Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good day to my fellow witnesses and members of the committee.
My name is Eric Vila. I'm a kinesiologist with Lifemark Health Group. I have nearly 10 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, specializing in functional training, strength and conditioning and high performance. I am accredited with the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists and certified as a WorkWell functional capacity evaluation evaluator.
Additionally, I currently serve as a reservist in the CAF with the 5th Field Artillery Regiment. This experience has offered me an opportunity for a greater understanding of the challenges faced by veterans and members of the armed forces, both during their service and while seeking rehabilitation services.
In my role as a kinesiologist, I provide exercise-based services aimed at improving my clients' function. Some participants undergo a kinesiologist-led assessment to evaluate their current functional capabilities and limitations, which allows us to develop an appropriate rehabilitation plan. Given the unique circumstances that may bring a veteran into this program, the care that I provide is tailored to each participant, focusing on functional rehabilitation through guided movement and exercise. I address movement-related injuries and conditions within my clinical scope of practice, while clinical diagnoses are for the appropriate treating professionals to make.
I collaborate with an interprofessional rehabilitation team that includes physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists and registered clinical counsellors. Kinesiology plays an essential role in this therapeutic alliance.
It's important for the committee to understand that our focus within the rehabilitation program is on providing function-based rehabilitation. This approach often differs from the more traditional diagnostic rehabilitation or assessments veterans may have experienced previously. Function-based rehabilitation for veterans aims to restore or improve independent functioning to the extent possible in the roles at home, in the community and at work.
As clinicians, we always have a duty to assess the participants' current functional state. This ensures we understand them holistically, tailor assessments and treatments appropriately and avoid treatments that could potentially cause further harm. In order to limit the number of new assessments veterans have to experience and build upon existing information, we always encourage participants to share previous assessment reports with us should they consent to do so.
To provide context, when veterans are referred to the rehabilitation program, their VAC case manager identifies their eligible health problems. These are the specific areas we as clinicians are authorized to assess and address within their approved rehabilitation plan.
While VAC's rehabilitation program is focused on these eligible conditions, we strongly encourage participants to continue receiving services from their existing providers for any non-eligible health problems. Those services would be outside of the rehabilitation program and covered by their Medavie Blue Cross benefits. This ensures comprehensive care while maintaining the program's specific mandate for functional rehabilitation.
As an active reservist, I have the opportunity to serve my country. As a kinesiologist, I have an opportunity to support those who have served by providing critical services through their rehabilitation journey. I've had the privilege of working alongside many wonderful and amazing veterans and have witnessed first-hand the benefits of this program.
Thank you for your time and for the opportunity to share insights into the important work being done to support our Canadian veterans.