News - Email NewslettersDate: Monday, January 14, 2011
Subject: NSCFP E-News January, 2011
Dear NSCFP Colleagues:
Welcome to E-News for January, 2011:
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians 2011 Family Medicine Assembly
Mark your Calendars!
Thursday and Friday 2-3 June, 2011
White Point Beach Lodge, Queens County, Nova Scotia
In Conjunction with the DoctorsNS Annual General Meeting
Quality Continuing Medical Education – Stay Tuned For Details Coming To Your Inbox Soon!
12th Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference June 23 - 25, 2011 in Halifax, NS
Supported by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Psychiatric Association
Promoted by the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
As health care providers, how can we listen more effectively to the people we serve? What signs do we need to hear and heed?
Families and supports are the anchors in our lives - how do we include them as partners in the journey to recovery?
How can we walk alongside consumers and families, while guiding and being guided by their stories
As a Family Physician, we invite you to come ponder these questions with us at the 12th Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from June 23 to 25, 2011. Our theme, Charting a New Course to Better Care : Stronger Links between Consumers, Families and Health Care Providers, is intended to showcase several aspects of the triangle of care.
Enabling providers to link collaboratively with consumers and families holds new promise for the future of mental health care
Keynote presentations from the Meriden Family Program which has been promoting the development of family-sensitive, evidence-based mental health services since 1998 with a particular emphasis on the implementation of family work, will present how families, consumers and providers can collaborate effectively and give new direction to mental health outcomes. The new position paper on collaborative mental health care developed by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and College of Family Physicians of Canada's working group will be presented here by Dr. Nick Kates. This is an exciting new chapter in the evolution of collaborative mental health care in Canada.
As we prepare an array of plenary presentations, scientific papers, dynamic workshops, symposia, discussion forums and venues for networking, please also consider how beautiful and inviting Halifax is in the summer time for you and your families to come, visit and stay awhile!
In the meantime, please visit our website, www.shared-care.ca for developing information about the conference. If you have any questions, please e-mail greta@shared-care.ca or phone 902-482-0531.
Click here for the Call for Abstracts. The submission deadline is January 24, 2011.
Submitted by Co-Chairs Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan, CCFP and Ms. Cheryl Billard
Warmest regards,
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Monday, October 18, 2010
Subject: Nightingale EMR in Nova Scotia
Dear NSCFP Colleagues:
The NSCFP would like to provide information to our membership regarding two issues recently discovered regarding the Nightingale Electronic Medical Record System in Nova Scotia.
Currently, there is no system in place for a physician using the Nightingale System to transfer their patient records to a different physical location in Nova Scotia. In other words if a physician wants to relocate from one clinic practice to another the patient data ie: Name, Address, DOB can be transferred, but not their test results or clinical encounter notes. We are aware of at least seven physicians who are presently in this situation and there is no information available on when this will be resolved or how new information added to a patient profile will be merged with the old. The process for transferring patient information was ceased by Nightingale more than six months ago with no solution to replace the process.
In addition, it has been brought to our attention that Microsoft Windows XP will no longer be available for purchase on new computers as of 22 October, 2010. Windows XP is the system Nightingale currently runs on. Nightingale is presently in the testing phase for both the new Windows 7 version along with Internet Explorer 8 and are not able to offer a time frame on when or if their system will be supported.
The NSCFP has been advised that if anyone in our membership has concerns, are planning to relocate, or require an upgrade or purchase of new IT equipment to please contact Primary Health Care Information Management (PHIM) which is a section in the Department of Health at: phimprogram@gov.ns.ca.
Warmest regards,
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Monday, June 14, 2010
Subject: NSCFP June E-News
Dear CFPC Colleagues:
Welcome to the NSCFP June E-News!
NSCFP Annual Scientific Assembly
The NSCFP is looking for your input regarding a new Annual Scientific Assembly in Nova Scotia. We thought rather than send you a formal survey we would simply invite suggestions from our membership on what types of venues, days of the week, time of the year, number of days you would prefer. Better still………tell us what you don't like about other CME events and ASAs you have attended. With revalidation moving across the Country including Nova Scotia in the future it will be even more imperative that there be a variety of quality CME available to our membership. Please email us with your thoughts and opinions as they are always welcome!
Nova Scotia and Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted from an infected blacklegged tick. The earliest symptom is a bulls eye rash that develops at the site of the bite. Other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches may also occur.
Early Lyme disease can easily be treated and cured with antibiotics. Although less common, the disease can lead to more serious illness such as facial palsy, and heart or chronic joint problems if not treated. These complications can also be cured with antibiotics.
Blacklegged ticks can only transmit the bacterial infection after they have been attached to the skin for about 24 hours. Removing ticks as soon as possible can prevent or reduce the risk of infection. Blacklegged ticks can be distinguished from the common dog (wood) tick by size and color. They are brown to reddish orange, lack white markings on their backs and are much smaller than dog ticks.
To date, Blacklegged ticks have been found to be established in three areas of the province: Lunenburg County (Blue Rocks, Garden Lots, Heckman Island and 1st Peninsula as well as the area immediately surrounding them), Admiral's Cove area in Bedford, and Gunning Cove in Shelburne County.
Educational brochures for patients regarding Lyme Disease can be obtained from the Nova Scotia Department of Health or by visiting www.gov.ns.ca/health.
Collaborative Forums in Mental Health
The Canadian Psychiatric Association's CPD Institute has become a leading provider of credible, independently developed education for Canadian mental health care professionals. The program for 2010 will present a concise update of the latest scientific advances across a wide range of psychiatric disorders with a focus on how specialists and Family Physicians can apply this new information to improve patient care. This initiative has the support of The College of Family Physicians of Canada, and is a unique opportunity for Family Physicians and Psychiatrists to network, dialogue, and establish collaborative working relationships in an educational environment. This event will be taking place in Halifax on Friday 25 June at the Halifax World Trade Centre. For more information please visit www.cpa-apc.org.
National Physician Survey
WATCH FOR IT and HAVE YOUR SAY!
NATIONAL PHYSICIAN SURVEY 2010
A Collaboration of the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada
The National Physicians Survey is the single most important research tool in Canada to help inform healthcare policy and practice.
The more Physicians, Residents and Medical Students who reply to the survey the richer the findings and the more influence the outcome can be for healthcare in Canada.
Canada's three largest national health care organizations have announced the 2010 edition of the National Physician Survey (NPS) will be launched later this month as questionnaires and electronic invitations are distributed to physicians across Canada. Surveys of medical residents and students will follow in the fall. A collaboration of the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and The College of Family Physicians of Canada, the NPS is the largest survey of current and future physicians undertaken in Canada, with approximately 90,000 individuals invited to participate this year.
The overall goal of the National Physician Survey (NPS) is to produce a comprehensive database documenting current trends in the physician workforce in Canada in response to both societal and professional changes in education and practice. Unique in its breadth and depth as Canada's primary database on the physician workforce, the NPS is a survey of the total population of physicians in Canada: practicing family physicians and other specialists, as well as medical residents, and all medical students.
The Family Physician and Other Specialist Physician Questionnaires collect information from those in clinical practice as well as other medical fields, e.g. teaching, administration, research. Questions focus on issues such as practice settings, areas of specialization, perspectives regarding patient access to different types of care, satisfaction levels in practice, workloads, types of communities served, how practices are changing, and the roles or impacts of computer technology on the clinical, administrative and educational aspects of practice.
Best regards,
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Thursday, April 08, 2010
Subject: Email Blast
Dear CFPC Colleagues:
Welcome to the NSCFP E-News for April 2010
NSCFP CME Annual Scientific Assembly
Historically the NSCFP in conjunction with it's sister chapters in NB and PEI held an annual combined CME event known as the Conjoint which was held in PEI. The Conjoint offered high quality CME including Mainpro 1 and Mainpro C Accredited Programs. Due to a decline in attendance over recent years, and a costly venue in Charlottetown, the NSCFP would like to revamp the annual CME event and locate it in Nova Scotia.
We invite you to offer any thoughts or suggestions you may have on the venue, location, time of year, number of days you would like to see the annual CME program to take place. This information will be used to create a new and exciting event in Nova Scotia which will be pertinent to our membership.
NSCFP Is Calling For Nominations for 2010 Awards of Excellence – Two Family Physicians
The deadline has been extended to 30 April, 2010 for nominations for two Family Physicians to receive the Award of Excellence. The Award of Excellence recognizes CFPC members who in the past 12-24 months have made an outstanding contribution in a specific area pertaining to one or more of the following areas: patient care, community service, hospital or health care institutions, College activities (National or Chapter), teaching research or other elements of the academic discipline of family Medicine. If you know of a candidate for this award please email the NSCFP with a letter of nomination
Nova Scotia NDP Government – Health Care Costs
Nova Scotia's Finance Minister Graham Steele in the budget speech has advised that they will be going through a process of looking at every corner of health care expenditure and that the government will soon establish a special unit that will try to reduce the amount of money the province spends on prescription drugs. At the top of the list is reviewing academic funding plans as they are due to expire, and agreements with hundreds of the province's medical specialists who also teach at Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax.
DoctorsNS which represents the 2200 practicing Physicians welcomes the review, however want to ensure that physicians are compensated fairly and competitively. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald confirmed that the Government is not interested in reopening the master agreement with the physicians which does not expire until 2013.
Nova Scotia Physicians Streamline Referrals – New Code of Conduct
DoctorsNS is currently developing a new code of conduct for Physicians in Nova Scotia in order to reduce wait times, and improve communication between Family Physicians and Specialists. These clearer rules will outline who contacts whom and with what information to improve patient care. There will be guidelines that if a Specialist believes that they need to see a patient again, that he or she would do so, but they would also inform the Family Physician. It is about identifying expectations and ensuring that everyone is cognizant of the patient. In addition, there will be a Directory of Specialists in the province so Family Physicians don't waste time referring patients to the wrong Specialist. The new code of conduct is expected to be ready in several months.
Nova Scotia Pharmacists to Order Lab Tests
Amendments announced to the Pharmacy Act at the end of March will lead to an expanded role for pharmacists in Nova Scotia. The changes will enable pharmacists to order and interpret lab tests to monitor drug therapy. The amendments will also authorize pharmacists to administer drugs, including vaccines, and will enable community pharmacies to act as possible locations for vaccine clinics if a mass immunization was required. Once the amendments are passed, regulations will be developed. The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists will work on these regulations in consultation with Government, as well as doctors, nurses and dentists.
Joint Endeavor
There is a new Committee which is a joint endeavor by the Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Renal Program, and Cardiovascular Health Program of Nova Scotia. They are developing a province wide approach to improve the detection and follow up of patients with hypertension and they are looking for input from Family Physicians---one rural and one urban. These Family Physicians would serve on the advisory group and would qualify for remuneration through the Nova Scotia Department of Health. For information please contact Lynne Harrigan at lharrigan@avdha.nshealth.ca.
Developing Canada's First National Clinical Practice Guidelines
CAN-ADAPTT (Canadian Action Network for the Advancement, Dissemination and Adoption of Practice-informed Tobacco Treatment) is an initiative funded by Health Canada, designed to inform the development of Canada's first set of national clinical practice guidelines.
CAN-ADAPTT invites you to join the practice-based research network; membership is free and open to all healthcare professionals.
Benefits of joining the CAN-ADAPTT network include opportunities to:
· Access up-to-date clinical practice guidelines on smoking cessation.
· Contribute to the first Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Tobacco Control.
· Connect/collaborate with other health professionals interested in tobacco control/smoking cessation within Nova Scotia and across Canada.
· Exchange knowledge and expertise of better smoking cessation practices with colleagues.
· Access CAN-ADAPTT's discussion board to post questions, receive feedback, disseminate information and resources.
· Receive updates on meetings/conferences and recent scientific articles related to tobacco control.
· Access links to a variety of smoking cessation/tobacco control resources including websites, projects, literature reviews, and articles.
Please visit www.can-adaptt.net to join the network.
Proposal to Doctor's Nova Scotia for New Fees
Dr. Brian Hennen and Dr. Karen Clarke have submitted fundamental arguments via core documents to DoctorsNS for an increase in Family Practice fees for:
1. 18 Month Well Baby Visit
Making use of the 18 month well baby visit to more robustly assess development including cognitive, language, behavior/social development, communication, motor skills. The proposal is for the 18 month well baby visit, currently a well child and immunization visit, to include a focused developmental assessment using screening/surveillance tools with proven reliability and validity for assessment. The recommendation is for the current 18 month well child visit time and fee be doubled to incorporate this developmental assessment.
2. Caring For Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Family Physicians who accept responsibility to provide primary continuing care to this population should be able to spend the necessary time with them to appropriately deal with their communication, behavioral, and complex medical care needs. The expectation is for Family Physicians to provide quality care to this population which they are trained to do and well suited to undertake. However, to provide that care appropriately requires administrative organization, professional development, and more than the usual practice visit time. The recommendation is for the office visit fee for patients with developmental disabilities be increased by 50% to 19.5 units along with comparable increases in the complete assessment code and hospital/nursing/home care visit fee codes.
SAD No More
In the fall of 2010, Dr. Ted Jablonski BSc med, MD, CCFP, FCFP of Calgary plans to take a 4-month sabbatical after 24 years in family medicine to run and cycle across Canada to raise awareness for mental health awareness and particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For the most part, the tour will follow the Trans Canada Highway from west to east and will go through many of the major Canadian cities in all the provinces. The primary purpose of the SAD no more Tour is not fund raising but rather community-based education of physicians and the public and a call to action. Dr. Jablonski expects to have an extensive speaking schedule with the public as well as the medical community across the country, which will garner significant media interest. All this information can be seen on the excellent Tour website - www.SADnomore.ca
A link to a recent feature article in the Ottawa Citizen in March is: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Going+distance/2664615/story.html
We welcome any input you wish to forward on subjects in our E-News bulletins.
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Subject: Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians March E-News 2010
Dear CFPC Colleagues:
Welcome to the NSCFP E-News for March, 2010
New Medical Consent Act And Its Implications to Nova Scotia Family Physicians
The Nova Scotia Justice Department passed an act late in 2009 under the Medical Consent Act which will take effect 01 April, 2010 allowing for someone to be named as a patient's delegate and be empowered to make medical decisions for them when the patient has become incapacitated and has not made this decision in advance. It can involve the Family Physician doing a mental assessment and signing a legal form.
The NSCFP would like to advise its members that here is an accredited Mainpro M1 Seniors Mental Health Tele-CME event taking place this Wednesday, March 3, 2010 addressing assessing capacity which may be helpful when dealing with this issue in the near future once the Medical Consent Act comes into effect on April 1, 2010.
Please see the attached information regarding the CME event for registration information.
Revalidation of Licensure in Nova Scotia
Revalidation of Licensure is defined as a "quality assurance process in which members of a provincial/territorial medical regulatory authority are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their commitment to continued competence in their practice." The purpose of revalidation is to reaffirm, in a framework of professional accountability, that physicians' competence and performance are maintained in accordance with professional standards."
The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada's (FMRAC) position statement was developed with input from the medical regulatory authorities, the Canadian Medical Association, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, and the Medical Council of Canada. It states:
"All Licensed Physicians in Canada must participate in a recognized revalidation process in which they demonstrate their commitment to continued competent performance in a framework that is fair, relevant, inclusive, transferable, and formative."
The Canadian Medical Association's Code of Ethics States:
"It is the responsibility of Physicians to engage in lifelong learning to maintain and improve their
professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes."
Canada has not been keeping pace with other Countries such as the United Kingdom and United States who have already implemented more demanding revalidation mechanisms. Voices for change are now demanding a more transparent and accountable process to uphold professional standards in Canada. Currently, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec have implemented revalidation. The remaining provinces have adopted the policy of revalidation with implementation on their radar. Revalidation programs are sometimes met with initial resistance from physicians, however it is now the expectation of all new graduates. Ultimately, we must be able to assure our colleagues and the public that we are living up to our professional responsibility of self-regulation and protecting the public's trust in our health care system.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia has recently established a subcommittee of the College's governing council to look into revalidation which should be in place by early 2012.
The committee will be overseeing an environmental scan, legislation review, consultation with members, and a comprehensive examination of the professional colleges' (eg. CFPC and RCPSC) maintenance of competence programs / professional development programs.
The subcommittee will make recommendations to Council regarding a plan of action for revalidation. Once the plan is approved, they will provide advance notice to the members. Any plan will be synchronized with the CPSNS annual license renewal process which runs from November to January each year.
The NSCFP will continue to keep you updated as Nova Scotia moves forward with revalidation of licensure.
We welcome any comments or thoughts from our membership.
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010
Subject: NSCFP HONORS AND AWARDS 2010
NSCFP HONORS AND AWARDS 2010
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!
Deadline: 01 April, 2010
The NSCFP is seeking Award nominations for Family Physician of the Year and Awards of Excellence 2010.
Canada's Family Physicians of the Year - Reg L. Perkin Awards 2010
The Family Physician of the Year awards, named in honor of Dr. Reg L. Perkin, CFPC Executive Director from 1985 to 1996, recognize outstanding CFPC family physician members who exemplify the best of what being a family doctor is all about, including exceptional care of patients combined with a significant contribution to the health and well being of communities and/or society in general.
Canada's Family Physicians of the Year may be nominated by their peers for: Providing exceptional care to their patients, Making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of their communities, Dedicating themselves as researchers and educators of future generations of family doctors, Exemplifying the four principles of Family Medicine: they must be skilled clinicians, community-based, act as a resource to a practice population, and recognize the central importance of the doctor/patient relationship
Each of the CFPC's Provincial Chapters will select a Family Physician of the Year for its respective province or jurisdiction. These individuals will be honored at the time of the Provincial Chapter Annual Scientific Assemblies/Annual General Meetings, as well as nationally during Family Medicine Forum (FMF) in Vancouver, BC, October 14 - 16, 2010 at which time they will be presented with the Reg L. Perkin Awards as Canada's Family Physicians of the Year for 2010. Recipients will receive complimentary registration and $1,500 to offset travel and other expenses to attend FMF 2010.
Awards of Excellence 2010
The Awards of Excellence recognize CFPC members who in the past 12-24 months have made an outstanding contribution in a specific area pertaining to one or more of the following areas: patient care; community service; hospital or health care institutions; College activities (National or Chapter); teaching, research or other elements of the academic discipline of family medicine.
Examples include: Charitable or humanitarian work, Outstanding teaching, Excellence in clinical practice, Innovative research program, Leadership during community outbreak of infectious disease, Establishment of training program in family violence, Innovations in developing a new program to address a health care need, Leadership role in a hospital or regional health care program, Development of health care programs in specific areas, eg palliative care.
Recipients of the Awards of Excellence will be recognized by the NSCFP at the Annual Scientific Assembly/Annual General Meeting and/or other Chapter events. The recipients will also be acknowledged during Family Medicine Forum (FMF) in Vancouver, BC, October 14-16, 2010.
CFPC Membership allows funding for a wide variety of recognition for excellence and dedicated service. Over 30 honors, awards, grants and scholarships are presented each year.
Nomination Process
Award Nominations are invited from all CFPC members, Health Care Colleagues, Community Leaders, and Patients.
Please forward nominations using the forms attached with letters of support by 01 April, 2010 to:
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Suite 234 Sunnyside Mall, 1595 Bedford Highway, Bedford, Nova Scotia, B4A 3Y4
Attention: Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Ph: (902) 499-0303, Fx: (902) 457-2584 Eml: admin@nsfamdocs.com Web:www.nsfamdocs.com
Best Regards,
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Subject: Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians E-News
Dear CFPC Colleagues:
Welcome to the NSCFP E-News for February 2010
Physician Assistants
The Physician Assistant movement continues to gain momentum across Canada. Currently Physician Assistants are trained at McMaster University, University of Manitoba, and the Canadian Military. As part of this, increasing interest is being shown for roles of PA's in primary care settings – although there remains a need for greater clarity regarding liability and payment issues, Our College – along with the CMA and Royal College is involved on the PA's National Certification Council helping them develop their standards for National Certification. We are also involved in consulting with their National Organization (CAPA – The Canadian Association of Physician Assistants) with respect to their developing an accreditation system for CPD for PA's.
Recently, the Canadian Nurses Association has expressed concern about Physician Assistants and are not supportive of the CFPC Vision for Collaborative Practice. The Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association (defined as an "emerging area" group with the CAN governance/infrastructure) is however favorable to and supportive of our vision and is not supportive of the more independent Nurse/NP role advocated by their parent body.
The CFPC strongly supports the role of nurses in family practice, including some needed advances in their regulated scopes of practice to enable those appropriately trained to carry out additional services as part of patient centered teams. We do not however support those who advocate for a physician substitution model.
The CFPC has a strong ongoing relationship with CFPNA. Both the Family Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants see themselves as contributing to patient centered care by offering unique skills that would support physicians and their patients. They are not advocating for independent practices or roles that are competitive with physicians. They are not supportive of physician substitution. They define teams and collaboration in ways that are parallel to our own.
We encourage you to let us know your perspectives related to teams, and the roles of office/clinic nurses, nurse practitioners, PA's, pharmacists etc..
The CFPC will continue to monitor and participate actively in the deliberations unfolding nationally regarding teams and collaborative care.
One In Five
Is mental health care a critical component of your practice? If so, you are seeing first-hand that the system to support individuals with mental health concerns is far from strong.
There is currently an initiative underway to inspire government to develop a mental health STRATEGY for Nova Scotia. This is being led by Dr. Nick Delva and our colleagues in the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. If achieved, this strategy will serve to improve the system we have today.
If you are interested in calling for better mental health care in Nova Scotia take a moment to sign your name at www.oneinfive.ca.
Laing House, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Laing House is a peer support organization for youth with mental illness where members can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring and supportive environment. Mental illness affects 1 in 5 people. The first symptoms of severe, chronic forms of mental illness generally appear between the ages of 15 and 24. For those who get help 80% are able to return to their regular activities.
Laing House empowers youth between 16-30 who have a diagnosis of psychosis, mood and/or anxiety disorder through innovative youth engagement and peer support.
A referral to Laing House can be a self-referral, family member, professional in the medical community, social worker, friend, teacher, guidance counselor, coach, or a leader in a community organization. Some of the Laing House programs: supported education program, employment program, independent living program, healthy living program, peer support network, creative arts program, youth speak, hospital outreach, and family support.
Laing house is located at 1225 Barrington Street, Halifax, Phone: 425-9018 or by visiting www.lainghouse.org.
We welcome any input you wish to forward on subjects in our E-News bulletins.
Best regards,
Cathie W. Carroll, Executive Director
Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians