Be Aware Health Care | August 26, 2023

COVID On The Rise Again This Fall But You Should Wait For Your Booster

As Canada faces a potential fall COVID-19 wave, the approach to booster shots is becoming more tailored. Most should wait for specialized vaccines targeting the Omicron variant. Vulnerable individuals, like older adults and the immunocompromised, might benefit from earlier boosters, while a personalized six-month gap between doses is advised for others. This strategy aims to maximize immunity while efficiently delivering both flu and COVID boosters during the same visit.

In This Week’s Email:

Ontario News

1. Enhancing Ontario's Public Health System for Connected Care

2. Back to School Risks | Concerns From Doctors

3. Rural Ontario Faces Emergency Room Closures Due to Doctor Shortage

4. Reducing The Gender Pay Gap for Physicians

Canada News 🇨🇦

1. Addressing More Medical Errors

2. Nursing Staff in Hastings Prince Edward Went on Strike

3. Canada’s Empty Health Care Positions

Ontario News

Enhancing Ontario's Public Health System for Connected Care

The Ontario government is boosting funding for public health agencies to strengthen the healthcare system's accessibility and connectivity. Starting from January 1, 2024, the province is restoring $47 million in annual base funding for public health units. Over the next three years, local public health units will also receive a one percent increase in funding to better plan and prepare. This move aims to create a more connected and convenient public health system, helping communities across Ontario. The province will collaborate with municipalities to establish a sustainable funding agreement. Additionally, investments are being made to enhance emergency care and ambulance services, further ensuring efficient healthcare access for all Ontarians.

Back to School Risks | Concerns From Doctors

As the new school year approaches in Ontario, doctors are highlighting potential issues and solutions. After the pandemic, kids' mental health and academic challenges have surged, along with increased screen time. Dr. Richa Agniholtri, a pediatrician, suggests setting predictable routines to help children overcome these hurdles.

Katherine Matheson, a child psychologist, stresses the importance of face-to-face interactions for healthy brain development. She recommends limiting screen use, especially for young children.

Dr. Vinita Dubey from Toronto Public Health reminds us that although COVID-19 is less of a concern, it's not gone completely. Renewing vaccinations is crucial to prevent issues like long COVID. With fall and winter coming, Dr. Andrew Parks of the Ontario Medical Association warns that respiratory illnesses might increase due to indoor activities and colder weather.

Rural Ontario Faces Emergency Room Closures Due to Doctor Shortage

Emergency rooms in rural northeastern Ontario might close due to a severe lack of doctors, especially as a locum program ends on September 30. This shortage has worsened over the pandemic. In these regions, family doctors handle both clinics and emergencies, unlike big cities with specialized ER doctors. The situation is affecting patient care and causing burnout among physicians. While the Northern Ontario School of Medicine aims to address this crisis, the gap between doctor production and demand remains significant. A sustainable solution involves better working conditions, recruitment programs, and ongoing locum funding. The Ontario Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation and investing in various programs to improve the doctor shortage.

Reducing The Gender Pay Gap for Physicians

A referral system that allows primary care doctors to send patients to specialists with shorter wait times might help narrow the gender pay gap among physicians, says the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). Research revealed male specialists receive more referrals and earn almost 5% more per referral than female specialists. More referrals to male specialists influence their earnings. The OMA suggests a gender-blind, centralized referral system and transparency about wait times could help eliminate referral biases and gender pay disparities. The study highlights the need for policy changes to create a fairer environment for female specialists.

Canada News 🇨🇦

Addressing More Medical Errors

Research shows that the healthcare industry, despite being vital, has high rates of medical errors and accidental deaths. This issue is often overlooked, even though it leads to thousands of preventable deaths each year. The problem lies in a culture of secrecy and lack of accountability. Both the US and Canada have faced this issue, with medical errors leading to unnecessary deaths. One solution proposed is to create a system that exposes poor practices and incompetence, making healthcare more accountable. This involves proper identification of medical errors on death certificates and establishing reporting systems for adverse events. The goal is to encourage a change in medical culture towards stricter standards and accountability.

Nursing Staff in Hastings Prince Edward Went on Strike

Nursing staff at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) went on strike starting on August 21. Although the public health agency's offices remained open, some services were temporarily stopped. Visitors to their offices experienced delays due to the strike. HPEPH aimed to address their staff's concerns while ensuring essential services continued.

Canada’s Empty Health Care Positions

Empty health-care jobs in Canada doubled due to COVID-19, leading to more overtime and sick leave, as per Statistics Canada. A recent report shows the struggles of care providers like nurses and support workers during the pandemic.

In late 2022, a record 95,800 health-care jobs were vacant, up from 40,100 in 2019. Overtime increased from 7 to 8.6 hours weekly. Staff missed about a week more due to illness in 2022. Experts warn of worsening issues if not addressed.

The Canadian Nurses Association's president, Sylvain Brousseau, warns of nurses leaving, risking care quality. Health-care policy professor Steven Lewis calls it a "perfect storm" of a tired workforce. Streamlining tasks could help, say experts. Fixing these problems is vital to prevent more staff shortages and meet rising demands.