Pandemic Effects on Family Medicine
The usual way of practicing family medicine is now on hold for the foreseeable future. What does this mean for you? Here is a summary of our current status.
1. All routine screening and general health maintenance visits are suspended. This means blood pressure checks, diabetes, lab work, and office visits. Routine physicals, pap smears, colon cancer screening, mammography are all suspended for the foreseeable future.
2. Routine comprehensive Well-Baby in-office visits are suspended for the time being. Public Health has emphasized that routine immunizations should still be given if at all possible, and our policy for those visits is
3. Allergy injections, B12 injections, etc. -- unfortunately, we are unable to perform these injections in person. Some individuals may be able to self-inject, but this is not commonly done. There are also some liability concerns with patients performing allergy injections at home, should reactions arise. With B12 injections, fortunately, it would take a long time (probably the best part of a year) before any really significant problems arose, and I am hoping that we will have recovered to a somewhat more familiar routine by then.
As of early June 2020, we are starting to look at the possibility of a gradual re-opening for these visits, but no decision has been made yet, as we follow guidelines from Public Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
4. New onset of concerning but not life-threatening conditions -- I am trying to work through this as best as possible. I have had a number of patients with this sort of problem and we can consult by phone to assess what the best course of action might be. If it is not an emergency, email (preferred) or telephone the office, and we can set up a Virtual Visit by telephone or video call.
5. Emergency medical problems. For these types of problems, e.g. severe chest pains, significant shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, fractures, etc., you should still go the closest Emergency Department for assessment and treatment. Further details here.
6. Prescription Refills - For our current policy, click here#mctmp
7. Routine Lab Testing - This is currently suspended until further notice. Simply continue with your medications as last prescribed. If you have any questions, please email us.