Dear Colleagues,

I want to start by acknowledging the hard work you are doing. From large centres, like Markham, Scarborough, Ottawa and Toronto, to rural settings, like Red Lake, Thunder Bay and Fort William, and in communities across the province, getting flu vaccines done is just one example of your dedication to the health of Ontarians. The value of what we do in family medicine has never been so clear.

At the OCFP, we take every chance to highlight how family doctors across Ontario have been stepping up to the plate in a big way during the COVID pandemic. So, stay tuned – as a part of a public campaign in the coming weeks we plan to share your inspiring stories about the care you are providing, and we will need your help.Our offices are open!

Family doctors didn’t stop working and it is important that the public, our patients, and the healthcare system know that we’re here providing care – by phone, video, email or in person! One of our colleagues said it best: “I may be working differently, but I never stopped working”.

Please check out our info-sheet here, watch for it on social media, and share widely to get the word out. Thanks to AFHTO and the SGFP for their partnership, and to Dr. Jane Charters for providing the wonderful photos. Some of you may have also seen the similar-themed OMA campaign.

We know many of our patients love virtual visits but others may still not be comfortable with them. Here’s a Q&A to share with patients to help them navigate our new world of virtual care. For more in-depth virtual-care resources, OntarioMD has a list of virtual tools with peer support and considerations for using them.

We are working to better understand the barriers and opportunities you face with virtual care, including by partnering on this Women’s College Survey. Please take about 10 minutes to share your views. The survey closes on Nov. 27 and you may enter to win a gift card for participating.

Flu and flu vaccines

We know flu supply and distribution continue to be issues. In our discussions, the ministry is aware of these challenges and indicates that the supply continues to come in. We continue to advocate that this is critical so that patients can get their flu shot in a timely way.

Here are links to flu resources from the OCFP and the CEP. MyFluShot.ca is a flu shot locater and booking service available for free this flu season. You can integrate it in your EMR to help with booking, reminders and managing inventory.

Grade 7/8 vaccinations

Thank you for your feedback about school-based vaccinations. We heard that the provision of these vaccinations varies by local public health unit. Many public health units have reached out to inform the public and family doctors about how and when they will provide catch-up clinics for these vaccines. If you aren't sure what is happening in your area, please contact your public health unit to find out more.

More timely and practical resources

Register for our next COVID-19 Community of Practice, Friday Nov. 13, 8-9 am ET, held in partnership with the UofT Department of Family & Community Medicine. We share practical tools to help you support patients with COVID and stay up to date with the evolving guidance. Panelists Dr. David Kaplan, Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon and Dr. Payal Agarwal will join moderator Dr. Tara Kiran and me.

A useful new Maternal-Neonatal COVID-19 Pregnancy Care Guideline has been created by the Ontario Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health.

We know you are seeing an increase in the mental health burden amongst your patients. Check out the resources on this page of our COVID-19 repository for some supports in this challenging area.

Upcoming CPD

There’s still time to register for the OCFP’s Nov. 11, noon (ET) webinar, with Dr. Sid Feldman and Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, on the application of LTC fracture prevention recommendations. There is no cost to attend this program, which is certified for up to one Mainpro+® credit.

Registration is opening soon for the OCFP’s Family Medicine Summit (the former Annual Scientific Assembly - ASA) – Jan. 30 to Feb. 27, 2021. We’ll be offering live-stream events, panel discussions and on-demand sessions. Watch for regular updates on topics and speakers – please check back for the latest information. 

I know you are all doing your best in this challenging time, and on behalf of the OCFP, thank you for showing the value of family physicians in all corners of the province. 

Liz