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In today’s message you will find:

Celebrate Residents Next Week

Next week is National Resident Doctors Appreciation Week! Doctors Manitoba has a lot planned to show our appreciation for residents, and we invite you to do the same! 

Our president, Dr. Michael Boroditsky, sent a note to residents yesterday, saying ​“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Completing a residency is a challenge. Next week, Doctors Manitoba will be showing our appreciation with treats, events and a contest for resident physicians.”

You can join us in showing your appreciation by sending a resident an eCard through our site. 

Resident Week Events

  • Complimentary notary services @DRMB Bannatyne Tuesday, February 6 from 11am to 2pm and Lunch to the first 30 Residents who drop by!
  • Treats delivered to program-specific sites throughout the week (check the Winnipeg Calendar here, and the Rural/​Northern Calendar here)
  • All Residents will be automatically entered for a chance to win daily prizes and the grand prize on Friday!
  • We will announce the Doctors Manitoba Resident of the Year in the member message at the end of the week!

Making Progress on Admin Burden

Manitoba is being recognized as a national leader on reducing administrative burdens in a report out today from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). The report notes Manitoba, along with Nova Scotia, ​“are leading the way on reducing administrative burdens for physicians, having achieved significantly more progress than the rest of the country.” CFIB recognized Manitoba’s Joint Task Force, established last year by the previous government in response to recommendations from both Doctors Manitoba and the CFIB, which has taken important foundational steps to measure the administrative burdens doctors face, set a target to reduce the burden, and worked with organizations responsible to focus on reducing these burdens. 

“With a record shortage of doctors in Manitoba and physician burnout at an all-time high, we must keep working together to reduce the unnecessary administrative burdens that get in the way of patient care and physician well-being,” said Dr. Randy Guzman, President-Elect of Doctors Manitoba and member of Manitoba’s Joint Task Force to Reduce Administrative Burdens for Physicians. ​“While it is great for Manitoba to be recognized as a national leader on reducing physicians’ administrative burdens, there is a massive amount of work left to do to make a meaningful impact for doctors and their patients.”

The Task Force published their initial progress report last spring, and found:

  • On average, physicians in Manitoba spend 10.1 hours per week on administrative tasks.
  • 44% of the time spent on administrative tasks is considered unnecessary, meaning the administrative task could be eliminated, simplified, or delegated to someone else. 
  • That means 633,000 hours of physician time each year are spent on unnecessary administrative tasks, or burdens. That’s the equivalent of over 1.9 million patient visits per year. 
  • Two thirds of doctors report that the time they spend on administrative tasks has increased over the last 5 years. 

The top contributors to administrative burden include private insurance forms, electronic record systems, health system forms such as ordering test or referring patients for procedures. Third party forms, including everything from MPI and WCB requests, to federal tax benefit forms to sick notes, are also listed as top burdens too. 

Administrative burden is a leading contributor to physician burnout, and a significant factor in physicians’ decisions to retire, leave Manitoba, or reduce their clinical hours. 

The Joint Task Force set an initial target of a 10% reduction in the unnecessary administrative burden, or 63,000 hours per year. Work is underway on meeting that goal, but again that’s an initial goal and more work will be needed. A progress report is expected soon from the Joint Task Force with an update on their efforts to reduce administrative burdens. 

A progress report is expected soon from the Joint Task Force with an update on their efforts to reduce administrative burdens. 

Physicians can continue to submit their concerns and ideas to adminburden@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

You can see some of the early media coverage from today’s update here:

We Need Your Opinion

Our annual physician survey is now underway, and we need to hear from you! This survey is open to all physicians, residents and students.

Complete our survey by February 19, 2024 and you can enter to win some great prizes, such as one of two complimentary Doctors Manitoba memberships (valued at $1,845 each for practicing physicians), or one of two $500 Visa gift cards. This is a thorough survey and should take about 10 – 15 minutes or so to complete.

Dr. Michael Boroditsky, President of Doctors Manitoba, emphasized why it’s important for members to share their views. ​“Over the last few years, feedback through our annual surveys has been invaluable. You’ve helped to set the priorities for Doctors Manitoba advocacy, and your feedback was essential to negotiating the new Physician Services Agreement, the largest in Manitoba’s history. Your feedback makes a genuine difference, and our success is directly attributable to your advice and guidance.”

To complete the survey, you will need your access code. It should be in an email you received from Doctors Manitoba. If you cannot find it, contact us at general@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

There is a lot at stake in the year ahead for physicians and medical learners, and we want to ensure our advocacy and actions are guided by your feedback. Top issues include:

  1. Shaping our recommendations to the new provincial government on the priorities for its first provincial budget.
  2. Addressing the physician shortage.
  3. Understanding future threats and opportunities for the medical profession, such as expanding scopes of practice and artificial intelligence.
  4. Developing our new strategic plan and priorities.
  5. Improving our services and supports for physicians.
  6. Advocating for more supportive work and learning environments for our members.

Your survey responses are confidential and anonymous. You have a unique link so we don’t send you reminders to complete the survey after you have done so, but your responses are never connected to your name and will never be reported in any way that could identify you. Privacy and data security are paramount to Doctors Manitoba. 

Manitobans are Getting Healthy

Last week, we launched the winter edition of our public awareness campaign Getting Healthy at the Assiniboine Park Duck Pond. Our President Dr. Michael Boroditsky was joined by Assiniboine Park Conservancy CEO Ray Karasevich and Anders Swanson of Winnipeg Trails to promote the campaign to local media. CBC, Global News, QCountryFM and CTV helped spread the word. Already, over 13,000 Manitobans have made a pledge towards getting healthy, which enters them a chance to win great prizes! That’s already more than our first campaign last June!

Manitobans are invited to visit Get​tingHealthy​.ca for tips and advice from physicians on the simple steps Manitobans can take towards Getting Healthy this winter. Plus, we’ve created a fun, exuberantly positive contest with a chance to win 6 months of free groceries ($5,000 value) for anyone who pledges to do one thing towards getting healthy this winter. We encourage you to enter too. 

How can you help? Spread the word by:

  • Sharing the campaign on social media.
  • Adding the campaign to your practice or clinic website.
  • Take a photo of yourself doing something to get healthy and share it on social media or send it to us to share on our social media. Any posts should encourage Manitobans to join you in getting healthy this month and invite them to enter our free contest at GettingHealthy​.ca.
  • Posting signs in your clinic or practice about the campaign.
  • Talking about the campaign with your patients.

You can see sample posts and download images to use on this page. Posters have been sent out to dozens of clinics in the province, and should arrive in the next few days. You can request posters by contacting our office at general@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca. You can learn more about the campaign and how to spread the word here.

Our hope is this campaign fills a real need for public awareness information about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, while also reminding Manitobans that doctors care about their health and well-being.

CBTm for Physicians and Medical Learners

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Mindfulness (CBTm) for Physicians and Medical Learners is a set of courses designed to offer education and skills training in evidence-based self-management strategies to support the mental well-being of physicians and medical learners, delivered in a supportive peer environment.Two different course options are included to provide as much flexibility as possible in scheduling and accommodate individual needs. You are encouraged to choose the course option that best fits your scheduling and learning needs.

  1. A set of five 90-min virtual facilitator-led classes. Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30pm, February 28 – March 27 2024 inclusive.
  2. An online self-directed course with five modules, mirroring the facilitator-led classes but offering more scheduling flexibility. 

The facilitator-led program is approved for the MOC accreditation and Group Learning Mainpro+ credits and it is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

The web-based program is approved for the MOC accreditation and Group Learning Mainpro+ credits and it is an accredited Self-Assessment Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of The Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the CPD Medicine Program, University of Manitoba. The University of Manitoba CPD Medicine Program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME).

Group-Based Peer Support Opportunities 

Group peer support brings together people who share a lived or living experience and provides a confidential, non-clinical, supportive space where peers can listen without judgment, share insights, and provide hope and encouragement to one another. For information about current and upcoming peer support groups, click here.

  1. NEW BIPOC Peer Support Group — January 17, 31, February 28, March 27, April 24, and May 29. — Register here to join our new virtual peer support group for medical students, residents, and practicing and retired physicians who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. For more information about the group, click here.
  2. NEW Female Surgeons and Surgical Residents Peer Support Group - February 12, March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 30 — Register here to join our new virtual peer support group for female surgeons and female surgical residents. For more information about the group, click here.

Have you submitted a CEDI Awards nomination for a top EDI changemaker yet?

If you haven’t already considered nominating your top Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) changemakers, now is that time! Recognizing individuals who contribute significantly to diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership roles is a powerful way to highlight their impactful efforts and inspire positive change within organizations. Don’t miss this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate those making a difference. Share this post or tag someone who deserves recognition for their contributions to EDI. Learn more and nominate someone before February 13, 2024.

Health System Updates

New Down Syndrome Resource

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) has launched a new edition of 21 Welcomes, their free resource for new and expecting parents of babies with Down syndrome. 21 Welcomes welcomes new parents to the Down syndrome community with critical information and lived experiences.

CDSS is offering free physical copies of this resource to any medical professional who wishes to have them for families who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome or who have recently welcomed a new baby with Down syndrome to their family.

Orders can be placed by filling out the online form linked here. 21 Welcomes is also available digitally on the CDSS website.

MAID Changes Delayed

The federal government introduced legislation today to delay further changes to MAID, including the expansion of assisted dying to include those suffering solely from mental illness. The proposed delay is until 2027. You can read more about this development in this CBC story. 

CPPHO Report Released

Dr. Brent Roussin has released his semi-annual report on the health status of Manitobans, drawing attention to the role everyone can play. 

In releasing the report, Dr. Roussin noted that ​“As many of us set health goals for 2024, it’s important to remember that being healthy is easier for some than others. The conditions in which we’re born, grow, live, work and age often determine how healthy we are. Factors such as income, not having a family health care provider, inadequate access to healthy food, racism, education and employment can impact a person’s health. We all have the ability to help create the conditions in which everyone has access to opportunities for the highest standard of health. Join me in staying healthy and advocating for the health of others.”

You can read the report here.

This Heart Month, every second counts

February is Heart Month and this year, Heart & Stroke is shining a spotlight on cardiac arrest. New data in our Heart Month Report ​“Every second counts: Transforming resuscitation to restart more hearts” demonstrates that cardiac arrests occurring outside of a hospital setting are much more common than previously estimated. A cardiac arrest — when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating — happens every nine minutes in Canada, outside a hospital setting. It can happen to anyone, at any age and often without warning. And when it happens outside of hospital, it is fatal nine times out of ten. Read the full report here.

Based on polling done by Heart & Stroke in 2023, 35% of people in Manitoba don’t understand that cardiac arrest is different than heart attack. This Heart Month, we ask you to help us raise awareness about cardiac arrest by sharing these messages and graphics through your channels — in social media, newsletters and householders.

  • Only 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This #HeartMonth, learn how you can save a life with @HeartandStroke
  • During CPR and using an AED can double the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. This #HeartMonth, learn how you can save a life with @HeartandStroke
  • CPR is easy to learn and simple to do. This #HeartMonth, learn how with @HeartandStroke.

The Heart & Stroke website has more information about how you can help save a life by doing CPR and using an AED. You can also view a 90 second video on how to use an AED or how to perform CPR.

We’re also hosting a Heart Month webinar ​“Cardiac Arrest: Fast Action Saves Lives” on February 28 @ 11am CST. You can register here.

Gender Affirming Care Research

Chloe Macdonald is recruiting physicians to participate in a qualitative research study that aims to understand physicians’ experiences and perceptions of gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 18. There will be two groups of participants: those who have prescribed gender affirming care and those who have not. For more information, read this Instagram post or email mcdona71@​myumanitoba.​ca.

Tools for a Smoke-Free Life

Last week was National Non-Smoking Week! Do you want to help patients quit with confidence? Visit Tools for a smoke-free life, on Cana​da​.ca to get started!

This page includes:

Real stories from people who have quit smoking

Video resources on the best way to quit smoking and how to make a plan to quit smoking

A link to provincial and territorial services

Tools and support such as a quit plan tool and a quit calculator to see how much money you’ll save. And a link to the self-paced Quit with confidence resource page, which can support you along your quit journey

Children’s Therapy Network – Language Learning Myths

The Children’s Therapy Network of Manitoba (CTNM) is a partnership of school divisions, regional health authorities, and service agencies who provide audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology services to children from birth to 21 years of age. CTNM regional partners are supported by the provincial government departments of Education, Families, and Health. These departments work with regional committees to provide coordinated, regionally based services that allow children to reach their full potential.

One key action that CTNM supports is developing parent materials. Our speech-language pathology clinical best practice group has recently produced a handout Myths and Facts about children with language issues learning two languages. This document will eventually be made available on the CTNM website (https://​gov​.mb​.ca/​f​s​/​c​t​n​m​/​i​n​d​e​x​.html) in a variety of languages, until then it can be downloaded HERE. You are welcome to use this handout in your practice. Any questions about CTNM or this resource can be sent to Heather Skelton, CTNM Research Coordinator (hskelton@​rccinc.​ca).

In Case You Missed It

Here’s our most popular recent posts, in case you missed them:

Transplant Manitoba Quiz Night!

Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life is hosting a fun and entertaining evening of trivia with our friends at Quizmasters this spring and we are inviting you and your organization to join the action.

This fundraising event is an early kick-off to National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW 2024 runs from April 21 – 27) and proceeds will support our continued efforts to raise organ and tissue donation awareness within the community.

For just $10 a ticket (that’s $60 — $80 a table) this signup​for​life​.ca Quiz Night fundraiser offers participants an interactive event alongside our Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life teams, fantastic volunteers and partners to compete over the course of eight rounds of questions about current events, general knowledge, music, visual, speed and of course, organ and tissue donation. At the end of the night, the team with the highest score wins. There will be snacks and prizes!

Details:

  • When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm
  • Where: Garden City Community Centre, 725 Kingsbury Ave. Plenty of free parking in the surrounding lots!
  • How: Pull together a team of six-eight, select a team name and a captain, and have them confirm your table and cash payment before March 1 with Roberta Koscielny, 204−787−1897 or rkoscielny2@​hsc.​mb.​ca. Space is limited, so don’t delay!

It is going to be a fun night and this relaxed evening offers you the opportunity to meet some of our staff and learn more about Leave Well, the latest national awareness campaign launched in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and meet the Orgamites, a CBS resource developed for early learning. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events

Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, increase your awareness, or build leadership skills, we have many sessions planned! You can always review upcoming events on our events calendar page.

Tired but Wired: Tools for Insomnia Relief — February 29, 2024 Time: 7:00 — 8:30 pm

Join us for a virtual interactive workshop focused on practical strategies to help support healthy sleep for Doctors Manitoba members in every career stage. Register here.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review principles and core components of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT‑I)
  2. Understand factors that might predispose medical learners and physicians to insomnia
  3. Identify available resources related to CBT‑I
  4. Explore additional strategies to support healthy sleep

Navigating Your First Home Purchase in Canada- February 21, 2024 — 6 – 7pmCST

A home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime – and it’s a personal one. This early career physician focused discussion with MD Financial Management will equip you with the knowledge to support your home buying decisions and will help ensure the process is as seamless and exciting as possible. Register here.

During this webinar with MD Financial Management we will dicuss:

  • a brief market update 
  • financial considerations for homeownership
  • renting vs. buying
  • investments as a source of financing
  • mortgage considerations
  • what to expect during the pre-approval process
  • choosing an interest rate that’s right for you

DRMB Book Club — March 7, 2024 — 7 — 8pm

A memoir about intergenerational trauma, healing, and connection. Facing up to a story nearly erased by the designs of history, father and son journey together back to the trapline at Black Water and through the past to create a new future. Join us for our fourth virtual book meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 7:00pm – 8:30pm as we read the Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of the year,​“Blackwater” by David A Robertson. We are thrilled to announce that the author will be joining our virtual book club for a Q+A. There will also be a chance for the group to discuss the book and share thoughts. Register Here!

The Doctors Manitoba Physician Health and Wellness committee is committed to providing opportunities for building connection and community in medicine.

Mindful Practice in Medicine Workshop ‑ February 21 — 24, 2024 in Banff

Direct from the renowned University of Rochester, the Mindful Practice in Medicine Core Workshop, developed by physicians to help medical practitioners and educators respond to the erosion of joy in their work, provides an experiential and interactive learning environment. The approach is evidence based – as it lessens the effects of burnout and improves well-being, engagement with work, and patient-centered compassionate care. 

Register for a retreat-like workshop designed to energize your clinical work while helping you find joy and resilience, through honing your self-awareness and deep listening skills that are keys to navigating stressful and demanding situations you face daily. 

Learn how to:

  • Find meaning in your work
  • Effectively manage challenges in clinical work
  • Improve communication
  • Experience clarity and focus
  • Be part of a larger community
  • Be more resilient
  • Listen more deeply
  • Cultivate compassion and gratitude
  • Become more self-aware

Registration deadline is January 21st, 2024. Register here.

Immunotherapy Toxicity — Community Oncology Rounds 2023 — 2024 Webinar — January 24, 2024 8 — 9am

Dr. Vallerie Gordon will be discussing Immunotherapy Toxicity. To join this session, you must register beforehand via Zoom to receive the instructions and link to join the Zoom Webinar. By attending this event you are eligible for 1.0 MainPro credit. Please click here to register. 

If you have questions about Community Oncology Rounds or Cases in Cancer, registering, or questions for our presenters on the topic, please send your questions to CCMBPrimaryCareEducation@​cancercare.​mb.​ca.

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