UNews - family physician

Winter getaway must include health plan

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:44:17 +0000

By LORI WEBER

An inherent part of being Canadian seems to be dreaming of getting away from our cold winter weather to find a nice warm spot down south. Just remember, that in addition to sunscreen, cruise wear and a new pair of flip-flops, you have to think about maintaining your health while on vacation. And if you are considering travelling at Christmas or during spring break, your travel planning must start now!

A good place to start preparing for your trip begins at www.voyage.gc.ca, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website that gives you a lovely checklist (Before You Leave Canada) of reminders about the variety of concerns you need to address before leaving the country.

In terms of your health needs, plan to take extra copies of your prescriptions and medical certificates, and to bring extra medical supplies and even eyeglasses.

Travel immunizations are important and definitely need attention. Because health concerns are rapidly changing in some areas of the world, the best way to get travel health and immunization information is to book an appointment with the Travel Health Nurse at the Public Health office. While there is a cost for this consultation, this person has the most current information on the immunizations needed in your specific travel area.

At your immunization appointment, the nurse will ask where you are going and, using the latest information available from Center for Disease Control or World Health Organization, may direct you to a variety of injections, vaccinations or medication. Some of these medications will be available through Public Health and the nurse may direct other medications or vaccinations to be administered by your family doctor. The sooner you book your appointment the better as some vaccinations take several months to complete.

Do not show up at a physician's appointment expecting that a family physician will know what you need for a trip to an exotic locale.

As for cost, it is expected that you build the cost of public health travel advice, some medications/immunizations, doctor's visits and other charges into your vacation budget. You will be required to pay for all visits related to travel health (even your physician must charge YOU, not Alberta Health Care for your travel medication/immunization/health advice).

Example of costs you may encounter:

Public Health Travel Advice ($35.00)

Medications/Immunizations from Public Health (medication and costs depend on country and current outbreaks)

Physician visit, if needed for medication that Public Health cannot provide ($50-$150)

But remember, if you are travelling and getting away from minus temperatures for days of sun and sand – it will all be worth it!

Lori Weber is the manager of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre

This story first appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Legend. If you'd like to see the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Field experience encourages aspiring doctor

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:19:29 +0000

Ravi Seyed-Mahmoud explains his reasons for coming to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge were simple: it was close to home and offered some of the best programs and facilities available.

The aspiring doctor says nearly four years later, his post-secondary education has provided more opportunities than he could have ever imagined, giving him the chance to travel abroad and gain valuable experience in his field.

Seyed-Mahmoud came to the U of L in the fall of 2005 and is enrolled in a five-year combined bachelor of science in psychology and bachelor of general management double degree, with one year remaining. He says he had different motivations for taking the two degrees.

Ravi Seyed-Mahmoud eyes a future in medicine.

"I find psychology fascinating because the subject matter is always applicable," says Seyed-Mahmoud.

He explains he was drawn to the management degree because of its versatility and the opportunity to develop a new skill set. His long-term goal however is to pursue a career in medicine.

"I find surgery to be the most appealing; specifically orthopedic or cosmetic. As I am a veteran of knee surgery, orthopedics has a personal connection," he says. "However, I could be happy working as a family physician."

Less than a year ago, Seyed-Mahmoud came one step closer to reaching his goal when he applied for the Doctors of Tomorrow (DOT) program. The initiative, offered by the Flying Doctors of Canada, gives pre-professional students the opportunity to participate in medical missions throughout South America by way of fundraising. After reading about the initiative in a U of L alumni publication, he decided to give it a try.

"As part of our fundraising efforts, we organized a benefit concert entitled, For the Love of Music," he says. "The concert was a huge success and the group netted $7,000."

Due to the success of the fundraiser and weeks of preparation, Seyed-Mahmoud was able to travel to Nicaragua on an 11-day mission with five other pre-medical students from the U of L. He says the experience he gained was invaluable.

"Certainly, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a DOT was the opportunity to practice and observe skills related to both management and medicine," he says. "In addition, being a DOT meant having the opportunity to travel with purpose. I love travel but I much prefer taking in the culture and landscape while achieving a concrete goal."

One of these goals included delivering bio-sand filters to nearby communities. He says while this work was rewarding, the more intense experiences happened inside the medical facilities.

"The most permanent memories occurred in the clinics," he notes. "When a patient is diagnosed with something like terminal cancer, it doesn't matter what language is being spoken, the reactions are unmistakable."

After returning from Nicaragua, Seyed-Mahmoud moved to Edmonton to work a four-month co-op with Western Economic Diversification. After spending last Christmas in Lethbridge, he moved to Tanzania for a seven-and-a-half month volunteer placement at a not-for-profit school to tutor younger adults in both general and business-related concepts. He says in the future, he would like to use his business skills to work with similar organizations.

"I would love to help finance and design business dyads that pair for-profits with related not-for-profits. For example, pairing restaurants and soup kitchens, but those are just evanescent imaginings at this point. Without a doubt, the primary goal is to make it into medical school."

To learn more about the Faculty of Management at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, visit this link.

New service better addresses health issues

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:11:31 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has recently signed up with Occupational Injury Service (OIS), a new service for staff and faculty who experience a work related injury or illness.

The OIS program aligns with medical clinics that provide timely and appropriate medical care and disability management services specifically for
occupational injuries, with an emphasis on immediate (i.e., same day) communication with the employer to facilitate a safe return to work.

This service is specifically for non-emergent injuries/illnesses and provides the following benefits to staff/faculty:

• Same-day access to a physician with a background in occupational medicine and WCB-Alberta training (within 15 to 30 minutes of arrival)

• Same-day completion and submission of reports

• Identification and co-ordination of required medical services

• Earlier access to required medical and diagnostic tests, specifically MRI, CT and bone scans

• Earlier access to specialists and surgical procedures

• Completion of disability management reports that detail physical work capabilities and limitations to help determine return to work dates and tasks

• Worker and employer injury management education

• Development of a safe return-to-work plan

• Ongoing communication with the employee's family physician (OIS is a voluntary program). Staff/faculty will be given the option of attending an OIS clinic or other medical care if needed

If you experience a work related injury or illness, follow the incident/accident reporting process as usual. Report any work related injuries or illnesses to your direct supervisor, and complete the online campus incident/accident report form: http://www.uleth.ca/hum/archives/riskandsafetyservices/Services/report_form.html

If you require first aid, contact Security Services at 2345 or other appropriate responder in your area. If you require medical treatment, contact the wellness co-ordinator at 403-332-5217 and the OIS clinic of your choice will be contacted for an appointment (same day in most cases).

The OIS clinics are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If your injury occurs outside of these hours, you would need to access medical services through a walk-in clinic or emergency services at the hospital.
There are currently two service providers for OIS in Lethbridge:

• CBI Health – Dr. Gibb, Bigelow Fowler West; Dr. Ukrainitz, Bigelow Fowler South; Dr. Mellor

• LifeMark Health – Dr. Allen, Piedmont Clinic west; and/or Dynamic Physiotherapy

For those who work on the Calgary or Edmonton campuses, there are service providers for the program in both cities.

Calgary
• CBI Health – Midpark, Deerpark or Sunridge
• Wellpoint Health Corp
• Life Mark

Edmonton
• Medicentres Canada Inc – Westgrove, Ellerslie, Capilano, Castledowns or Millard Health

A few employees have had the opportunity to use this service already and the feedback has been very positive. Statistics show that the sooner someone is treated for an injury or illness, the sooner they are able to get back to work and participate in the other activities that make life enjoyable!

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at 403-332-5217.

Women encouraged to "Put Yourself First"

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:29:42 +0000

Women take note, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has entered into the Health Challenge – "Put Yourself First" to encourage woman to get their mammogram and Pap tests.

The Alberta Health Services – Breast and Cervical Health Program, and the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has teamed up with Meyers, Norris, Penny to present this program. Every woman who has a mammogram or Pap test between May 27, 2009 and October 26, 2009 will have their name entered in a draw to win a $100 gift certificate at the Keg Restaurant. The business with the largest number of women having Pap tests and mammograms will win the challenge and receive a plaque.

Contact team captain Suzanne McIntosh at suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca or 403-332-5217 for more information.

What do I get for participating in the challenge?

You get the assurance that you are taking care of yourself by getting a Pap or mammogram or both. Both of these tests can save your life. Your name is also entered into a draw for a $100 gift certificate at the Keg Restaurant.

Sign up with Suzanne McIntosh, team captain for the U of L. She will give you a card to be signed by the health care professional that has done either the mammogram or Pap test. The card is then returned to Suzanne for entry into the draw at the end of the challenge.

How do I book a Pap or Mammogram?

For a Pap test:

• Call your Family Physician to book an appointment.

• If you do not have a family physician or would prefer to see a female physician for a Pap test, call the Breast and Cervical Health Programs (403-388-6324) to book an appointment to attend the weekly Pap clinic. You will need to provide your Alberta Health Care Number and an appointment will be booked for you.

For a Mammogram:

• Call your family physician and book an appointment. Women aged 50 to 69 can phone Radiology Associates and book a "screening" mammogram, provided they have not had any breast problems.

• The recommended guidelines for having a mammogram are as follows: Women aged 40 to 50 should discuss the need for a mammogram with their family physician based on their health history. Women aged 50 to 69 should have a mammogram every one to two years.

If I have a mammogram and Pap do I get two entries into the draw for the gift certificate?

Yes! Just ensure your team captain gives you two cards to fill out.

UNews - family physician

Winter getaway must include health plan

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