Dr. Walter Wodchis awarded $1.5 million to lead pan-Canadian study of primary care teams
February 17/2022
By Alisa Kim Research has shown interprofessional primary care teams, comprised of doctors, nurses, social workers, dieticians and other health professionals, improve health outcomes and reduce unnecessary care. These teams were designed to provide value for health dollars through the provision of timely care and by offering various programs and...
Less is more: Dr. Gillian Parker’s research takes aim at low-value care
February 10/2022
By Alisa Kim, IHPME Being prescribed antibiotics for a viral infection or getting an MRI scan for low back pain are examples of low-value care—health care practices that yield little or no benefit, or even cause harm. Yet, according to a 2017 report by the Canadian Institute of Health...
‘Always give back’: trainee develops research opportunities for youth amidst doctoral studies
February 03/2022By Alisa Kim As an undergrad studying kinesiology, Troy Francis thought he might become a physiotherapist or a chiropractor. As he continued his studies, however, Francis, currently a PhD student in the Health Services Research program at IHPME, was drawn to a big-picture view of the health system. His...
Dr. Julia O’Sullivan partners with First Nations communities across Canada to strengthen early childhood literacy
January 24/2022
By Alisa Kim The window of opportunity for literacy is narrow, closing for most by the age of 10 years. Early literacy is not only critical for academic success but confers socioeconomic benefits. “If you can’t read and write well by the time you go to grade four, you...
A vision realized: trainee leads pilot project to deliver eye care to Indigenous children in Toronto
January 17/2022
By Alisa Kim, IHPME A study by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind found one-third of Indigenous Canadians have not had an eye exam within the last two years. Moreover, research has shown Indigenous children experience high levels of astigmatism, an irregularity in the shape of the cornea...
Professors Greg Marchildon and Sharon Straus appointed to the Order of Canada
January 03/2022By Alisa Kim, IHPME Congratulations to IHPME Professors Greg Marchildon and Sharon Straus, who were appointed to the Order of Canada. One of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Appointments are made by the Governor-General...
Students Develop Harm-Reduction Toolkit for U of T Community
November 25/2021by Françoise Makanda, DLSPH U of T students developed a “Know Your Drugs 101” toolkit that will help students returning to campus spot the signs of a drug overdose. The toolkit is comprehensive – it includes information on how to respond to an overdose, and how to access and administer...
Return to In-Person Classes Announcement – Winter Term 2022
November 05/2021
Dear DLSPH community, After extensive research and careful consideration of multiple academic and social factors and public health guidance, we have decided to return to in-person courses for the Winter 2022 term. Instructors will determine what in-person means for their Winter course(s) and communicate accordingly to students. For the majority...
DLSPH Open: IHPME’s Contribution to the Fight Against COVID-19
July 08/2021
Dear faculty members, staff and students: As the third wave of the pandemic recedes in Canada, there is reason for cautious optimism. Cases are declining sharply and 75% of Canadians have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. Many of you are aware of the work done by the Ontario COVID-19...
Nusrat Farhana’s Story: Dissecting Healthcare Competitiveness in Canada
June 22/2021By Françoise Makanda, Communications Officer at DLSPH What causes Canadian hospitals to compete amongst themselves with no paying clients? Under the supervision of Dean Adalsteinn Brown, Nusrat Farhana spent the last six years understanding what drives hospitals to compete through the Ontarian and Albertan healthcare systems. “If you don't understand...