Our health-care system relies on the accessibility of quality primary care, often serving as patients’ initial point of contact. It's the foundation of our system and this past week we celebrated World Family Doctor Day.
Yet we face a precarious situation with primary care in Ontario. Data shows that as many as 2.2 million Ontarians are without a family physician. And with family physicians logging greater than 19 hours of weekly administrative work, it's no surprise that fewer graduates are choosing family medicine as a career. That’s why a key focus of our Prescription Progress Report 2023 will be addressing the primary care crisis.
Despite these challenges, I've been encouraged to see the support for family medicine across all specialties – exemplifying our interconnectedness. We do not practice in isolation.
Member spotlight
I toured the Brampton Civic Hospital, a 600-bed community hospital in one of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario. I met with physicians who are doing incredible work with the elderly, such as:
Dr. Mohamed Abu-Abed – family physician/hospitalist. As the chair of the OMA’s Section on Long-Term Care and Care of the Elderly. Dr. Abu-Abed has been a tireless advocate for better conditions for seniors in LTC
Dr. Sudip Saha – geriatrician. With his colleagues on the acute care of the elderly ward, this group has instituted the revolutionary butterfly model of care, targeting the emotional state of seniors with dementia
Dr. Vikram Kapoor – hospitalist. Dr. Kapoor developed channels whereby elderly patients from LTC would receive urgent outpatient investigations while avoiding the emergency department
Speaking at the OMSA AGM, I was incredibly impressed with the students who were engaged and asked thoughtful questions that belied their experience in years. I left feeling confident in the future of our profession.
Talk with Andrew
I have had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with many of you. I am grateful for your time engaging with me and sharing your experiences. Please continue to reach out; I am here to listen.
Video outlines negotiations process, take member survey
A new video explains the negotiations process step-by-step. This walkthrough outlines the key elements as the OMA prepares to negotiate the Physician Services Agreement with the ministry.
The video explains the member engagement and consultation process, how proposals and the mandate are developed, and the key milestones and timelines along the negotiations journey.
Additionally, a presentation version of the video is available under the Resources section of the 2024 negotiations web page.
Also, a reminder that members have until Wednesday, May 31 to take the negotiations-focused Ipsos survey. Those who have not received it and wish to participate can request a link from the negotiations team.
The OMA will release its Prescription Progress Report 2023 next week, identifying actions taken by the provincial government over the past 18 months related to the 87 recommendations in Prescription for Ontario: Doctors’ 5-Point Plan for Better HealthCare. The report also highlights the OMA’s most immediate priorities moving forward. Though progress has been made and the OMA’s influence is being felt, a great deal more needs to be done. Cracks in the health-care system that were exposed by the pandemic remain. To view the progress report, visit OMA.org on May 31.
Apply for Ontario Health funding.Funding opportunities are available for Ontario Health Teams and Indigenous health-care organizations to support online appointment booking projects, remote care management and surgical transition programs.
For online appointment booking, first-time applicants are eligible to receive up to 12 months of funding, while past recipients that received one year of funding in fiscal year 2022-2023 are eligible to apply for up to one year of funding at 50 per cent of the licensing cost. Past recipients that have received two years of funding are not eligible.
For remote care management and surgical transition programs, which aim to enhance patient self-management and recovery, reduce the risk of re-admission, and emergency room visits, one-time funding during fiscal year 2023-2024 is also available.
Stay alert for invasive Group A streptococcal disease.An increase in invasive Group A streptococcal disease cases has been observed in all age groups in Ontario compared to previous seasons. The highest incidence rates have been reported in children ages zero to four and adults aged 65 and older. Members are advised by the Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe to be on the alert for iGAS in patients who present with illnesses compatible with non-invasive GAS infection such as strep pharyngitis, impetigo, scarlet fever and cellulitis. A memo issued by ACMOH outlines actions physicians should take to assess, test, manage, educate and support patients. Read the ACMOH memo.
OMA announces scholarships for Rotman MBA program. The OMA, in partnership with Rotman School of Business, will offer five, $10,000 scholarships to members for Rotman’s Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and Life Sciences program. All members who apply for the GEMBA-HLS program will be considered for the scholarship. The program provides the skills, knowledge and network members need to drive transformative health-care system changes that benefit Ontario’s doctors and patients. Learn more about Rotman’s GEMBA-HLS program.
The evolution of treating concussions. Traumatic brain injury can happen suddenly with long-lasting effects. Treating such injuries, specifically concussions, has evolved over the years. In this online exclusive the McMaster Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation connect with Hamilton-based physician Dr. Angela Carol, a specialist in treating post-concussion syndrome, discussing outdated methods of treatment and how the field has shifted to better serve patients suffering from TBI injuries. Read the full article.
Events
Share digital health knowledge.OntarioMD is accepting submissions for its OMD Educates: Digital Health Conference 2023 to be held on Sept. 28 at Beanfield Centre in Toronto. The conference agenda features various topics including integrating existing and future innovative technologies with EMRs and leveraging cybersecurity, data retention and business continuity plans. Digital health organizations will also have an opportunity to present innovative solutions to attending clinicians. Those interested in presenting can submit an abstract for consideration by Wednesday, May 31. Review submission details. Register for digital health conference.
Protect patient data properly.Gain valuable insights into safeguarding patients’ personal health information at the OMD Educates webinar, Understanding the Role of the Health Information Custodian. OMD’s General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer Ariane Siegel will discuss safely transferring records between HICs, using technology effectively and fulfilling the HIC’s role amidst complex practice dynamics. This session, which takes place on June 14 from noon-1 p.m., will empower participants and foster understanding. Questions and engagement are encouraged. Secure a webinar spot now.
Streamline practice documentation. Members looking to find efficiencies in managing messages, forms and charting in an increasingly complex practice environment are invited to join the Taming Documentation: Messages, Forms and Charting webinar, part three of the Optimizing Practice Efficiency webinar series. Presented by Dr. Mark Dermer, an expert in practice management, the webinar will take place on June 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. Sign up for the documentation webinar.
Members can save up to $6,000 when leasing, financing or purchasing any new 2022, 2023 or 2024 Audi vehicle. Explore the Audi Canada offer.
Search for recommended service providers.Finding competent and reliable service providers for a clinic can be difficult and time consuming. Now members can do so easily using the Advantages Practice Support Directory, an updated and simplified version of OMA eMarketplace. The directory includes recommendations from colleagues. Access the practice support directory.
Please note that this survey response will not be anonymous. It will be linked to your member account with OMA, and the data will be used for quality assurance purposes by the OMA team. You are not required to participate. Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement:
