The Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) Program
The Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) Program is a collaboration between the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at the Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support at Baycrest, and the Toronto Central Behavioural Support for Seniors Program (TC-BSSP).
The VBM Program team of specialists include; behavioural neurologist, neuro-psychiatrist, nurses, pharmacist, mental health professionals and the BSO team and provide a rapid response where and when they are needed. They work in close collaboration with care teams and specialized geriatric services in acute care hospitals and long-term care homes and with family members in the community to help them develop and implement care plans, access behavioural and social supports and provide follow-up.
Using their specialist pharmacological and non-pharmacological expertise, they provide support in the management of challenging dementia related responsive behaviours, such as physical and verbal aggression, agitation, hallucinations and paranoia. This service is designed to be a short-term consultation service and is completely virtual, delivered using the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN).
A referral is necessary to access the VBM Program. Referrals are processed through the TC-LHIN Behaviour Support Coordination Office Hotline at Baycrest. Healthcare practitioners requiring support can contact the BSO Hotline seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including weekends and holidays.
How to refer?
To access the service please fill in the attached referral form and related documents and send to the BSO Coordinating Office: Fax Referral to 647-788-4883 or Email to behaviouralsupport@baycrest.org; 416-785-2500, ext. 2005 or toll-free at 1-844-785-2500
What to expect?
Once you send the referral, it will be triaged and you will be contacted by the BSO Intake Clinical Navigator from the BSO Coordinating Office in order to complete any additional information, assess level of urgency, and facilitate the referral and scheduling.
Once the appointment is set you will receive an email from the Baycrest Sam & Ida Ross Memory Clinic, with details of appointment time and length, some general information to prepare for the appointment, including a link to the Ontario Telehealth Network (OTN) to access the appointment. We encourage you to test the link beforehand to ensure a smooth OTN virtual experience.
For any questions, please contact our behaviour support hotline at: behaviouralsupport@baycrest.org.org OR 416-785-2500, ext. 2005 or toll-free at 1-844-785-2500
VBM E-LEARNING
We are excited to announce the launch of our new interactive e-learning course for the VBM program. This course is specifically designed to offer a basic introduction to our VBM program for families and caregivers of individuals with unmanaged neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Click the link below to access this FREE course and learn more about VBM.
https://vbm.learnworlds.com/
Learn More about VBM
