It is estimated that over 3.8 million people in Canada currently suffer from asthma [1] , approximately 250 people in Canada die from asthma each year [2] and approximately 317 Canadians are diagnosed with asthma every day [3] . Yet, more than 50% of Canadian patients with asthma remain poorly controlled, with both clinicians and patients grossly underestimating the magnitude of uncontrolled asthma. [4] Why is that...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a substantial impact on the Canadian healthcare system. In the current medical landscape, COPD alone is responsible for more than 20% of hospitalizations, 25% of emergency department visits, more than 20% of primary care visits, 30% of home care services, and 35% of placements into long-term care homes. [1] According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, COPD was the...

Early child development and experiences, both positive and negative, affect not only future learning but also physical, mental, and emotional health throughout life. Preventive care and health supervision for infants and children in the first few years of life are thus increasingly important, especially with respect to healthy child development and future health outcomes. The Rourke Baby Record (RBR) is an evidence...

COVID-19 has created innumerable challenges for primary care providers. For most of us, delivering health care during the pandemic has meant adapting to new technology and a constant state of uncertainty about our capacity to make the right treatment decisions. Supporting our patients through their struggles with mental health has never been more important. The potential challenges of managing financial worries, unemployment...

It is an unfortunate reality that some clinicians experience an unsettled feeling towards patients suspected to be struggling with opioid use. Many of us haven’t received much in the way of formal training in managing any addictions. We may be afraid of the complexity involved in managing patients with substance use issues. If we’re honest, we might also acknowledge biases towards people with substance use...

Every November is Radon Action Month in Canada. This year’s theme is ‘being here’ – emphasizing the long latency period of lung cancer and the need for Canadians to act now on the potential dangers of radon gas in their homes to prevent health complications in the future. The adverse health effects of radon are not immediately noticeable, but there are reasons to be concerned. In Canadian non...

You’ve heard the news – Canada is in the midst a public health crisis. A recent report from the Public Health Agency of Canada found that 3,987 Canadians lost their lives due to a suspected opioid overdose in 2017 alone 1 . That same report found that 726 Ontarians accidentally lost their lives in apparent opioid overdose in 2016, which increased to 1,125 in 2017 - an increase of almost 55% . These statistics...

We are excited to give you the first look at our latest e-learning initiative, iGericare . We appreciate that a dementia diagnosis can be a stressful experience for your patients and their families; an overwhelming amount of information needs to be taken in during an already difficult time. Our goal is to provide easy access to simple lessons and helpful resources that allow individuals to learn about all aspects of dementia...

Spring is just around the corner and that means that many of us can soon hang up our cold weather gear. The return of warmer weather here in Canada also means increased exposure to many outdoor allergens, as well as more opportunities for physical activity outside. Factors such as these can put individuals with asthma at increased risk for exacerbation; making now a great time to prepare your patients for unexpected asthma...

Research shows that parents and caregivers have an important role in supporting early child development, and this can happen through play. That’s why, together with the Infant and Child Health Lab at the University of Toronto, we’ve launc...

It’s been another busy year for us here at the Division of e-Learning Innovation . In 2017, we were excited to share great new e-learning content for both health professionals and the public. Before we take a break for the holidays, we wanted to highlight some of our projects and say thank you to all our partners who made this work possible. MentalHealth+ This free online premium literature service...

Radon gas can be found in hazardous quantities in homes across 95% of Canada’s health regions. As the second leading cause of lung cancer, it’s important to talk to your patients about having their homes tested for radon - and to be able ...

With mental illness affecting 1 in 2 Canadians by the time they reach 40¹, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest in mental health clinical research and best evidence. MentalHealth+ is a pre-appraised premium literature service th...

According to Osteoporosis Canada, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience an osteoporotic related fracture during their lifetime. This is a troubling statistic, but the fact of the matter is that osteoporotic fractures are more common than incidences of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer combined . A high incidence rate such as this places a substantial burden on Canada’s national health care budget; in...

We are proud to announce the public launch of our latest project, MentalHealth + . This pre-appraised premium literature service directs the latest information from the world of mental health research straight into your inbox. MentalHealth + was designed to act as your own personalized filter to the most relevant mental health research. MentalHealth + is a service of the Health Information Research Unit, McMaster...

We are proud to announce that we have officially launched a parent-friendly discussion aid to complement the enhanced 18-Month well-baby visit . We would like to introduce you to our new web app, known as the 18-Month Well-Baby Visit Planner . Developed in collaboration with the Government of Ontario, the Planner invites parents to explore key topics related to their child’s developmental health and personalize...

Parents know what it means to want the best for their children. But while parents do their utmost to support their young children it can be unclear just what healthy childhood development looks like. The Ontario Government recognizes this unique problem and recommends that parents and caregivers take children to visit a health care provider for what is known as the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit. Health care professionals...

Today is World Heart Day 2016 ! A day that is meant to bring a healthier awareness to one of the most important organs in our bodies. Take some time to appreciate what your heart does for you, and remind your patients to do the same. But what happens...

Summer is winding down and September has come, which means that it is the perfect time of year to be putting our thinking caps back on. Whether you are a new med student, resident or other health professions trainee there is always something new to...

Summertime in Canada is for many an opportunity to enjoy plenty of fun and relaxation. As Canadians, we frequently enjoy our time off during the summer months playing sports, exercising, or spending time at the cottage with family and friends. We l...

Patients with mental illness are particularly vulnerable during extreme heat events this summer for a number of biopsychosocial reasons. Social conditions, medications and other health conditions can all contribute to the increased risk for heat-rela...

As we age, keeping our bodies cool can get a little bit harder. Older adults are at an increased risk for developing heat-related illness , in part, because of reduced sweating ability and reduced cardiac capacity. Other risk factors, such as various ...

Building sand castles at the beach, swimming in your neighbour’s pool, playing soccer behind the school; these are the things that make childhood summers great. But summer fun isn’t without some cautions. Children and infants are one of ...

On a hot, humid day we all appreciate the cool blast of air conditioning. And while some of us can hardly imagine leaving these temperature-controlled comforts, others embrace the heat in pursuit of loftier goals: being physically active. Whether exe...

When we think about summer safety, it’s easy to recall warnings against leaving pets in cars on hot days; sunscreen and skin cancer have made their way into popular discourse; and everyone knows it’s important to stay hydrated. But helpin...