Suggested In-Person Primary Care Services Version 1.0
From Ontario Health West memo, October 20, 2020
Well Baby Care | Newborns and well babies should be seen and assessed by their primary care providers to assess the baby’s weight, feeding, jaundice and address parental concerns. See Modified Schedules for Routine Prenatal and Well Child Care |
Immunizations | Administration of common childhood vaccines, influenza vaccination, and vaccinations like the pneumonia vaccination. |
Cancer Screening | PAP smears can be done safely in offices. See Cancer Screening Resumption During COVID-19 Pandemic |
Chronic Disease Management | Chronic Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, CHF, COPD can be done by a combination of in-person and virtual visits (e.g. virtual laboratory reviews to minimize in-office time). In-person physical examinations for those that have been delayed for six months. See Modified Schedules for Routine Diabetes Care |
Management of Possible Skin Lesions/Rashes | In certain cases, it may be necessary to see a lesion in person or to do an in-office biopsy to rule out a malignancy. This is especially important in patients with a prior skin cancer diagnosis. |
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Injuries/Issues | These types of conditions are often difficult to sort out. Many primary care practices are used to injecting steroids to treat some MSK problems. This can be safely done with good IPAC procedures. |
Mental Health | Many people can be helped virtually. Some of our most vulnerable patients will need in-person assessment and treatment, especially when time has lapsed. Health equity (access to technology) can be a challenge in the treatment of mental health problems. |
Post-surgical Care | When minor post-surgical care is not provided by a local surgeon, in-person primary care service can avoid unnecessary use of emergency departments. |
Hospital Follow-Up | The most common hospital follow-ups required are not COVID related (e.g. CHF, exacerbation of COPD, infections and conditions related to an aging population, etc.), requiring in-person assessment. |