D I RECT IO N S CA NADA
NRRTS CANADA – A RECAP OF 2023 Written by: KATHY FISHER B.SC. (OT), LINDA NORTON, B.SC.OT, MSC.CH, PHD, OT REG (ONT), AND WEESIE WALKER, ATP/SMS
In the last issue we want to share why, as the Canadian Advisory Committee, we dedicate time to NRRTS. This issue we are focusing on our accomplishments this year. As a committee we have focused on three objectives: 1. Provide a Canadian context to issues related to the provision of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) to the NRRTS leadership. 2. Ensure the participation of Canadians in DIRECTIONS, clinical webinars and NRRTS leadership (participation on the board and various committees.) 3. Promote the value and importance of NRRTS Registration in Canada.
THE VALUE OF NRRTS IS NOW RECOGNIZED BEYOND THE BORDERS OF NORTH AMERICA WITH AUSTRALIA HAVING JOINED NRRTS!
PROVIDING A CANADIAN CONTEXT In Canada, the health care budget is managed at the Provincial level. This contributes to very different funding and service delivery models for CRT delivery across the country. As a committee we have been able to provide input specific to each province for issues such as blind bidding, funding agency contacts and strategic initiatives.
ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION OF CANADIANS To encourage participation of Canadians in the NRRTS education program, NRRTS ensures that Canadian speakers are featured as subject matter experts. Some Canadian speakers also collaborate with US counterparts to promote sharing of resources and representation of issues from both sides of the border. Webinar content for the year is developed by a group comprised of NRRTS staff, board members and advisors equally represented by both Canadians and U.S. educators. This ensures we can identify topics applicable to Canadian CRT suppliers and highlight issues not solely focused on a U.S. funding model. In 2023, there were nine Canadian presenters and topics ranged from clinical approaches to equipment prescription to justification for funding. NRRTS monitors all feedback from the course participants to guide the selection of content for the upcoming year.
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DIRECTIONS 2023.6
Each DIRECTIONS publication has a regular column written by Canadians (DIRECTIONS Canada) to highlight issues on the agenda of the Canadian Advisory Committee and others brought up by Canadian Registrants. In addition to DIRECTIONS Canada, over eight Canadians were involved in developing CEU articles, case studies, clinical editorials and feature articles. Canadians are represented not only on the NRRTS Board of Directors but also now on the NRRTS staff. Kathy Fisher joined NRRTS in September 2022 as the education manager and the first Canadian staff member. With a background in occupational therapy, Fisher has worked as a CRT rep and clinical educator for 34 years. Her involvement in both the provider and manufacturer sectors of the industry combined with speaking at numerous conferences across North America and in Europe have given her exposure to the needs of the industry globally. Jason Kelln, the first NRRTS Registrant in Canada, has been elected as the president elect. Jason has been a champion for the Registry in Canada and is now the first Canadian president elect for NRRTS. He will begin his term as board president in August 2024.
PROMOTING THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF NRRTS NRRTS was represented at a variety of conferences attended by Canadians including the International Seating Symposium, the Canadian Seating and Mobility Conference and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Conference and was highlighted at each of the 14 Rehab Expos hosted by Motion over the past year.
