Groundhog Day

February brings us Groundhog Day, an 1800’s European tradition, previously known as Badger Day, whereby the animal emerges from its burrow and predicts the arrival of Spring, based on it’s shadow. The popularity of this day grew with the 1993 movie by the same name, which used “Groundhog Day” as a term that meant repeating […]

Vaccine Violence

The pandemic continues to test our society in unprecedented ways, affecting mental health, our safety and sense of security. Recently, the newest crisis faced by our healthcare community and hospitals, is not that of the virus itself, but rather the increasing harassment, threats, and violence at the hands of anti-vaxxers and those opposing public health […]

Vaccination Disclosure? A question of many questions

As a follow up to June’s blog regarding mandatory vaccinations, the question arises whether a healthcare worker should be required to declare their vaccination status to their employers or to their patients.  Currently, vaccination disclosure is generally not required, primarily due to privacy rights.  However, it certainly does pose many ethical concerns, and one that […]

Mandatory Vaccinations

Can Employers Mandate the Covid Vaccine? In a Canadian Medical Association Journal article published this year (link to full document below), the topic of mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers was examined.  In many US states, employers have initiated policy that requires their employees to be immunized against the Covid virus, with the penalty of suspension […]

Physician Assistants as Physician Extenders

The requirement for trained healthcare professionals increases as the pandemic continues to cause overcapacity in hospitals, and as a result, the Ministry of Health is proposing new legislation to support patient care.  The “Advancing Oversight and Planning in Ontario’s Health System Act, 2021 will include many initiatives, including increased funding for community care, increased scope […]

Spring Has Sprung

Spring is upon us and with it comes a season of new growth and beginnings.  Within the next few months, Respiratory Therapy in Ontario is set to grow with the graduation and registration of approximately 100 student RT’s.  It is an extremely exciting time for these graduates, who have studied in unprecedented times.  While they […]