Fight or Flight: Don’t Let This SAMP Win!

We are excited to see so many of you join our spring FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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DOC, SHOULD I GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

Doc, let’s talk about the COVID-19 Vaccine!
One of the MOST ambitious and complex vaccine deliveries in Canadian history – a game-changer?

A 68-year-old healthy male books a virtual appointment to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine. “Doc, what’s your take on the vaccine – do you recommend it?â€

Below is a Q&A to help guide your discussion! Enjoy :) 

(Remember this is evolving so continue to stay tuned with the latest updates)

1. Who is eligible for the vaccine at this time?

• • Anyone above the age of 16

2. Who should avoid the vaccine at this time?

• • People under the age of 16
  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • You should not get the vaccine if you are unwell with infectious symptoms
  • Autoimmune conditions – exercise caution here as there is little information available for this population. Generally not recommended in these groups, however, you can do a risk assessment based on exposure risk.

3. If I was infected with COVID-19 in the past, am I still eligible for the vaccine?

• • Yes, as long as you are feeling well but those who have never had COVID-19 should take priority.

4. How does the vaccine work?

• • It’s all about the SPIKE PROTEIN. Spike proteins decorate the surface of the virus-like a crown (hence, the name “coronaâ€). The Pfizer vaccine (our currently approved vaccine) is an mRNA-based vaccine; it has a lipid layer made of nanoparticles that deliver the mRNA gene that codes for the spike protein. The mRNA gets translated in the cytosol by the ribosome and a spike protein is created. The spike protein is then presented in the outer membrane of the cell and an immune response is induced creating antibodies.

5. What other vaccines are under review?

• • AstraZeneca
  • Moderna
  • Janssen

6. Doc, how do I know if I am allergic to one of the components of the vaccine?

• • In the UK, there have been several reports of allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine – the likely allergen is polyethylene glycol. As a healthcare provider, it is important to ask about an allergy to polyethylene glycol (it can also be found in some cosmetic creams, laxatives, cough syrups, foods, and drinks). Consider referring to an allergist for formal testing if you are clinically suspicious that the patient may have this allergy. At the time of the second dose of the vaccine, ask your patient if they had any reactions to the first dose.

7. How many doses are required?

• • 2 doses are required, 21 days apart, for the highest level of immunity for Pfizer
  • 2 doses are required, 28 days apart, for the highest level of immunity for Moderna

8. Doc, what are the known side-effects of the Pfizer vaccine?

• • In Pfizer’s clinical study, 38,000 patients were monitored for 2 months after the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only minor side-effects were observed over this short timeline (2% of patients experienced headaches and 3.8% experienced fatigue). The post-market analysis will be critical as the vaccines have only been monitored for a few months to date.

9. Doc, can I stop wearing a mask if I get the vaccine?

• • It is important to continue to wear your mask. Most experts say that even with the vaccine being widely available, additional measures with masks will be necessary until the public health threat has been addressed.

10. Doc, I haven’t gotten my flu shot yet. Can I get my flu shot at the same time?

• • Be careful with concomitant vaccination. It is recommended that you wait at least 14 days from the preceding vaccine before offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Do not let your patients receive any other vaccines for 30 days after administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (except for post-exposure prophylaxis).

11. How long do I need to stay in the clinic after I get the vaccine?

• • 15 minutes, with masks on and distance of at least 2 meters from others.

12. Doc, I am retired and mostly at home. I am healthy. Will I have the option to get the vaccine as soon as it’s out?

• • As of now, NACI recommends that initial doses of authorized vaccine should be offered to the following populations:
    • Residents/staff of centers that provide care for the elderly
    • People over the age of 80, then decreasing the age limit by 5-year increments to the age of 70 as supply becomes available
    • Health care workers (those who have direct contact with patients)
    • Adults in Indigenous communities
  • After that, as more vaccine becomes available:
    • All other health care workers
    • People who live in congregate centers (e.g. homeless shelters, correctional facilities, migrant workers)
    • Essential workers

13. What should you talk to patients about?

• • Benefits of the vaccine
  • Efficacy of the vaccine
  • Safety
  • When to return for the second vaccine
  • Emphasize the importance of following public health advice

14. Helpful tips:

• • Usual pre-screening criteria for vaccines apply (e.g. inquire about bleeding disorders, anti-coagulants, etc.)
  • Ask about a history of syncope
  • Have an emergency kit near you (including epinephrine for anaphylaxis)
  • How to handle the Pfizer vaccine:
    • Store at -80 to -60 degrees C (6 months from manufacturing)
    • Store at 2 to 8 degrees C for up to 5 days
    • Do not refreeze the vaccine
    • The diluent can be stored at room temp
    • Protect the vaccine from light
    • When the vaccine is received in a thermal shipper – within 24 hours it will need to be packed with dry ice
    • Storing options:
      • Maintain in an ultra-low freezer for up to the expiry date
      • Replenish the dry ice in the thermal shipper initially (within the first 24 hours), then repeat up to 5 additional times, 5 days apart for up to a total of 30 days
      • Put in the refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees C for up to 5 days
    • Transport to another site is not currently permitted

Take the Itch Out of Atopic Dermatitis

Thank you to all our participants who virtually attended the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course in the fall. We are excited to see so many of you join our spring classes. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

READ MORE

Pay ATTENTION!!! Your FMEP ADHD SAMP

Thank you to all our participants who virtually attended the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course in the fall. We are excited to see so many of you join our spring classes. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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ELDER ABUSE – A SHOCKING REALITY

Thank you for those of you who joined us this past weekend – it was great to e-meet you all and thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! One of our participants requested a SAMP on elder abuse, so here it is!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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Antenatal SAMP (Part 1)

Thank you to all our participants who attended the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course in Hamilton. We are excited to see so many of you join our fall classes. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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Welcome to Canada!

Thank you to all our participants who attended the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course in Hamilton. We are excited to see so many of you join our fall classes. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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Are You SAMP-Ready (Part 3)?

Hi Residents!

Thank you to all our participants who attended the Family Medicine Exam Prep Course in Hamilton. We are excited to see so many of you join our fall classes. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

Just a reminder… pay attention to the questions. Here are our general tips one more time:

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BIG CCFP NEWS!!!

Dear residents,

We have some big news! CCFP increased the number of priority topics – the exam will now include 105 instead of 99 topics. Yes, you read it correctly…105 topics! The additional 6 topics are: Chronic Pain, Rash, Renal Failure, Shortness of Breath, Heart Failure and Pain.

DO NOT WORRY! The FMEP Team has already added the new required topics to the course and we will address each key feature. We will continue to provide you with helpful resources, blogs, and SAMPs to prepare you for the exam based on the updated requirements.

As always, feel free to reach out to our team at info@familymedexamprep.com if you have any questions. If there is a specific topic you want us to cover, just send it over an email and we will work on it!

Have a wonderful day!

Family Med Exam Prep Course Team

STIR-CRAZY? Stay connected – FMEP is here to help!

Dear residents,

We wanted to check-in with you during this chaotic time. Now, more than ever, protecting your mental health and well-being is critical. We thought we could send over some helpful non-CCFP related resources to help you, your kids, and/or your pets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also have heard from many of you asking if we will offer a course closer to the new proposed CCFP exam date (CCFP Exam Information) … based on this tentative date we have decided to hold a course in September 2020. Many of you have emailed to reserve a spot, and we will ensure your name is included in our list.

We will continue to create blogs, SAMPs, and provide helpful resources to prepare you for the exam. If you have not done so already, email us at info@familymedexamprep.com with your FULL NAME and indicate that you would like to reserve your spot on our pre-registration list as spaces will be limited.

As always, if there is a specific topic you want us to write a blog about, just send over an email and we will work on it!

Family Med Exam Prep Course Team

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