What’s new?

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

• Effective today, instead of calling 811 as a first step, people can now do a COVID-19 self-assessment online. This will reduce the wait time to be screened for testing from 12 hours to about 10 minutes. If the online assessment determines that a person requires a test, Nova Scotia Health or the IWK Health Centre will call them within 24 to 48 hours to book an appointment
• One new case was announced yesterday; the case is in the Northern Zone and is related to travel outside of Canada

Burnout research findings
Dr. Emily Marshall, PhD, will present recent Nova Scotia findings on burnout among family physicians and nurse practitioners from her MAAP-NS and ECPC studies. She will examine burnout rates, who is most at risk, provider perspectives on burnout and reported consequences of burnout. There will be opportunities for supportive discussion and input on future research directions. When: Family Medicine Grand Rounds meeting Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 a.m. – join via the Zoom link

Reminders

TONIGHT: First wave: Atlantic Canada’s chief medical officers discuss lessons from COVID-19
This session is an opportunity for physicians to understand and take stock of what worked, and to explore what can change to prepare for the second wave of COVID-19. When: Oct. 1, 2020 at 7 p.m. ADT. Learn more and join the live stream here.

Webinars

Seasonal flu and COVID-19 
Understand the complexities of seasonal flu during the pandemic and receive an overview of flu vaccine supply and distribution. Join Dr. Shelly McNeil, division of infectious diseases, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics and Stacey Dunphy, Nova Scotia Health provincial immunization coordinator. When: Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today 

Family medicine in the new normal
Reopening a family practice safely can be daunting. In this session, infectious disease experts Drs. Lynn Johnston and Jeannette Comeau will discuss what is known about COVID-19 in both adults and children, how COVID-19 is the new normal and considerations for safe care of patients in person. When: Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today

DNS webinar recordings
Check out recordings of previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

ICYMI

Special bulletin from Dr. Rob Strang
The revised 811 screening criteria for testing now includes if in the past 48 hours a person has had or is currently experiencing fever or cough (new or worsening) or two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening): sore throat, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath. Dr. Strang emphasized the need to screen patients virtually for illness before in-person visits and to screen people who should be self-isolating to ensure they are compliant. He also provided information for office-based infection prevention and control. Read the memo

Free personal protective equipment extended to Oct. 31
Click here to submit a request to the Department of Health and Wellness for personal protective equipment for physicians and their staff. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Physician resilience COVID-19 study 
Drs. Jackie Kinley and John Chiasson provided daily support sessions and webinars to help physicians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians are invited to complete a brief survey about the experience to help guide the response for the next wave of COVID-19. Take the survey

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events have moved to a virtual meeting. You may reach staff by email or by calling 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.

Resources

Note: See the DNS COVID-19 hub for a complete list of COVID-19 resources.

• Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19[BJ12] 
• Medical appointments for rotational workers[BJ13] 
• CMA Physician Wellness Hub
• Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service FAQ or information card 
• COVID-19 Signs, Symptoms and Severity of Disease – A Clinician Guide – June 18, 2020
• Nova Scotia Health guidelines for re-introduction of in-office primary care
• Updated: Guidance for physician employers (legal information)
• Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients - The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE)

Information hubs to watch

• Nova Scotia Health updates and service cancellations
• IWK updates and service cancellations
• Doctor Nova Scotia updates and information
• Dalhousie CPD COVID-19 webpage
• Department of Health and Wellness
• 811 assessment – when to call
• Government of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society COVID-19 resources for the care of children