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Archive for category: Solutions For Living

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The OT Role with Medicinal Marijuana Use

Guest Blogger: Carolyn Rocca, Occupational Therapist

The current legislation on medical marijuana use in Canada greatly shapes our role as health professionals. Under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), Canadians who have been authorized by a physician to access cannabis for medical purposes can purchase safe, quality-controlled cannabis from the 52 authorized licenced producers in Canada (Health Canada, 2017). With the legalization of marijuana in Canada being on the horizon, we can anticipate that many more of our clients may turn to it when seeking relief.

But first, it is important to consider why people are turning to cannabis for medicinal use. While some risks do exist, evidence suggests that the use of marijuana can offer several benefits including: reductions in nausea, decreased pain intensity, and improved sleep quality (Health Canada, 2013; Whiting, et al., 2015). Additionally, some clients report experiencing reductions in anxiety, increased relaxation, and relief from tension, headaches, and migraines. With these benefits and relatively mild side effects, this paints quite an enticing picture for those who may be consuming much more potent medications with more serious risks and side-effects.

If more clients are beginning or continuing to turn to cannabis as a source of relief, we as healthcare providers need to identify what role we play in supporting their decision to do so, including the role of Occupational Therapy which is explored as follows:

  1. Focus on safe use of cannabis: As part of the OT role, it is important that we ensure that clients are utilizing medicinal cannabis under the care of a physician, and are using it within the parameters set out in their prescription. Clients should be advised to discuss their cannabis use with her physician, as they would with any medication, as this falls outside of our OT scope. However, OTs can be involved in the process of helping clients track their relief from symptoms and potential side effects, according to the strain, dosage, and time of day and can help people to direct certain questions / concerns to their physician as appropriate.
  2. Monitor the impact of cannabis on daily activities: Our role is to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of medicinal cannabis use, to identify when cannabis use may be impacting clients’ abilities to perform day to day activities, and to subsequently provide strategies as needed. For example, if a client typically becomes drowsy when taking cannabis which may then impact their safety in the kitchen, an OT may be able to recommend strategies such as the use of kitchen timers, or help to schedule cannabis use at safer times of the day.
  3. Review available pain management strategies: As cannabis use is only one option for pain management, our role is to ensure that clients are aware of other available pain management strategies. Some strategies include: pacing activities to conserve energy, resting, massage, exercising, stretching, other medications, staying active (counterintuitive but true!) as well as compensatory strategies. Our focus as OTs is on helping clients to resume increased function by utilizing the pain management strategies they are open to given all the options available and the training we can provide for each.
  4. Assist in navigating resources: For clients who wish to produce medicinal cannabis for personal use, our role is to ensure that clients are aware of the guidelines set out in the ACMPR. We may also have a role in assisting clients in completing required application forms (found here) and planning for safe production, use, and storage of cannabis if they become registered to do so with Health Canada. Further, under the ACMPR, it is a client’s responsibility to make sure that all medicinal marijuana plants or cannabis products in their possession are secure, and that other people, including children, cannot access them. Therefore, OTs can assist in developing strategies to ensure they can meet the grow, safety and storage requirements.
  5. Consider affordability: As clients can expect to spend about $7-$12 per gram of medical marijuana (Medical Marijuana, 2016), it will be important to consider if their prescribed cannabis is covered under insurance funds, or whether they require budgeting strategies for this expense. An OT can also assist in this process, along with ensuring that the affordability is monitored and budgeted for long term.

Considering how imminent changes to Canada’s cannabis legalization are, being aware of the legislation changes in our society is highly valuable in our line of work. The OT profession is well-positioned to support clients in navigating their medical marijuana options in the most safe and functional manner possible. Seek the assistance and guidance of your healthcare team, including an OT, if you are thinking about, or currently incorporating, medicinal cannabis into your healthcare routine.

Resources & References

Government of Canada (2016). Information bulletin: safety and security considerations when producing cannabis for your own medical purposes. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/information-bulletin-safety-security-considerations-producing-cannabis-for-own-medical-purposes.html

Health Canada (2013). Information for health care professionals: Cannabis (marihuana, marijuana) and the cannabinoids. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/marihuana/med/infoprof-eng.pdf

Health Canada (2016). Drugs and health products: Information for health care practitioners. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/med/index-eng.php

Health Canada (2017). Authorized licensed producers of cannabis for medical purposes. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medical-use-marijuana/licensed-producers/authorized-licensed-producers-medical-purposes.html

Medical Marijuana (2016). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://medicalmarijuana.ca/resource-center/faq-2/

Minister of Justice (2017). Access to cannabis for medical purposes regulations. Retrieved from http://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/SOR-2016-230.pdf

Whiting, P. F., Wolff, R. F., Deshpande, S., Di Nisio, M., Duffy, S., Hernandez, A. V., … & Schmidlkofer, S. (2015). Cannabinoids for medical use: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Jama, 313(24), 2456-2473. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6358

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Gratitude is Good for your Health

This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada.  It’s the perfect time to gather with loved-ones, reflect, and express gratitude for the good things you have in your life.  Being thankful is important for your health not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.  The following article from The Huffington Post discusses why.

The Huffington Post:  10 Reasons Why Gratitude Is Healthy

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O-Tip of the Week: Save Time and Energy in the Kitchen

Our O-Tip of the week series we will be providing valuable “OT-Approved Life Hacks” to provide you with simple and helpful solutions for living. 

This week’s O-Tip of the Week focuses on ways to conserve energy in the kitchen by saving you time and effort.

When preparing meals we recommend that you gather ALL necessary  ingredients before beginning.  Doing so will save you time and energy by reducing trips back and forth from the pantry or refrigerator, and avoiding a last minute run to the grocery store for that missing ingredient!

Learn more about how to conserve energy in the kitchen in the following episode from our OT-V series:  Smart Solutions to Make Life Simpler (and Safer!) in the Kitchen.

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Dear Everybody: Let’s Put an End to The Stigma of Disability

Children living with disabilities often face a number of physical and mental challenges, however, on top of this are also facing social challenges such as bullying and lack of inclusion.  In fact, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital states that 53% of children living with a disability have zero or only one close friend.   Holland Bloorview has created a new campaign to help put an end to the stigma of disabilities.  The Dear Everybody Campaign aims to provide awareness, knowledge and resources to help put an end to the stigma of disability.

Learn more about the campaign and help create change by visiting their website deareverybody.hollandbloorview.ca.

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The GOS-E and Catastrophic Determination – Gathering EVIDENCE of Pre-Accident Function

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Over the last few months we have had the privilege of presenting to a multitude of Personal Injury Lawyers on the June 1, 2016 changes to catastrophic determination, most specifically on the Glascow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E).  If you are working in motor vehicle accident (MVA) rehabilitation or personal injury law, this scale is one you need to be familiar with.

To qualify for catastrophic under the GOS-E, it speaks openly about changes to QUALITY and FREQUENCY of participation in pre-accident tasks under the facets of independence in and outside the home, travelling locally and abroad, productivity, social / leisure participation and relationships.  Within this, it considers HOW OFTEN someone did something, but even bigger than that is FOR HOW LONG and at WHAT INTENSITY.

As OT’s working in this sector, it is important that we gather this information in great detail during our initial assessment to not only get a better picture of pre-accident lifestyle and function, but to create early records that could relate to catastrophic determination at 6 months, 1 or 2 years’ post-accident.

During a presentation, one lawyer questioned the “qualitative way” by which pre-accident information is usually gathered (by asking family or through client self-report).  He asked if there was better evidence, “proof” if you will, that could speak objectively to “pre-accident function”.  This was a great question because right now the only pre-accident “evidence” the industry tends to gather are medical records and these speak to health, not function (and the two can be very different).  Function is best outlined by finding out how people spent their time – something that one would think would be difficult to objectively measure for the purpose of “evidence”, but let’s think again.

The evidence of how people spend their time is actually everywhere.  My morning dog walk and sleep habits are tracked on my fit bit and transferred to my computer and phone.  My car logs the kilometers I drive, and the repair shop inputs these with every oil change.  The gym tracks my attendance.  My phone apparently stalks me by recording everywhere I take it, the websites I visit, the apps I use and the people I speak to, text and email.  The photos in my phone also tell the story of my life and where my time is spent.  My computer records the number of emails I send and receive and the places I visit online.   My emails are sorted and can detail the time I spend organizing and taking trips (local and abroad), socializing, and even my relationship communication habits.  If I had a personal Facebook account this would detail for you the people I chat with, how often, and the places I visit, take photos and upload.  Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat would do the same.  But honestly most of the information about my time spent would be easily revealed through my financial records.  Most of the things I do cost money.  My credit card and bank statements will show you the frequency by which I get a latte, the costs for my gym program, the amount of shopping I do, the people I pay to help manage aspects of my house, the places I eat or indulge, the number of times I visit the movies or do something fun, the things I enroll my children in, etc.  These will even tell you the therapies or treatments I might get privately that my doctor doesn’t even know about.

We know that being involved in the insurance system exposes aspects of people’s lives that they may not want to share.  All privacy is forgone when you want and need help from an insurer, or when you want and need to sue someone who was at-fault for causing you injury and harm.  Unfortunately, with the changes to Catastrophic Determination, the gap just widened in terms of the information that needs to be gathered and the “proof” that needs to be provided to access the benefits an injured person may need.  However, the information is out there – little is sacred or private anymore. 

If this is helpful, here is a list of information that could be gathered to support changes to FREQUENCY and QUALITY of participation in most activities before and after an accident.   Getting someone’s personal records for the year prior to an accident, and then for the first-year post, will be highly informative, helpful and revealing…if they are agreeable to share:

Bank Statements / Financial Records will show MOST purchases related to social / leisure activities:

Memberships / clubs / subscriptions
Dinners / coffees / movies
Vacations
Shopping habits
Sports / fitness
Gas / driving / parking habits

Other places will also have records:

Gym / rec center attendance
Schools / school records
Employment records
Evidence of trips / vacations / social events on SM – FB, Twitter etc (before the accident)
Car / vehicle records – how often the car was driven based on KM’s
Points cards for anything like movies, Starbucks, Airlines, etc
Call / cell records and communication habits
Medical records

I hope this helps the lawyers and injured people of the insurance system to find the “evidence” they might need to really demonstrate to an insurer how their life has been impacted following an accident.  And for the OT’s gathering similar data subjectively, be specific and thorough in your questioning under the GOS-E spheres.  Your reports are highly important and may become the difference between someone being deemed catastrophic or not.

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No Excuses: Daily Healthy Activity Tracking Tool

In our busy day to day lives it can be difficult to make time to put yourself first.  Healthy habits such as hydration, exercise, sleep and “me time” often get put on the back-burner or forgotten as we spend our time getting stuff done.  However, to achieve optimal mental and physical health you need to put yourself first!  Use our printable Daily Health Tracker to help create healthy habits and keep yourself accountable to ensure you are getting daily physical activity, drinking enough water, achieving a proper sleep, and making time to do the things that make you happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more helpful tools for both children and adults visit our Printable Resources Page.

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Tech Support: Learning Made Simple

In the digital age we live in if you are not fluent with the latest technology you can get left behind or struggle to keep up if you don’t know how to use it.  Those with cognitive difficulties and older adults who do not frequently use technology may find themselves needing some extra assistance to learn to use helpful apps and software.  Our colleagues at Lawlor Therapy Services have launched a series, Tuesday Tech Tips, providing how-to videos on some of the most frequently used and helpful pieces of technology.  If you could benefit from extra assistance maximizing the use of your computer, tablet or smart phone, this series is for you!

Lawlor Therapy Services:  Tuesday Tech Tips Series

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Understanding Your Rehab Therapy Professionals

Navigating the world of rehab therapists can be confusing – there are multiple types of therapists, whose abilities may seem similar when taken at face value based on general terms like “supporting rehabilitation goals” or “providing treatment”. However, when you compare these professionals based on their educational backgrounds and requirements, as well as their defined roles and responsibilities as set out by each profession’s respective college, professional association, or employer, it can become clearer which professional is best suited to help serve your personal needs.

Below is a simple summary guide of the hierarchy of educational backgrounds and core roles of each therapist/professional- please contact your healthcare provider or Occupational Therapist if you have further questions or think the services of these professionals may benefit you.

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Mental Health at Work: How to Seek Help

While minor accidents are common in the workplace and quickly addressed, higher instances of stress, mental illness, and workplace bullying are being seen across all industries.  If you are suffering where do you go to get help?  If you see signs of mental distress in a fellow employee, how can you help?  The following from The Globe and Mail discusses how and where to seek help if you are concerned.

The Globe and Mail:  Where to get help when you’re concerned with your mental health

Learn more about strategies to improve mental health in the workplace in the following episode from our OT-V series:

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The “Other” Rehabilitation Therapy: OT

We came across the following article in the Huffington Post which helps to shed more light onto the value of OT.  Occupational Therapists strive to help people recover from accidents and illnesses by working with those affected to create and achieve meaningful goals.  We especially love how the article distinguishes between Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), two extremely valuable therapies, helping the public to learn more about OT– The “Other” Rehabilitation Therapy.

The Huffington Post:  Following Surgery, Injury or a Disabling Disease, Occupational Therapists Provide a Bridge to Normal Life—and Hope

To learn more about the differences between PT and OT refer to our previous post, “OT or PT? Both or Neither?”