A message of support from the CFPC

2022-01-20

Dear Colleagues,

2022 did not begin the way we had hoped. The effects of the Omicron variant continue to ripple through our communities, bringing continued uncertainty and anxiety. It’s pushing the impact on our health care system and each of you to the maximum. This makes it increasingly difficult to do our jobs as family physicians, while caring for our patients who need us every day.

Many of you are experiencing staff shortages, increased workload, longer hours, and extra demands of virtual care. You may also be experiencing personal stresses as parents, grandparents, and caregivers juggling the demands of your practice with those of your personal life. I know this firsthand as a practising physician with young children home from school. This is a heavy load to carry. Please look after your own physical and mental well-being.

As the impact of Omicron changes daily it is challenging to stay informed about resources that are being updated rapidly. We’ve compiled a selection of COVID-19 resources to assist you personally and in your practice.

You are not alone. All of us at the CFPC are thinking of you and appreciating your dedication to your patients and your communities. Please look after your own health and well-being. We have provided a list of resources available to you, from the CFPC and other organizations:

Wellness resources:

• Get mental health or substance abuse support [Wellness Together Canada]
• Taking care of your mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic [Public Health Agency of Canada]
• Physician Wellness Hub [Canadian Medical Association]
• Pandemic Wellness Toolkit [Canadian Medical Association]

COVID-19 resources:

• COVID-19 in Canada: Current situation/COVID-19 au Canada: Situation actuelle [Public Health Agency of Canada]
• Information for patients: A guide to self-testing for COVID-19 [Government of Canada]
• Going out safely [Government of Canada]
• Recordings of OCFP’s Community of Practice COVID-19 sessions [Ontario College of Family Physicians]
• Information and resources on the CFPC website

Check your public health updates and respective ministries of health to keep abreast of developments with testing and isolation guidance in your home province/territory. Please ensure that you are vaccinated and that you encourage your patients to get vaccinated if they remain hesitant.

Remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for others. Together we will get through this, and we’ll look forward to a future free of COVID-19 surges.

Take good care,

Brady Bouchard, MBBS, CCFP
President
College of Family Physicians of Canada