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Happy National Physicians Day

Monday, May 1, is National Physicians Day. 

Here at Doctors Manitoba, we strongly believe physicians should feel valued and appreciated each and every day. Today, we are taking the opportunity to say thank you on behalf of our staff, our families, and everyone else in Manitoba. Your job couldn’t be more important, and it is truly our privilege to support and strengthen the doctors of Manitoba, every step of the way.

Please watch this one-minute video, with a message of gratitude from our CEO Theresa Oswald and the staff at Doctors Manitoba.

National Immunization Awareness Week

There is a decreasing trend of Meningococcal C (Men‑C) vaccine coverage in children born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 across all regions in Manitoba with the largest impact in rural regions. Since the first dose of the Men‑C vaccine is typically administered with the first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine during the 12-month well child visit, it is likely that the vaccine coverage for MMRV vaccine in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 birth cohorts are also low.

“We’ve all missed a lot over the last few years, and that includes many long-used, routine vaccines,” said Dr. Candace Bradshaw, President of Doctors Manitoba, as she encouraged Manitobans to catch up on missed immunizations. 

Public Health will be sending out reminder letters to parents and families who appear to have a child who is overdue for immunizations. It is likely that these parents and families will turn to their primary care providers for more information on how or where to receive catch-up immunizations for their children.

“We all know about the importance of routine childhood immunizations,” explained Dr. Davinder Singh, Medical Officer of Health and Medical Lead for Vaccines with Manitoba Health. ​“Unfortunately, many children missed their routine immunizations during the pandemic. We need to catch those children up to prevent outbreaks from vaccine preventable diseases, like invasive meningococcal disease, measles, and pertussis.”

We have worked with Public Health on a checklist to help physicians prepare for catching patients up on immunizations, particularly children. Implementing these steps will enable parents and families to be informed about the vaccines their child needs, and access vaccines that will protect them from serious illness.

Join us at our Annual General Meeting • May 11 at 6:30 PM

Please join us in-person or virtually for our AGM. The event features a fireside chat with Senator Dr. Gigi Osler, updates from President Dr. Candace Bradshaw and CEO Theresa Oswald, and an important vote on changes to our by-laws that are intended to make Doctors Manitoba more inclusive, representative of members, and improve how members are consulted about decision-making. Learn more and register now.

Enriched Academy Financial Wellness Pilot

We are excited to announce our just-launched partnership with leading financial education provider Enriched Academy. We understand physicians spend so much time to advance their skills and care for patients but may not find the time to improve skills like financial management. This opportunity is not a sales-pitch by a particular financial provider, but rather general advice about your financial well-being.

We kicked off the new pilot program with an entertaining and informative livestream on 8 Factors to Better your Financial Wellness. You can watch a video of the session HERE.

Stay tuned for more great livestreams. In the meantime, you have an opportunity right now to gain free access to the complete online learning platform available from Enriched Academy. We will be running a trial program using this platform and we are looking for 30 individuals who would like to take part. If you are interested and would like to put your name into the draw for spots, please fill out this form: Doctors Manitoba Financial Wellness Pilot. There are only a few spots left!

Enriched Academy’s comprehensive video-based online resource covers all the essentials of money management and includes powerful analytical tools to really dig into your finances. If you would like more information about the Doctors Manitoba Pilot program or have questions about any of their learning resources, feel free to reach out to Enriched Academy directly at: support@​enrichedacademy.​com

Nurse Therapist Opportunities with Physicians at Risk

Doctors Manitoba recently successfully advocated for more resources to support physician health. Doctors Manitoba is looking for two nurse therapists to enhance and diversify the existing services through the Physicians at Risk program. Please encourage those you think would provide excellent service to all Doctors Manitoba members to apply.

Medical Group Management Professional Development

The Medical Group Management Association of Canada is inviting clinic managers, administrative staff and directors of group medical practices to attend the MGMAC Regina: 2023: Next Level Leadership professional development conference. The program suits all levels of experience and all clinic sizes. Attendees can expect to make meaningful, long-lasting connections with other managers who can support you, learn from presentations and discussions designed just for you in your role as a clinic leader, meet suppliers of products and services, and return to your workplace with new and practical ideas, insight, and energy.

Review the agenda and get more information.

Physician of the Week — Dr. Jacqueline Gougeon

Dr. Jacqueline Gougeon is a proud Métis family physician who provides low-risk obstetrical & newborn care. She is proud to provide French language care to newcomers arriving from French-speaking countries. She eagerly partnered with Doctors Manitoba and Well Doc Canada to create a Physician-to-Physician Peer Support Team for the Department of Family Medicine. Colleague and friend, Dr. Isabelle Paquin is inspired by Dr. Gougeon’s commitment to teaching and clinical practice and says Dr. Gougeon​“truly exemplifies the dedication, compassion and selflessness of a great family physician.” Read more about Dr. Gougeon and other Physician of the Week recipients.

Health System Updates

COVID and Respiratory Updates

Manitoba Public Health produces a weekly report on respiratory viruses. 

COVID-19 activity in week 16 was similar to the previous week. The number of reported cases decreased in the last week, and the number of COVID-19 associated hospital admissions decreased as well. The incidence rate in people aged 80 years and older was similar in the last two weeks. Overall, laboratory detection decreased from the fall of 2022. Older adults continue to have higher risk for COVID-19 infection, associated hospital admissions, and fatalities.

Wastewater surveillance data up to April 20 indicated sustained activity of COVID-19 in Winnipeg and Brandon at lower levels compared to the fall of 2022.

Influenza activity level in week 16 continued to be low at inter-seasonal levels. This week, there were sporadic laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A and B. Overall, influenza activity this season had an early start and also decreased earlier than would be expected.

Other respiratory viruses continue to co-circulate. The RSV detection and testing positive rate in week 16 was similar to the previous week.

Cancer Prevention & Screening Updates

CancerCare Manitoba has some education and resources for physicians:

  • Is your patient fit for FIT? An overview of fecal immunochemical testing for colorectal cancer screening. This webinar will be held Tue, June 30 over noon hour. Register here.
  • HPV Reminders: CervixCheck will be sending notification letters this summer to anyone born in 1997 or later who has not had a dose of the HPV vaccine. CancerCare has planned a webinar on Wed June 14 over noon hour for health professionals about who should get vaccinated and how to get the vaccine. Register here.
  • BreastCheck Clinics are listed online here.
  • Order cancer patient resources for your clinic here

PARIM — Million Miles Run

This year, PARIM’s Outreach Event is going to be joining the Million Reasons Run! Join the PARIM Team today to start running and fundraising for the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital! You set a goal of how many kilometers you want to run throughout the whole month of May. Record your progress and raise funds that will go to helping kids across our province. Sign up by May 1st to join the run, but you can donate anytime throughout the month of May! 

Rachel Bethune, PARIM President and PGY‑3 in Pediatrics, is the Million Reasons Run PARIM Team Leader and has pledged to run 100km throughout May. All Doctors Manitoba Members and Staff are welcome to join the PARIM Team — medical students and attending physicians as well. Let’s all stay active and help our local hospital! Rachel is proud to be a Pediatrics Resident at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. She is incredibly grateful for her training experience at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and has found great joy in working with kids from across the province. She is fortunate to be a part of the team caring for children and is looking for a way to give back to the kids that have brought her such joy and satisfaction in her work. 

DRMB members can also donate to the PARIM Team here.

Register here.

All DRMB members are welcome to join the PARIM Team, the more the merrier! Doctors Manitoba Members — we would love your support. Our fundraising goal is $1000 over the month of May.

Department of Family Medicine Grand Rounds

Primary Care Approach to Physician Well-Being: Moving from managing burnout to cultivating professional fulfillment Thursday, May 4, 2023 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Register here.

Objectives:

  1. Define burnout and related terminology
  2. Review common factors related to burnout and the impact on well-being
  3. Describe measurement of burnout
  4. Present DFM survey results
  5. Explore concepts of professional fulfillment and self-valuation
  6. Outline the organizational approach to Physician Well-Being
  7. Explain the impact of leadership on Physician Well-Being
  8. Discuss and explore next steps for the DFM

Presenters:

  • Dr. Jacqueline Gougeon, BSc, BMRPT, MD, CCFP, IBCLC
  • Dr. Aaron Jattan, MD, MMEd, CCFP (he/​him)
  • Dr. Erica Mondor, MD, PGY 2

Health in the News

Lots in the news this week about health care and medicine. We’ve curated the top stories, to help keep you up-to-date.

Wait Times and Backlog

Burnout Report

Rural and Northern Health Care

Other News

ICYMI

Here are some of our top recent posts, in case you missed them:

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events are always listed on our events calendar.

Featured Events

Leadership for Equity: Expanding Inclusive Medical Culture virtual speaker series

On May 23, we will be hosting Dr. Heidi Janz for her session on Ableism in Healthcare. Dr. Janz’ talk focuses This session will introduce learners to the concept of ableism, that is disability prejudice and discrimination, as endemic to society as a whole, and to healthcare in particular. Click here for more information, and to register for the session.

Recordings are available of the first two sessions in the series:

Connection Event for Black Physicians, Residents and Medical Students | May 4

In partnership with the UM Black Medical Students Association, Doctors Manitoba is hosting a social event for Black Physicians, Residents and Medical Students. Please join us on May 4 from 6:00 – 9:00 for an interactive cooking class being held in-person at The Food Studio on Roblin Blvd in Winnipeg. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and network with other Black physicians and medical learners. 

Seats are limited. Click here for more information and to register!

Other Events:

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