Catalyst Grant Recipients 2022-2023

Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Zahi Touma, J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, Mary Fox, William Shaw, Maggie Ho, Janet Pope, Paul Fortin, Nathalie Rozenbojm, Dafna D. Gladman, Murray Urowitz, Jorge Sanchez-Guerrero, Lily S.H. Lim, and Stephanie Keeling

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for patients with lupus, yet their daily functioning is poorly understood. The link between work and lupus to patients because of the large influence of work on different aspects of a patient’s health, including engaging in meaningful activities. The up-and-down nature of lupus results in changing levels of work disability and functioning in a patient’s life and makes it hard to deliver patient-centred care. We will complete patient interviews about their lived-experiences with lupus and COVID-19. Together, the information will increase our understanding of lupus and its impact on a patient’s daily functioning.

Chavon Niles, Karen Yoshida, and Yahya El Lahib

COVID-19 has exacerbated longstanding institutional and systemic inequities for Black, Indigenous, racialized, poor, disabled, unhoused, elderly and/or newcomer communities. There is a vital need for critical research that explores the experiences of these diverse communities, especially diverse newcomer communities to access vital services. In this project we will:

1. Explore the complexities and barriers of diverse newcomer communities (especially racialized disabled immigrants) experience accessing or attempting to access rehab/health/social services living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area

2. Document their recommendations on how to decrease inequities to these services during COVID-19 and beyond.

Kelly O’Brien, Darren Brown, Soo Chan Carusone, Kiera McDuff, Lisa McCorkell, Susie Goulding, and Margaret O’Hara

Post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE), is a common symptom defined as the worsening of symptoms that can follow minimal cognitive, physical, or social activity that could previously be tolerated. PESE can contribute to episodic disability of Long COVID, highlighting the role for rehabilitation. Pacing is an approach to balancing activities with rest to avoid exacerbation of symptoms. Our aim is to explore experiences with pacing from the perspectives of physical therapists in Canada, and adults living with Long COVID in Canada, United Kingdom (UK), Ireland and United States (US). Results will lead to better understanding of pacing from those with lived experiences with Long COVID and rehabilitation providers to help inform broader intervention studies on safe rehabilitation approaches among people living with Long COVID.