Multi-Subspecialty Education for low-Resource Settings (MSERS)

The Multi-Subspecialty Education for Low-Resource Settings (MSERS) series confronts the unique health challenges in Indigenous Communities in Ontario. Topics are identified by nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and Indigenous health leaders who work within First Nation communities. The MSERS series focuses on locally relevant topics, presented by content leaders in the health care fields across the entire range of medical subspecialties.

All sessions take place 830 to 930 AM (Central Standard Time) through Zoom- contact ben@benthomson.org if you’d like to be on the mail list for upcoming sessions!

Completed Sessions (links to learn)

CONFRONTING COVID-19 SERIES

  1. Protected Code Blue in the North (PDF) – Dr. Laurie Mazurik, Jan 28 (2021)
  2. Oxygenation Options and Considerations for Northern communities (PDF) – Dr. Cory McFarlane & Dr. Azad Mashari, Feb 11 (2021)
  3. Pharmacologic Management of COVID-19 Infection: Review of the Evidence and Treatment Algorithms (PDF) or Recorded Zoom Presentation (.mp4) with references – Dr. Ben Thomson March 4 (2021)

WOMEN”S HEALTH SERIES

  1. Contraception (PDF) or Recorded Zoom presentation (mp4)– Dr. Lesley Roberts, April 1, (2021). Additional Resources: (i) Counselling for Contraception guide (ii) Canadian Contraception Consensus Documents on Emergency Contraception, Intrauterine contraception, Progestin-only contraception, Combined hormonal contraception
  2. Vaginal pain Recorded Zoom presentation (mp4) – Dr. Julie Ann Francis, April 15 (2021)
  3. The Pap Smear (PDF and recorded Zoom presentation (mp4) – Dr. Lesley Roberts, May 13 (2021)
  4. Vulvar Discharge and Pruritus (PDF, Assessment form for Pelvic Pain, and recorded Zoom presentation (mp4) – Dr. Julie Ann Francis, May 27 (2021)
  5. Pregnancy Loss in Remote and Indigenous Communities (MSERS): May 2 (2024): Dr. Roisin Dooley and Dr. Joe Dooley. Video Link here
  6. Hypertensive Disorders in pregnancy, in Remote and Indigenous Communities (MSERS): May 30 (2024): Dr. Roisin Dooley and Dr. Joe Dooley. Video Link here

INTERNAL MEDICINE SERIES

  1. Challenging cases of Hypertension – Review of CHEP Guidelines (PDF and recorded Zoom presentation (mp4)) – Dr. Ben Thomson, April 29 (2021) Additional Resources: (i) CHEP (Canadian Hypertension Education Program) Hypertension Highlights (ii) International Society of Hypertension Guidelines (105 page document- page 21 for mechanism of measurement/)
  2. Diabetes Management at the Nursing Station (PDF and recorded talk here) – Dr. Bikram Sidhu, June 10 (2021)
  3. Everything You Need to Know about Peritoneal Dialysis in a Remote or Indigenous Community: September 16 (2021)- Dr. Ben Thomson PDF here
  4. Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis B and C in Remote and Indigenous Communities: October 28 (2021): – Dr. Anouar Teriaky . PDF here
  5. Cognitive Assessment and Decline in Remote and Indigenous Populations: November 25 (2021): Dr. Mark Lachmann. PDF and recorded talk here with Rowland Cognitive Assessment form here
  6. Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disorders in Remote and Indigenous Populations: December 9 (2021): Dr. Sara Awad. PDF here
  7. Geriatric assessment of Polypharmacy and De-prescribing in Remote and Indigenous Populations: January 20 (2022): Dr. Joanne Ho.
  8. Anemia in Remote and Indigenous Populations: February 17 (2022): Dr. Ben Thomson. PDF . Recorded talk here.
  9. Soft Tissue Infections in Remote and Indigenous Communities: March 17 (2022): Dr. Reena Lovinsky. PDF here– Recorded Talk Here
  10. Diarrheal Illnesses in Remote and Indigenous Communities: May 12 (2022): Dr. Reena Lovinski. PDF available on request (large file)
  11. Chronic Kidney Disease in Remote and Indigenous Populations: June 9 (2022): Dr. Ben Thomson. PDF
  12. Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Management in Remote and Indigenous Communities: January 5 (2023): Dr. Natasha Sabur, Video Link Here
  13. Diagnosis and Management of Congestive Heart Failure in the Remote and Indigenous Community: March 2 (2023): Dr. Aws Almufleh, Video Link Here
  14. Approach to Chest Pain in the Remote and Indigenous Nursing Station: March 30 (2023): Dr. Peggy DeJong. Video link here
  15. Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Remote and Indigenous Community: April 27 (2023): Dr. Christopher Stone. Video Link here
  16. Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Presentation and Management in Remote and Indigenous Communities: September 21 (2023): Dr. Roxy Chis Presentation slides here and recording of session here
  17. Diabetic Emergencies in Remote Settings (MSERS): April 4 (2024): Dr. Bikram Sidhu. Video Link here

EMERGENCY MEDICINE SERIES

  1. Hypothermia and frostbite management in remote and Indigenous Populations: September 29 (2022): Dr. Tarek Loubani. PDF here– Video Link here
  2. Heat Stroke in Remote and Indigenous Communities Dr. Jodi Pritchard PDF LINK HERE, Video Link Here
  3. Management of Altered Mental status in Remote and Indigenous Community: May 25 (2023): Dr. Melissa Bouwsema Dr. Jodi Pritchard. PDF Here, Video link here
  4. Diagnosis and Management of Burns in Remote and Indigenous Communities: June 22 (2023): Dr. Jodi Pritchard. PDF here

MENTAL HEALTH SERIES

  1. Pediatric Depression in Rural Communities: February 1 (2024): Dr. Amy Gajaria. Video Link here
  2. Pediatric Trauma and PTSD (MSERS): March 7 (2024): Dr. Amy Gajaria. Video Link here

TO BE ADDED SOON!

October 12 (2023): Diagnosis and Management of Alcohol Use Disorder in Remote and Indigenous Communities. Dr. Taras Reshutuhka

November 9 (2023): Dental care in Indigenous Communities: Session 1 (the basics) Dr. Sheri McKinstry

December 7 (2023): Dental care in Indigenous Communities: Session 2 (pathology) Dr. Sheri McKinstry

March 7 (2024): Dermatologic assessment, diagnosis and management in Indigenous Communities. Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis

Please contact ben@benthomson.org to suggest topics for future sessions, to provide comments on any of the sessions, or to get placed on the mailing list to be provided the Zoom link for future events!

There are many ways you can support the MSERS series. If you would like to support the MSERS series, please contact ben@benthomson.org

Creators (2020)

  • Marika Bellerose RN NP, Indigenous Services Canada
  • Josiah Butt MD, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
  • Azad Mashari MD FRCPC, University Health Network; University of Toronto
  • Cory McFarlane MD CFPC, North Bay Regional Health Centre; Sioux Lookout, Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre
  • Ben Thomson MD MSc MPH(c) FRCPC
  • Elizabeth Wallace RN NP, Indigenous Services Canada

Coordinators and MSERS leads:

  • Marika Bellerose RN NP, Indigenous Services Canada
  • Ben Thomson MD MSc MPH(c) FRCPC
  • Elizabeth Wallace RN NP, Indigenous Services Canada

The Unique Format

  • Indigenous communities in Ontario face innumerable challenges, including inconsistent internet access, and health care delivery in frequently remote and low-resource settings. Much of the initial care is often provided by nurses and nurse practitioners, who are expected to have expanded skills and knowledge, despite the reduced resources. The MSERS series recognizes these challenges, and confronts them with the unique format of the sessions. A flowchart below summarizes the modifications to the series to optimize the experience in Ontario’s 133 Indigenous communities.