Queen’s University is set to host a panel discussion titled “Integrating Exercise into Primary Care.” Taking place on June 21, beginning at 6:30 pm, the panel aims to connect practitioners from a range of fields to discuss best practices.

“As an organization, our mission is to promote exercise and promote exercise counselling with physicians,” says Andrea Brennan, PhD’18, co-President of Exercise is Medicine Canada at Queen's. “We’ve noticed a major gap in that patients and doctors don’t necessarily know how different specialties can play a role in an overall health plan. Physicians, for example, might not know who to refer to in terms of exercise. The overall goal of this event is to connect all of the specialties that should be involved in treatment and bringing them all together to share their knowledge.”

Katrina D’Urzo, MSc’16, co-President of Exercise is Medicine Canada at Queen's, says the inspiration for the event came from being invited to deliver a presentation at Grand Rounds for the Department of Family Medicine. confusion over the place for physical activity counselling in primary care – as well as the differences between the roles of physiotherapists, certified exercise physiologists and kinesiologists – inspired the group to take action.

“One of the questions we had was, ‘What is a kinesiologist and what is their role in primary care? If I were to refer to a kinesiologist, what are the expectations of them and what information should I know before referring them?’” explains Ms. D’Urzo. “Our mandate is not just to disseminate information about the role of physical activity in health, but also make it Kingston-specific. What we’re trying to do is encourage people within the Kingston community, specifically healthcare professionals, to really engage in these conversations so that those questions aren’t what we’re focusing on so we can focus on the care of patients and clients.”

Confirmed speakers include Sophie Kiwala, MPP for Kingston and the Islands, Jennifer Tomasone (School of Kinesiology and Health Studies), Trisha Parsons (School of Rehabilitation Sciences), Lawrence Leung (Family Medicine) and Susan Yungblut, National Task Force Director for Exercise is Medicine Canada. The event will take place in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies Building (28 Division St.) on Tuesday, June 21, starting at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend and, following the event, there will be a reception held to allow for networking opportunities.

For more information and to register, please visit the event listing or the Exercise is Medicine Canada at Queen’s website.