Shared on behalf of Karen Anderson, Manager Academic Affairs
We are pleased to announce that Haley Koopman has accepted the part time position of Administrative Assistant, Academic Affairs. Haley will provide administrative support to the department of Academic Affairs.
Haley joins us from outside the organization with a degree in Business Administration and a background in the banking industry. She brings with her an enthusiasm for learning and we are excited to add another team member to support learners within our organization.
Please join us in welcoming Haley to her new role, taking effect November 13, 2023.
Improving Diabetes Care: Recognizing and Reducing Diabetes and Weight-Related Stigma
Submitted by Alison Donovan, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
November 14 is World Diabetes Day and this year’s theme is “Access to Diabetes Care”.
Diabetes is a serious chronic disease characterized by the presence of high blood sugar. This occurs because the body is unable to make enough of the hormone insulin (type 1), the body is not able to use its supply of insulin properly (type 2), or both. Having high blood sugars over a long period of time can lead to serious health complications including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, wounds, and amputations.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the cells of the pancreas that make insulin. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults, and requires insulin injections for life to survive. Many individuals living with type 2 diabetes are still able to produce insulin, but their body is unable to use it properly and over time their body’s ability to make insulin can decrease.
It is estimated that up to 30% of Ontarians are living with diabetes or prediabetes. You, or someone you know, is likely living with diabetes. And unfortunately, approximately 50% of individuals living with diabetes have reported experiencing diabetes stigma.
Diabetes stigma is the negative judgements, discrimination, and attitudes individuals experience because of their diabetes. It can be experienced externally at home, work, school, or in health care. It can also be internalized as feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame. Diabetes stigma often results from a lack of knowledge around diabetes including the different types, their causes, or understanding the constant challenges of managing diabetes.
While type 2 diabetes is caused by numerous complex factors, the most common misconception is that individuals living with diabetes caused their disease solely through their behaviour and by making poor lifestyle and food choices. Type 2 diabetes can be related to weight, activity levels, and eating habits but the connection is not simple or straightforward. Many individuals living in larger bodies will never develop type 2 diabetes and many individuals who eat nutritious food, engage in regular physical activity, and/or live in a smaller body will develop type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes stigma disproportionately impacts individuals living in larger bodies due to the connection between diabetes, lifestyle, and weight. Individuals are regularly subjected to unfair beliefs that they are lazy and have poor self-control. They are also regularly food shamed. Friends, family, coworkers, and health care providers may believe that they are being helpful by commenting on food choices; however, this is not the case. Research shows that these comments can have the opposite effect and contribute to an increase in disordered eating patterns to cope with stress.
Diabetes and weight-related stigma can lead to depression, anxiety, feelings of shame, and decreased quality of life. These individuals often experience lower self-esteem, sense of well-being, and motivation, which can negatively impact their ability to manage their diabetes. Individuals experiencing this stigma may refrain from monitoring blood sugar levels, wearing technology devices, injecting insulin, seeking health care, and even disclosing to friends and family that they have diabetes due to the fear of judgement and blame. As a result, these individuals often have suboptimal blood sugar management and higher rates of diabetes-related complications.
Public education and raising awareness of the lived experienced of people with diabetes is crucial to reducing diabetes and weight-related stigma. All of us, including health care providers, can make a difference by acknowledging and examining our own biases. The language we use and how we think and treat people living with diabetes is key to reducing discrimination and judgment, as well as improving health outcomes for those living with diabetes.
To learn more about diabetes care in Northwestern Ontario, visit bit.ly/TBRHSC-CCDC.
The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre wears blue to raise awareness of diabetes, its risk factors and the importance of having access to the right information and care.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week is held annually the second week of November to recognize the exceptional care these health care professionals provide to communities across Ontario.
At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, NPs provide a full range of services, such as ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests; diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions; prescribing medications and treatments; and managing overall patient care. They play a vital role in multiple Hospital services including, but not limited to, Cancer Management, Surgical Services, Cardiology, Regional Stroke Program, Hospitalist Program and the Nurse Led Outreach Team that supports community long term care facilities. Learn more about the profession here.
Please join us in thanking our past and present NPs for their commitment to our patients and their vital contributions to patient care.
On December 1st, the Screen for Life Coach will be parked at our Hospital to provide cancer screening services to our employees.
The Coach offers:
Mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is for most women, Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people ages 50 to 74 and is recommended every 2 years.
Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening is for anyone with a cervix (women, transmasculine and non-binary people) ages 25 to 69, who is or ever has been sexually active and is recommended every 3 years.
FIT kits to screen for colon cancer. Colon cancer screening is for individuals 50 to 74 years of age who do not have a family history of colon cancer and is recommended every 2 years.
Services can be accessed without a referral and are available even if you have a primary care provider.
If you’re due for breast, cervical or colon cancer screening, call 684-7777 to book your appointment.
The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.
No referrals are necessary to access care at the Maternity Centre.
During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.
This week’s Maternity Centre Monday post welcomes the 116 babies born at TBRHSC during the month of October. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!
Nursing Practice is looking for potential registered nurse (RN) and/or nurse practitioner (NP) candidates to apply for an Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) through the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.
The ACPF program provides opportunities for RNs and NPs to develop their knowledge, skills and expertise in a particular area of interest while also addressing a need or a gap in service that exists within our organization. The length of the program is 12 weeks (full-time) or 20 weeks (part-time) for a total of 450 hours.
All ACPF streams are aimed at developing and promoting nursing knowledge and expertise while enhancing the capacity to lead change and to support evidence-based practice while promoting positive health outcomes. To view the new ACPF steams and sub-streams click here.
Deadline for intent to submit is December 15, 2023.
