IN TODAY'S UPDATE

Ontario Virtual Care Clinic now available directly to patients 

Ontario Virtual Care Clinic now available directly to patients

As of today, patients can directly access the Ontario Virtual Care Clinic via seethedoctor.ca without having to obtain a referral from Telehealth Ontario. The Ontario Telemedicine Network virtual care clinic was designed by the Ontario Telemedicine Network to support patients who do not have a primary care physician. Those who do, should first seek care through their primary care physician before using the service. It is hoped that this direct patient access will result in an increased volume of patients accessing the clinic. As volumes grow, OntarioMD will onboard physicians who have indicated their interest in being involved on a first-come, first-served basis. 

About COVID-19

Updated COVID literature summaries

The OMA collection of one-line summaries of published COVID literature from the BMJ, JAMA, The Lancet and the NEJM has been updated. 
 
Review the updates.
 

Portal for clinical research

The OMA’s Research Group has prepared a COVID-19 clinical research guide to support its internal research and environmental scanning activities. The guide aggregates evidence-based COVID-19 resources from authoritative sources across the government, health-care, academic/research and publishing sectors. Content includes links to COVID-19 clinical guidance, evidence-based summaries, statistics, mapping, modelling/projections and research tools. 
 
Access the portal.
 

Providing Care

Updated Patient Assessment Tool for Physicians

The OMA has updated its patient assessment tool for physicians to reflect new guidance from the Ministry of Health. The updates include a list of atypical signs and symptoms of COVID-19; additional populations to prioritize for testing (including symptomatic residents of institutional settings, symptomatic first responders and those referred by public health units); and, special considerations for testing residents of long-term care homes and retirement homes, as well as members of remote, isolated and Indigenous communities.  The return-to-work guidance for health care workers has also been updated.  
 
Review the assessment tool. 
 

PPE & Other Critical Supplies

New provincial guidance for optimizing PPE supply

Ontario Health has published new, evidence-based recommendations regarding optimizing the supply of PPE, including extended use, limited reuse and the use of expired products, as well as considerations for procuring reusable and non-NIOSH certified PPE as well as methods for reprocessing PPE. 

This guidance expands on the information the OMA provided to members about optimizing the existing supply of masks and respirators on April 3.  
 
Access the Ontario Health recommendations and the OMA summary for Optimizing Supply of Masks and Respirators.
 

Managing Your Practice During COVID-19

OHIP coverage: removal of three-month waiting period

The government temporarily waived the three-month waiting period for OHIP coverage on March 19. The aim was to encourage everyone to be tested or treated for COVID-19. The changes also cover non-COVID issues. The three-month waiting period will be reinstated at a later date.

Access the government’s InfoBulletin for details.

Resumption of selected services

We understand that many members have had to defer or cancel services in keeping with the CMOH’s directive on discontinuing non-essential care. We want to know which delays or deferrals are having (or potentially could have) the most impact on your patients The OMA will work with key sections and stakeholders to prioritize areas for attention and propose creative solutions where needed. 
 
Please continue to refer to our Guide to Identifying Non-Essential Visits.
 

News & Announcements

We are launching a virtual care radio and newspaper public service campaign this week in markets across Ontario.  The PSAs remind the public that their doctors’ offices are open and doctors are ready to meet with patients virtually via phone and video from the comfort and safety of their homes. 

Access the Virtual Care PSA
 

OMA Insurance is here to help you during COVID-19

OMA Insurance understands you may be experiencing financial hardship and additional stressors related to COVID-19.   

View the FAQs that have been updated to address these concerns as well as the latest questions members have been asking about obtaining insurance coverage. 

You can also call 1-800-758-1641 to speak with an OMA Insurance advisor.
 

DoctorCare Inc. offer

DoctorCare is offering Practice Care automated billing service free for 60 days with no future commitment required. 

Learn more. 

Updates & Reminders

Please join our OMA member Town Hall tonight from 8-9 p.m., which will focus exclusively on addressing member questions on the agreement and negotiations. OMA President Dr. Sohail Gandhi will host.

This Town Hall requires registration.
 

Palliative care and COVID-19 webinar

Hospice Palliative Care Ontario and the OMA are holding a webinar Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. The webinar will cover advance care planning and goals of care, how to have these conversations, and how to do a death certificate and pronouncement.

Register.

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