Colleagues,

I hope your October has included a few of those beautiful Ontario fall days. I have no doubt this month is a busy one in your practices. We have heard from many of you about the significant challenges keeping up with patient requests for the flu vaccine given the limited supply. At the same time, we have been hearing about innovative ways that you are providing flu vaccines and managing all aspects of patient care.

My message today includes new resources – notably about the flu - to help you in your day-to-day practice as well as updates on our advocacy efforts on behalf of family doctors. 

Top 10 questions about flu

• Check out this one-pager of top 10 flu questions and answers, raised by family doctors at last week’s Community of Practice, held by the OCFP and UofT’s Department of Family and Community Medicine – mark your calendar for the next CoP session on Nov. 13, 8-9 a.m. More details to come soon.

New flu resources

• This new resource from the CEP has practical information on flu vaccination as well as tips for planning flu clinics, including in-office and curbside/drive-through.
• This OMA resource provides key details on the flu, including billing information for flu vaccination.
• The Cold Standard Choosing Wisely toolkit addresses the challenges of managing RTIs this cold and flu season, with consideration of COVID-19, including: when to test, when to prescribe antibiotics, and when to see a patient in person.

Practical tools for managing chronic illness during COVID

• Managing post-acute COVID in primary care: this helpful BMJ article, with accompanying infographic, includes guidance for managing patients with chronic COVID.
• This CEP tool covers ways to adapt care for type 2 diabetes during COVID, and the CEP now offers academic detailing visits on type 2 diabetes to answer questions about new medications and providing care to patients during the pandemic.

Pause of Grade 7/8 immunization program for Hep B, meningitis, and HPV

• Many of you confirmed after my last message that you are getting calls from patients due to the decision by public health to pause these school immunizations. The lack of collaboration with primary care on this decision is unacceptable, and we have brought this to the attention of the ministry. We are advocating for communication to the public that there is no rush to give these vaccinations now and a need for public health to provide catch-up clinics in the spring.

Use of attestation forms

• We have asked the ministry to make prominent the OMA’s attestation forms for return to school/work – both in its guidance materials and communications with the public. We continue to reinforce messages, as per the ministry’s recommendations, that family doctors do not need to be involved in clearance notes, attestations, or consultations.

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) update

• FIT testing is now expanded to eligible people at average risk for colorectal cancer. Ontario Health (CCO) is asking family doctors not to batch-fax requisitions and to consider local COVID trends/diagnostic capacity before initiating screening. If you have questions or want further information about resuming cancer screening, please contact [email protected].

Virtual care and the importance of continuity

• See my published letter to the editor of the Globe and Mail, in response to a new Loblaws ‘points’ program that ties loyalty rewards to connecting people to virtual care services. We believe virtual care is important but needs to be tied to a longitudinal relationship with a family physician.

Long-term care

• The OMA has developed Providing Care in Long-Term Care Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic to help explain the rights and obligations of family doctors working in LTC and who provide in-person care.
• The OCFP will host a CPD session on Nov. 11, focused on osteoporosis and fracture prevention in long-term care. There is no cost to attend this webinar delivered by Dr. Sid Feldman and Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou.

Family Medicine Forum

There is still time to register for the CFPC’s Family Medicine Forum, happening Nov. 4 – 7. Be sure to stop by the OCFP’s virtual booth!  

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I am inspired by your commitment to your patients and how family doctors across the province continue to step up throughout the pandemic. At the OCFP, our efforts are focused on supporting you and making your workday better. We value your feedback and suggestions so please reach out to us.

With gratitude,

Liz