Dear Doctor,
Keeping yourself healthy
During this difficult time, physicians may encounter heightened stress and challenges. You may feel fatigue, worry or anxiety. If in distress, please contact the DNS’s Professional Support Program for CONFIDENTIAL help 24-7, 365 days a year. Call: 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free) or email.
What’s new?
· As of today, March 19, Nova Scotia has five confirmed cases and nine presumptive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 14. Northern Nova Scotia remains the only region without a positive case of COVID-19 at this time. The 14 individuals affected range in age from early 30’s to mid-70’s. Today’s highlights include:
o One of the earlier cases was admitted to hospital, to the COVID-19 unit at the Halifax Infirmary, and is doing well.
o Public Health has done contract tracing on a case connected with Dalhousie University
o No community spread that is known, but is becoming more likely
o The province is donating $1 million to Feed Nova Scotia to support vulnerable people across the province through their local food bank
o Community Services clients will receive a stipend to help them live more safely in their community
o Effective today, no tenant can be evicted if they contract COVID-19
· As of 11:30 a.m. (EST) on March 19, there are 736 confirmed and 34 probable cases of COVID-19 in Canada. The virus continues to spread globally.
Virtual care fees: A good first step
We’re pleased to have a virtual care fee code in place for all family physicians and specialists. We recognize that the fee code is not perfect but it’s a step in the right direction that will allow all physicians to begin providing virtual care to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We encourage all physicians to provide the care you would normally provide and bill for it using the virtual care code. Any visit that would normally be billed as a face-to-face visit may be billed using this code.
Doctors Nova Scotia is working with the Department of Health and Wellness to improve the fee code and address concerns about the specialist fee, opioid agonist treatment and psychotherapy, as well as how the fee code will apply for work at long-term care facilities and walk-in clinics.
Please share your feedback with Kevin Chapman to inform this work.
We also hope to have information to you soon about virtual care technology solutions.
Read the March 18 MSI Bulletin for full details
March 18, 2020 letter to Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Central Zone physicians
To prepare for COVID-19 infections, the Division of General Internal Medicine will not be accepting non-urgent ambulatory referrals at this time given the urgent need to reallocate its workforce capacity to acute inpatient management. This will be re-evaluated on April 15, 2020 with high likelihood of a prolonged extension. The division is also cancelling all non-urgent follow-up appointments. Read the full letter here.
Information hubs to keep current
- Stay current with NSHA updates and services cancellations, including:
- Previously circulated forms/documents:
- Stay current with IWK updates and service cancellations
- Stay current with DNS updates and information
MD and Scotiabank: Here to support physicians during COVID-19
MD Financial Management (MD) and Scotiabank clients are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, the companies are implementing new precautionary measures. Regarding the markets, MD portfolios were designed to achieve long-term financial goals with respect to clients’ comfort level with risk and volatility. Learn more: “Staying in control: How to avoid emotional investing” blog.
Join the COVID-19 webinar
Doctors Nova Scotia is hosting an information webinar on Monday, March, 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on COVID-19 with Dr. Claudia Sarbu, medical officer of health (MOH), and her NSHA colleagues. Dr. Sarbu will share the latest information and address your questions and concerns.
Special thanks to Drs. Claudia Sarbu, Ryan Sommers and Mark McKelvie for the development and presentation of the webinar.
Register here
COVID-19 FAQs and webinar recordings
Doctors Nova Scotia is committed to providing its members with the latest updates and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To help physicians stay up to date, DNS is posting recordings of all webinars, including the Q&A portions, plus additional FAQs and all of our email updates.
CLICK HERE for the FAQs.
* Log-in is required to ensure your confidentiality. If you need help with your DNS log-in, email cat.henderson@doctorsns.com.
REMINDERS
Repatriating retired physicians
Doctors who have retired in the past three years may be eligible to return to practise. Contact Katrina Philopoulos at Katrina.Philopoulos@nshealth.ca if you are interested.
Posters, public education
Self-monitoring vs. self-isolation vs. isolation for COVID-19
How to care for person with COVID-19 at home, advice for caregivers
Personal protective equipment
The OMA has created an infographic to show the recommendations for this pandemic. Check out the infographic.
Insurance for lost time
Doctors Nova Scotia benefits with Canada Life cover health and dental only. For those members with private disability insurance through OMA, your coverage has at least a 30-day (and in most cases a 60-day) waiting period. If you have coverage through other plans, please consult your plan providers about things like waiting periods and eligibility for quarantine versus illness.
Travel
Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada (including physicians) must self-isolate for 14 days when they return to Nova Scotia. If you have been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38°C) and/or new cough you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811.
DNS meetings and events
- All Board of Director meetings, E-health Committee meetings, section meetings or other meetings scheduled between March 18 and June 30 will be conducted virtually, supported by the GoToMeeting or GoToWebinar platform.
- Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) and the Section of Physician Leader activities scheduled for April and May are cancelled. If you’ve registered for PLI courses, you will receive a full refund from DNS by the end of March 2020. If you’ve made a hotel reservation, please cancel that as soon as possible.
- DNS’s annual conference at Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is cancelled. The business meeting (annual general meeting) and members’ forum will be held virtually on June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Members can register to attend this meeting virtually at no cost. All social events related to the conference will be cancelled.
- If you’ve already registered, you will receive a full refund.
- If you’ve made a hotel reservation, please cancel that as soon as possible.
- Register here for the free virtual annual general meeting and members’ forum on June 6, 2020.
- Doctors Nova Scotia staff will not be visiting physicians in clinics and hospital facilities on Doctors Day. We will send you some uplifting messages from your patients, via DNS email, on May 1 to help lift your spirits during this difficult time.
If you have any questions about an upcoming meeting with DNS, please reach out to the meeting organizer for more details.
DNS staff and organizational preparedness
All DNS employees are working from home until April 8, consistent with our business continuity plan and measures that many public institutions are taking to facilitate social distancing. Instead of visiting our office, please reach us by phone or email. For physicians who have upcoming meetings scheduled, staff will be in touch to offer alternative ways to participate in meetings. Our main line will be closely monitored during regular business hours. If you call, please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. You may reach us by email or by phone 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.
Additional Resources:
Department of Health and Wellness (public)
Nova Scotia Health Authority (physician and provider hub)
811 assessment – when to call (advice for patients)
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas
Government of Canada
Nova Scotia Public Health offices
Canadian Medical Association