Author: UBC Abbotsford-Mission Family Practice Residency Program

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“Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the safest and most effective strategy for controlling the pandemic. However, some cases of acute cardiac events following vaccine administration have been reported, including myocarditis and myocardial infarction (MI). While post-vaccine myocarditis has been widely discussed, information about post-vaccine MI is scarce and heterogenous, often lacking in histopathological and pathophysiological details. We hereby present five cases (four men, mean age 64 years, range 50–76) of sudden death secondary to MI and tightly temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination. In each case, comprehensive macro- and microscopic pathological analyses were performed, including post-mortem cardiac magnetic resonance, to ascertain the cause of death. To investigate the pathophysiological determinants of MI, toxicological and tryptase analyses were performed, yielding negative results, while the absence of anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies ruled out vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Finally, genetic testing disclosed that all subjects were carriers of at least one pro-thrombotic mutation. Although the presented cases do not allow us to establish any causative relation, they should foster further research to investigate the possible link between COVID-19 vaccination, pro-thrombotic genotypes, and acute cardiovascular events.”

Read more on Myocardial Infarction Following COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc? via Viruses.

“Q. How do I initiate a WorkSafeBC claim for a patient with an injury or disease I think might be related to the workplace?
A: Your initial examination and treatment start injured workers on the path to recovery. As the patient’s physician, you are an important partner in that process. When your patient comes to you for initial treatment of a work-related injury or disease, fill out a Form 8. Please complete and submit the form as soon as possible after treating an injured worker for the first time; the sooner the claim is registered, the sooner your patient can receive applicable health care and wage loss benefits.

Physicians are reimbursed on a scale for Form 8/11 submission, which reflects the importance of your patient’s ability to access benefits in a timely way. Reimbursement is highest if the form is submitted on the first day the injured worker is seen, with decreases each day after that. Physicians will not be reimbursed if the form is received by WorkSafeBC 6 business days or more after the injured worker is seen.

Please ask your patient if they have reported their injury to WorkSafeBC. If they haven’t, remind them to call WorkSafeBC Teleclaim (604 231-8888 or 1 888 967-5377 toll-free).”

Read more on WorkSafeBC and your patients with workplace injuries: Frequently asked questions via BCMJ.

Happy Holidays & New Year

from the Abbotsford-Mission Family Practice Residency Program!
Learn more about our Abbotsford Foundry
where youth and families can learn, grow, and thrive amid life’s challenges here.

“Although a focus on trauma response and humanitarian care is essential for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, recent posturing by Russian leadership indicates that radiological or nuclear weapons could be used to defend illegally annexed territories in Ukraine. This situation necessitates readiness for nonconventional warfare threats, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) attacks. CBRNE preparedness has been variable among Ukrainian and European Union member states, which may be called on to detect and respond to potential attacks. Russia or its proxies have used CBRNE weapons in several recent conflicts, and awareness of these risks and mitigation strategies are prudent measures now. Based on these historical ingressions, prioritizing education and equipment for health care professionals to recognize and respond to potential CBRNE threats within Ukraine and bordering countries is essential.

Despite regulations against the use of chemical weapons by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Russian chemical weapons research has focused on developing highly potent weaponized organophosphates, or nerve agents. The past decade has seen Russia use these agents in assassination attempts of the Skripals and Alexei Navalny through the introduction of nerve agents in food and clothing. These fourth-generation agents (eg, Novichok, a group of nerve agents) are characterized by their lethality, unconventional routes of poisoning, and long-term environmental persistence. Russia’s connections to Syria also provide insight. The majority of the more than 55 chemical weapon attacks in Syria between 2013 and 2018 involved chlorine gas or the deadly nerve agent sarin in cannisters or combined with bombs dropped from aircraft. Although these events have been attributed to the Syrian government, the close relationship between Syria’s Assad regime and Russia suggests that these indiscriminate strategies could be used in the current conflict.

Weaponized opioids have also been used during the Putin regime. In 2002, Chechen terrorists attacked the Dubrovka Theater in Moscow, resulting in a hostage standoff. In response, Russian special forces instilled a chemical aerosol into the theater’s vents, incapacitating occupants and resulting in 125 deaths. Analysis of clothing from 2 victims demonstrated the presence of remifentanil and carfentanyl, 2 potent opioids, with death likely from poisoning. Although less practical on the battlefield, it is plausible that the Russian military could use similar compounds to cause serious casualties among opposing soldiers, political protestors, or civilians trapped in buildings, hospitals, subways, or bomb shelters.”

Read more on Health and Safety Threats to Ukraine From Nonconventional Weapons: A Clear and Present Danger via JAMA.

• ARTICLES KEY POINTS:
• “Evidence from a variety of cross-sectional, longitudinal and empirical studies implicate smartphone and social media use in the increase in mental distress, self-injurious behaviour and suicidality among youth; there is a dose–response relationship, and the effects appear to be greatest among girls.
• Social media can affect adolescents’ self-view and interpersonal relationships through social comparison and negative interactions, including cyberbullying; moreover, social media content often involves normalization and even promotion of self-harm and suicidality among youth.
• High proportions of youth engage in heavy smartphone use and media multitasking, with resultant chronic sleep deprivation, and negative effects on cognitive control, academic performance and socioemotional functioning.
• Clinicians can work collaboratively with youth and their families, using open, nonjudgmental and developmentally appropriate approaches to reduce potential harms from social media and smartphone use, including education and practical problem-solving.
• There is a need for public awareness campaigns and social policy initiatives that promote nurturing home and school environments that foster resilience as youth navigate the challenges of adolescence in today’s world.”

Learn more about Smartphones, Social Media Use & Youth Mental Health via CMAJ.

“The rapid emergence of youth vaping has completely changed the landscape of adolescent substance use in Canada and has become a pressing public health issue of our time. While nicotine remains the most common substance encountered in vaping devices, cannabis vaping is now reported by one-third of youth who vape. Though cannabis vaping is thought to generate fewer toxic emissions than cannabis smoking, it has been associated with several cases of acute lung injury and often involves high-potency forms of cannabis, exposing youth to several acute and long-term health risks. The low perceived riskiness of cannabis as a substance and of vaping as a mode of consumption may bring a false sense of security and be particularly appealing for youth who may be looking for a ‘healthier way’ to use substances. While research is still lacking on how best to support youth who may have already initiated cannabis vaping, concerted efforts among paediatric providers, public health experts, schools, communities, and families are urgently needed to limit the spread of cannabis vaping among Canadian youth.”

Learn more on Cannabis vaping: Understanding the health risks of a rapidly emerging trend via Paediatr Child Health.

Read more on the 2019-2020 Vaping Lung Illness Outbreak in Canada here.

Greetings Residents & Preceptors,

I wanted to forward out additional resources for your exam preparation and for those assisting in the process at their sites. The CFPC has posted a series of videos and guidebooks that I encourage you to review.

SPRING 2023 EXAM DATES
SAMPs: April 11-13, 2023
SOOs: April 22-23, 29-30, 2023
More on exam dates here.

RESIDENTS
CFPC’s “Quick Links” to the exam via the CFPC.
Virtual simulated office oral candidate training resources via CFPC.

EXAMINERS
For those interested in serving as examiners, visit “Get Involved” via CFPC.
The CFPC has also posted a video designed to prepare examiners.
See Simulated Office Orals for Examiners: Overview and Q&A below.

To learn more, visit the CFPC.

Happy Holidays :),

Jacqueline

Join us virtually on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 12–3:30 pm. This fifth Indigenous Speaker Series session features a panel that brings together BC healthcare organizations and their senior representatives to discuss the work of cultural safety, cultural humility, and the broader work in regards to the recommendations from In Plain Sight, Truth and Reconciliation, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. This important and timely dialogue will highlight the work being undertaken across the province in an effort to reconcile and redress the relationship between Indigenous peoples and health care professionals and systems.

Register here.

The VHEC is proud to present Contextualizing and Educating about the Holocaust as part of the Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion program, Faculty of Medicine UBC for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This event will feature introductory remarks by Executive Director of VHEC, Nina Krieger, an engaging historical overview by historian and Professor Chris Friedrichs and a keynote address by hidden child Holocaust Survivor Dr. Robert Krell. Following the presentation, an audience q and a will be facilitated by VHEC’s Program and Development Manager, Dr. Abby Wener Herlin.

Topic: It Starts With Us: Contextualizing and Education about the Holocaust
Date: Wednesday, January 25th, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM PST

Register here.