Toronto – July 12, 2021 – NexJ Health Inc. (NexJ Health), a provider of advanced virtual care solutions for chronic disease prevention and management, is proud to announce the launch of a personalized health coaching program for the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo. In this pilot research program, personalized health coaching through the NexJ Connected Wellness platform will be delivered to patients with glaucoma in addition to their regular clinic visits with Optometrists. 

The School of Optometry and Vision Science is a world-renowned center for optometric education, vision science research and clinical care. The aim of the collaboration between NexJ Health and the University of Waterloo Optometry is to determine if personal health coaching is an effective adjunct to support patients with glaucoma. Patients participating in the program will be recruited from the Ocular Health Clinic in Waterloo. 

The health coaching program will promote healthy living, and chronic disease prevention and management with a specific focus on glaucoma. Patients in the program will be matched with a NexJ Health Coach after completing a comprehensive assessment on health status and healthy behaviors. Health coaches will connect with patients through NexJ Connected Wellness weekly to promote best practices for eye care, medication adherence, address common questions and adverse medication reactions. Health coaches will also support participants with other health-enhancing behaviors such as exercise, healthy eating and stress management. The delivery of personalized messages and social support through forums will reinforce the weekly health coaching.  

NexJ Health will also work with the School of Optometry and Vision Science to develop educational content on eye health. The patients will have access to these evidence-based materials through structured workbooks and the Health Library on NexJ Connected Wellness. 

“At the School of Optometry and Vision Science, we’re committed to providing Canadians with the best eye and vision care,” said Dr. Stanley Woo, Director, School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo. “Collaborating with NexJ Health to deliver health coaching through their evidence-based platform is a unique opportunity for us to improve glaucoma care and increase patient satisfaction.” 

Glaucoma is one of the primary causes of irreversible blindness in Canada. The eye disease is estimated to affect over 400,000 Canadians, and the direct costs of vision loss from glaucoma are estimated to be $300 million annually.1 Even though there is no cure for glaucoma, the progression of the eye disease can be managed. Using NexJ Connected Wellness, the health coaching program aims to educate patients about glaucoma, improve drug treatment adherence, enhance care coordination, and improve patient outcomes. 

“NexJ Health’s personalized health coaching encourages participants to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors including medication adherence, regular exercise and healthy eating,” said Dr. Noah Wayne, Vice President of Clinical Programs at NexJ Health. “Our program with the School of Optometry and Vision Science will provide much needed additional support for patients with glaucoma, provide care coordination, monitoring and coaching to help improve the overall quality of life.” 

With the implementation of the health coaching program on NexJ Connected Wellness, the School of Optometry and Vision Science can further help address the public health challenges associated with glaucoma amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

About NexJ Health Inc. 

NexJ Health Inc. is a provider of patient-facing population health management solutions that deliver patient engagement for chronic disease prevention and management. At NexJ Health, we believe that the most efficient and cost-effective way to offset the rise in chronic disease is to empower patients, with the support of their families, friends, and healthcare professionals, to actively participate in managing their own chronic condition(s). By engaging patients through NexJ Connected Wellness, we help to achieve healthcare’s quintuple aim: improve the patient experience, improve population health, lower the per capita cost of care, increase provider satisfaction, and deliver business efficiency. For more information about NexJ Health visit www.nexjhealth.com, e-mail info@nexjhealth.com, or call 416-227-3700. 

About the School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of Waterloo 

At the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science (WOVS), we’re helping people see.  

The University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science is a world-renowned centre for optometric education, vision science research and clinical care. As Canada’s only English-language Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, WOVS graduates practice in communities across Canada, ensuring all patients receive the highest level of eye and vision care. 

In its most recent strategic plan, the University of Waterloo has pledged to lead globally at the interface of society, health and technology. To meet this goal, the School of Optometry & Vision Science is currently amid a $50 million campaign to create the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI) – Canada’s foremost eye and vision care centre. The WEI will harness innovative research with direct applications to patient care to help address the growing vision care crisis – giving patients the right care when they need it most. 

1 Glaucoma Care for Adults. Health Quality Ontario. https://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/documents/evidence/quality-standards/qs-glaucoma-qs-en.pdf

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