NRRTS DIRECTIONS Volume 3 of 2022

Page 50

DIR E C T IO N S CANADA

HOW HAS COVID-19 CHANGED THE CRT INDUSTRY? Written by: JASON KELLN, ATP, CRTS®

The COVID-19 pandemic began 26 months ago, and the world has changed. The Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry was like a kite in a hurricane, and we were concerned. Rehab facilities and seating clinics closed. How would equipment be trialed, assessed and delivered to the end users? Who would be able to ensure clients were getting the proper equipment? How would funding be approved? I am sure there are hundreds of more questions. When asking people what they saw change, I received several responses. Perhaps one of the fastest and most significant changes was the online training several companies offered. These courses included top manufacturers and the NRRTS on-demand library. Companies stepped up and offered excellent courses to ensure the people investing in themselves during the pandemic would be a better resource for their clients when we emerged from the lockdowns. Another change was the use of online platforms, Zoom, Teams, WebEx, PEXIP and many others to meet with colleagues and medical team personnel to assist with equipment choices. Telehealth also was a big change. There are some who see the benefits. Many different areas can use it successfully in different ways. I also heard a difficult change of COVID-19 was how to assess the client. Many had clinicians using and noting the benefits of mat assessments. Patience has come from COVID-19. Demo equipment from manufacturers is challenging, and the delivery time on equipment is equally challenging. We appreciate our supply chain and where we obtain our equipment. We saw virtual conferences and the skillful ability in how those presenters did. We also saw that although we can have a virtual conference, there is a benefit to having a safe conference together with others in the industry. COVID-19 has taught us that we do benefit by sharing knowledge with each other and seeing and touching new equipment.

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DIRECTIONS 2022.3

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BEGAN 26 MONTHS AGO, AND THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. THE COMPLEX REHAB TECHNOLOGY (CRT) INDUSTRY WAS LIKE A KITE IN A HURRICANE, AND WE WERE CONCERNED. COVID-19 has changed the industry. Some things may not return, but I have seen people realize the benefits of having NRRTS Registrants who invested in themselves and continue to be the ones they want to invite in to assist time and their clients. In Canada, we saw NRRTS launch in the middle of the pandemic. At the time of writing this, we have 279 Registrants in Canada. Everyone from Registrants to business owners to manufacturers saw the benefits to supporting the roll out in Canada. Manufacturers’ courses now offer CEUs to help fulfill education requirements. COVID-19 is a real part of our lives. No one knows when we will completely exit from it. Our industry has adapted and continued, and the resilience shows a passion to do the right thing and do it well.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR Jason may be reached at JASON@PHMOBILITY.COM

Jason Kelln, ATP, CRTS ® became the first NRRTS Registrant in Canada in 2018. Kelln serves on the NRRTS Canadian Advisory Committee and is secretary of the NRRTS Board of Directors. Kelln works for PrairieHeart Mobility in Regina, Saskatchewan.


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