September 2024

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS

  • EasT-FPN’s Annual General Meeting - Register Today! 

  • Ontario Health Updates

  • Toronto Public Health Updates 

  • SCOPE Updates

    • SCOPE Pathways

  • Digital Health Updates

    • Online Appointment Booking (OAB) Funding

    • OCEAN e-Referral Updates

  • ADAPT-M Project

  • Webinars + CMEs

  • Practice Resources

Register Today!!

EasT-FPN 5TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

7:00 - 9:00 PM

Balmy Beach Club - 360 Lake Front, Toronto, M4E 1A7

  • Join your fellow EasT-FPN members at the 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Attendees will approve the EasT-FPN board slate, network with primary care colleagues and participate in an engagement session. 

  • Register now by clicking on the button below.

  • Click here to view the agenda for the evening. 

  • Register Here

Ontario Health Updates

Infant & High Risk Children RSV Prevention Program 

The Ministry of Health is launching the Infant and High-risk Children RSV Prevention Program for the 2024-25 season. This program includes a monoclonal antibody for infants and a vaccine available for pregnant individuals to protect their infants from RSV.

On behalf of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), we have attached the implementation package for the program, which includes the following documents:

  1. CMOH Letter to Health Care Providers 

  2. Infant RSV Guidance for Health Care Providers - Abrysvo 

  3. Infant RSV Guidance for Health Care Providers - Beyfortus 

  4. RSV Fact Sheet 

  5. Immunity Fact Sheet 

  6. Abrysvo in Pregnancy Fact Sheet 

  7. Beyfortus Fact Sheet

Please reach out to us if you’d like a French version of any of the above documents.
All documents will be posted online in the coming days to: 

RSV prevention is crucial in protecting infants and high-risk children from severe illness and complications. We encourage all providers to review the attached implementation package for detailed information on eligibility criteria, distribution/ordering processes, communication resources, and logistical considerations to support program planning and operations. Providers are asked to work closely with their local communities and public health units to ensure that eligible infants and high-risk children are protected.  

 Beyfortus and Abrysvo will be available for ordering through public health units, similar to other vaccines. Abrysvo is available to order now for pregnant individuals, and Beyfortus will be available in mid-October. Public health units will share details on product ordering in the coming weeks.

 CFCP Presentation - Infant RSV Infection

Please see the recent CPFP presentation, Infectious Disease: Circulating Seasonal Illnesses and Important Vaccine Updates. Within this video, Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, presents information and answers questions pertaining to the new infant RSV prevention program.

 HPV Testing Implementation

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is pleased to announce that the human papillomavirus (HPV) test will replace cytology as the primary test for cervical screening and will also be used for follow-up testing in colposcopy beginning in spring 2025.

The introduction of HPV testing will result in important changes to the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)’s screening and colposcopy recommendations. To help you prepare for these changes, a website with HPV testing resources atontariohealth.ca/hpvhub.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) covering key information can be found on the hub:

  • Why HPV testing is being implemented in the OCSP

  • Changes to the OCSP's screening recommendations, including eligibility for screening and management of results

  • Changes to the OCSP's colposcopy pathways

Toronto Public Health Updates

Health Canada has issued a market withdrawal of all COVID-19 XBB vaccines in Canada in preparation for the upcoming fall 2024-2025 respiratory illness season. 

The withdrawal is effective September 1, 2024. This is a part of the regulatory process to approve Pfizer and Moderna’s KP.2 vaccine formulations. The withdrawal allows Health Canada to remove the strain identifier (XBB/KP.2, etc.) from the naming convention of COVID-19 vaccine products moving forward.

Action for Health Care Providers:

  • Starting Sept 1, 2024, if you have any remaining COVID-19 XXB vaccine supply, ensure quarantine and follow guidance to safely record and remove these vaccines.

  • Continue to provide advice on COVID-19 vaccination, as per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and encourage your patients to receive the new KP.2 vaccine formulation when available, as it is recommended to provide the greatest protection against currently circulating COVID-19 strains.

Publicly Funded Abrysvo ® (RSV) Vaccination for eligible adults 60 years of age and older

Abrysvo ® is a new vaccine product available in Canada to protect individuals 60 years of age and older against RSV for the 2024/2025 fall respiratory season. It is the only RSV product that will be available for older adults in Toronto.  If an individual received a dose of RSV vaccine during the 2023-2024 season, they do not need to receive another dose this season.

Eligibility:

  • Individuals 60 years of age and older who are:

  • Residents of long-term care homes, Indigenous long-term care homes (Elder Care Lodges), or retirement homes

  • Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (e.g., complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)

  • Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis 

  • Recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness

  • Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.

Co-Administration: As per NACI, the RSV vaccine can be co-administered with other seasonal vaccines.

Vaccine Ordering: Health care providers can email vaccine orders to vaccineorder@toronto.ca using the Toronto Provider RSV Vaccine Order form.

More Information:

Province-Wide Increase in Reported Pertussis Cases

Toronto Public Health (TPH) and Public Health Ontario have both identified an increase in reports of pertussis (whooping cough) in Toronto and Ontario. As of August 26, 2024, there have been 99 confirmed pertussis cases reported in Toronto in 2024, more than double the five-year pre-pandemic average of 38 cases for the same period. The most common age category affected is ten to fourteen year olds (41 per cent of cases).

TPH recommends:

  • Assess vaccination status and ensure routine vaccines, including pertussis, are up to date following Ontario’s Publicly Funded Vaccination Schedule . 

  • In addition to routinely vaccinating children and teens, ensure pregnant individuals and adults who have never received a dose of pertussis-containing vaccine are up to date by giving a Tdap vaccine.  As a reminder, one dose of Tdap vaccine is recommended and publicly funded in every pregnancy. 

  • Consider pertussis in the differential diagnosis in patients with respiratory illness 

  • Test symptomatic patients with compatible signs or symptoms 

For more information:

SCOPE UPDATES

SCOPE Pathways

SCOPE Respiratory Pathway

  • SCOPE has developed a pathway with the Michael Garron Respiratory Division. You can get a peer to peer consultation with a respiratory specialist by calling Sufyan, SCOPE Nurse Navigator.   

  • You can refer to the sleep lab via the updated sleep lab referral form available on Ocean e-Referrals and [Here]. 

SCOPE Home and Community Care Pathway - Name Change 

As of June 28, 2024, the 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations across Ontario have amalgamated into a single organization –Ontario Health atHome – to continue to support the coordination of home care services across the province, and support Ontario Health Teams as they take on responsibility for home care. Ontario Health atHome looks forward to their continued work with health system partners, like those in the SCOPE program, to deliver high-quality, connected, accessible and patient-centred care to the people of Ontario. For more information please click [Here].

DIGITAL HEALTH UPDATES

Online Appointment Booking (OAB) Funding

  • OAB solutions are designed to reduce the administrative workload around appointment bookings, by enabling patients to electronically book appointments with their family doctors and nurse practitioners and receive automated confirmations and reminders

  • Ontario Health is providing funding until March 31, 2025 to help primary care providers newly adopt or increase their use of OAB 

  • Clinics will receive funding for the cost of OAB licenses and dedicated change management support for OAB implementation

  • Click here for more information and to apply; application deadline is September 25, 2024.

Ocean eReferral Updates

Connected Care at UHN

Toronto Region has a new resource for primary care providers to facilitate access to and adoption of 15+ provincially funded digital health tools (such as eConsult, PrescribeIT, OLIS, HRM etc), to help improve primary care practice efficiency and digital connectivity. This new resource complements the support offered directly through EasT-FPN. You can reach out directly to UHN for these supports through this (link), or contact us directly at EasT-FPN if you have any digital health questions!

Click here for more information.

Avoiding Diabetes After Pregnancy Together with Moms (ADAPT-M)Project

  • The Avoiding Diabetes After Pregnancy Together with Moms (ADAPT-M), is a lifestyle modification program aimed at reducing the risk of future type 2 diabetes after GDM. In this program, registered dietitians who are certified in health coaching provide diet and physical activity counselling to women postpartum. This program is being implemented in 3 Ontario health care settings in April 2025. 

  • In preparation, the ADAPT-M team wants to explore the perspectives of primary care providers regarding their roles and responsibilities related to postpartum GDM care and their input on a transition pathway between prenatal and postpartum care.

  • The total time commitment expected is a 1 hour zoom with the research staff. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to us at contact@eastfpn.org

  • For more information about the program, click here

Continuous Medical Education

Provincial Webinar: Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) Expansion to People Ages 40 to 49

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is pleased to announce that on October 8, 2024, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) will be expanding to offer breast cancer screening to people ages 40 to 49. Primary care providers are invited to learn more about the OBSP expansion to people ages 40 to 49 through one of the following virtual webinars:

  • Friday, September 13, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Register here

  • Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Register here

  • Another opportunity to learn about OBSP expansion will be through the Ontario College of Family Physician’s Community of Practice virtual meeting on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Webinar: Smoking Cessation Throughout the Cancer Journey

On September 27, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, Dr. Bill Evans, Clinical Lead for the Smoking Cessation program at Ontario Health, will be discussing the clinical evidence and benefits of smoking cessation throughout the cancer journey. This talk will be geared toward primary care and will offer practical tips for providers.

Interested Regional Cancer Program staff or primary care providers can receive the calendar invite by emailing primarycareinquiries@ontariohealth.ca with “SC Webinar” in the subject line.

 Webinar: Provincial Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing

On September 18, 2024, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm, the South West Regional Cancer Program (RCP) is hosting a webinar about the upcoming changes to provincial cervical screening. Regional Cervical Screening and Colposcopy Leads from South West and Central East RCPs, Dr. Robert DiCecco and Dr. Nathan Roth, along with South West RCP’s Regional Primary Care Lead, Dr. Paul Gill, will be discussing how to incorporate HPV testing into practice, what this means for the clinical pathway to colposcopy and how to manage patients after colposcopy. Drs. DiCecco, Roth and Gill will be able to answer your questions in preparation for this provincial change.

This event has been certified for 1.0 Mainpro+ credits.

To register, click here. 

 Primary Care Oncology Day

On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, the Central East Regional Cancer Program, in collaboration with the Durham Regional Cancer Centre oncology team, is offering an in-person Primary Care Oncology Day.The event will take place at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre (1 Hospital Court, Oshawa). Attendees will be provided with dinner and an optional tour of the cancer centre/treatment rooms at the end of the session.

Join us for an interactive session to:

  • Meet and mingle with the DRCC Oncology team

  • Discuss “clinical pearls” for PCPs

  • Learn about oncology treatment innovation

  • Review psychosocial oncology services available

  • Discuss the “survivorship” phase of the cancer journey

  • Participate in panel discussions to answer your questions

  • Receive CME credits for your participation!

To register, click here. 

 eHealth Centre of Excellence - Improving Access and Experience of Care for Patients, Ideal Primary Care Practice Model (IPCPM)

  • When: Tuesday, October 22 at 12:30 pm EST

  • Who: Co-hosted by Dr. Daniel Pepe and Kindra Murphy, Change Management Specialist

  • Register here

Ontario College of Family Physicians Community of Practice Events

Changing the Way We Work (COVID-19) Webinar Topic: Managing Respiratory Illness in Kids & COPD

  • Date: Friday, September 20, 2024

  • Time: 7:55 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

  • Register Here

With respiratory viruses on the rise, we will discuss practical strategies to manage pediatric respiratory illness in community settings. We will also provide an overview on best treatment practices for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain Webinar Topic: Integrating AI and technology into family medicine

  • Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

  • Time: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

  • Register Here

AI and technology are changing the ways family doctors practice family medicine. This includes through the adoption of virtual visits and consults, and using AI to chart patient records, all of which family physicians need to stay up to date on. In this session, our panel will discuss how to integrate AI and technology into your practice and maintain wellness in an increasingly virtual world.

 NEW* Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention Workshop

Osteoporosis and fractures in patients over 50 go largely untreated. In this new workshop, facilitators will provide you with best practices as outlined in the 2023 updated clinical practice guideline for management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention in Canada, and actionable tools for screening, diagnosing and optimizing care.

Space is limited.

Practice Support and Patient Resources

NEW PLASTIC SURGEON JOINS MGH

  • Dr. Brian Hong has recently joined the plastics division at MGH. To refer patients to a plastic surgeon, please review the one-pager here.

  • Dr. Hong recently hosted a successful CME event for SCOPE, where he discussed the essentials of hand fractures. If you missed the CME, you can access the recording here.

Recognizing the pivotal role of primary care in advancing integrated and equitable health services, Ontario Health has prioritized PCNs as a key element for OHT acceleration. To support this initiative, the eHealth Centre of Excellence is pleased to introduce their local enablers for PCNs and provide comprehensive insights into how they can assist in developing and implementing effective PCNs. You can find this resource on e-Health's website here.

Become an EasT-FPN member to receive clinical and practice support, and opportunities to engage with the East Toronto community. Please fill out the Membership application form to become a member.

East Toronto Family Practice Network