Medical Practice News

HOOPP opens pension plan to self-employed Ontario doctors for first time
Starting in January, incorporated physicians and their staff can join the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan.
Saskatoon doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.

New education programs and provincial regulations mean more PAs across Canada

As this role becomes a more popular choice for those pursuing a career in medicine, how will PAs mesh with the existing system?
OMA launches new confidential peer support program for physician mental health

The program is comprised of 25 physicians from various specialties, who can be reached for emotional support or guidance, where appropriate.
‘I will destroy you financially and emotionally’: New documents show abusive messages from doctor who rented apartment to patient

Dr. Jeffrey Martin Steinberg was fined $6,000 and handed an eight-month suspension in September.
Ontario expanding nurse practitioners’ scope of practice

The government plans regulatory changes to allow nurse practitioners to order and apply a defibrillator, order and apply a cardiac pacemaker, and order and perform electrocoagulation, a process to treat skin conditions and lesions.
988 suicide helpline takes more than 300K calls, texts in its first year

Dr. Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer for the helpline, says people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week no matter where they live in Canada.
The OR can be a dangerous place for doctors

OR medical staff should be included in the design process.
Dallas doctor convicted of tampering with IV bags linked to coworker’s death and other emergencies

Prosecutors said that evidence presented at trial showed that numerous patients at Surgicare North Dallas suffered cardiac emergencies during routine medical procedures.
The referral dilemma

Referrals are one of the biggest pain points for family doctors, often having no idea whether a specialist or surgeon has a short or long waiting list or if a specialist even treats a specific issue.