Doctors helping doctors – new tools to help match demand with availability
Two online tools are available to help doctors go where they are most needed to fight COVID-19: the BookJane App and the Ontario government’s new Health Workforce Matching Portal. Both are designed to match supply and demand. Doctors may use either or both; there is no cost to physicians for using either. The aim of both tools is to allow doctors to help other doctors. The tools are meant for those with additional time to spare or those looking for full-time temporary placements. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and assessment centres need to register to access the profiles of all doctors registered on either tool.
These tools, and others, offer physicians choice. It’s all about connecting doctors and facilities and clinics in the way that best works. Since launching late Friday (April 3), more than 1,500 doctors have registered through the BookJane mobile app. The government’s web-based portal was launched Tuesday (April 7). Thank you to all who have signed up. For those who haven’t registered, and have some availability, please check out the online tools. The time you can volunteer is much needed and appreciated.
Learn more about the BookJane app and the government’s Health Workforce Matching Portal.
Please encourage facilities to sign up.
Feedback is always welcome at info@oma.org.
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PPE & Other Critical Supplies
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Reprocessing personal protective equipment (PPE)
The Deputy Minister of Health issued a memo Sunday asking stakeholders to save used personal protective equipment for potential reuse, following a request from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Public Health Ontario has also released a summary of published literature and scientific grey literature about the reuse and decontamination of PPE. In addition, Ontario Health released recommendations on the use and conservation of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, including extended use and reuse, and collecting used PPE for potential re-processing. Given that supplies are running low and appropriate conservation can only prolong the impending shortage of PPE for so long, it may be necessary to consider reprocessing.
Access the Deputy Minister’s memo.
View the Public Health Ontario summary COVID-19 – What We Know So Far About…Reuse of Personal Protective Equipment.
View the Ontario Health document Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Launch of Ontario Virtual Care Clinic
The Ontario Virtual Care Clinic was launched at 8 a.m. Friday (April 3) but unfortunately has received only 55 referrals from Telehealth Ontario. OntarioMD is continuing to work with all partners including OTN, Novari and Telehealth Ontario. Until the Telehealth Ontario referrals increase, we have made the difficult decision to scale back physicians’ shifts. The OMA and OntarioMD are working hard to provide a solution that responds to the availability of physicians to provide virtual care and the number of patients.
Palliative care webinar
The Section on Palliative Care hosted a webinar Tuesday to discuss planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. An overview was provided by Dr. Meera Dalal-Burns, a member of the section, and the provincial clinical co-lead of the Ontario Palliative Care Network, Dr. Robert Sauls, followed by a panel discussion and question and answer period, featuring CEO President Dr. Sohail Gandhi and Dr. Risa Bordman, a family physician in Toronto with an interest in palliative care.
Read about Planning for Palliative Care during the COVID-19.
Watch the Webinar recording.
CPSO direction regarding patient access to COVID test results
The OMA’s understanding of this system is that ordering physicians do not have visibility into whether the patient has viewed their COVID test result or not. Regarding the professional expectation for ordering physicians to follow up with patients on test results of importance, the CPSO has advised the OMA that: “Given the significance of the test result and the imperative that the patient isolate, it is not appropriate to rely on patients to check the portal on their own accord." Therefore, ordering physicians still have a duty to follow up with patients regarding their COVID-19 test results. It is essential that patients with a positive result be notified directly as soon as possible. The college noted that members may wish to prioritize communicating positive results first.
The CPSO has updated its COVID-19 FAQs with this information.
Temporary Section 56 exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Health Canada has issued a temporary section 56 exemption under the CDSA to facilitate the continuation of patient care. The exemption is in place only during the COVID-19 pandemic. It permits prescribers to issue verbal orders (i.e. over the phone) to extend or refill prescriptions for controlled substances. The exemption also permits pharmacists access to controlled substances and enables them to renew, extend, refill and/or adapt prescriptions, to transfer prescriptions to other pharmacists and to accept verbal orders from prescribers.
For the purposes of this exemption, adapt means to change a patient’s prescription dose, regime or dosage form of the prescribed drug, the de-prescribing of the prescribed drug, or the partly filling of the prescription, but does not include therapeutic substitution. Pharmacists are expected to collaborate with the prescriber or primary care provider before adapting. If collaboration is not possible, to maintain continuity of care for the patient, pharmacists may proceed with the adaptation and notify the prescriber within a reasonable time. When adapting or renewing, the quantity prescribed/dispensed cannot exceed the lesser of the amount originally authorized, or six months.
Drug shortages
The OMA is engaging the federal and provincial governments, pharmaceutical companies and the Ontario Pharmacists Association on shortages of Tier 3 drugs. Tier 3 shortages are those that have “the greatest potential impact on Canada’s drug supply and health-care system.” There are 10 pharmaceuticals on the list, including drugs used for critical care and palliative care. The OMA is looking to help find and advocate for solutions, including where stockpiles may exist that can help ease critical shortages. Additionally, the federal minister of health signed an interim order of drug shortages on March 30th that might may help by allowing certain drugs that do not meet full regulatory requirements but meet comparable standards to be imported into Canada. An interim order is one of the fastest mechanisms available to address large-scale public health emergencies, without following the usual regulatory processes. The OMA will keep you posted as we learn more.
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Managing Your Practice During COVID-19
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COVID-19 federal support programs for physicians
The OMA hired MNP, one of Canada’s leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firms, to develop a physician guide to the various supports and incentives being made available by the federal government. You can download it here.
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PHP video on stress and anxiety
We are all feeling increased stress and anxiety due to the unprecedented challenges created by COVID-19. What can you do to manage the impact on your physical and mental health? PHP Medical Director Dr. Joy Albuquerque provides tips on how to cope with stress caused by COVID-19. Watch her short video.
PHP doubles number of virtual drop-in chats
The Physician Health Program has doubled the number of its virtual chat sessions for physicians to support one another during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded them to include residents. The sessions are held by Zoom from 8-9 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. every weekday. They are facilitated by Dr. Kasra Khorasani, a University of Toronto professor with expertise in group therapy. Learn more, including how to attend.
WORTH REPEATING
- CBC hosting series of frontline heroes
The OMA is working with the CBC and asking members to nominate fellow doctors. Selected stories will be shared on CBC-TV, radio and online in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. Thank you to those who have sent us your nominations – we would welcome more. It’s important to recognize the incredible work and dedication of our doctors at this time. Hopefully, you will see some of your colleagues and friends highlighted on the CBC in the upcoming weeks.
Send us your videos and stories so we can celebrate our fellow doctors during this crisis at HealthcareHero@oma.org. Meet some of the first heroes chosen.
Special offers and discounts for physicians
Many of the corporations the OMA works with through the Advantages group, as well as new corporate partnerships, have offered significantly discounted products or services to health-care professionals. Access the full list of offers:
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