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In This Issue - August 2024
Updates and Review:
- Addressing Parental Vaccine Hesitancy in Primary Care Settings (Survey)
- Tools to Support your Practice
- Physical and Mental Health Connections
- World Suicide Prevention Day
Educational Opportunities:
- FREE TRAINING: Breastfeeding “Making a Difference” Level 2
Addressing Parental Vaccine Hesitancy in Primary Care Settings (Survey)
While there is a wealth of evidence on ways to address or respond to vaccine hesitancy, existing resources can be challenging for health care professionals to quickly access and utilize in day-to-day practice.
Public Health is reaching out to understand your experiences with vaccine hesitancy, and how to support you in caring for vaccine hesitant patients. Please complete this 5 minute survey to help us determine what kind of resource would be most helpful for you.
Tools & Resources to Support your Practice
Did you know that Public Health has resource packages that you can order for your office? Choose from one of two options (or select both!) and we will provide you with all the items that you need while eliminating the guess work.
- Looking for brochures, rack cards and posters to display in your reception area and patient waiting room or exam rooms? Select the clinic waiting room package.
- Looking for tools to support you in practice (i.e., referral or lab interpretation guides)? Select the health care professional package.
If you are looking for program specific resources, you can still order these separately. Order resources for your office.
Public Health Detailing
The Physician and Primary Care Engagement Advisor at Public Health can:
- Identify programs and services that meet the needs of your patients
- Connect you to clinical resources
- Facilitate education opportunities
- Provide a direct line to Public Health
Physical and Mental Health Connections
The connection between a patient's physical and mental health are undeniable. Nearly one in three people with chronic physical illness will also present with a mental illness. Many mental health issues present as physical health symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues and research has shown a connection between mental illness and preventable health conditions such as heart disease. People with mental illness are more likely to die prematurely than those without mental illness, shortening the lifespan by 10 to 20 years.
Some research suggests that screening at every appointment, regardless of the presenting concern, may be beneficial in lessening stigma and increasing help-seeking behaviours. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a quick, easy screener that can be used to plan and monitor treatment. The tool also assesses client functionality. The PHQ-9 is a validated tool that takes less than five minutes and can easily be scanned into an EMR.
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day – a day for education and awareness, and a chance to reflect on how we can work together in suicide prevention. This year the theme is ‘Changing the Narrative’ with the goal of reducing stigma around the topic of suicide.
12 people die every day in Canada by suicide, with many more people affected by this loss. Health care professionals have a unique opportunity to make an impact with patients on a daily basis by asking directly about thoughts of suicide and connecting patients to support.
FREE TRAINING: Breastfeeding “Making a Difference” Level 2
Niagara Region Public Health is hosting a 2-day virtual (LIVE) workshop series for community health care professionals and hospital staff practicing in Niagara who currently work with expectant or new parents and families.
This series will take place over Zoom on November 18 and 25, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants must attend both session dates and may be eligible to receive IBLCE CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points).
Keynote Speaker:
Kathleen O’Grady is a registered nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Please see: Breastfeeding: Making a Difference Level 2 Workshop - Niagara Region, Ontario, [BD1] for her additional credentials.
Key Topics:
- Effective assessment and management skills by applying current research, using complex case studies and group problem solving to formulate care plans to deal with challenging situations
- Effective breastfeeding promotion in a multi-cultural society
- Infant-parent attachment
- Ethics
- Evaluating research and training materials
Requirements:
- Have completed the Breastfeeding Level 1 training (or an equivalent) within the past three years
- Must be a health care practitioner practicing in the Niagara region
Register by November 8
Visit the Professional Development Opportunities page for more in-person and online educational opportunities available to support health professionals in Niagara.
