Managing the Seams: geriatric health in focus

This article was originally published on the Geriatric Health Systems Research Group website.

On Tuesday June 3rd, a group of 39 interested seniors, policy makers, health care providers, academic researchers, community members, students, and patients gathered in Waterloo to take part in GHS research group’s Canadian Institutes of Health Research Café Scientifique entitled “Managing the Seams: Transitions in Health Care for Older Adults”. This event promoted the engagement of community members in a discussion focused on research findings and current initiatives regarding the transitional care of older adults. In addition, the event was live-streamed bringing in a total of 198 additional participants, 171 viewers from across Canada and 27 from the United States, with a viewing of the live-stream set-up for seniors and community members at the Evergreen Seniors Centre in Guelph.

The event kicked off with presentations from keynote speakers including Dr. George Heckman, Dr. Veronique Boscart, Dr. Paul Stolee, Dr. Bert Chesworth and community representative Margaret Hedley. The presentations focused on how transitions from one setting to another can be complicated for older adults, and that information is often poorly shared between providers and patients. Central to these themes was the idea that a seamless system may be unattainable (at least in the near future) and we should focus on managing these seams to provide a better care experience.

With a wide range of professions and experiences, the discussion was lively and continuous with our online participants joining the discussion via Twitter and e-mail. Questions and comments focused on what improvements could be made to the health care system to make transitions smoother, how older adults can become engaged in their care, currently available community resources, and perspectives from patients, informal caregivers, and providers.

 

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Pakistan, Canada, China: lecturer goes global

by Mirko Petricevic. This is an excerpt of an article published on the Faculty of Science news page.

Kashif Memon navigated through complex supply chains of feudal lords and military forces to transport food from Pakistani farmers and fishermen to a Persian Gulf port and on to Britain.

Now Memon is passing on the lessons he’s learned in the real world to science and business students at the University of Waterloo. For his skill at sharing the insights he gained on Pakistan’s dangerous frontier, Memon has received a Distinguished Teacher Award for 2014.

I want to teach students something innovative,” says Memon. “It’s important that they learn what’s going on in the field.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Memon entered Pakistan’s civil service. While working in various commerce and trade departments, and earning an MBA from Britain, Memon helped bolster his country’s international trade infrastructure.

He specializes in studying how global business systems, technological innovation and politics combine to affect supply chain management.

A native of Pakistan, Memon arrived at Waterloo in 2005 to be an advisor to three programs in the Faculty of Science: Science and Business; Biotechnology Economics; and Biotechnology Professional Chartered Accountancy. In 2006, he started his duties as lecturer.

Memon is in Beijing for the spring term teaching at the China University of Geosciences, where Chinese students are preparing to come to the University of Waterloo for two years of study. Memon’s students are part of Waterloo’s Science 2 + 2 program, where Chinese students can get a degree from the University of Waterloo after studying here for two years.

Memon says his first priority is to build a warm relationship with his Chinese students by sharing meals and playing sports with them.

“In the first two weeks I explain to them Waterloo’s culture and ease them through orientation sessions. By the end of second week we are on first name basis and I remember each one of them. I am interested in their success and will customize their individual experiences for my courses,” says Memon.

Once the academic works begins, Chinese professors often join the class to observe and learn about University of Waterloo teaching methods. This year, enrolment in his course jumped to 22 from four last year.

“By the end of the term these students are ready to take off for Canada. They have been thoroughly challenged and tested in the classroom and know what to expect in Waterloo,” says Memon.

Read the full article on the Faculty of Science news page.

 

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