HOT TOPICS IN FAMILY MEDICINE

COVID-19 Second Wave:

Cases of COVID-19 are rising across the country as we experience a second wave of the virus. While hospitalizations and deaths in the London/Middlesex region have remained low so far, they could start to jump as case numbers continue to stay high and there is a lag between rising cases and hospitalizations. This is particularly worrisome as we move into the winter season where we are all inside more in somewhat confined spaces. We know what we have to do to flatten the curve, and it is important for family doctors to advocate for and follow sound public health advice.

• Wash hands frequently and clean contaminated surfaces.
• Wear a mask in public and especially where people are gathering in confined spaces.
• Avoid crowds indoors and keep your gatherings limited to people from your own household as much as possible.
• Stay home if you are sick and if symptoms persist, get tested for COVID.

Hospital Physician Performance Indicators:

LHSC and SJHC have released their physician performance indicators for the second quarter. The indicator that gets most attention is completion of discharge summaries by 48 hrs. The target is 65 per cent and most hospital departments lag behind including Family Medicine, which is well behind. For LHSC and SJHC the family medicine rate is approximately 35 per cent. This is an important statistic to pay attention to as we have advocated strongly for more timely release of discharge summaries for our own patients.

Other indicators include Med. Rec Admission, Med. Rec Discharge, and Resus Status with targets of 90 per cent, 85 per cent and 90 per cent. For LHSC the Quarter2 family medicine rates for this year are 86 per cent, 88 per cent, and 100 per cent, respectively. 

Citywide Family Medicine Awards:

This is the time of year when we traditionally look for nominations for the Citywide Department of Family Medicine (CWDFM) awards. This year is no exception despite the pandemic. I am encouraging you to nominate your colleagues for these Chief’s Recognition Awards before the deadline of Nov. 30 2020. You just need to send an email to sheena.blasing@sjhc.london.on.ca with a paragraph or two about why your nominee is a good candidate for the award.

1. Family Physician of the Year – family doctor member making a significant contribution to the Citywide Department.
2. Allied Health Professional – making a significant contribution to the Citywide Department.
3. Consultant of the Year – consultant physician demonstrating exemplary patient-centred service and communication to referring family physicians.
4. Dana Winterburn Memorial Award – family physician member of the Citywide Department whose practice is dedicated to mental health care, palliative care, and/or indigenous health.