First solo episode!

 

Jessica goes out of her comfort zone to record her first solo episode and share important information about a recurring content theme: Practitioner-Patient relationship is a shared responsibility. 

 

Encouraging listeners to have an open mind always, Jessica highlights the fact that patients have an important role to play in their care and how impactful it can be on their overall experience. And how appreciate practitioners and office staff are for patient support. 

 

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣She shares specific examples of how patients can take accountability, such as asking questions about timelines and reaching out to other healthcare resources/professionals with particular questions. 

 

Happy listening :)

Jessica talks to long time friend and physiotherapist, Connor. 

Connor has been a physiotherapist since 2011 and is the proud cofounder of Pulse Physio and Performance in Peterborough Ontario. Connor talks the path to becoming a physiotherapist, what physios do and where you can find them in the health care system. 

Here are some bullet points to catch while listening:

-Physios are primary health providers. You don’t need a referral.

-There is some criteria based, OHIP coverage for patients. 

-Family physicians are generally trained in everything, physios are specifically trained in MSK system.

-Physios work in a variety of settings, not just private clinics.

-You don’t need imaging to see physio.

-Imaging is important when it might change the course of care. Not always necessary simply for diagnosis.

-Giving people the knowledge and tools to manage on their own is important.

-Gauging expectations is important to build a therapeutic alliance.

 

And, the insta account Connor mentioned in the beginning of the episode, support for new or future physiotherapists is cdnphysiostudent.

Jessica chats with Katelyn, an experienced chiropractor and long time friend. Jessica learns oh so much about chiro's role in the healthcare system.

Some of said learning in bullet points:

-You don’t need a referral from doctor.

-Chiropractors are privatized, primary care providers.

-Low back pain: bread and butter.

-Nerve, muscle, joint = see a chiropractor.

-Different Chiro’s might practice slightly differently.

-It’s important to speak up if you don’t agree with or feel comfortable with the treatment plan.

-If you see a chiro first and they determine it’s not MSK related, it is really helpful clinical information for family practitioners. 

Chiropractors can be an important piece to the treatment puzzle for patients and, therefore, support the healt chare system. Win-win!

First episode back! 

Jessica kicks off a new round of episodes with her very own, beloved husband, Felix. 

Jessica takes Felix through the history of healthcare, back to ancient times, all the way up to the family practice we know today. 

Did you know doctors have been saying the Hippocratic Oath for centuries?

Did you know that barbers used to be surgeons?

Did you know that family doctors were almost phased out?

Enjoy a shallow dive into the history of family practice.

Jess and Inge talk to Dragana, the clinical pharmacist that works at the office. What is a clinical pharmacist, you ask? They wondered that too. Now, they wonder how they ever practiced without her.

In this episode they discuss:

-How and why pharmacists are medication experts.

-How patients and practitioners can utilize pharmacists. For example, did you know you can book an appt with your community pharmacist? Did you know that you can ask pharmacists about OTC medications, vitamins and supplements?

-How pharmacists support family practitioners and their role as part of the team. Pharmacists can advocate for patients and support messaging from practitioners, whatever the situation requires.

Pharmacists aren’t just the people behind the counter handing you a labelled bottle of pills. Get to know your pharmacist just like you would your doctor. They want to help you. Big thanks to Dragana for all of the info!

There was no avoiding it. Especially since Inge has been working in a vaccine clinic and Jess is preparing to! The ladies share experiences that have prompted them to inform, as well as, important information so that people can prepare for their vaccine. For example, make sure to wear a short sleeve shirt to your vaccine appt. So simple, but makes the process more seamless. 

-A short history of vaccines. How far we have come!-The process a vaccine goes through to become a vaccine.-The different COVID vaccines available.-Where to get information about vaccines to make an informed decision.-What to expect when you attend your vaccine appt.-Some silly, spicy stories Inge has encountered so far.

This one is for the nurses, by the nurses. Yassss nurses. 

In part 2, Jess and Surby discuss important topics within the theme of progression of the nursing profession, or lack thereof. Surby gets heated as she outlines the observations she has made over her 45 year career that hold nursing back from being the respected and valued profession it is. 

Some of the topics addressed include:

-Understanding the roles of NP, RN and RPN and where they fit or should fit within the healthcare system. 

-Why it is important to acknowledge and respect nurses as specialists in their fields of work. 

-The CNO, RNAO and ONA: What they do/don’t do for nurses. 

“Take nursing back” is a repeated mantra leaving Jess feeling inspired to figure out a way to create change in her beloved profession, in her own little nursing bubble, and on a much larger scale.

Jess talks to Surby, a Nurse Practitioner who recently started working at the office. She has been a nurse since 1976! It started with a simple request, “take us through your nursing history.” Half an hour later, the account of an incredible nurse has been shared with several tangents of  exciting stories and intriguing insights. From seriously isolated northern nursing to proposal writing for community health centres to pandemic planning, Surby is a nurse of many talents with an inspirational drive for progressive healthcare and a refreshing view of HCPs as comrades. Thank you Surby!

Jess and Inge explore the role of medical admin in the healthcare system. They share their experiences with the role and go through a day-in-the-life of “Maddie,” their gal. If you thought it was as simple as answering the phones, you would be very, very wrong. Phones, people, scheduling, filing, referrals, the first and last person people interact with, our gate keeper, our go-to, she is everything. Healthcare ships would sink without medical admin. Show them some honey.

Jess and her friend/guest, Jen, dig deeper into Jens experiences as a nurse in the emergency department. Jen shares thoughts on what might be helpful for people to know to optimize their experience in the ED. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of her job and why she is taking a break to transition into primary care as a nurse practitioner. Eye opening and honest, Jen nails it. 

-Emergency department is for emergencies: if you’re waiting it’s because you are safe to wait. 

-The triage nurses know their stuff, trust them. 

-Be truthful. And respectful. And kind. Please. 

-ED staff save lives. Literally. 

-The staff want to help. 

-Be kind.