The Law Society of British Columbia has released its 2020 annual report. The report gives an update on development of an Indigenous intercultural competency course, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report. The Law Society also implemented a diversity action plan "to promote diversity within the law society and the legal profession, to address discriminatory barriers, to improve intercultural competence education, to advance outreach and collaboration efforts and to track and report progress." The annual report also highlights work done to address mental health in the legal profession, including removing questions about medical fitness from the Law Society Admission application form. For more information about the Law Society's Mental Health Task Force, view this CLEAR webinar recording.)
September 29, 2021
September 16, 2021
Researchers propose framework for reshaping the health workforce
Researchers with Health Affairs Journal have proposed a health workforce policies framework to "ensure that the significant investments of public funds into various health workforce programs are spent effectively and yield improved patient and population health outcomes." The framework focuses on the production of healthcare workers to address population health priorities, workforce distribution and expansion of telehealth to address gaps by specialty and setting, workforce resilience by addressing financial and emotional security and safety of health workers, and maximizing potential by addressing scope of practice and reconfiguration of teams within health systems.
September 08, 2021
Research: occupational therapy practice educators' move to digital platforms
A new research study in Australia was conducted to "explore the experiences of practice educators who supervised occupational therapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia." Findings of the report are as follows: "the experiences of the occupational therapy practice educators were interpreted into three themes: (1) Opportunities lost and then created (as two subthemes); (2) The relationship between the student and practice educator (comprising subthemes of practicing self-care and connection and support); and (3) Signing-off of students' competencies. While digital platforms were initially viewed as limiting, they also were used to create new opportunities for student learning. Participants spoke of being mindful of their and students' wellbeing and finding ways to provide connection and support. Participants were challenged by the need to adapt how they evaluated students in the context of a pandemic."
July 28, 2021
UK NMC pilots "buddy" support for fitness-to-practice investigations
A pilot program to begin in September at the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council will offer one-on-one "buddy" support for nurse and midwives going through fitness-to-practice investigations. Practitioners can have up to ten hourly sessions with a "buddy," a registrant who has been through fitness-to-practice procedures themselves. The buddy program is part of a wider effort to make the fitness-to-practice process more people-centered and more efficient.
May 19, 2021
NABP approves six resolutions
At their recent annual meeting, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy approved six resolutions. The resolutions support the continued role of pharmacists in providing testing and vaccination post-pandemic. They also address oversight of drug importation programs. Several task forces will also be convened: to review the Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the NABP in light of pandemic changes to regulation, to examine the effects of pharmacy workplace safety and wellbeing on patient safety, and to support state boards of pharmacy in the transition to a "just culture" regulatory approach.
Veterinary profession impacted by COVID-19 pet boom
The COVID-19 pandemic has led many US households to adopt or purchase a new pet; approximately 12.6 million households got a new pet since March 2020, says a survey by the American Pet Products Association. This has led to a dramatic increase in the need for veterinary services. As well, with pet owners spending more time at home with their pets, veterinary hospitals are noting a greater tendency for people to bring their pets in for smaller ailments that might have gone unnoticed pre-pandemic. The situation has led to extended hours, a lack of sufficient staff, and burnout and fatigue among veterinarians. Some veterinary hospital groups have responded by hiring compassion fatigue specialists for support.
March 17, 2021
Report on pressure and understaffing at pharmacies
A report by NBC News highlights the pressures on US pharmacists faced with increased orders, additional tasks, and fewer staff in chain drugstores. The pressure and understaffing issues have increased during the pandemic as COVID testing and vaccination has become part of pharmacy services. The National Association for Boards of Pharmacy notes the concern for patient safety as well as pharmacists' well-being. The 2019 National Pharmacist Workforce Study showed more than two-thirds of pharmacists saying their workload had risen in the last year (pre-pandemic). The NABP indicates that about one-third of states have regulations addressing pharmacy working conditions.
January 06, 2021
Federation of Law Societies of Canada to focus on mental health and addiction
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada has announced continuing initiatives for 2021, with a focus on a National Well-Being Study to determine factors that contribute to addiction issues among legal professionals and the disproportionate number of legal professionals experiencing mental health issues. Another focus for 2021 will be reconciliation initiatives with Indigenous communities.
December 02, 2020
Ohio Board of Pharmacy: clarified duties to report
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has issued updated guidance on the duty to report. Pharmacists must report conduct of other licensees that causes suspicion of substance abuse or physical or mental impairment rendering the licensee unfit for professional duties. They must also report another licensee's violation of regulations or unprofessional conduct. Self-reporting of personal conduct related to criminal convictions, arrests, or disciplinary action taken by another licensing agency is also required.
November 24, 2020
UK: Health and Social Care Secretary aims to streamline processes and reduce bureaucracy
The Health and Social Care Secretary in the UK has issued a report setting out a comprehensive strategy to streamline processes and reduce bureaucracy in professional regulation, making permanent some of the changes that resulted from the pandemic. The report lists eight priority areas for action and is informed by feedback from frontline health and care staff about excess bureaucracy they face in their day-to-day jobs.
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Data and information will be shared, asked for and used intelligently
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System and professional regulation will be proportionate and intelligent
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Day-to-day staff processes will be simple, helpful and effective
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The government will legislate to make procurement rules more flexible
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GPs will have more time to focus on clinical work and improving patient care
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Medical appraisals will be streamlined and their impact increased
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There will be greater digitisation of services
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A supportive culture is needed at a national and local level
