Telehealth Rounding and Consultation for Kids (TRaC-K) is a new model of pediatric care that uses telehealth (audio & visual conferencing technology) at a regional hospital and a children's hospital. Health care providers from Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH) will use TRaC-K to care for patients. Using TRaC-K, children can access specialized pediatric health care services while they are closer to home in Medicine Hat. If patients are at ACH, their care team at Medicine Hat can communicate and collaborate with the team at ACH. 

Using a mobile TRaC-K cart, a secured, wireless connection is made to allow participants to hear and see each other. The camera can zoom in and out to view things more clearly e.g. a rash. Participants may include any patient from the Medicine Hat area, admitted at ACH or MHRH, as well as health care providers at both sites, such as doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Patient and their families can also be a part of these virtual sessions!

On February 24^th, ACH’s Family to Family Connections Program, in partnership with the NICU, launched Virtual Bedside Connections. This enables NICU families to connect weekly with volunteer Peer Mentors Pam and Ashley virtually via Zoom, from an iPad. The NICU staff clean and circulate the iPad to families who would like to chat with the Peer Mentor.

The Peer Mentors have a conversation with the families and shares tips that were helpful for them when they stayed in the NICU with their own child. They provide information about hospital resources and answer any questions the families may have about being in the hospital or transitioning to another unit or going home. One thing the Mentors do not do is give medical advice; instead, they encourage families to speak with their healthcare team and to ask questions.

Families tell us it has been beneficial and less isolating to talk with someone who knows what it is like and understands the stresses associated with a hospital stay in the NICU. They also appreciate hearing about the resources available to them.

Check out this new digital story where young adult, Keighley Schofield, shares her experiences with being her own advocate.

We asked Keighley about what she and her family did to prepare for her to transition to the adult healthcare system. Keighley shared that she was asked by her future adult specialist - "what are you able to do and what would like to be able to do on your own as a young adult". This encouraged her to think about what she wanted for herself and how to achieve it. Her family identifies the inclusion of Keighley in the discussions and decisions in her pediatric clinics as a key component in preparing her to advocate for her own care. They also appreciated the information and the resources they received to help with the preparation to transition to adult care.

Deb Thul, ACH Adolescent Transition Coordinator, adds that Keighley's story highlights that having a family doctor to help quarterback or choregraph their care during the time of transition is critical. It's also a reminder that transition to adult healthcare is a process, and it is never too early to start developing the self-management, self-advocacy, and independence skills required to navigate it.

Check out the website for more information on Youth to Adult Healthcare Transition or contact Deb Thul.

For the past five years, Paul Wright has held the role of Manager of Patient and Family Centred Care for the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services. This will be his last week in the role as he moves on to the position of Executive Director for the AHS Neuro, Rehabilitation and Vision Strategic Clinical Network.

Paul was the first person in the role of Manager of Patient and Family Centred Care for the Calgary Zone. Under his strong leadership, connections and collaboration have been fostered to improve PFCC efforts around the Zone. Together with his team and the Calgary Zone PFCC Committee, he has championed zone wide work such as PFCC Grand Rounds, PFCC Week, and Family Presence. His work on introducing End PJ Paralysis will be one of his legacies.

Our ACH PFCC team has greatly appreciated collaborating with Paul. He is a caring, dedicated professional who brings energy and wisdom to whatever he takes on.

We wish you all the best, Paul, in your new role!

Did you miss the last Patient and Family Centred Care Grand Rounds?

You can now access the recording.

Learn from the wisdom of experienced Patient and Family Advisors about what true engagement can look like.