Neurology Grand Rounds: Dr Morris Freedman

Faculty Speaker Series: Dr Morris Freedman

Speaker: Morris Freedman, MD, FRCPC, FAAN
Head, Division of Neurology, Baycrest Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest
Professor, Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto
Medical Director, Cognition & Behaviour, Baycrest

Topic: Virtual Behavioural Medicine Program (VBM): A Game Changer in Care for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia

Learning Objectives: 
1. Development of VBM concept
2. VBM model of care
3. Clinical impact of VBM
4. Future directions of VBM

VBM is essentially a virtual inpatient unit for assessment and management of individuals with severe neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) due to dementia. These individuals are often uprooted from their familiar environments in long-term care (LTC) or the community and transferred to emergency departments, acute care hospitals, or specialized behavioural units which can further exacerbate NPS. VBM works closely with existing care teams to support pharmacological and behavioural interventions.

VBM has been strikingly effective in reducing the proportion of patients who clearly needed admission to a specialized inpatient behavioural unit by 78%. It represents an innovative model of virtual care designed to assess and manage patients with NPS while they remain in their own familiar environment. VBM is a game changer that can reduce preventable emergency department visits and acute care hospital admissions, which are existing pressures further exacerbated by COVID-19. It also helps patient behaviours become more manageable and thus facilitates acceptance into LTC for those in the community and acute care. Moreover, VBM is a scalable model of novel virtual care that can be adopted worldwide.

These rounds are generously supported by Mrs. Alix and Mr. Jim Arnett and through formal partnership with the Division of Neurology by Alexion, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Grifols, Novartis, Paladin, Roche, Sanofi Genzyme, Sunovion, Teva and UCB.