Family Matters

There’s no denying though that that creativity, innovation, and adaptation have been taxing. One can only Zoom for so long, both literally and metaphorically. Now that staged reopening is starting, when will we get back to normal.

I’m not sure we can get “back” to normal; in fact I think we shouldn’t. Rather, we need to hang in there a bit longer with our creativity and instead figure out how to get forward to normal. A few of the changes that have happened will be permanent, and quite a few will be moderately long-lived. We’ll have to operate somewhat differently. The most important part of “forward to normal” though will be taking advantage of the opportunity to do some things differently not because we have to, but because we want to. We’ve developed creative ways of working that have great value in a distributed department, and that can help us advance the cause of distributing our department. So let’s keep the valuable innovations and skills we’ve developed in this crisis, and use them to move us forward to a new (and better) normal. If anyone can do it, we can!

- Dr. Lee Green, Chair, Department of Family Medicine

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Notable News

COVID-19 Rapid Reviews from PEER

Along with regular Tools for Practice articles, the PEER team are writing rapid reviews to address COVID-19 topics relevant for primary care. The evidence is quickly changing but the team is working hard to bring readers the most recent and best evidence available.

TFP #256 - Hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin for COVID-19

TFP #257 - A rushed introduction to an uninvited guest

TFP #258 - Stealth style transmission? Covert data on COVID-19

TFP #259 - Unmasking the evidence around masks for healthcare workers

TFP #260 - Are there tools to help assess dyspnea virtually?

The PEER team is now on Facebook! Stay connected and get snap shots of our most recent projects by following our Facebook Page or visit us at peerevidence.ca.

Getting Creative During COVID-19

Dealing with Social Distancing Within the Department of Family Medicine

Everyone is trying hard to adhere to social distancing at work and at home. Some of us have had to cancel major family milestone celebrations, reschedule and wait. But when one of our faculty had a milestone birthday this April, we embraced the challenge.

The event was Dr. Constance Lebrun’s 65th birthday on April 10th, 2020. Connie’s father and most of her family currently live in British Columbia, and her favorite weekend destination is the mountains. But this year with all the travel restrictions, this milestone would have to happen without family nearby. As her colleague, we put our heads together and figured out how to make this event a memorable one in these conditions.

We got flowers, a custom-made cake, cookies, and a delivery of lawn ornaments for her birthday. I called an “emergency physician meeting” on Thursday, April 9th: Connie had no idea this meeting was all about her birthday. Despite the challenges of internet connections and constantly interrupting each other, the “meeting” was a great success.

It wasn’t the party we had originally planned, of course, but we were all able to connect with each other and have a laugh or two despite all the social distancing and self-isolation.

-submitted by Dr. Teresa De Freitas

WellDoc Resources

WellDoc has released physician wellness resources throughout the last few week, including Education Bulletins as well as Podcasts. Topics addressed in these resources include Civility and Respect: How We Can Be At Our Best During the Pandemic and Beyond, Grieving the Loss of Normalcy During the Pandemic and Staying Connected: Emotional Connection Amidst Physical Distancing.

They are also continuing to collect and share stories through the Invite to Input on Physicians’ Feelings and Stories of Gratitude.  You can share your story through this anonymous survey link.

Teleconferencing Update: Zoom 5.0

On April 27, 2020, Zoom 5.0 was released. You can find more details Zoom 5.0 and the link to download here, but there are the two main things users need to know:

1. If you have already downloaded Zoom onto your computer(s) or phone (s), you will need to upgrade prior to May 30. After May 30, you will receive a forced upgrade when you try to join meetings if you have not upgraded already.
    
2. Zoom has made a number of security upgrades, which enhance their existing security features.  

Those who have accessing Zoom via web browser to attend they have been invited to are not required to take any action.

If you have any questions, please contact uafammed@ualberta.ca.

Faculty & Staff Development

Circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in our staff and teachers having to rethink and adjust to a new way of living and working. We hope the following resources prove helpful as you continue to navigate these unprecedented times:

Teaching Resources

Pearls for Writing a Virtual Care Field Note
Tips for Supervising Family Medicine Learners Providing Virtual Care

Wellness Resources

Text4Hope  
Well Doc Alberta
Centre for Online Mental Health Support  

Family Medicine in the News

Drs Teresa De Freitas and Krystle Kaye-Pfau shared their experiences in virtual patient care with CBC.  

Lee Green’s discusses the Alberta government's recently announced changes to funding for rural doctors in an interview with the Hanna Herald.

The first two medical students accepting into the new family medicine training program in Yellowknife, NWT were interviewed by CBC North. This residency program is a designated Department of Family Medicine residency learning site.

DoFM faculty members recall their time working with Dr. Deena Hinshaw during her residency and Care of the Elderly Training programs.

The Glen Sather Sport Medicine Clinic’s assistance to ER waiting rooms by providing video-conferencing for MSK injuries and concussion was covered by  CityNews TV, CTV Edmonton, Global Edmonton, and CBC Edmonton AM.

Professional Development Opportunities

COVID-19 webinar Series from Lifelong Learning

The Office of Lifelong Learning has developed a series of webinars for physicians and other healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series of three webinars are scheduled for April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th. More information can be found on the L3 website.  Click here to register.

Events Update

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional development opportunities across Alberta have been cancelled or postponed including Gi for GPs, and PLP Summit and the Family Physicians & CancerControl: Strengthening Linkages Workshop.  Please continue to read this newsletter for updates about new dates and additional events to be held in future.

Recent Publications

Please visit the Recent Research Publications page on the Department of Family Medicine website for a comprehensive list of research publications.

University Updates

The university’s Chief Information Security Officer made some excellent resources available on its web site for online meetings and classes.  
 

The University of Alberta continues to provide updates regarding the COVID-19 crisis on the university home page, and the U of A’s Public Health Response Team also continues to provide updates.