November 22, 2024

This week’s Vitals: 899 words / 3.5 min read

See top stories this week about the mail strike, big changes coming with VECTRS, a rural health check up request, and a cheeky post about fax machines and siloed computer systems with new recommendations to help get health apps connected.

TOP STORIES

01

VECTRS - Big Change Coming Dec 3

443 words / 2 min read / For all members

A major change is coming on Tuesday, December 3 for physicians looking for specialty consultation for urgent or emergent cases or interfacility transfer (IFT) support.

WHAT’S NEW: Starting on Dec 3 at 7 a.m. Rural/Northern IFT Requests, Consults (emergent and urgent) and Pre-registration in ER for EDIS sites will now be available through VECTRS. This is a big step following advocacy and by many physicians and Doctors Manitoba.

WHO IS AFFECTED: This change impacts physicians working in rural and northern facilities, as well as some facilities in Winnipeg.

Find full details and key resources here.

02

Rural Health Care Check-Up

Take 2 minutes to share a status check!

Several news outlets this week focused on the lack of staffing at the Brandon ER (see this CBC story for example). Doctors Manitoba is working with physicians in Brandon to escalate their concerns about high vacancy rates, unfilled shifts, increasing burnout and lack of supports (allied health, physical safety) and the risk that creates for their patients. We’ve also heard concerns about ER coverage in other communities, such as Boundary Trails, Selkirk, Thompson, The Pas, Flin Flon, and more.

Check-Up in Your Community: We are inviting physicians across rural and northern Manitoba to provide a quick update on the status of physician coverage and health care capacity in your community. 

• Take this brief 3-question survey to share the status of health services in your community - strong, fair, at risk, or disrupted.

This will help us with advocating for actions to stabilize rural and northern health care. We are working with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on a progress report on the recommendations out of the Rural Health Summit two years ago, to help focus further actions.

03

Government’s Throne Speech

360 words / 1.5 min read / For all members

Earlier this week, the government delivered its Speech from the Throne, which sets out its agenda for the year ahead. Health care was up first, with the government showing it continues to be a priority. Doctors Manitoba was at the Legislature to react to the Speech and meet with key government officials.

WHY IT MATTERS: With the health care system still understaffed and under-resourced, it is important to ensure it is still a priority for the government. Much of the Speech reported progress on projects previously announced but there were a few new targeted investments too. 

Our full story has details on key commitments by the government and the Doctors Manitoba response to the Speech.

Read More.

04

Digital Health Interoperability

360 words / 1.5 min read / For all members

A new report out this week underscores the importance of making health IT systems connect with each other. The national report includes recommendations from the Digital Health Interoperability Task Force that we hope will improve that connectivity for physicians in Manitoba. 

WHY IT MATTERS: Health IT systems are siloed, which means doctors often can’t share patient information with other providers electronically leading to unnecessary administrative burden, wasted time and frustration. 

• Only 19% of physicians in Manitoba can share information electronically, which is among the worst levels of connectivity in Canada according to a recent CIHI report. 
• See this video playfully describing how patient information is often shared in Manitoba. 

The report recommendations reinforce our own advocacy at Doctors Manitoba for health IT integration, and the need to involve physicians to ensure changes lead to less administrative burden, not more. 

Continue reading.

05

Nominate a Colleague for a Medal of Excellence

Nominations due Dec 15

Nominations have opened for the Doctors Manitoba Awards. You can help recognize and celebrate a colleague's accomplishments. The deadline is December 15.

A Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in the medical profession and whose actions are a source of inspiration for other physicians. Up to three worthy individuals can be inducted each year.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO WIN: Nominees can include practicing physicians, medical learners (students or residents) and retired physicians. Non-physicians may be considered, at times, as friends of the profession who have made a significant contribution towards the advancement or improvement of the medical profession.

Recent winners include:



• Dr. Sara Goulet (2024) for fearlessly reshaping our medical system to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, by addressing anti-Indigenous racism as a barrier along the way. Dr. Goulet’s advocacy and commitment to learning clear a path for traditionally underrepresented groups to succeed in a system that poses many barriers.
• Dr. Katherine Kearns & Dr. Christina Raimondi (2023) for establising The Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre in 2017, responding to the overwhelming challenges many patients had in accessing help with lactation or infant feeding.

Learn more here.

06

Mail Strike: Sign Up for Electronic Payments

Doctors Manitoba cannot send out rebate notices or payments by mail without an end to the postal strike in view. To sign up for electronic notices and payments, contact Barry Hallman at bhallman@doctorsmanitoba.ca to provide your banking information or for any questions regarding your email notifications or payment method.

Updates this week include a new statement from the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada on documenting anti-Indigenous Racism and Discrimination and funding for the RRC’s Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Here are the most read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:

• CPD Claim-As-You-Learn is here! Earlier this week, our President Dr. Randy Guzman sent a note to all fully-licensed members about a major change to our continuing professional development rebate allowing you to claim reimbursement for CPD expenses as you learn, rather than waiting 12-16 months. Read the update here.
• Help fix burdensome insurance and employer forms. Doctors Manitoba needs your input. Find out how you can help. 
• The Doctors Manitoba Open House @Bannatyne is happening on Monday, December 2 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. The office is located on the second floor of the Basic Medical Sciences building, across the hall from the lecture theatres. Let us know if you can attend.

EVENTS & CPD

Cognitive Biases in Practice takes place November 29 from 1 to 4:45 p.m. virtual or in-person. This team-based Continuing Medical Education day is offered by Concordia Hospital.Speakers include Dr. Kim Wiebe, Medical Director MAiD Shared Health Services, and Audra Kolesar, Manager of MAiD Services. Contact Jeannnette Lannon at jlannon@concordiahospital.mb.ca to register. The cost is $75 for physicians and $25 for non-physicians. 

CMA webinar: Indigenous allyship and culturally safe care. Join this virtual session Monday, November 25 from noon to 2 p.m. ET. Spaces are limited. Secure your spot today. Registration closes on November 22.

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