hospital and Healthcare Setting
HabITec is a new model of change for people with disabilities to collaborate in this socio-technical space to expand their skills and abilities using technologies to engage and enhance their independence and quality of life. This research study aims to explore the current drive for the need and demand for technologies in the rehabilitation setting as well as exploring the change and the impacts the HabITec Lab has had on patients and clinicians working in this field. The HabITec Lab is in its development phases and this study is imperative to gauge the need for a socio-technical space embedded within a hospital setting.
The HabITec Lab is a Metro South Health approved 12 month pilot project and the findings of this study will help inform larger studies and projects to provide a foundation for the future development of HabITec.
Research Team
Ms Soo Oh, Advanced Occupational Therapist, Clinical Fellow, The Hopkins Centre, Clinical lead – HabITec
Professor Elizabeth Kendall, The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Qld
Ms Mary Whitehead, Occupational Therapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital
The impact of the introduction of the HabITec Lab at the Princess Alexandra Hospital
HabITec is a new model of change for people with disabilities to collaborate in this socio-technical space to expand their skills and abilities using technologies to engage and enhance their independence and quality of life. This research study aims to explore the current drive for the need and demand for technologies in the rehabilitation setting as well as exploring the change and the impacts the HabITec Lab has had on patients and clinicians working in this field. The HabITec Lab is in its development phases and this study is imperative to gauge the need for a socio-technical space embedded within a hospital setting.
The HabITec Lab is a Metro South Health approved 12 month pilot project and the findings of this study will help inform larger studies and projects to provide a foundation for the future development of HabITec.
Research Team
Ms Soo Oh, Advanced Occupational Therapist, Clinical Fellow, The Hopkins Centre, Clinical lead – HabITec
Professor Elizabeth Kendall, The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Qld
Ms Mary Whitehead, Occupational Therapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital
Personalising rehabilitation and built environments through virtual reality and biofeedback methodology: BEEHive Lab
Environmental enrichment is emerging as an important trigger for neuroplasticity and, therefore, an integral component of rehabilitation programs. To date, however, little is known about how environments influence brain activity. The BEEHive research program will examine the parameters of using virtual reality and biofeedback methods in neurological rehabilitation assessment and treatment. It will advance knowledge about how information (cognitive, sensory, motor, social) is processed and will provide new insights into how we can enrich recovery environments. In addition to rehabilitation environments, the BEEHive lab seeks to inform built environment design through application of neuroscience. The BEEHive team have worked closely with architects and urban designers to better apply neuroscience knowledge to hospital and health settings.
Funders/sponsors
Research Team
Professor Heidi Zeeman, Positive Environments Program Leader, BEEHive Lab, The Hopkins Centre
Dr David Painter, Research Fellow, BEEHive, The Hopkins Centre
Susan Jones, Gold Coast University Hospital
Paula Longbottom, Gold Coast University Hospital
Dr Ben Chen, Gold Coast University Hospital
Changing Perceptions of Pain with Virtual Reality
The way we see ourselves (our bodies) shapes our feelings and perception, directs the way we interact with the world. For example, after an ongoing pain problem, people often feel that their body is weak and fragile, which can increase pain and decrease activity levels. Virtual reality (VR) allows people to become anything and anyone. Such experiences can have profound impacts on how we see ourselves. This project aimed to test a novel VR approach, developed at Hopkins, to help people regain confidence in their bodies.
Currently we are conducting a pilot trial with people with chronic low back pain, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Persistent Pain Management Service. During the treatment session, participants become superhero-like characters, like the Incredible Hulk, with super muscles, and super abilities. The trial is measuring how this experience changes feelings of strength, vulnerability, confidence with activities, and pain.
To date, our pilot data looks exciting. Following the trial, we will have sufficient data to determine whether the idea can be developed further, tested in larger trials, and used clinically. Registered protocol: https://tinyurl.com/y73lrgh5
Funders/sponsors
Research Team
Dr Daniel Harvie, NHMRC Fellow, The Hopkins Centre
Professor Michel Coppieters, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
Mr Michael Deen, Persistent Pain Management Service, Metro South Health
Dr Joseph Kluver, Persistent Pain Management Service, Metro South Health
Ms Elizabeth Spitzer, Persistent Pain Management Service, Metro South Health