October 2018 Newsletter
Meet the PhD Candidates conducting their work in Family Medicine
As part of our annual Dr. Ian McWhinney Lectures Series, the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine - Showcasing our PhD Students’ research hour included four captivating presentations by current PhD candidates conducting work in Family Medicine with a Family Medicine supervisor. Drs. Helena Piccinini-Vallis and Kamila Premji are students in the PhD in Family Medicine Graduate Studies Program, Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing is enrolled in the Doctoral Program in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Narlon Cassio Boa Sorte Silva is enrolled in the School of Kinesiology's PhD program. As a Department we are proud of our talented PhD students and the collaborations our Family Medicine faculty has with other departments across campus. Learn More.
Chair's Message – MOHLTC Arbitration
The release of the arbitration position for primary care as outlined by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) has created a lot of angst among family physicians in Ontario... . If even some of these proposals are accepted by the arbitrator it could have a devastating effect on family doctor morale, teaching and academic work, the existence of patient enrollment models and the choice of family medicine as a career by medical students. Learn More.
Postgraduate Program Report
We are recruiting Family Medicine faculty to teach in the Academic Half Day series... Drs Christina Cookson and Jamie Wickett recently led a faculty development session that described roles of coaches and mentors in medicine, reviewed accreditation standards for faculty advising, and explored how clinical preceptors in family medicine can fulfill the roles using the new Periodic Review Form. An archived recording of the session can be reviewed on our livestream website. Learn More.
Graduate Program Report
I am pleased to report a very successful MClSc / PhD on-site that commenced on September 17 and culminated with the Ian McWhinney Lecture on September 26. We congratulate our current PhD students’ - Dr. Kamila Premji (Patients’ Access to Primary Care) and Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis (Women’s Gestational Weight and Their Children’s BMI) on their excellent presentations showcased at the Dr. Ian McWhinney Lecture Series Day. Learn More.
Chief Residents
Adam Fogel, Dema Kadri and Peter Chedade are the 2018/2019 Family Medicine chief residents. They serve as an important resource to the Department and resident body, as well as mentors, leaders, and advocates for the Program. Meet each of our resident leaders in this profile series.
Heart and Stroke Grant enables researchers to study the effect of exercise on the brain
Thanks to a recent grant from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Dr. Rob Petrella, Professor at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and a team from the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine will be initiating a community-based exercise program combining high-intensity exercise with mind-motor training with the goal of looking for ways to improve cardiovascular health and cognitive function.
In the media: Why family medicine residencies might become longer/Fans in Training and the TechAlliance BURST program
Dr. Kath Stringer, MClSc '17, Chair of the Discipline of Family Medicine at Memorial University in St. John’s Newfoundland, weighs in on the question that's long been kicked around — should family medicine residencies be longer? Via CBC Nova Scotia. London Inc. weekly featured Fans in Training as part of the TechAlliance BURST program, a year-long incubation program that provides intensive support to high-potential medical technology startups and scale-ups. Learn More.
Family Medicine celebrates annual Dr. Ian McWhinney Lecture Series
The Department celebrated the legacy of Dr. Ian McWhinney with the fourth annual lecture series on September 26. Dr. Ruth Wilson delivered the keynote presentation, "What's in a name?" to a full auditorium of residents, faculty, researchers and community physicians. An archived recording of the session is available on our live stream channel.
Opioids: A Country in Crisis
Dr. Sharon Koivu shared her experience and expertise as part of a panel discussion on the opioid crisis during Western's homecoming. Dr. Koivu advocates for safe injection sites as part of addressing the opioid crisis currently impacting our communities. “If you’ve been devalued and marginalized by the health care system, you need a place where you feel valued.” Watch the panel discussion on Facebook Live.
Raising Their Voices
Residents Drs. Adam Kassam and Jane Thornton are taking their roles as health advocates seriously – using their voices to effect meaningful change in Canadian health care. Learn More.
Schulich Wellness Seminar Series:Understanding the Positive and Negative Effects of Marijuana on Mental Health
Schulich Wellness is pleased to host this very timely presentation on marijuana. Steven Laviolette, PhD, Professor and Faculty Scholar in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, will present on October 29 at 12:00 p.m. in Dental Sciences Building, Room 1002. The session is also available via Live stream. Learn More.
Family Doctor Week in Canada
Family Doctor Week in Canada (FDW) will be recognized from November 12-17, 2018. This celebratory week provides governments, health care organizations, colleagues and the public an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by family doctors to improve the health and well-being of their patients. Learn More.
Family Medicine 50th Anniversary Reception at FMF
Faculty members, past and present, graduates, students and residents are invited to join the Department of Family Medicine for a reception in celebration of our 50th Anniversary on November 16 at 5:00 p.m.at Family Medicine Forum (FMF) in Toronto. Reconnect with your classmates, friends and colleagues while enjoying some refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Learn more and register today.
Obstetrical Skills Day
First year family medicine residents will attend the annual Obstetrical Skills Day on November 7. A dedicated group of faculty will come together under the leadership of Dr. Laura Lyons to present an informative 1/2 day workshop with hands-on rotating work stations covering everything from the mechanics of a normal vaginal birth to diagnosing and treating a shoulder dystocia.
Save the date – QI teaching session
On Nov 21, Dr. Scott McKay and Adrienne Wakabayashi are hosting an AHD for residents AND faculty members on QI. Because of the hands-on nature to some of the activities, attendance in person is preferable, if possible. Time: 1:30-3:30 pm – QI teaching, 3:30-4:30pm – QI project Q&A. Place: WCPHFM 1150 and Livestream channel.
Annual Family Medicine Mix & Mingle
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is pleased to announce its first formal event of the academic year, our annual Family Medicine Mix & Mingle on November 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine. This event provides students with an opportunity to connect with family medicine residents and doctors in the area. We are asking those who are able to attend to please complete this form before November 18. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time.
Family Medicine Forum
Family Medicine Forum (FMF) will be held from November 14 to 17 in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This is the largest annual conference for family physicians. Many of our research and clinical faculty and staff will be presenting posters, workshops or education sessions. Learn More.
Interdisciplinary Primary Health Care Research Training Program Now Accepting Applications
TUTOR-PHC or Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care, is a one-year, pan-Canadian interdisciplinary research capacity building program that has been training primary and integrated health care researchers and decision-makers from family medicine, nursing, psychology, epidemiology, social work, occupational therapy, education, policy and other disciplines since 2003. Learn More.
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. David Liu
Recent graduate Dr. David Liu talks about his experience in the London Urban Program. "My greatest experience is more the culmination of all my training and the realization that I am able to independently and confidently manage a patient with various medical and social issues, and feel I’ve made a difference to them." Learn More.
October 2018 Research and Publications
The Department of Family Medicine is at the forefront of research in primary health care. Among the areas of focus for research are patient-centered care, clinical practice guidelines, health promotion, population health, care of the elderly, health services and information technology.
Events
Join us for Family Medicine Grand Rounds: Heart Failure update and management mode on November 7. Save the date for Family Medicine Obstetrics Grand Rounds on November 8 and the Palliative Care Journal Club on November 22. Learn More.
Top stories from our September newsletter
Missed the September e-newsletter? Take a moment to read the top stories: Chair's Message – Continuity of Care, Award: Dr. Jane Thornton recognized with the College of Family Physicians of Canada Family Medicine Resident Leadership Award, Graduate Program Report.
