The History of the LiNKd Organization

The LiNKd (Linked Information Networks for Kids with Disabilities) Project was a Health Canada funded pilot project that developed and evaluated the use of electronic resources to improve the coordination and care of children with developmental disabilities living in rural and urban settings in Manitoba.

The following resources were developed:

• The LiNKd Project web site (www.linkd.org): a gateway to disability information and web-links, highlighting resources available in Manitoba.
• An electronic registry: a comprehensive care planning tool that facilitated communication and information sharing between rural and urban health care providers. It detailed all individuals involved in the child's care, pertinent medical information and a scheduling tool. This Internet based tool was accessible to care providers at all the different sites where care is accessed.
• Telehealth capabilities at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children: linking this centre with the existing telehealth network in urban and rural Manitoba allowing remote assessment and monitoring.

WHO WAS INVOLVED?
The Project Team: Gina Rempel, MD, FRCPC, Lead Investigator Dr. Oscar Casiro, MD, FRCPC, Investigator Dr. Diane Moddemann, MD, FRCPC, Investigator Karen Serfas, BN, RN, Clinical Coordinator
Barb Borton, OTM, Project Coordinator Malca Casiro, RN, CCRN, Research Coordinator Julie Huish, OTM Robin Walker, B.Ed. Collette Wilson, RN, BN

External Evaluator
Professor Gerhard Brauer,
From the School of Health Informatics, University of Victoria

Consultant
Dr. Jon Gerrard, MD, FRCPC

Participating Facilities
Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Inc. (Winnipeg), Children's Hospital of Winnipeg, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba

Project Partners
Brandon Regional Health Authority, Burntwood Regional Health Authority
Focus on Kids Occupational Therapy Consulting, InfoWard, Inc. (IW Technologies Inc.), MBTelMed now known as MB Telehealth Network
Neil John MacLean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba
Research Projects Consulting, WebWalker, Western Health Information Partnership

Supporting Agencies
University of Manitoba, Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba

Funding Agency
Health Transition Fund, Health Canada

How Was the Project Funded?
From 1999 to 2001, the LiNKd Project was funded by Health Canada's Health Transition Fund. The funds were administered through the University of Manitoba. Infrastructure support continues to be provided by the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

An "Executive Summary" of the final report may be viewed here. To request a copy of the complete report please contact the LiNKd office.

Future Initiatives?
Continuing the development of the www.linkd.org web site which has proven to be a valuable resource for families and health care providers involved in the care of children with disabilities,

• Assisting individuals and organizations in developing a web presence to share their knowledge and expertise,
• Mentoring in the use of electronic resources and the diverse applications of technology for children with disabilities,
• Promoting the concept of care coordination using electronic resources for children with disabilities,
• Fostering the use of telehealth technology for assessment, consultation, teaching and continuing education for health care providers.