The 2020 PEIP Conference highlights focused reviews on clinically relevant primary care topics that combine evidence, experience, and patient values and is free of industry bias. The Conference is a fully accessible via webcast with limited in-person seating. This multidisciplinary event showcases relevant, evidence-based, and thought-provoking topics in health care. REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 2020! 2020…
Read MoreTFP #267 – Serology, Serology: How Accurate and Prevalent Art Thou?
Clinical Question: What is the role of serology testing in the COVID-19 pandemic? Bottom Line: IgM and IgG antibodies may reveal an individual’s recent (after ~2 weeks) exposure to COVID-19. How long serology remains positive and whether antibodies confer immunity to subsequent infection is unknown. Many different tests exist, each with different accuracy. Current evidence…
Read MoreConsulting the Online “Hive”
By Michelle Chow, MD, CCFP, NCMP, BSc (Hons) As a physician in your first five years of practice, it can sometimes be a daunting experience to navigate all your new responsibilities. You may find yourself in scenarios where you are unsure how to proceed, both in the professional and personal realm. It may be something…
Read MoreCOVID-19 CME Reviews
By Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw 1. Primary Care COVID-19 Pathway Explainedhttps://www.specialistlink.ca/files/RW_COVID_V6.pdf This webinar series is from the Calgary PCN’s group and covered several topics including a public health update, mental health advice, and tools as well as presentation of the primary care pathway for COVID-19 care. Physicians presented the primary care pathway for patients with COVID-19…
Read MoreWhat Made the Difference in Canada’s Worst COVID-19 Outbreak?
By Dr. Adam Vyse, the Calgary Zone PCN, and the Calgary Rural PCN In April 2020, the Cargill Foods meat packing plant was the epicentre of one of North America’s single largest outbreaks of COVID-19. With 2,000 employees, 932 were confirmed positive, with one-third living in and around High River, a town of 13,000 just…
Read MoreTFP #266 – Exercise-induced osteoarthritis: Running into problems?
Clinical Question: Does running increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis? Bottom Line: Based on low-quality observational data, running likely does not increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, except possibly in elite athletes. Additionally, recreational running may be associated with lowering the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Exercise is one of the most effective treatments for reducing…
Read MoreTFP #265 – “Does baby know best?”: Benefits and harms of baby-led weaning for transitioning to solid foods
Clinical Question: What impact does baby-led weaning have on infant growth, iron intake, and choking? Bottom Line: Transitioning infants to solid foods using a baby-led weaning approach (with parental education) results in up to 0.7kg less weight gain at 12 months than traditional spoon feeding. This is of unknown clinical significance. There is no difference in…
Read MoreTFP #264 – From theory to reality: ACEi, ARB, and COVID-19
Clinical Question: Do angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) increase the risk of catching, or severity of infection with, COVID-19? Bottom Line: Despite initial theoretical suggestions that ACEi and ARB are harmful, four observational studies have since found no association between COVID-19 infection or severity of disease and ACEi/ARB. One cohort study with…
Read MoreACFP Webinars: 2020: Crisis & Opportunity for Physicians – Dr. John Van Aerde
Check out our Check In Check-Up Virtual Webinar Series The ACFP has created a Webinar series to provide continuing medical education and professional development opportunities for its members. Stay tuned on Upcoming Webinars by visiting our Webinars page. Next Webinar: 7 PM Tuesday, June 2 – 2020: Crisis & Opportunity for Physicians – Part 1 The…
Read MoreTFP #263 – Finding COVID – How Good is the Test to Detect it?
Clinical Question: What is the chance of obtaining an incorrect result with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19? Bottom Line: If the PCR COVID-19 test is positive you have COVID-19 (specificity ~100%). Small Canadian studies suggest the test will detect COVID-19 ~80-90% of the time (sensitivity), although estimates range from ~50%-90%. Collection technique, anatomical sample…
Read MoreTFP #262 – Who let the Gout Out? Targeting Uric Acid Levels in Treating Gout
Clinical Question: To prevent gout recurrence, should we dose urate lowering therapies (like allopurinol) to target uric acid levels? Bottom Line: Best evidence finds that increasing doses of allopurinol to achieve a specific serum urate target (example <360 μmol/L) does not reduce gout flares, pain, or function, compared to standard allopurinol dosing. Febuxostat increases cardiovascular and…
Read More“Thank you!” from the Secretariat – Message from the Executive Director
Read May eNews Hello Everyone, It is with great pride that we send out this message of gratitude to all of you who worked on the Primary Health Care Opioid Response Initiative (PHC ORI). Over the last two years, through the combined efforts of our partner organizations and the teams and individuals that made things…
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