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• COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness & risk factors from the SUPPORT-Canada study

  • When
    30 May 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  This is a hybrid event. In-person tickets are limited so please make sure you are able to attend if you are signing up to join us at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

  Join us for an in-depth analysis of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness based on real-world data from the SUrveying Prospective Population cOhorts for COVID-19 pRevalence and ouTcomes in Canada’ (SUPPORT-Canada) study. Led by Victoria Kirsh, this webinar will provide an overview of the study population, data collection, and statistical models used to analyze risk factors for infection and vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant. You'll learn about the importance of time since last vaccination as the most critical determinant of protection against infection, more so than the number of vaccinations. Dr. Kirsh will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different vaccines and booster shots, including the latest findings on bivalent vs. monovalent boosters. Don't miss this opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest research and insights into COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness.

  Presenter: Dr. Victoria Kirsh is the Scientific Associate at the Ontario Health Study, one of CanPath’s regional cohorts. Dr. Kirsh completed a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Yale University, an M.Sc. in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University. She completed a fellowship at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. She worked as an Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and as a Scientist at Cancer Care Ontario before joining the Ontario Health Study.

  *This webinar will be presented in English with slides available in French.

  *Ce webinaire sera présenté en anglais avec des diapositives disponibles en français

  Cet événement est hybride. Les billets en personne sont limités, donc assurez-vous de pouvoir être présent si vous vous inscrivez.

  Joignez-vous à nous pour une analyse approfondie de l'efficacité du vaccin contre la COVID-19 à l’aide de données réelles de l'étude SUPPORT-Canada (SUrveying Prospective Population cOhorts for COVID-19 pRevalence and ouTcomes in Canada). Animé par Victoria Kirsh, ce webinaire donnera un aperçu de la population étudiée, de la collecte des données et des modèles statistiques utilisés pour analyser les facteurs de risque d'infection et l'efficacité du vaccin contre la variante Omicron. Vous découvrirez l'importance du délai écoulé depuis la dernière vaccination, qui est le facteur le plus déterminant de la protection contre l'infection, plus que le nombre de vaccinations. La Dre Kirsh discutera également des avantages et des inconvénients des différents vaccins et des injections de rappel, y compris les dernières découvertes sur les rappels bivalents par rapport aux rappels monovalents. Ne manquez pas cette occasion de vous tenir au courant des dernières recherches et connaissances sur l'efficacité du vaccin contre la COVID-19.

  Présentatrice : La Dre Victoria Kirsh est scientifique associée à l’Étude sur la santé Ontario, l’une des cohortes régionales de CanPath. La Dre Kirsh a obtenu un doctorat en épidémiologie de l’Université Yale, une maîtrise en épidémiologie de l’Université de Toronto et un baccalauréat en microbiologie et immunologie de l’Université McGill. Elle a bénéficié d’une bourse de recherche au National Cancer Institute des États-Unis, division de l’épidémiologie et de la génétique du cancer, et elle a travaillé comme professeure adjointe à l’École de santé publique Dalla Lana, de l’université de Toronto, et comme scientifique à Action Cancer Ontario avant de se joindre à l’Étude sur la santé Ontario.

  
  

  
  

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• Food Outlets, Urban Environments and Population Health

  • When
    30 May 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Diet is a critical determinant of population health, influencing the incidence of cardiovascular diabetes, Type II diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases that reduce life expectancies. To promote healthy eating, researchers have focused on how individuals' diets are associated with food environments. However, complex links between food environments and diet have led to inconsistent findings. These relationships can be affected by neighbourhood, shopping responsibility, car access, employment status and supermarket density. Untangling these complex links can help community planners and health professionals better understand how to promote healthy eating environments and healthier diets.

  This webinar will:

  ● Discuss the health effects of having access to grocery store

  ● Discuss how food outlets are distributed across different populations in Canadian cities

  ● Discuss what decision makers can do to improve food-outlet access for all

  About the Speaker

  Lindsey Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at The University of Toronto (St. George) and holds a PhD in Medical Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Dr. Smith’s research focuses on built and social environments as targets for promoting sustained healthy behaviours, social equity, and more environmentally sustainable communities. Her work incorporates the use of multi-disciplinary data, including GPS trajectory information, to enhance understanding of relationships between urban form, mobility, and health, as well as pathways to behaviour change. Recent projects explore household food environments, changes in physical activity in response to new transport infrastructure, and geographies of care.

  
  

  
  

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• PHO Rounds: Regional Harm Reduction Snapshots in Ontario and the Impact of COVID-19: Presenting Findings From 2022-2023 LDCP

  • When
    30 May 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  A 2022-2023 Public Health Ontario (PHO) Locally Driven Collaborative Projects (LDCP) team, is pleased to present the Harm Reduction and Opioid Harms Snapshots that describe regional changes to harm reduction service delivery in Ontario over the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relationship between these changes and opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Data for the snapshots came from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network's (ODPRN) Ontario Opioid Indicator Tool and PHO’s Interactive Opioid Tool. The results show that opioid toxicity deaths and emergency department visits have increased in almost all health unit regions, with males aged 25-44 experiencing higher rates of these outcomes. These snapshots indicate that there is variance in trends between health unit regions related to harm reduction service indicators, and opioid-related morbidity and mortality, and that certain regions may require enhanced services or support. The results can be used for enhanced situational awareness around local contexts, and to support advocacy efforts for allocation of resources to address the drug toxicity crisis.
  
  Intended audience: Public health leaders and staff who specialize in or offer services related to harm reduction, substance use and mental health. Policy makers, academic and research audiences interested in this topic area, Public Health Physicians, Public Health Unit staff.

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how a Harm Reduction and Opioid Harms Snapshot tool was used to show regional changes to harm reduction service delivery in Ontario over the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relationship between these changes and opioid-related morbidity and mortality
  • Learn how to utilize the Snapshot tool to detect changes in harm reduction service delivery in their region
  • Discuss as a group the implications of the Snapshot findings and potential uses for advocacy and public health practice and in preparation for future public health emergencies

  Presenter(s): Emma Nagy and Tara Gomes

  Emma Nagy, PhD, is a Research Associate at KFL&A Public Health and co-led the development and implementation of this LDCP.
  
  Dr. Tara Gomes is an epidemiologist, a Canada Research Chair in Drug Policy Research and Evaluation, a scientist with MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, the Scientific Director of Urban and Community Health at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, and is the principal investigator of ODPRN.

  Disclaimer

  The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

  Accreditation

  Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

  College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

  PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

  For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  Accessibility

  Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  
  

  
  

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• Indigenous engagement and innovation in HIV prevention

  • When
    30 May 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  This is the final webinar of a four-part series on HIV prevention in Ontario co-organized by Oahas and CATIE, in partnership with 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.

  While pathways to HIV prevention are limited for some Indigenous communities in Ontario, leaders are engaging communities, increasing awareness of HIV prevention options and advocating for better access. These efforts are critical to reducing HIV transmission and HIV stigma.

  This webinar will provide examples of Indigenous leadership, innovation, community engagement and awareness-raising in the contexts of HIV prevention and sexual health. These efforts, along with biomedical tools like PrEP, PEP and the knowledge that a person with HIV on successful treatment cannot pass HIV to their sexual partners, mean that Indigenous leaders have the power to significantly change the pace of the epidemic and improve outcomes within their communities.

  With support from Elder Linda Barkman

  Moderator: Aaron Bowerman, Oahas

  Speakers:

  • Laverne Gervais, Ka Ni Kanichihk
  • Jordy Ironstar, Communities, Alliances, & Networks (CAAN)
  • Laura Liberty, Anishinabek Nation
  • Jack Saddleback, JusticeTrans

  View the first, second and third webinars in this series.

  CATIE is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health to deliver information and education for HIV service providers in Ontario.

  
  

  
  

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• Fostering Green Buildings and Building Retrofits

  • When
    31 May 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  This webinars series will feature case studies of strategies used by public health organizations to advance policies that address population health, health equity, and climate emissions in their communities. This third webinar will showcase two efforts: Birgit Isernhagen, M.Sc., EP, Environmental Health Policy Lead, Ottawa Public Health will discuss the development of an Official Plan policy that deals with extreme heat and a High Performance Building Standard that addresses air pollution, extreme heat, and climate emissions. Ilse Sarady, Senior Environmental Technologist with CVRD. This webinar will be held in English only. The recording of the webinar will be posted on CPHA's YouTube Channel.

  
  

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• Addressing Inequity and Abuse in Long-Term Care: Implications for Public Health Practice

  • When
    31 May 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  This event will take place in English with closed captioning in English and simultaneous French interpretation.
  
  In this National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health event, an expert team of researchers from McMaster University will present findings from a CIHR-funded study that sheds light on abuse and inequity in long-term care homes in the province of Ontario.
  
  Speakers:

  • Andrea Baumann, Associate Vice-President, Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Primary Care and Nursing Health Human Resources
  • Mary Crea-Arsenio, Senior Research Analyst in Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

  
  

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• What You Need to Know: Canada’s Human Rights Review on Homelessness among Women & Gender-Diverse People

  • When
    31 May 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Join us for all the answers! We will discuss the recent announcement from the Federal Housing Advocate on establishing a human rights review on the failure to prevent and end homelessness for women and gender-diverse people. We will discuss our Human Rights Claims and what comes next for holding the Government of Canada accountable for realizing the right to housing. This is a third in a series of webinars called At the Intersection, hosted by the Women's National Housing & Homelessness Network. The series means to platform the incredible work happening across Canada to further the rights of women and gender-diverse people.

  
  

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• Managing tick-related risks in outdoor environments

  • When
    31 May 2023
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  The geographic range of ticks is rapidly expanding due to climate change, animal migration, and land use changes. The objective of this project was to improve understanding of the public health impacts of ticks in Canada as a result of these changes, and outline how landscape design and management strategies can be used to reduce the risk of tick encounters in parks, residential properties and other outdoor spaces. Report 1, of the four-part series, focused on the public health risks of ticks in Canada. Report 2 established the impacts of climate and land use change on tick-related risks. Report 3 reviewed the environmental management strategies to reduce tick populations. Finally, report 4 compiled these learnings into easy to use fact-sheets for use by parks professionals and users, landscape designers, and residential property owners. This presentation will summarize the key findings of this series and highlight how they can be translated into practice to reduce the risk of ticks in outdoor spaces across Canada.

  Dr. Negar Elmieh is an interdisciplinary researcher, educator, and an advocate for health and environmental issues. Her interests lie at the intersection of environmental health and risk communication with a focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

  
  

  
  

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• How Modernizing PHIPA can Deliver a Data-Driven Health System

  • When
    01 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  A Vision for Improved Health Care for Everyone: How Modernizing PHIPA can Deliver a Data-Driven Health System

  In early May, ICES released a new report, Modernizing Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act: Recommendations for a Data-Driven Health System.

  The report is an opportunity to continue ICES’ engagement in this conversation with all provincial stakeholders and share our recommendations with our partners and communities as we exchange knowledge and innovative solutions in the data privacy sector. By advancing our vision of improved health and health care for everyone through world-leading research and analytics we hope to move the dialogue on health system transformation.

  This free, virtual webinar will provide an overview of the current challenges within PHIPA and the 5 recommendations made by ICES. Using case studies, we will bring these challenges to life and discuss what is possible in a data-driven health system.

  Our aim is to and stimulate discussion about how robust and creative data frameworks and data governance models will benefit the public and lead to improvements in the health system.

  We hope you can join us!

  
  

  
  

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• What can be done about hospital harm and patient safety in Canada?

  • When
    01 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  While most people cared for in Canada receive safe care, unintended harm does happen. Hospital harm has been increasing and has only gotten worse since the pandemic started. This is not unique to Canada but is a global issue. A recent 2023 US study by David W. Bates, MD, and colleagues examined harm across 11 Massachusetts hospitals in 2018. They found that 23.6 percent of hospital admissions had at least one adverse event, with 9 percent of admissions including an event that was serious, life-threatening or fatal.

  Join this discussion to hear more about the significance of these hospital harm findings, and perspectives from Canada on what can be done to turn this trend around.  Together we can raise awareness and support from everyone involved in healthcare, with tangible approaches for taking a proactive and holistic approach to patient safety, ensuring that every patient receives safe and effective care.

  Host : Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO, Healthcare Excellence Canada.

  Panelists :

  • David Bates – Chief, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Medical Director of Clinical and Quality Analysis, Information Systems, Mass General Brigham.
  • Ross Baker – Emeritus Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
  • Doug Cochrane – Emeritus Professor of Surgery University of British Columbia, Past Chair of the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council
  • Donna Davis – Patient Partner, Patients for Patient Safety Canada.

  
  

  
  

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• Mobilizing Action and Dismantling Systems of Oppression, Inequality and Inequity in Healthcare - Part 2

  • When
    06 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Join us to explore practical approaches to fostering more equitable engagement with a broad diversity of people in the health system. This session features two examples of initiatives designed to address inequity and offer more inclusive care: Doctors of the World and Caring Community.

  Supporting people in vulnerable situations: Doctors of the World

  Learn about the work Doctors of the World is doing to ensure and defend access to healthcare for people who are excluded and in vulnerable situations, both in Canada and abroad. This includes clinical and mental health support as well as peer harm reduction. 

  Integrating peer support in homelessness during the pandemic: The Caring Community Model 

  Learn more about the Caring Community Model, an internationally recognized model for integrated care that was adapted to respond to the unique challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in Montreal during the pandemic. Pairing primary care providers with a peer support worker generated a sense of social support and hope for both patients and providers and proved to be an effective strategy to mitigate harmful impacts of the pandemic.

  
  

  
  

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• PHO Rounds: The Geography of Sex: Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Suburbs

  • When
    06 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  The Greater Toronto Area has a mature syphilis epidemic and emerging gonorrhea and Lymphogranuloma venereum epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM). Interventions targeting these epidemics have largely ignored the role of MSM from suburban geographies. Presenters explored how MSM who lived, worked or socialized in the suburbs navigated their sexual lives and sexual health. Interviews were held with 44 MSM from in and around Peel Region between July and October 2021 about their connectedness and belonging, sex life, sexual health and activity space. Preliminary analysis found the following themes: suburban MSM are highly connected to urban, suburban and rural geographies; there is no "one size fits all" approach to sexual healthcare; suburbs can be health care deserts; outness is an important factor in health care selection; and the pandemic added an additional layer of stigma to sexual health care seeking. In addition to the above, presenters will also describe negative and positive sexual health care experiences from the study.
  
  Intended audience: Public Health professionals, physicians and nurses working in communicable diseases, STBBI, sexual health and front-line physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners
  
  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain how suburban MSM are connecting with urban, suburban, rural and sexual health care settings in the Greater Toronto Area.
  • Discuss concepts such as convection mixing and activity space and describe how these concepts might inform interventions.
  • Identify factors that affect positive and negative sexual health care experiences.
  • Discuss ”outness” and how it might influence health care seeking decisions for MSM.

  Presenter(s): Dr. Dionne Gesink, Jillian Watkins and Winson Wong

  Dr. Dionne Gesink, PhD, is a Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Gesink has built a research program investigating the social epidemiology of sexual health. She seeks to better understand the ways culture and environment shape the patterns of our sexual behaviours and relationships. Dr. Gesink uses novel approaches to navigate the complex connections between physical spaces and the people and communities who inhabit or pass through them, which provides insight into how to improve sexual health outcomes for vulnerable, marginalized, minority groups and the general population. Currently, Dr. Gesink is studying the geography of sex to reduce STI transmission among men who have sex with men (www.geographyofsex.ca).
  
  Jillian Watkins, Executive Director, Moyo Health and Community Services
  
  Winson Wong, 2SLGBTQ+ Training and Capacity Coordinator, Moyo Health and Community Services

  Disclaimer

  The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

  Accreditation

  Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

  College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

  PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

  For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  Accessibility

  Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  
  

  
  

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• Save the Date - Connected Communities: Building Equitable Integrated Healthcare

  • Start
    07 Jun 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    08 Jun 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    In-Person Conference

  The Alliance's comprehensive primary health care conference Connected Communities is here!

  As Ontario continues to transform its health system, health equity and community health and wellbeing must be front of mind. With health systems in crisis in Canada and around the world, governments and policymakers are urgently searching for solutions and sustainable models that can meet the needs of their populations while promoting equitable health and wellbeing. Continuing to constantly work in crisis and emergency mode simply isn’t an option. The question is: How do we build an integrated care system that can help prevent illness and avoid crises, reduce strain on the health system, while building up programs, organizations and networks that support people to be well, stay well, and live well in their communities?

  This conference will be an opportunity to imagine and learn about what an integrated health system built around health equity and community can look like, and the steps needed to get there in the context of Ontario Health Teams. We cordially invite you to join us in person for Connected Communities: Building Equitable Integrated Healthcare. This Primary Health Care Conference will focus on ways to centre community voices and needs, and how to build foundations on comprehensive primary health care, health promotion, chronic disease prevention and management, and actively addressing the determinants of health (housing, income, food security, etc.). Health disparities in resources and access to care disproportionately affect marginalized people and communities, especially Black and racialized populations; Indigenous people; Francophone communities; people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+; people living on low incomes; and people living in rural, remote and Northern communities, among others. By designing an integrated health system that is centered in community and the needs of marginalized populations, we will create a health system that better serves everyone living in Ontario.

  At the Connected Communities conference, we will focus on community-led innovation and solutions tapping into new research results and evidence-informed practices that are demonstrating how integrated care systems that focus on health equity and community are improving population health outcomes.

  
  

  For More Information: https://www.allianceon.org/conference2023

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• PHO Rounds: Legionella Outbreak Investigations: A Practical Approach, Part III

  • When
    08 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Legionella is a bacteria that resides in the environment, usually contracted by inhalation of contaminated aerosolized water from human-made water systems. Exposure can result in Pontiac fever, a self-limited flu-like illness or Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. This three-part series provides a practical overview of public health investigations of legionellosis, including assessment of the epidemiology, potential environmental sources, appropriate clinical and environmental testing, and environmental control and remediation.

  Part 1 (May 9) described key components and strategies in a legionellosis investigation including the epidemiology of cases, clinical testing and environmental risk factors and assessment.

  Part 2 (May 16) reviewed environmental sampling, interpretation of results and remediation measures to mitigate Legionella growth in water systems.

  Part 3 (June 8) will describe a cooling tower-associated outbreak investigated by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, lessons learned and approaches used to communicate with the public.
  
  Intended audience: Public Health Unit (PHU) staff in case and outbreak management, environmental health, Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOHs), Medical Officers of Health (MOHs)
  
  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how to do an environmental risk assessment of a cooling tower including the evaluation of bacteria control maintenance programs.
  • Discuss the value and interpretation of various environmental testing protocols when investigating Legionella outbreaks.
  • Describe potential interventions and communication strategies during a community Legionella outbreak.

  Presenter(s): Dr. Colin Q-T Lee and Karen Kivilahti

  Dr. Colin Q-T Lee MD, MSc, CCFP(EM), FRCPC, is an Associate Medical Officer of Health at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. He provides medical consultation to the Infectious Disease, Immunization and Sexual Health programs.
  
  Karen Kivilahti, HBPE, BASc, CIPH(C), is a Program Manager at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. She oversees the Safe Water Program, specializing in drinking water safety and Small Drinking Water Systems.

  Disclaimer

  The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

  Accreditation

  Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

  College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

  PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

  For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  Accessibility

  Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Occupational patterns in opioid-related harms among Ontario workers

  • When
    13 Jun 2023
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Surveillance systems that monitor opioid-related harms in Canada do not typically collect work information. Limited data on opioid overdose deaths in Canada point to construction and trades workers as the worker groups most affected by the overdose crisis; but we know little else. Through a collaboration between the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) at Ontario Health and the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), a study team has expanded the Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS) to include opioid-related harms. In this presentation, Dr. Nancy Carnide (IWH) and Dr. Paul Demers (OCRC) share findings that have emerged from this unique source of data on a large sample of formerly injured workers. Dr. Nancy Carnide is an associate scientist at the Institute for Work & Health. She conducts research at the intersection between occupational health and safety and substance use. Her program of research includes examining the use and non-medical use of prescription and recreational drugs among workers, their risk factors and the workplace consequences of their use, with a focus on cannabis and opioids. Dr. Paul Demers is the director of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, based at Ontario Health. He is also a professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and a clinical professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. He is an epidemiologist whose research focuses on the causes and prevention of a wide range of occupational diseases. He has extensive experience overseeing and conducting epidemiological and occupational health research. The IWH Speakers Series is an opportunity to learn more about the latest findings from work and health researchers at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and beyond. To learn more, visit: www.iwh.on.ca/events/speaker-series IWH is an independent, not-for-profit research organization. To learn more, go to: www.iwh.on.ca

  
  

  
  

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• Multidrug resistant TB in Canada: What public health needs to know

  • When
    13 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  In this presentation, we will describe concerns related to global and national multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) epidemiology. We will also review key steps in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Important challenges faced by Canadian public health systems in responding to MDR TB and solutions to support people who are affected will also be discussed.

  Synopsis

  Multidrug resistant TB (MDR TB) is a potentially fatal and difficult to treat infectious disease. Incidence in Canada is low but is may increase in coming years. Managing MDR TB presents several challenges for public health systems and places an enormous burden on those affected and their families.

  Objectives

  1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of why MDR TB is a serious threat to public health in Canada.
  2. Participants will learn about key challenges for the Canadian response to MDR TB.
  3. Participants will increase awareness of solutions to reduce MDR TB incidence in Canada and to support people affected and their families.

  This webinar will be delivered in English. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

  Moderator

  Nancy Bedingfield, Project Manager

  Speaker

  Dr. Brett Edwards is a clinician and researcher in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary. He completed his subspecialty medicine training in Infectious Diseases before obtaining a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Mycobacterial Disease at the University of Toronto and West Park Health Care Centre. He obtained further clinical training in TB, including drug-resistant TB, at the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, which sees some of the highest rates of MDR-TB worldwide. He currently works with Calgary TB Services, which works directly with Public Health in Alberta, in addition to Clinical Infectious Diseases, and the Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Program at the University of Calgary.

  
  

  
  

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• Climate Change: Understanding and Managing the Significant Health Impacts of Extreme Heat Events

  • When
    22 Jun 2023
  •  
    10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Join us for this free accredited educational session where highly experienced and knowledgeable public health and medical experts will answer your questions and share best practices for managing the significant health impacts of extreme heat events. The webinar will include a panel of presenters and participants will be prompted to ask their questions in real-time using webinar technology. We encourage you to send your questions in early.
  

  FORMAT

  • Moderator and presenters visible via webcam
  • Presentation slides visible on the webinar
  • Audio live through your computer speakers
  • Your questions sent via slido

  CONNECTION DETAILS

  Prior to the webinar you will receive an email from UBC CPD with connection details. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folders. You should add "@ubc.ca" to your safe sender list. If you do not see the connection email, please contact us.

  HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS

  • The Question & Answer page is OPEN NOW — we encourage you to submit your questions early.
  • Go to https://www.sli.do/ and enter the event ID # heatdome. Or go directly to https://app.sli.do/event/342vUtLXYr1Czw8jvuJxDA/
  • Type out your question in the ‘type your question’ field and click ‘SEND'. You will see your question posted and you will be able to review questions that others have asked. Your questions can be asked anonymously, just leave your name out when posting your questions. Due to the high volume of questions received during the webinar, please try to avoid asking questions that have already been asked by someone else. To increase the likelihood of a particular question being asked, please up-vote it as described in the next bullet.
  • Up-vote: feel free to click the thumbs up icon beside the questions you like as this will move those questions to the top of the queue and will increase the likelihood that they will be asked of the panel.
  • Questions will be reviewed by the moderator and relayed to the presenters before the session and during the Q&A period.

  Skills Gained

  As a result of attending the webinar, healthcare professionals will be able to:

  • Understand the health consequences of human exposure to extreme heat events
  • Be able to identify individuals vulnerable to impacts from extreme heat events
  • Recognize ways to provide support to patients before, during, and after extreme heat events

  
  

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• World Non-Communicable Diseases Congress 2023 Equitable and Sustainable Health For All

  • Start
    25 Jun 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    30 Jun 2023
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    In-Person Conference

  The third World Non-Communicable Diseases Congress (WNCD 2023) is scheduled to take place from June 25 to 30, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada.

  WNCD 2023 will gather international experts to advance knowledge and expertise on non-communicable diseases (NCD), to assess their impact globally and to develop public health measures and recommendations to mitigate and contain them.

  The Congress will cover major NCDs (for example, Cardiovascular, Cancer, Diabetes, Respiratory, and Mental Illness) and their risk factors, through the lenses of traditional health sciences (basic research, clinical, epidemiology, physiology, neurosciences, public health, social and behavioral sciences) as well as policy, health promotion and use of modern application tools such as Big Data, Machine Language and Artificial Intelligence, Wearable Technologies to assess NCD, and more.

  
  

  
  

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• World Non-Communicable Diseases Congress 2023 Equitable and Sustainable Health For All

  • Start
    25 Jun 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    30 Jun 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Hybrid Conference (Toronto, Ontario)

  The congress will address six sub-themes/tracts:

  1. Reducing inequalities in the prevalence, risk factors and conditions, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation or management of NCDs across socio-economic status, cultures, races, geographic regions, genders, sexual identities, abilities and special needs. 
  2. Identifying and responding to the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, human migration and displacement on NCD risk, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, management rehabilitation, governance or health care system organization. 
  3. Understanding the determinants, or efforts to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat or manage NCDs that may change across the human lifespan. 
  4. Identifying and implementing multi-morbidity, multi-disciplinary and/or cross geographic solutions by working and sharing methods, data, technologies, knowledge, perspectives, practices and policies. 
  5. New research, perspectives, theories, policies, technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Machine Language (AI/ML), Big Data, and telemedicine), or practices which may enhance our ability to better address the etiology/determinants, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and/or management of NCDs.
  6. Improving governance, health system organization, multi-lateral collaboration and knowledge exchange to reduce the global, regional, national or local impact of NCDs. .

  Congress Format:

  The third World NCD Congress will be a hybrid format, with in-person and virtual participation. Over 1,000 oral and poster abstracts are expected to be presented. All oral presentations will be made in person, with poster presenters having the option of presenting their work in person or virtually. All plenary sessions, and a selection of concurrent sessions, will be streamed live on the Congress Online Platform. All in-person and virtual presentations will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on the Online Platform following the Congress.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Forum on a Public Health Approach to Psychedelics

  • Start
    27 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • End
    28 Jun 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Registration is now open for our Forum on a Public Health Approach to Psychedelics. Psychedelic drugs have emerged prominently on the health and legal landscape in Canada, with rapid developments in clinical, therapeutic, spiritual and recreational uses paralleling some aspects of the medical-regulation-to-legalization pathway of cannabis. It’s time to consider these developments from public policy and public health perspectives. Please plan to join us for two half-day sessions with Canadian experts and stakeholders. 

  
  

  Les inscriptions sont ouvertes pour notre Forum de sur une démarche de santé publique à l’égard des psychédéliques. Les drogues psychédéliques se taillent une place prépondérante dans le paysage sanitaire et juridique du Canada avec les développements rapides de leurs usages cliniques, thérapeutiques, spirituels et récréatifs qui rappellent certains aspects du parcours du cannabis, de sa réglementation médicale à sa légalisation. Il est temps d’étudier ces développements sous l’angle des politiques publiques et de la santé publique. Nous espérons que vous serez des nôtres pour deux séances d’une demi-journée avec des parties prenantes et des spécialistes canadiens.

  
  

  
  

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• Breaking bad: Strategies and tips to decrease nicotine use

  • When
    28 Jun 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Smoking can cause serious health issues and is the leading cause of death among substance use disorders. Connect with your fellow family doctors as we share personal experiences with managing patients who smoke. We’ll discuss motivational interviewing, provide an overview of treatment options and share available referral pathways that can support a patient.

  Panelists

  • Dr. Monica Gad (Toronto, ON)
  • Dr. Osnat Melamed (Toronto, ON)
  • Dr. Peter Selby (Toronto, ON)

  
  

  
  

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• Recognizing and treating pelvic pain in women

  • When
    26 Jul 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Women’s pain issues, including menstrual and pregnancy related pain, can often go dismissed due to a lack of training in pelvic pain. This can lead to the undertreatment of pain symptoms in women. How can family physicians better recognize and offer treatments to ensure these issues are being addressed? Join our upcoming session as our panelists offer personal experience with managing female patients with pelvic pain including investigations and treatment options.

  
  

  
  

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• Helpful approaches to insomnia

  • When
    23 Aug 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Insomnia can be caused by multiple factors and may require a longer appointment, but family doctors don’t always have the time. If the issue is not addressed, over-reliance on sleep aids can lead to patient dependency and poor sleep can lead to substance use, as well as decreased productivity and mood. Connect with us as our panelists discuss experiences treating insomnia with non-pharmaceutical methods (ex. Cognitive behavioral therapy) and relaxation techniques. We’ll also provide a treatment algorithm and share what other options one should try after melatonin and trazodone.

  
  

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• Helping patients manage cannabis dependencies

  • When
    27 Sep 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Webinar

  Legalized cannabis and the marketing of its products has led to patients experiencing an increased dependency on cannabis to manage pain and anxiety. Family doctors don’t always know when cannabis is indicated and the messaging available may come from sources with a conflict of interest. What can family doctors do to support patients experiencing cannabis dependency? Join your fellow family doctors as we engage in a discussion, share personal experiences and practical tips and strategies to help.

  
  

  
  

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• Addressing patients with personality disorder

  • When
    25 Oct 2023
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Webinar

  There are few treatment options for patients with personality disorders and these patients can pose a challenge for doctors and clinic staff, leading to burnout. If a personality disorder is not addressed, patients may not receive the care they need and family doctors may not want to continue with the individual as a patient or may become burned out from treating them. Join our next session as we share treatment options for managing patients with personality disorders (specifically borderline). We’ll share strategies on how to manage a patient’s behaviour when it causes conflict with staff and how to avoid burnout when caring for a patient with a personality disorder.

  
  

  
  

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