Seminar Series: Dr. Jessica Wong

Access to rehabilitation and other healthcare services to improve functioning among older adults with back pain: What do we know so far?

Jessica J. Wong, DC, PhD

Assistant Professor
School of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Health Sciences
Western University

Cross-appointed Assistant Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University

Assistant Professor
Institute of Health Policy
Management and Evaluation
University of Toronto

Short Biography:
Jessica Wong is an Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the School of Physical Therapy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. Her position is focused to the Advanced Health Care Practice program. Jessica is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Awardee and is cross-appointed to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. She is also an Assistant Professor (status-only) at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, and an Adjunct Scientist at ICES Western. Jessica leads a program of research in aging, musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation, and equity. She focuses on developing innovative strategies to address unmet healthcare needs and improve equitable access-to-care for people in need of rehabilitation, including aging adults with musculoskeletal conditions. She leverages epidemiologic and knowledge synthesis methods, including population-based studies using linked population health survey and administrative data, and systematic and scoping reviews. Jessica co-designs her research alongside people with lived experience, their family members, and caregivers to co-create knowledge and ensure the research is relevant and meaningful for diverse communities.

Abstract:
Back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability and main reason for requiring rehabilitation globally. Back pain is a prevalent condition among older adults, leading to challenges in performing daily activities or participating in meaningful life roles. However, many older adults with back pain face challenges in accessing rehabilitation or other healthcare services. Barriers to accessing care can perpetuate further worsening of functioning and quality of life among these older adults. This presentation will review findings from a series of research projects focused on:

  • Clinical practice guideline on the management of back pain, including in older adults;
  • Knowledge syntheses on the structural barriers and facilitators to accessing rehabilitation among older adults with back pain;
  • Population-based studies to examine the utilization of rehabilitation services and unmet needs among older adults with back pain.

Key words: back pain; older adults; musculoskeletal health; knowledge synthesis; population-based

Date: Friday, February 14
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine)