Health System Update — April 3
805 words / 3.5 min read
New Products Added to Manitoba Prescription Birth Control Program
As of April 1 the MPBCP has added Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Read the full update and additional program information.
MB Government Investing in Health Care for Two-spirit and Transgender Manitobans
The Government has committed to investing $1.6 million in supports for two-spirit and transgender Manitobans: $150,000 to support 2Spirit Manitoba Inc, $473,000 in ongoing funding to Shared Health’s Gender Diversity and Affirming Action for Youth program and $1.03 million to Trans Health Klinic.
AIM: Role Clarity in Primary Care Teams
Primary care teams are complex and no two teams are the same. Teams may include any combination of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, office staff, and others, with each having distinct roles. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of each primary care team, optimal functioning is often limited by a lack of role clarity and team members not working to their full scope-of-practice. This can lead to inefficiencies, increased workloads, and missed opportunities to improve patient care.
One of the ways to address role clarity in a primary care team is to examine how care is delivered within a clinic. This can be achieved through activities like process mapping and team mapping, both of which are tools used to identify a problem’s root cause. These activities will require teams to consider and clarify the scope-of-practice for anyone involved in the care pathway. Altogether, the following benefits can be realized from this type of work:
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Identify tasks that can be shifted to better-utilized team members
Improve workflows to reduce bottlenecks and unnecessary steps
Increase staff confidence and job satisfaction by aligning work with training and skills
Enhance patient access by reducing delays and distributing work more effectively
If there is a lack of role clarity and there are team members not working to full scope-of-practice within your clinic, the Access Improvement Model (AIM) is here to help you! Teams participating in AIM will be able to analyze current processes, test changes, and implement sustainable improvements that make the most of your team’s skills. Sign up for AIM today and take the first step toward a more efficient and effective primary care team. For more information about the AIM program, please visit the AIM website or reach out to us at aim@sharedhealthmb.ca.
Nutritional Psychiatry Survey
Researchers at the University of Ottawa and The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre are seeking Canadian psychiatrists and family doctors to fill out an anonymous survey on their perceptions of nutritional psychiatry.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will ask about your clinical and research experience and opinions of the field of nutritional psychiatry.
If interested, you can be entered into a draw for one of five $20 Amazon gift cards following completion of the survey here.
Manitoba Government Hosting Town Hall on New Victoria Hospital Emergency Department
The Manitoba government invites Manitobans to weigh in on the design of the new Victoria Hospital emergency department (ED) at a town hall on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Winnipeg Community Centre. They will also hold a session on April 15 for front line staff at the Vic. Are you considering a written submission to the government with feedback on the proposed ER at Victoria Hospital? We would love to be copied on your ideas at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca Read more about it here.
Infliximab Product Transition and New Claims Submission Procedure – Inflectra
On March 7, 2025, Health Canada authorized a name change for the Pfizer Canada ULC infliximab product Inflectra (DIN 02419475); moving forward, DIN 02419475 will be marketed and distributed as Remdantry (infliximab) by Celltrion Healthcare Canada, LTD.
Doctors Looking at Long-term Risks of Psychedelics
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that individuals who use hallucinogens like psilocybin or LSD and seek emergency care have a higher risk of death within five years compared to the general population. The study highlights the increasing use of psychedelics in Canada and underscores the need for more research into their long-term effects and potential risks. Read the full story.
Breast Cancer in Young Women Survey
A group of of clinicians, research assistants, caregivers, advocates, and young adult breast cancer survivors, has partnered with UM and Team Shan Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women (Team Shan), a Canadian charity mandated to educate the public, health care professionals and young women about early detection, risk reduction and prevention of breast cancer (teamshan.ca).
They are conducting a survey with primary healthcare professionals across Manitoba to understand their knowledge levels and educational needs about breast cancer in AYA women. Take the survey and share with your colleagues.
In Other News
Minimum Wage Increase
Provincial Minimum Wage Will Increase to $16 in October. Read more.