Practicing Well Community of Practice

Under Section 203 of the Highway Traffic Act, physicians have mandatory reporting requirements for high risk medical conditions, visual impairments, and functional impairments that make it dangerous for a person to drive. These decisions are mandated and can cause a great deal of stress for both the patient and the physician and can challenge their therapeutic relationship. We'll explore how to ha...

When a patient discloses thoughts of self‑harm or harm to others, family physicians are often faced with one of the most complex and high‑stakes decisions in clinical practice: whether to complete a Form 1. In this session, our panelists will unpack the Ontario legal framework behind Form 1, what "reasonable grounds" and "serious bodily harm" actually look like in real office settings, and how to...

Supporting patients with return‑to‑work planning and related WSIB documentation, such as FAF forms, can be complex for family physicians, particularly when balancing clinical care with administrative demands. In this session, we will consider approaches to supporting patients in returning to full or modified duties in an efficient and practical manner. The Practising Well Community of Practice has...

Many family physicians struggle with completing WSIB forms and advising patients on workplace injuries. This session will provide practical guidance on when to offer WSIB support, how to complete and bill forms, and how to counsel patients who fear employer repercussions. By improving your WSIB knowledge, you'll help patients access coverage and avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.  The Practisi...

Insomnia is one of the most common issues family physicians see, but treating it effectively isn't always straightforward. While patients may initially look to medication for relief, the best evidence supports Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) as the first-line treatment. This session will take you through how to assess insomnia properly, what CBTi can look like in your practice an...

Many patients may enter pregnancy while managing existing mental health conditions, and others may develop symptoms postpartum. Given this, it's essential to understand how to screen and support these patients safely. In this session, our panel will walk you through practical ways to identify and treat common perinatal issues like depression, anxiety and ADHD—while keeping both parent and baby in...

There is growing interest in the use of psychedelics for the treatment of PTSD, depression and substance use disorders. Patients may ask their provider about these options, but family physicians are unaware of the latest data on safety and efficacy or understand what services are available in Ontario. During this session, our panelist will discuss the current evidence for specific treatments in PT...

Collectively, physicians faced and/or continue to face a trauma related to caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few family physicians have had the opportunity to collectively discuss this. During this session, our panelists will discuss their own experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their coping strategies and the need for further exploration and support for family ph...

Since 2018, patients have been able to access medical cannabis that has been authorized by a physician who signs a medical document. New research supporting the therapeutic use, safety and efficacy on cannabis is only now emerging, which puts family physicians in a difficult position as they may be asked to authorize cannabis when they are not familiar with the process. During this session, our pa...

Administrative burden, including completing complex forms and reviewing EMRs are all contributing to burnout in family medicine. During this session, our panelists will discuss tricks to efficiently review EMRs, setting boundaries with patients, taking vacations and training your office staff to take on some of the burdensome tasks.    Panelists:  Dr. Neil Naik  Dr. Anish Mody  Dr. Samantha Lavitt...

Even if a family doctor makes the correct diagnosis and prescribes the most appropriate treatment to address an illness, if a patient is unable to access the treatment due to social or financial circumstances the patient will not improve. Other issues affecting health, such as social isolation or food insecurity are often a large factor contributing to ill health and family physicians are often il...

New nicotine delivery systems, policies and evidence are evolving to include nicotine pouches, 'heat sticks', and vaping products. Family physicians may be unfamiliar with emerging products and evidence and unable to provide guidance to patients. During this session, our panelists will review these products and discuss the best advice for smoking cessation and harm reduction for patients who are n...

New family doctors are often hesitant to continue prescribing opioids for patients, including to those who need opioids for pain management. However, opioids can be a helpful treatment for pain and it's important for family doctors to know how to prescribe them effectively. During this session, our panelists will discuss how stopping opioids suddenly can lead to withdrawal, when opioids can be use...

The Practising Well Community of Practice has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 1 Mainpro+ Ⓡ credits. This Community of Practice includes a series of planned webinars. Each session is worth 1 Mainpro+ Ⓡ credits, for up to a total of 12 credits.   Panelists: - Dr. Samantha Green - Dr. Myles Sergeant - Dr. Marina Abdel Malak   Moderator: D...

  Evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions in improving health outcomes, building trust, and reducing substance-related harms. In this session, we explore the impact of SCS closures on family practice, focusing on the potential health sequelae and the importance of harm reduction-informed primary care. Our panel will include a lived experience perspective and will di...

Chronic pain is widely recognized as a bio-psycho-social phenomenon, yet family physicians often rely solely on medication management strategies. Understanding the scientific role of biological, psychological and social factors in mediating chronic pain, as well as the resources available beyond medication management, can leave providers feeling more empowered in caring for patients with these iss...

Leaving or transitioning back into your practice, or decreasing your hours due to retirement, relocation, illness, or maternity leave can be challenging, especially amid the current family medicine crisis where patients struggle to find new family doctors and there is a shortage of locums. The difficulty in finding a locum, or the feeling of being unable to retire or take a leave of absence, can l...

Due to current challenges in healthcare, there are often delays in getting referrals for children and youth with depression, leaving family physicians to manage their care. In this session, the panel provides family physicians with guidance for providing care and discuss evidence-based approaches to care, assessment tools and resources, treatment options and pathways for referrals. The Practising...

AI and technology are changing the ways family doctors practice family medicine. This includes through the adoption of virtual visits and consults, and using AI to chart patient records, all of which family physicians need to stay up to date on. Listen to this session as our panel discusses how to integrate AI and technology into your practice, and maintain wellness in an increasingly virtual worl...

Currently, there are long waitlists for free psychiatric assessments for adults with suspected ADHD, leaving patients unable to receive the necessary treatments. However, many family doctors are not comfortable with managing and diagnosing ADHD themselves. In this session, our panel discusses best practices for diagnosing and treating patients with ADHD in order to meet their patients' needs. The...

Family physicians are often seen as the safety net for the entire health care system. Family doctors frequently face pressures from hospitals, specialists, families, and patients to fill the endless gaps in health care. However, this overreliance on family doctors has caused burnout and unhealthy work habits. Listen to this session as our panel discusses provisions of safe care and setting boundar...

In Canada, one in 300 people ages 15 and older are transgender or non-binary, meaning that most family doctors care for gender non-conforming people in their practice.  However, these patients face unique societal and medical barriers that put them at higher risk for mental health issues and higher than average suicide rates. Providing a safe environment and knowing how to access or provide gender...

Rising rates of obesity and diabetes, drug shortages, patient demand and societal discussions around fat-shaming, have placed family physicians in a difficult position, at times acting as gatekeepers for medications, determining which patients should gain access to GLP-1 agonists. Broader societal discussion around what constitutes 'health' and 'overweight' may leave physicians feeling alone in gr...