#Alberta Pharmacy

[pharmacybrandca]

Clinic Manitoba -Clinic Saskatchewan-Alberta Pharmacy

Canada's Fastest-Growing Pharmacy Banner Program

We are committed to providing independent pharmacies the tools, resources, and support to reach their individual success in the communities they serve. 175 banner members and counting! https://www.canva.com/design/DAFscJdPyK0/ymWPWnoPrJ3KqjNn8kzazQ/view?utm_content=DAFscJdPyK0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

[reasonsforhope]

"In short: Nine million Canadian women of reproductive age will have the full cost of their contraception covered as part of a major health care reform, the government says.

The reform includes the most widely used contraceptive methods, such as IUDs, contraceptive pills, hormonal implants and the day after pill.

What's next? The government must still win the approval of Canada's provinces, which administer health care."

"Canada will cover the full cost of contraception for women, the government says as it highlights the first part of a major health care reform.

The government will pay for the most widely used contraceptive methods, such as IUDs, contraceptive pills, hormonal implants or the day after pill, for the nine million Canadian women of reproductive age, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Sunday at a press conference in a pharmacy in Toronto.

"Women should be free to choose the contraceptives they need without cost getting in the way. So, we're making contraceptives free," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on X, formerly Twitter.

The announcement fleshes out the first part of a bill unveiled in February that, once completed, would mark the biggest expansion of Canada's publicly funded health care system in decades.

This new regime will also cover the cost of diabetes medication for some 3.7 million Canadians.

The cost of the new system and timing of the launch have not been announced...

The government must now win the approval of Canada's provinces, which actually administer health care, for this new system. Alberta and Quebec have already said they would opt out.

The pharmacare plan — as it is called locally — follows protracted negotiations between Mr Trudeau's Liberal minority government and a small leftist faction in parliament.

The New Democratic Party agreed to prop up the Liberals until the fall of 2025, on the condition that the government immediately launch the drug program."

-via ABC News Australia, March 31, 2024

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Here’s a list of places you can find out how to get a naloxone kit. The official list on canada.ca has some dead links. If anyone in Nunavut, New Brunswick, or Northwest Territories especially has any more information to add to this, that would definitely be helpful.

alberta (free)

british colombia (free for at risk & connected)

manitoba (map, free) (map for sale at pharmacies) (free for at risk & connected)

québec (fr) (free)

new brunswick: ensemble (located in moncton, free for at risk & connected), avenue b (located in st. john, no details)

nunavut - the links i found just direct you to a health centre list. what i found was this 2019 cbc article saying that naloxone is available at local health centres, hospital, and public health building, free for anyone

newfoundland & labrador (map) (free for at risk & connected)

nova scotia (map) (free for at risk & connected)

northwest territories (unsure)

ontario (free)

prince edward island (free at certain locations for anyone, more details in link)

saskatchewan (free for at risk & connected)

yukon (free)

[gumjrop]

The Weather

While not in the US, an article from CBC News in Canada offers a look into the upcoming respiratory illness season. Data from Internal Alberta Health Services shows that patients hospitalized with COVID passed 900 and “roughly doubled” in a month. Accurate data are hard to find, however, as the provincial government changed how COVID statistics are reported. Cameron Westhead, second vice-president with United Nurses of Alberta, commented, “This government likes to talk about personal responsibility and making decisions that are best for yourself and your family. But we don’t have the data to make those kinds of decisions.” In addition, an outbreak in the community has the potential to overwhelm hospital systems again. Isolation requirements, PPE needs, and healthcare worker burnout are all major concerns with COVID patients. Rather than stripping healthcare of the precautions we need to control the ongoing pandemic, we must advocate for more support for healthcare workers, masks in healthcare, and acknowledgment of the severity of COVID infections.

Wastewater

We continue to wait for Verily, the organization taking over the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) contract from Biobot, to provide a readable Nationwide representation of the current wastewater levels. According to WastewaterSCAN, COVID wastewater concentration is medium nationally, apart from high levels in the Northeast. As of October 16, 2023, the national average of wastewater levels is 216.9 PMMoV Normalized. Regionally, the Midwest is 317.0 PMMoV Normalized, the Northeast is 589.82 PMMoV Normalized, the South is 152.3 PMMoV Normalized, and the West is 164.7 PMMoV Normalized. We emphasize that Wastewater SCAN has fewer wastewater sites represented as compared to Biobot. Combined with some other caveats, including the difficulty of interpreting their plots, we remain skeptical of Wastewater SCAN’s data.

The above graphic shows the overall trend for the United States. The y-axis is a scale for the quantity of nucleic acids, PMMoV Normalized (x1 million). While concentrations have been trending downward–with a possible recent uptick–we urge the importance of layers of protection. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter and many folks celebrate holidays, please protect yourself and others with masking, distancing, clean air, vaccines, and other layers of protection. For more on layers of protection, refer to this writeup on PeoplesCDC.org.

Vaccines

NPR reports that parents are finding it difficult to find pediatric doses of the new COVID vaccines for their children. The CDC reports that pediatric doses are available, but several factors are limiting their spread. Faulty websites or outdated information from public and private organizations, shipping delays or errors in the number of doses shipped, and issues with public and private insurance all contribute to a lackadaisical approach to public health. Parents are frustrated at the situation and scared for their kids, especially as we enter flu season. We hope that if you haven’t been able to receive an updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine, you are able to access a dose soon. If you have questions about insurance coverage, visit the KFF information page here. For children covered under state insurance, see information about the Vaccines for Children program. Uninsured adults may receive assistance through the Bridge Access Program. Please note not every pharmacy or clinic participates in this important program.

Long COVID

An article from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) argues that Long COVID studies in children are lacking. Estimates of prevalence of Long COVID in children range from 1% to 70%. Children may have different experiences with Long COVID from adults, as well as having limited vocabulary to describe their symptoms. Poor study design also contributes to artificially low numbers. Hannah Davis, co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative, suggests that further studies could use a prepandemic cohort or electronic health record data to serve as controls rather than a cohort defined by negative PCR tests, which could contain false negatives. Additionally, more longitudinal studies are needed. The article highlights a huge range of uncertainty reflecting a lack of research. Children with Long COVID deserve recognition, care, and support.

Take Action

Reminder to either submit a written comment or register to give an oral comment to the CDC’s HICPAC meeting on November 2-3, 2023. National Nurses United provided some guidance on talking points one can use during the oral comments. You can submit written comments to HICPAC@CDC.GOV starting November 1, 2023, with the deadline at 11:59 pm on November 6, 2023. To request time for an oral comment during the webcast, submit your request to the oral comment submission form no later than 11:59 p.m., EST, October 23, 2023.  As the CDC is poised to weaken protections for patients and healthcare workers, please sign on with National Nurses United and demand the CDC be transparent. At the link, you can fill out a form to send an email to CDC/HICPAC leaders that emphasizes the need to post the updated guidelines in full for public review, make meetings and comments open to the public, and use a science-based approach to aerosol transmission.

Notes: 1) The numbers in this report were current as of 10/20/2023. 2) Changes in testing access as well as data reporting have led many federal data sources to become less reliable. 3) Wastewater data are being sourced from WastewaterSCAN and no longer from BioBot due to the end of the contract with the CDC. 3) Check out the links throughout & see our website for more!

[tamapalace]

London Drugs Carrying Tamagotchi Pix Party and Might Soon Get Tamagotchi Uni

Having troubles finding a Tamagotchi Pix Party in Canada? Well Supersabotenshi on Instagram was browsing their local London Drugs, a Canadian retail pharmacy chain and discovered that they were carrying the Tamagotchi Pix Party! London Drugs is only located in Western Canadian provinces which includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Although this is a previous model, it was super exciting because there really aren’t many retail stores carrying Tamagotchi in Canada, which we hope changes very soon. The Tamagotchi Pix Party is even listed on London Drugs’ website too, priced at $79.99 but currently marked down to $59.99. It also appears that they are only carrying the balloons shell at this time.

No sight of the Tamagotchi Uni yet, which was just released back in July 2023, but the cashier did mention to Supersabotenshi that they were “getting the new one soon”. The cashier did not specify Tamagotchi Uni, but it very well could be!

[darkmaga-retard]

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has ordered provinces to destroy Pfizer and Moderna Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine vials provided last season to "make way for updated shots" that the federal regulator has yet to approve.

Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta public health officials said they removed doses targeting the old omicron XBB variant. Provinces that ordered the jabs withdrawn as of Aug. 31 or Sept. 1 said they did so at the behest of PHAC. The new vaccines that are a closer match for the current variants are expected to be rolled out in late September or early October.

Canada is reportedly in the middle of a late-summer wave of COVID-19, driven by waning immunity and a variant called KP.3.1.1, which accounted for an alleged estimated 62.2 percent of variants in Canada as of Aug. 25.

In Ontario, Chief Medical Officer of Health Kieran Moore issued a memo on Aug. 27 saying that the PHAC ordered a market withdrawal of all doses targeting the XBB variant effective Sept. 1. Julie Kryzanowski, Saskatchewan's deputy chief medical health officer, issued a memo similar to Ontario's on Aug. 28. Dale Hunter, a spokesman for that province's Health Ministry, confirmed that "all health care facilities, pharmacies and physician offices in Saskatchewan" disposed of their remaining XBB shots on Aug. 31.

In Quebec, the health ministry said some vaccine appointments would have to be canceled as a result of PHAC's withdrawal order but Quebec anticipates the access gap will last as little as two weeks. Meanwhile, the Manitoba government said it asked vaccine providers to return unused XBB doses to the province as of the end of August.

"Specific requests for patients that may still need a dose of the current vaccine within a short time frame can still be considered on a case-by-case basis," the province said in an unattributed email.

[vessels-two-front-teeth]

In The Low Light- Biker!IV AU author notes, summary, masterlist.

Author notes first:

The dynamic between Sadie and IV is largely inspired by this song so give it a listen for ✨vibes✨

Chapter numbering system explained here

Chapters

• 1 • 2 •

Temporary Oneshots:

Where The Delicate Stops (smut) MDNI

Things that you WILL find in this fic:

• Fem!OC main character. 

• MC is a SA survivor, and in one of the later chapters she will go into brief detail about the attack. There’s also some flashbacks to it in earlier chapters, but they’re not detailed.

• IV will be unmasked later on, and named (both physical description and name are fake). I know his actual name and such. unfortunately. I’m choosing details that are deliberately misleading and incorrect.

• vague descriptions of gun violence later on.

• they are part of a biker gang. Not Hells angels. A fictional one. I probably won’t even name it.

• a metric shit ton of fluff later on. Like seriously it’ll be so sweet it’ll rot your teeth.

• also I’m making them Canadian (like me), cause I don’t know British culture enough to write a whole story in it. 

Things you WILL NOT find in this fic:

• rape/non-con, domestic violence, or anything of the sort. This is not a “dark romance” get that shit out of here.

• any real or accurate information pertaining to the identities of the boys.

Background info:

Main characters name is Sadie Norton, she’s 29 and lives in Edmonton, Alberta where she works in a pharmacy. She used to live in Toronto, where she worked as a nurse. She moved to Edmonton after she was assaulted when she was walking home from work.

IV, I’m making him 31 in this. He’s the fourth in command of a city wide biker gang (can you guess who the other three are?). He’s lived in Edmonton his whole life and grew up extremely impoverished and in the rough part of town. He met Vess (aka The Boss), II (The Watchdog), and III (The Snake) when they were all in their late teens. They have been building their business slowly since then. IV refuses to tell Sadie really anything about his “day job” because “the less you know the better.”

IV is very soft with Sadie, and he becomes increasingly soft as the story goes on. Is their love enough for him to make the choice to leave the gang? Read to find out.

PS: II’s and III’s nicknames are not set in stone. I made them up on the spot while writing this.

PPS: the two men that corner Sadie in the first chapter are NOT II and III. They will be introduced later on as themselves.

[the-quotable-alberta-hansard]

May 7, 2024

Ms Notley: Her scheme to go it alone to get children’s medication is another example of a disaster that happens; $80 million and counting. We still haven’t received 3 million bottles. No other province will touch it. Hospitals in Alberta won’t use it, and it’s close to expiring. To the Premier: will she admit that she was wrong and her desperate pre-election scheme was an embarrassing waste of money for Albertans?

Ms Smith: I remember the desperation of members opposite as they were going around pharmacy to pharmacy trying to find medication for mothers who were looking for it. I remember the posts of people online talking about how mothers were trying to trade it, talking about mothers going down to America or . . . [interjections]

The Speaker: The hon. the Premier.

Ms Smith: . . . Mexico to bring back quantities of this medication so it could be shared, talking about taking adult medication and crushing it into yogourt so that kids would be able to eat it. I remember, Mr. Speaker, what those days were like. People looked to us to find solutions, and we found a solution.

[softlittleheartsandsparkles]

what do you mean by wait time? I thought you were canadian? Don't you guys have free healthcare?

So, unfortunately in canada, Free healthcare doesn't mean "timely" health care, or getting whatever care whenever you want it. Its sadly not like poppin' in for a hair cut, or showing up for dental work. (dental is private still. I'm fairly sure. ) Like health care in canada is very very VERY backed up. It was like that prior to covid but it covid defs I feel like exhausted existing gaps. Like in BC - because I lived there for awhile, and I feel comfortable speaking about BC. there's areas were people don't have access to GPS/family drs and no walkins. (Or didn't in 2022) Like Canada also has health care deserts. Interior of BC is like that. (Outside of the vancouver/greater vancouver area. Anything outside of there, its very spotty depending on areas.) Which means too people sadly have to go to hospitals. (And this sucks because people need prescriptions.) Like it wasn't uncommon to see questioned posed on fb groups aimed for the city I lived in for 9ish months. About does that city have a walk-in/gp/family dr. And are waitlists being taken, etc. I heard this question even at a pharmacy, a lady came in with her small child, who had what she believed is a ear infection& wanted drops. She was told they can't give drops, she needs a prescription. So she asked are there clinics in the area? She was told there's no clinics local - and she'd have to take her wee one to the hospital. This is the same message fb groups would have. No clinicals locally, hospital. I couldn't even get breast imaging done in that town. you can't self referral. You need a gp/family dr/ walk in to give you the paperwork/do referral. ^^;' Which is one of the things I had to wait for. Until I moved again, to Alberta. & in alberta, my GP isn't close to me. He's almost 2 hours away. But he was also the only one accepting patients when we moved. And this is closer than my previously dr in bc. I do see some work towards offering more options that are in person. (everyone constantly pushes people to telus and there telehealth. Telus is a phone/internet/cable company. For americans this would be like AT&T getting into the health market.) I've noticed pharmacys now can write scripts for mild health issues, or for things like diabetes. (YAY) I do see some family drs opening up now, collecting lists of patients, and some walkins. (also some walkins are ran by pharmacists, so they are again for "mild" causes. Like probably could go in with a rash from your squashes and be like 'this itchy, i touched squash leafs' pharmacist be like 'new to gardening huh? alright well uh. here." - Squash leafs can cause rashes. just so folks know lol. ) But yeah. I also don't think this is all of canada. I can only speak about what I see locally. But health care in canada is extremely backed up, and depending on service and severity medical professionals believe you are, (I.e. they believe your moderate/mild vs severe) you could be waiting. I've been waiting on my referral since March this year. Even with the rectum bleeding i'm still counted as "mild/moderate". & I won't be able to "see" my specialist until late sept. (And what I mean by "see" I mean, we have a phone call aptoment scheduled... from there hopefully I get referral for colonoscopy, and for follow up that can be in person. but I honestly don't know.)

[birendrasingh]

Why Indian Students Should Consider Studying in Canada: Key Advantages and Opportunities

Canada has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad. With its world-class education system, multicultural environment, and ample career opportunities, Canada offers an ideal setting for academic and personal growth. This blog will explore the key advantages of studying in Canada for Indian students and the unique opportunities that make it an attractive choice.

High-Quality Education

Canada is home to some of the top universities and colleges in the world, known for their rigorous academic standards and research-oriented programs. Canadian institutions consistently rank high in global university rankings, offering degrees and diplomas that are recognized and respected worldwide.

Top Universities

Global Ranking

Popular Programs

University of Toronto

25

Engineering, Medicine, Business

McGill University

31

Law, Medicine, Science

University of British Columbia

45

Environmental Science, Computer Science, Business

University of Alberta

110

Engineering, Pharmacy, Business

McMaster University

85

Health Sciences, Engineering, Humanities

The quality of education in Canada is a major draw for Indian students, providing them with a solid foundation for their future careers.

Affordable Tuition Fees and Living Costs

Compared to other popular study destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada offers relatively affordable tuition fees and living costs. This makes studying in Canada for Indian students a cost-effective option without compromising on the quality of education.

Expense Type

Average Annual Cost (CAD)

Tuition Fees

$15,000 - $35,000

Accommodation

$6,000 - $12,000

Food and Groceries

$3,000 - $5,000

Transportation

$1,000 - $2,500

In addition to lower tuition fees, Indian students can also benefit from various scholarships and financial aid options offered by Canadian universities and the government.

Post-Graduation Work Opportunities

One of the significant advantages of studying in Canada for Indian students is the availability of post-graduation work opportunities. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies. This work experience is invaluable, as it helps students gain practical skills, build a professional network, and increases their chances of securing permanent residency.

Program Length

PGWP Validity

Less than 8 months

Not eligible

8 months to 2 years

Same as program length

2 years or more

Up to 3 years

The PGWP is a significant incentive for Indian students who wish to gain international work experience and potentially settle in Canada.

Safe and Welcoming Environment

Canada is known for its safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. With its low crime rates and high standard of living, Canada provides a secure atmosphere for international students. The country is also home to a diverse population, including a large Indian community, which helps Indian students feel at home and supported.

Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are vibrant, multicultural hubs where students can experience a blend of different cultures, cuisines, and traditions. This multicultural experience enriches the lives of Indian students, helping them develop a global perspective.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

For many Indian students, studying in Canada is not just about earning a degree but also about exploring the possibility of settling in the country. Canada offers several immigration pathways for international graduates, making it easier for them to apply for permanent residency (PR).

Programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system allow graduates with Canadian work experience to apply for PR. Additionally, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offers a route to PR for graduates who wish to live and work in specific provinces.

Strong Indian Community and Cultural Connection

Canada has a large and vibrant Indian community, particularly in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. This strong cultural connection makes it easier for Indian students to adapt to life in Canada, as they can find familiar food, festivals, and social networks. The presence of Indian cultural organizations and student associations also provides a support system for new students, helping them navigate the challenges of living and studying abroad.

How MSM Unify Can Help

Choosing the right study destination is a critical decision, and MSM Unify is here to guide you every step of the way. With extensive experience in international education, MSM Unify has helped thousands of students achieve their dreams of studying abroad. Our team has in-depth knowledge of the Canadian education system and can assist you with everything from course selection and application processes to securing scholarships and understanding visa requirements.

MSM Unify has already helped over 186,000 students make their international education dreams come true. If you’re considering studying in Canada, reach out to our expert team today for the guidance and support you need to succeed.

[pharmacybrandca]

Clinic Manitoba -Clinic Saskatchewan-Alberta Pharmacy

Clinic services in Saskatchewan, Canada, are provided by various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, medical clinics, and specialized healthcare centers. Saskatchewan has a publicly funded healthcare system, so residents typically do not need to pay for most medically necessary services. Here's some information about clinics in Saskatchewan:

Primary Care Clinics: Primary care clinics are the first point of contact for most residents seeking medical care. These clinics are staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals who provide a wide range of general healthcare services, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, and management of chronic conditions.

[novumtimes]

Trudeau meets officials evacuees following Jasper wildfire

Article content HINTON, Alta. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Hinton, Alta., to get a briefing on the status of the Jasper wildfire, as well as meet with the province’s premier and evacuees who fled the blaze that destroyed one-third of the town. Trudeau toured the mobile incident command centre in Hinton on Monday but was not expected to tour the town of Jasper itself. He was expected to meet with evacuees later in the afternoon. Article content Wearing a blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves and blue jeans, Trudeau walked into the command centre where he greeted Premier Danielle Smith as well as the province’s public safety minister, Mike Ellis, and shook hands with wildfire officials and military personnel. He also participated in a moment of silence to honour a firefighter who died over the weekend. After meeting with Trudeau, Smith told reporters there is work to do collaboratively with the federal government to help Jasper rebuild, and she gave temporary housing as an example. ���Not only is that going to be important for the residents that lost their homes, but also the seasonal workers, and on top of that, all the workforce that is going to be needed to help rebuild,” she said. More than 20,000 people were evacuated from the town and Jasper National Park nearly two weeks ago as a wildfire inched closer to the area. The national park and townsite remain under an evacuation order. Bus tours of the devastation for residents whose homes were lost or damaged began Monday after being postponed on Sunday due to the weekend death of a firefighter who was battling the blaze. Article content The 24-year-old who lived in Calgary died Saturday after a tree fell on him. His identity has not been released. Trudeau said he is heartbroken by the news and is thinking of the man’s family, friends and fellow firefighters. Parks Canada has said operators of critical services and critical retail, such as gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies and schools, were also expected to visit their sites starting Monday for initial damage assessments. The agency explained the visits would help get those services restarted quickly, once conditions allow for the safe return of residents. The fire risk across Alberta remained high to extreme over the weekend, but Christie Tucker with Alberta Wildfire told a provincial news conference on Sunday that rain was anticipated on Sunday and Monday, which would help firefighters battle numerous blazes across the province. Recommended from Editorial ‘Everything is forever changed’: Jasper resident grapples with losing home and business in wildfire Jasper tour postponed to Monday out of respect for fallen firefighter Share this article in your social network Source link via The Novum Times

[highriverpharmacy]

Pharmacy Store Online Alberta

High River Pharmacy takes pride in being your trusted Pharmacy Store Online in Alberta. Our virtual shelves contain various pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and wellness essentials. Serving the local community and beyond, our online pharmacy ensures accessibility and reliability. Committed to quality care, we bring the pharmacy store experience to your doorstep, prioritizing your health and well-being.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The Alberta government is touting an expansion of private pharmacy clinics across the province as a significant relief valve for family doctors and emergency rooms under strain.

"There is an urgent need to find fixes and deliver accessible care fast and efficiently," Premier Danielle Smith said at a news conference at a northeast Edmonton pharmacy on Thursday morning. "One answer is to make better use of all health professionals' time and talent, and now we have more ways to do that."

Shoppers' Drug Mart president Jeff Leger said Thursday the chain will renovate its stores across the province and add nine new shops to create 103 pharmacy care clinics by the end of 2024.

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[phawareglobal]

Angela Bates, MD - phaware® interview 445

In this episode, Angela Bates, MD from Stollery Children’s Hospital, discusses the importance of incorporating quality of life into the management strategies for pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients.  Dr. Bates also talks about the importance of allowing patients to engage in activities they enjoy, even with limitations imposed by their condition, and the need for a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care. 

My name is Dr. Angela Bates. I am a pediatric cardiac intensivist who also takes care of pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I just wanted to talk a little bit about what I've learned over the past several years as I've embarked on getting to know these patients and their families. I think one of the things that patients have taught me the most about is how important quality of life is in incorporating that in terms of our management strategies. It seems a bit counterintuitive for the physician to be talking about quality of life because, really, it's around what the patients feel is in the best interest of what they see as a management strategy that fits into their lives as well as the families. But I think they've taught me a lot about how we strategize around implementing different medication therapies, even in terms of constraints of different activities.

What I've learned, especially with some of my sickest patients, is how you really need to listen about what's important to them in terms of what fits into their family. And how do you manage different therapies, even different investigations, timing of those things? How does that fit into the strategy to take care of these patients to still optimize them to have the best outcome? I think those of us that take care of pulmonary hypertension patients, those of our patients that live with it, those of our families, their family members that have pulmonary hypertension understand that this is a really severe disease. It's really rare. There's a lot of people that don't understand, what pulmonary hypertension means. Every patient is so different and quality of life becomes the most important in the sickest of the sick. We know that the only cure for a true pulmonary arterial hypertension patient is lung transplant, which is its own disease ultimately. So you're sort of trading one disease for another disease.

So I think it's really important, especially in pediatrics, whether they're five-years-old, 10-years-old, 15-years-old, is to really listen to the patient and understand what's important to them. Because ultimately, if these patients go on to survive to transplant or don't, what’s going to be most important is how was their day? Did they get to do things that made them happy? Did they get to spend time with family? So we talk a lot about therapies. We're very fortunate, I'm very fortunate to get to practice in the era where there's a lot of oral therapies. So we really strive to push the envelope with oral therapies. We push our pharmacy counterparts to really try to advocate for getting drug studies in pediatric patients, but ultimately having access to oral medications. Then we really push our friends with different medications, such as United Therapeutics with Remodulin to how can we best support these families at home?

I work in an environment where we see patients from all across Western Canada. So some of these families live really remote. It's not, again, quality of life-wise, it's not always the best interest for these families to relocate to a big center. So we try to work with families to offer medications that seem a bit extreme to be in a remote area, but can we set them up with a really good family doctor, a really good pediatrician? How do we incorporate how often they have to come down for visits? That sort of thing. So all of these things become, I think, really important in terms of what is quality of life for these families and for these patients. Then the other thing I've learned about, especially when we talk about treating with prostacyclins and with things like Remodulin, is how do we allow our patients to still get to do all the fun things that they want to do?

So we all know that with Remodulin that there's limitations, even with subcutaneous sites or with central lines on things like water activities, for example. So a lot of our families, they really want to try to incorporate, how do we still incorporate swimming? Some of them are brave enough to try things like being on a boat, water skis. People think that's crazy that your patients are doing this. But us in the PH world know that, no, that's not crazy because these patients, if they're feeling well enough to do all these things, how can we safely support them to do these things? So sometimes it's as simple as hooking them up with other families that have been down this road and they have little tricks and tidbits and salient points of how can you still get your kids to enjoy these activities safely? Also, it's about listening and saying, "I'm not just going to plug my ears and say, 'No, you can't do that.'"

It's like, okay, well, I know you want to do these things. These are what make you happy in your life. How can we work with you to make those activities accessible and safe? Sometimes it's as simple as, okay, you know what? Let's time your new site start with a pool visit, for example, that sort of thing. So I think those are really important things. Then ultimately, we have a lot of patients that are quite sick, but they're at home. I think one of the other things that I've learned is, no matter what, if you can facilitate that patient to be at home, I think that is huge. It's in the best interest of the patient, of the family. I think that they eat better, they sleep better, they're happier. Then, just having an honest conversation with families about, okay, what happens if? What do we do if?

Sometimes it's being really honest and saying, "Look, the safest place would be closer to the hospital. But you know what? You guys are not naive to this disease. You're not naive to the things to watch for." Maybe we do weekly check-ins with the families, for example. So I think there's a lot of meet in the middle things that you can do to enhance quality of life. Then, sometimes what I've been learning a lot is we have some oral medications, at least in Canada, where, through different funding avenues, we can get access to oral selexipag. So for those of you that are familiar with it, it's a non-prostanoid analog of the prostacyclin group. We truthfully don't know how does that compare and stand up to things like epoprostenol or treprostinil, Remodulin. But can we advocate for certain patients that, for example, if they don't tolerate sites for Remodulin or they need a break from their pumps for a while, can we safely trial something like a selexipag agent?

So just having that conversation with families and just being honest that we're still learning about these drugs, I think, is also, again, a huge advocate for quality of life for these patients. There's a lot of times where we have patients that, for example, we know that it's safest to do things in hospital, but they're like, "Listen, I think we can manage this at home. This is not our first rodeo." So finding some sort of a middle road on what's safest for the patient, but also what works best for the patient and their family. So sometimes that meaning that's drug conversions at home, or maybe it means that you're doing some more, now that we've got lots of different venues to do telehealth, maybe we do a few telehealth visits.

Again, that always makes us feel a bit more uncomfortable because we're used to seeing our patients in person. But I think as you get to know patients and families and you know how honest families can be with you and you've built that relationship, I think then building a telehealth into the practice of seeing your patients can be very useful. Then, I think the other quality of life piece that I've learned about is what is the best in terms of investigating our patients? So I think most of our patients will say, "ECGs, six-minute walk tests, echoes. Those are bread and butter. We can do all of that." You start to talk about things that might need sedation like cardiac MRIs or the big, scary cardiac catheterization. Now you're talking, well, higher risk if you're needing sedation. Of course, our cardiac caths, I mean, at least at our center, we do general anesthetics for all our pediatric patients. That comes with a bit of more anxiety for our families.

So I think pushing the envelope as to how frequently do we need to do a cardiac cath? Can we get away with the least invasive test for a while if we've got enough data based on the other imaging and what we see with our patient clinically? Then, with cardiac MRIs, can you get away with using child life to help you instead of using sedation? I think those are huge benefits. So I think that also speaks to the need for a multidisciplinary team that really knows this patient. So it's not just the physician that's so important in treating these patients, it's the whole team. So that includes your nurse practitioner, your clinic nurses. A really important part of our team is the social worker, the child life specialist, right down to the person doing the six-minute walk test, whether it's a physiotherapist or an exercise therapist.

We even have really invested members of the team on our research side of things that get to know the families. I think all of those people are so important in listening to the families, picking up different components that help you to, again, mold that treatment plan around what focuses on quality of life for that family. So I've really learned a lot from just taking in what my team also learns from meeting the families and the patients. It's really interesting in our center, even our echo sonographers get to know these patients really well and are invested. So I think that can be really important feedback. And how are our patients doing with this strategy plan? How are they doing in general? Does this fit with what their quality of life goal and vision is?

Alongside that is when we have a really difficult decision with a family in terms of an intervention or a treatment strategy. So for example, we've had some of our patients that were listing for transplant, they're really sick, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, they're on triple therapy and oxygen. Some of them have had different interventions like Potts' shunts and we're waiting for lung transplant and they've got really bad scoliosis and they've got back pain, but also in terms of making them a better candidate for a lung transplant. So we have a really difficult decision about do we go for scoliosis surgery? So including in that discussion, members of your team that know the patient very well and your physician and your nurse practitioner, the parents, the child, but also your surgeons, your anesthetists. Those are also really important things, I think, in terms of, again, addressing what makes this a best quality of life for the patient and the family, but talking really honestly and openly about what are the risks to this patient?

I think the one thing that I try to always impress upon with patients and families is that I'll always be honest with them. I think that's a really important strategy moving forward, even though some discussions are really difficult. But I think honesty is always the best policy. But that's saying, "I can't promise you what's going to happen in the future, but I can promise you I'm going to walk this road with you." I think that's the best we can do. We're human as practitioners, but our patients and our families are human. So I think, to me, that's provided the best way to implement some of these treatment strategies. Then, I've got a couple patient examples where I've dealt with where there's been scenarios where we've had to really work together to focus on quality of life. I think the common one, and I won't just say a specific patient, but just going back to activity.

So I have patients that want to water ski, they want to play baseball, they want to play badminton, they want to play volleyball, they want to go on hikes, they want to go camping. Sometimes that's one patient wanting to do those all. I say, "Great. Okay. I think that's excellent that you want to do that. How do we do that safely?" So you're on a Remodulin pump, you're on Remodulin through a central line. Okay, so how can we do that safely? Even though, yes, ideally you don't ever want to think about putting a PICC line or anything close to water in terms of infection risk, that sort of thing. However, this is really important to this family. This is really important to this patient. How can we facilitate that? So the biggest thing I've learned is hooking them up with families that have been through this. They can give them different examples on how do you access different tools that can make the line safe or the site safe, for example?

Then, just working with the patients to say, "Okay, look, you just need to know your body and listen to your body. So you need to promise me that when your body says, 'This is too much,' you take a break." Even some things as simple as oxygen. We all know that oxygen can benefit our patients, but sometimes it's as simple as, well, okay, I understand that you're a teenager and you don't want to wear your oxygen the whole time. But can you promise me that when you're walking up the stairs or you're walking between class, that you try to put it on as much as possible? Or if you feel like you need oxygen, you take a bit of a time-out to put the oxygen on. Those are simple things that, even though it's sort of meeting your patients in the middle, which I think is important, especially in your teenagers where they need to have some autonomy over their care.

Then, even trips. So camping is one of them. So how do we facilitate making sure they have enough oxygen on their trips going to somewhere like Jamaica? I've had family members that want to go to Jamaica. Okay, well, what's a safety plan? Where do they go if they get in trouble? Do you have enough supplies? Providing them with a medical letter. I think those are all important things where instead of saying, "No, you cannot go to Jamaica." 

To finalize things, I think what I've learned most from my patients is quality of life has to be at the forefront of all of our decisions that we make with families. Again, I stress making decisions with families. Our job is to provide the best care, but that also includes keeping in mind, what is the best strategy that works within the life of that child and that family. I hope that we continue to get better management strategies to make this less onerous on families. But until then, we'll work with what we have. And again, focusing on quality of life to really guide those therapeutic strategies.

My name is Dr. Angela Bates and I'm aware that my patients are rare.

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension trials at www.phaware.global/clinicaltrials. Follow us on social @phaware Engage for a cure: www.phaware.global/donate #phaware Share your story: info@phaware.com #phawareMD @pphnet @PHACanada

Listen and View more on the official phaware™ podcast site

[silverferneducationconsultants]

The Most Popular Study Abroad Programs To Go For In (2023-24)

To substantiate,  the best Study Abroad Programs in Canada may be different from the best prospects in Australia. This may be simply because some jobs or professions may be in high demand in one country and not so in another.

Besides, the average cost of living and tuition fees in one country may be much higher than in another. 

Moreover, the rankings and reputation of institutions will also play a part. Let us try and understand this via an example. Studying a less popular course at Harvard may offer greater prospects than a common course at an average university.

Makes great sense, right? So, as I said, choosing between Study Abroad Programs and countries will need a lot of research. 

Does that mean that you will need to tussle with research across different websites? Well, absolutely not! We have done that for you already and will keep doing it so that you are never out of vital information. 

At Silver Fern Education Consultants, we understand your study abroad dreams the best. As a reputed overseas education consultant, we will always have genuine overseas admission guidance to offer. 

So, if you are planning to enroll in a study abroad program in the next academic year, all you need to read is this blog. In this blog, we have compiled the best study abroad programs in Canada, Australia, the UK and the US. We have all major study abroad destinations covered! Moreover, as we list down the best courses abroad, we will also emphasize on Benefits Of Study Abroad. So, let’s get going! 

Best Study Abroad Programs (2023-24)

Best Study Abroad Programs in Canada

Engineering: Engineering programs are quite popular among Indian students given Canada’s strong technology sector and growing job opportunities. Among engineering programs, computer science engineering seems the most sought after program. Institutions like the University of British Columbia, University of Alberta and University of Toronto are known for their engineering programs. Moreover, a plethora of colleges around Canada offer diploma programs in engineering. 

Business And Management: Business-related programs, such as MBA and undergraduate business degrees, are in demand due to Canada’s thriving business environment. There are ample Study Abroad Programs on offer in Canada across business and management. A lot of Indian students are keen on taking undergraduate courses in business and management after high school. The Ivey Business School and Rotman School of Management are among the top business schools in Canada.

Health Sciences: Nursing, pharmacy, and public health have been very popular, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There is a broad spectrum of degree and diploma courses across these disciplines on offer in Canada. Moreover, nursing and pharmacy are skills in high demand and hence, job opportunities are bright too. 

Best Study Abroad Programs In Australia

Australia is yet another popular study abroad destination among Indian students. Like Canada, Australia also offers a progressive education system and a multinational culture. Listed below are some of the best courses in Australia that international students can go for. 

Business And Management: Similar to Canada, business and management programs have been attractive to Indian students in Australia. Business programs in Australia offer opportunities in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Engineering And IT: IT, computer science, and various engineering disciplines remain sought-after, aligning with Australia’s tech industry’s growth.

Healthcare: Australian universities offer excellent medical and healthcare programs, especially in medicine, dentistry, and nursing. Healthcare Careers in Australia are in fact, very sought-after and rewarding. 

Best Study Abroad Programs in UK

With a UK Prime Minister hailing from India, the prospects for Indian students are only getting better. In fact, with institutions like Oxford University and the London School of Economics, the UK boasts a distinct legacy of higher education.

Besides, other top-ranked universities in the UK include Durham University, the University of Cambridge and so on. Listed below are some of the most popular Study Abroad Programs in the UK. 

Business Studies:- MBAs and undergraduate business degrees have consistently been a top choice among Indian students in the UK.

Engineering:- The most popular engineering fields have been civil engineering and mechanical engineering due to the UK’s strong engineering tradition.

Law:- LLB programs and LLM specializations are highly sought-after due to the nation’s rich history of law-making. In fact, the best part is that students will an LLB from India can also practice in the UK. 

Best Study Abroad Programs in US

The US is a global superpower in infrastructure, military might, and wealth. However, that’s not all! The US is also a global superpower when it comes to the legacy of education institutions in the country. The US is home to the highly prestigious IVY League Institutions that millions of students across the world aspire for. 

Besides, institutions like MIT and Stanford also intrigue a plethora of international students. Listed below are the most popular study abroad programs in the US. 

Engineering And Computer Science:- The US. is renowned for its STEM programs, and Indian students often pursue degrees in engineering, computer science, and related fields as the pinnacle of modern education.

Business And Management:- MBA programs and undergraduate degrees in business administration such as a BBA are highly popular given the diverse opportunities in the U.S. job market and the presence of almost every MNC.  

Health Sciences:- Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health, attract Indian students due to the U.S.’s world-class healthcare facilities and research opportunities transforming Indians into some of the best healthcare practitioners in the world. 

So, Like I said in the beginning, this blog is going to save you the hassle of extensive research. This is overseas admission guidance of the most reliable and genuine order. We are an overseas education consultant committed to providing the right information and direction to students. In the next section, there is some delineation of the Benefits of Studying Abroad. 

Benefits Of Studying Abroad For Indian Students

Besides, we want to guide them effectively with respect to leading a good life abroad, job prospects and skill enhancement. Some of the most pivotal merits of studying abroad are listed below.

Exposure to Multicultural Environments

Speaking of the benefits, the greatest merit of studying abroad is the exposure to multicultural environments. I personally feel it does help you evolve your personality in incredible ways. When you leave your home country to blend into a new environment, you constantly challenge yourself. In the entire process, you keep becoming a mature person with greater adaptability. 

Skill Enhancement And Personal Growth

Furthermore, modern jobs require something beyond technical skills that sets students apart i.e. soft skills. Soft skills can be best acquired by interacting with students from different backgrounds and nationalities.

This cultural exposure encourages a deeper understanding of global issues preparing students to work in any part of the world. 

Additionally, living abroad exposes young students to new customs and ways of life. Indian students consistently demarcate this as a key advantage to their personal growth. Planning for study abroad programs is quite synonymous with subscribing to the idea of new beginnings.

When you move abroad for higher education, you embark on a new journey of personal life and personal growth. 

Better Career Prospects Upon Return 

One of the most vital benefits of Study Abroad Programs is better employability. Indian or international students who study abroad often enjoy enhanced career prospects upon returning to India or pursuing opportunities internationally.

Many multinational corporations value employees with international exposure, language proficiency, and a global perspective. 

Graduates or undergraduates who have studied abroad are often considered more adaptable, open-minded, and capable of working in large teams.

Remember, this is a  crucial factor in climbing the corporate ladder and attaining managerial positions at reputed organizations. 

Invaluable Networking Opportunities

Additionally, the networking opportunities that studying abroad provides can be invaluable for future career advancement. Students build professional connections with classmates, professors, and industry experts. These can open doors to internships, job placements, and collaborations. 

Post-Study Work Visas

Furthermore, numerous nations today offer post-study work visas to Indian students to gain practical work experience after completing their degrees.

This hands-on experience is highly beneficial, as it provides an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and skills and become more competitive in job markets upon their return. 

But is it that everyone enjoys these benefits alike? Are job opportunities and personal growth opportunities of the same volume for everyone? Well, the answer is no! How much you can actually reap from the above benefits is subject to your unique skills, knowledge and learning experiences. 

Silver Fern Education Consultants very well understands the value of a strong CV. From admission prospects to job offers, your CV is going to be the determining factor.

Your CV is the most convenient representation of your overall profile. Hence, Profile building is the starting point for us. We guide students through a systematic process of enhancing their profiles. 

This profile building process and guidance are crucial for overseas admissions as studying abroad is not just about academic achievement. It also matters how significantly students can grow personally.

Students constantly face new challenges which can range from living independently, understanding budgets and building self-reliance. Hence, our students are already prepared to seek out new opportunities with strong profiles. Moreover, having a strong profile can also be the key to a handsome study abroad scholarship. 

To conclude, we have already talked a lot about a lot of things but only to your benefit. We hope you succeed in every endeavor ahead of you! We are sure your choice of Study Abroad Programs will be smoother by now!

I believe that wisdom and information amplify when shared with others. With more than 12 years of vast experience in tertiary education and having assisted a plethora of students in accomplishing their higher education dreams, I’d like to believe that my knowledge is substantial. To make this knowledge count, I love sharing it with students to apprise them of the intricacies of overseas education and to go with that, my keen interest in writing makes it an even more fulfilling thing to do!

almastokapoor3@gmail.com