Monday, September 21, 2026
Health Sciences North’s commitment to improving stroke care in northeastern Ontario is the focus of a newly published research protocol outlining an innovative model designed to bring timely, interdisciplinary assessment directly to patients.
Published in JMIR Research Protocols, the paper describes the implementation and evaluation of the MOTIVE Team — Mobile Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke With Adaptive Workflow, an interdisciplinary mobile stroke service operating across HSN’s Emergency Department and inpatient units.
The goal is simple but significant: help the right patients receive rapid medical and functional assessments, support earlier decision-making and discharge planning, and ensure patients continue to receive the specialized care they need.
At HSN, approximately 425 patients present to the Emergency Department each year with suspected transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. The research team identified opportunities to improve patient flow and access to interdisciplinary stroke expertise, particularly for patients with TIA or minor stroke who may not require a prolonged hospital stay.
The MOTIVE Team is designed to bring stroke expertise to the patient, rather than requiring every patient to follow the traditional pathway.
Led by a stroke neurologist, the team includes an advanced practice physiotherapist, stroke nurse, occupational therapist, and reactivation worker. Together, they provide coordinated medical and functional assessments and help determine the most appropriate next steps for each patient.
For eligible patients in the Emergency Department, this could mean assessment and discharge on the same day when it is safe and appropriate. The team will also support patients with stroke who are receiving care on non-stroke units, helping ensure they have timely access to specialized interdisciplinary assessment and rehabilitation planning.
Another important component of the innovative model is improved access to diagnostic imaging. Through collaboration with HSN’s Medical Imaging department, the MOTIVE model includes dedicated MRI scheduling to help speed up diagnostic decision-making for eligible patients.
The project will evaluate whether the model can reduce hospital admissions, decrease hospital length of stay and improve patient flow, while maintaining patient safety through measures such as 30-day readmission rates. Patient and caregiver experiences will also be an important part of the evaluation.
The protocol was authored by HSN and NOSM University researchers and clinicians Venkadesan Rajendran, Chantal Liddard, Lisa Zeman, Susan Bursey and Dr. Ravinder-Jeet Singh.
As the MOTIVE model is implemented and evaluated, the findings could help inform the model of care for stroke in other parts of northeastern Ontario and in other regions.
Read the published research protocol:
JMIR Research Protocols: MOTIVE Team