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 ill equipped to know how to proceed. During this session, our panelists will discuss the general approach to social prescribing and the types of community-based programs family physicians should consider referring their patients to.

Panelists:

• Dr. Ritika Goel
• Dr. Dominik Nowak 
• Dr. Luke Kyne 

Co-Moderators:

•  Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
•  Natasha Beaudin, Social Prescribing Project Lead, Alliance of Healthier Communities

This session took place on August 27th 2025. A Video recording is also available

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 not interested in quitting smoking.

Panelists:

- Dr. Peter Selby

- Dr. Osnat Melamed 

Moderator: -

Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 

Co-Host: - Dr. Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON

This session took place on July 23rd 2025. A Video recording is also available

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 used effectively and guidelines for safe prescribing. 

Panelists:

• Dr. Mel Kahan
• - Dr. Suzanne Turner
• - Andrea Furlan

Moderator:

• - Dr. Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON 
• Co-Host: - Dr. Carrie Bernard, Family Physician Queen Square FHT, Continuing Professional Development and Partnerships Lead, Division of Mental Health & Addictions DFCM, Assistant Professor DFCM University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor DFM McMaster University

This session took place on June 25th 2005. A Video recording is also available

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:

Dr. Carrie Bernard, Family Physician Queen Square FHT, Continuing Professional Development and Partnerships Lead, Division of Mental Health & Addictions DFCM, Assistant Professor DFCM University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor DFM McMaster University

Co-host:

Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

This session took place on March 26th 2005. A Video recording is also available

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 discuss what harm reduction-informed care looks like in practice, how closures and supply restrictions impact patient care, and strategies for family physicians to prepare and respond effectively. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and learn practical approaches to support patients and communities impacted by these closures.

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.

• Dr. Katie Dorman, Staff Physician, Substance Use Management Clinic, St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team; Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
• Jean-Paul Michael, Addictions Case Manager, St. Michael’s Hospital Emergency Department

• Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental

• Dr. Carrie Bernard, Family Physician Queen Square FHT, Continuing Professional Development and Partnerships Lead, Division of Mental Health & Addictions DFCM, Assistant Professor DFCM University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor DFM McMaster University 

This session took place on Wednesday February 26th 2025 A video recording is available

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 issues. In this session, our panel will review the current understanding of the etiology of chronic pain, including its biological, psychological and social/environmental components and discuss non-pharmacologic strategies for managing all three. Psychological factors such as unhelpful beliefs, worries, fears, and avoidance behaviours, as well as resources to support patients in this area, will be addressed. Social factors like unsupportive work environments, stressful situations or insurance issues will also be covered.

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.

• Dr. Andrea Furlan
• Dr.Paul Hoogeveen
• Dr. Bryan MacLeod

• Dr. Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON

• Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

This session originally took place on January 22, 2025. A recording can be viewed Here

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 lead to increased physician burnout. Listen to this session as we explore resources that can help and hear from our panel as they share their experiences in finding locums or transitioning out of practice.

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.

• Dr. David White, Professor Emeritus, Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto
• Dr. Samantha Lavitt, Family Physician, Rideau Crossing Family Health Centre; Lecturer and Community Preceptor, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine; Peer Guide, Ontario College of Family Physicians
• Dr. Eileen Nicolle, Family Physician- Midtown Health Home, Assistant Professor Queen’s University

• Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

• Dr. Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON

This session originally took place on December 11, 2024. A recording can be viewed here.

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 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.

• Dr. Fereshte Lalani (Toronto)
• Dr. Anita Greig (Toronto)
• Dr. Naima Javaid, Staff Psychiatrist, Medical Head, Outpatient Child, Youth and Family Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Lecturer, Clinician Teacher, Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

• Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

• Dr. Carrie Bernard, Family Physician Queen Square FHT, Continuing Professional Development and Partnerships Lead, Division of Mental Health & Addictions DFCM, Assistant Professor DFCM University of Toronto, Assistant Clinical Professor DFM McMaster University 

This session originally took place on November 27, 2024. A recording can be viewed here.

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 world.

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.

• Dr. Cody Jackson
• Ariane Siegel, General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer at OntarioMD

• Dr. Stephanie Zhou, Addictions Medicine Physician and EDI & Social Accountability Lead, Sunnybrook Hospital; FHO Lead, Don Mills FHT; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Board Director, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, ON

• Dr. Nikki Bozinoff, Division Head, Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Physician, Concurrent Outpatient Medical and Psychosocial Addiction Support Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

This session originally took place on October 24, 2024. A recording can be viewed here.