As we hit the two year mark since the day the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic, we are now a week away from mask mandates ending for many sectors, schools and public settings in Ontario. While an overwhelming relief to some, experts are saying that choosing to continue to wear a face covering […]
This past year has shown us again the dedication and determination of Respiratory Therapists across the province. In a climate that continues to evolve, so do RT’s. These dedicated professionals have stepped up to not only provide expert care within their specialty, but also to offer support to their healthcare team friends when human resources […]
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 […]
In late July of this year, the inquiry report in response to the Wettlaufer case was made public (Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System). The recommendations contained within the report are intended to address the factors that contributed to this tragedy, and although its focus is […]
On the two year anniversary of the enacting of federal legislation on Medical Assistance in Dying (M.A.I.D), Health Canada published its third interim report(1). This report provides insight into how many medically-assisted deaths have taken place, the settings in which they occurred, the individual’s age and gender, as well as the most common underlying medical […]
Academic integrity – or lack thereof – appears to have become a very serious issue for colleges and universities throughout North America. In 2015, Dartmouth College (a private Ivy League in New Hampshire) suspended 64 students for cheating – in an ethics class!(1) (I have included a reference here for fear of being accused of […]
Elizabeth Wettlaufer, former registered nurse, is back in the news again this week with the opening of the Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry. Ms. Wettlaufer – in case you have forgotten – pled guilty to eight counts of 1st degree murder, four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault back in June […]
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to listen to an excellent presentation given by Dr. Brian Hodges from the University Health Network. His talk provided a thought provoking exploration into the types of competencies health care practitioners will need in the not so distant future – and these competencies are quite different […]
Do you know what I think is most surprising about the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal? Absolutely nothing. Same story; different day. It was Bill Cosby and Bill O’Reilly last week and its Harvey Weinstein this week. Guaranteed it will be someone else next week. And these are just the men who are rich and powerful […]
Social media was abuzz last week over the Utah burn unit nurse who was arrested for protecting the rights of her patient. The story goes that a police officer (who apparently was a part-time paramedic) wanted to take a blood sample from an unconscious patient who was injured in a deadly collision involving another driver […]
