Coronavirus update - June 2, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 2, 2020

The COVID-19 situation in Nova Scotia is changing rapidly. Check the links at the bottom for the latest updates.

Feeling overwhelmed or need to talk to someone?
Contact the Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) Professional Support Program at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), via email or join the weekly Zoom meeting – see details below under webinars.

What’s new?

Webinars

Zoom session now on Wednesdays: Coping with COVID-19
The daily Zoom meetings with Drs. Jaqueline Kinley and John Chiasson have now concluded. A weekly Zoom session will continue to be held on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link Password is 975004                                          

Thanks to all of the presenters, residents and medical students for volunteering their time and expertise with these sessions to help Nova Scotia physicians prepare for the demands of COVID-19.

Webinar recordings
Watch the webinar recording from the May 28 “Public health update and office-based practices in the new normal” session and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub. Don’t forget to read the guidelines for office-based physicians providing patient care within the new normal of a COVID-19 environment.

Reminders

Federal support for patients
Do your patients need help accessing federal programs and services? Complete an e-Services form and a Service Canada employee will call you back within two business days. Or call 1-800-O-CANADA. Although Service Canada offices are closed, they are open for business and available by phone and online. See poster (English and French)

Medication access for palliative care patients
Physicians are advised to manage medication supplies to minimize waste and to anticipate future challenges. As an interim measure, community pharmacists can request a supply from a hospital pharmacy when they cannot fill prescriptions in a timely manner. Read the full message

Latest bulletin from Dr. Strang
In his May 22 bulletin, Dr. Strang communicated the expanded symptom criteria and office-based infection prevention and control practices. Learn more

Balint support group starts June 8 – three spaces left
The Nova Scotia Physicians’ Balint group, led by Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning, will take place Monday evenings at 6-7 p.m. from June 8-July 13 (first meeting runs until 7:30 p.m.) There are three spaces left. Register here. Not able to make this session but interested in future Balint groups?  Email Dr. Ali Manning to add your name to the interest list.

Psychological distress among physicians: longitudinal survey
A research study seeks to understand how COVID-19 is affecting physicians. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and was approved by the NSHA’s research ethics board. Contact Dr. Jonathan Bailey for more information.

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events are cancelled or 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

Information hubs to watch