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ABI Lunch & Learn Series

The Network hosts monthly virtual ABI lunch and learn sessions on a range of topics for clinicians. They occur on the 4th Wednesday of the month from September to June from 12:15-1:00. Check out the slides and recordings from previous Lunch & Learns. Topics include:

Brain Injury Basics

Behaviour After ABI

Fatigue After ABI

Communication Issues

Vocational Services at NSRAC

Nutrition Considerations

Vascular Cognitive Impairment

Leisure Considerations

Medical Assistance in Dying

Peter's Place Services

Cognitive Rehabilitation Everyday Approaches

Early Identification, Referral, and Management of Post-Stroke Spasticity

Concussion Recovery

Balancing Hope and Reality in Rehabilitation

Sexual Health and Disability

Management of the Early/Low Level Affected Arm Post-Stroke

Dalhousie Speech Language Clinics

Intimate Partner Violence

 

Brain Injury Basics

This session reviews foundational information about brain injury such as:

  • Common causes of ABI
  • Possible impacts of ABI
  • Introduction to strategies to best support individuals living with brain injury
  • Where to learn more about ABI

It is meant for care providers who are new to ABI and is also a good refresher for experienced clinicians.

Slides: Click on the attachment

Recording: Press here!

 

 

October 1, 2024
.PDF

Behavioural Changes After ABI Part 1: Introduction, How to Cope as a Health Care Provider, Medication Considerations

  • Key behaviour changes secondary to executive dysfunction
  • Emotional outcomes
  • Coping as healthcare providers
  • Additional considerations/precautions for prescribing in the context of ABI
  • Brief overview of recommended medications for various ABI-related symptoms

June 21, 2023
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Behavioural Changes After ABI Part 2: Strategies to Manage Responsive Behaviour

Overview of the Strategies:
•Frontloading
•Pacing
•Sleep Hygiene
•Distraction, re-direction
•Avoid triggers
•Use positive momentum
•Debrief

June 21, 2023
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Fatigue After ABI

Very common after ABI

  • Traumatic, Tumours, Blood Clots, Strokes, Seizures, Toxic Exposures, Infections, Metabolic Disorders, Anoxia
  • Effects are cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioural, sensory

June 21, 2023
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Communication Issues After ABI

Tips from a Speech Language Pathologist for how to communicate with adults who have had acquired brain injuries.

June 21, 2023
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Provincial ABI Network Update & Review of NSH ABI Resources

An overview of ABI programs and patient education resources within Nova Scotia Health and how to find them.

June 21, 2023
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Vocational Services

The goal is to reduce work disability and assist clients in returning to
meaningful roles (Work and Academics) (Escorpizo et al., 2011)

June 21, 2023
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Nutrition Considerations after ABI

Overview:

- Importance of Nutrition Post ABI

- Role of Dietitian for ABI

- ABI Deficits Impacting Nutrition Status

  • Nutrition & Fatigue Management
  • Symptoms & Barriers to Healthy Eating

- Heart Healthy Diet Recommendations

  • Risk Factor Management
  • Foods & Supplements for ABI Recovery

June 21, 2023
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Atlantic Canada Stroke Conference & Toronto ABI Network Conference Highlights

This session will review how this is explored through involvement with Therapeutic Recreation professionals.

Recording: Press here!

June 21, 2023
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Leisure Considerations After ABI

June 21, 2023
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Vascular Cognitive Impairment

Overview:

- What is VCI and what causes it?
- What is the relevance of VCI to my practice?
- What are some approaches for assessment and management of VCI?

Recording: Press here!

June 21, 2023
.PDF

Medical Assistance in Dying

June 21, 2023
.

Peter’s Place Services

Peter’s Place provides physical and cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Recording: Press here!

June 21, 2023
.PDF

Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP)

June 21, 2023
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​​​​​​​Cognitive Rehabilitation Everyday Approaches

Recording: Press here!

July 17, 2023
.PDF

New ABI Resources and Network Update

Recording: Press here

October 5, 2023
.PDF

Early Identification, Referral and Management of Post-Stroke Spasticity

This session reviews:

  • the clinical manifestation of spasticity and the importance of early identification of post stroke spascticity
  • the incidence, prevalence and risk of spasticity in post-stroke patients
  • the role of botulinum toxin type A in improving patient outcomes, including supporting real world evidence
  • which patients should be treated for post-stroke spasticity, and why

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/10-25-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Slide deck: attached below. 

October 30, 2023
.PDF

Concussion Recovery

Slides: Click attachment below. 

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/11-22-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Additional Resources:

For Primary Health Care Providers:

Diagnosing and Managing Concussion Tool for Primary Care Providers

https://cep.health/clinical-products/concussion/

Nova Scotia Health Resources:

Concussion Awareness and Concussion Management Card: https://braininjuryns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Digital-Concussion-Cards.pdf

Concussion Management- Patient and Family Guide: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/nshealth.ca/files/patientinformation/0395.pdf

Concussion Education Session flyer: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/default/files/documents/pamphlets/2013.pdf

 Introduction to Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (BIANS) Resources:

https://braininjuryns.com/concussion/

Concussion Café: https://braininjuryns.com/survivor-programs/

Concussion Tools for Self -Management:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Handbook- Sunnybrook Health Sciences

Webform:  https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=bsp-brain-injury-education

Printable pdf: https://sunnybrook.ca/uploads/1/programs/brain-sciences/concussion/mild-traumatic-brain-injury-concussion--your-guide-to-recovery_web_oct-25.pdf

My Guide: Concussion – Vancouver Coastal Health: https://concussion.vch.ca/

November 27, 2023
.PDF

Walking Two Roads: Balancing Hope and Reality in Rehabilitation

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/01-24-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Additional Resources:

Waiting Room Revolution podcast by Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Sammy Winemaker

https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com

February 1, 2024
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Sexual Health and Disability

March 11, 2024
.PDF

Continuing Care - Update on Services

April 22, 2024
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Management of the Early / Low Level Affected Arm Post-Stroke

A review of stroke recovery and upper extremity (U/E) prognosis, screening the U/E, setting functional goals, and intervention strategies for the low level/ early stages of recovery post stroke.   

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/04-24-Management-Of-Early-Low-Level-Arm-Post-Stroke

Additional Resources:

Strokengine: http://strokengine.ca

Canadian Stroke Best Practices http://www.strokebestpractices.ca/

EBRSR: http://www.ebrsr.com/

Viatherapy: http:/www.viatherapy.org 

UE toolkit: http://www.wrha.mb.ca/staff/occupational-therapy/files/Stroke-UEToolkit.pdf

April 30, 2024
.PDF

Dalhousie Speech Language Clinics

Description: This session reviews free Speech-Language programs for clients offered through Dalhousie School of Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Slides: not available

Recording: See link below

October 9, 2024
URL

The Interprovincial Violence Against Women Project

Description: Nova Scotia has the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence against women among all Canadian provinces. This violence has serious health consequences, including injury, chronic pain, and mental health problems. ABI is a common but under-diagnosed health consequence of domestic violence. The Interprovincial Violence Against Women (IPV) Project aims to identify and mobilize knowledge around best practices

for preventing and responding to violence against women (VAW) across Canadian provinces.

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/06-26-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

July 22, 2024
.PDF

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