Each week, journalists turn to Unity Health Toronto’s experts and programs to help make sense of our world. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the headlines for the week of October 16-22.

COVID-19 fallout an opportunity to fix crisis in care
Healthy Debate on October 15, 2021
Feature of Dr. Sharon Straus

The pandemic highlighted long-standing issues and created an opportunity to address the crisis in long-term care, says Dr. Sharon Straus. In this Healthy Debate feature of St. Michael’s Hospital’s physician-in-chief and director of the Knowledge Translation program, Dr. Straus reflects on lessons learned from the pandemic and how to move evidence into action.

The science is clear: pregnant Ontarians should get the COVID vaccine. Why are so many rejecting it?
Toronto Star on October 17, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

At the beginning of October, only 60 per cent of pregnant people in Ontario were fully vaccinated. Dr. Tali Bogler speaks with the Toronto Star about why that number is worrisome and why it’s critical to close the gap.

Also on CP24

Family doctors in Ontario urged to find balance between virtual care and in-person visits as emergency rooms grapple with huge bottlenecks, wait times
The Globe and Mail on October 21, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

Virtual doctor’s appointments have become the norm since the start of the pandemic, but as Ontario starts to emerge from the worst of COVID-19, there is mounting tension over the role virtual care should play going forward. Dr. Tara Kiran speaks with The Globe and Mail about virtual care and why patients still need face-to-face appointments.

Tailoring our pandemic response requires more data than mere case counts
The Globe and Mail on October 18, 2021
Opinion piece by Dr. Amol Verma, Dr. Fahad Razak and Dr. Arthur Slutsky

The pandemic has shown us the value of timely data, write Dr. Fahad Razak, Dr. Amol Verma and Dr. Arthur Slutsky in The Globe and Mail. But as we move forward, we need broader and more holistic kinds of data to inform, justify and clearly communicate policy choices, they say.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: How the shot differs for kids and adults
Global News on October 19, 2021
Interview with Dr. Shazeen Suleman

What’s the difference between the COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children? Dr. Shazeen Suleman weighs in on Global News.

‘It’s not okay to assault health care workers’: Hospitals are left on their own to tackle abuse against staffers – and COVID-19 is making it worse
The Globe and Mail on October 21, 2021
Interview with Dr. David Kodama

An online dashboard at St. Michael’s is helping to identify which patients need to be seen earlier or when to bring in community supports to help de-escalate situations. Dr. David Kodama, emergency physician, speaks with The Globe and Mail about the dashboard.

Canada has a health-care investment problem
Policy Options on October 21, 2021
Analysis by Dr. Danyaal Raza

Canada spends fewer public dollars on health care than most peer nations, and, in fact, should spend more to invest in and adequately resource the public health system, writes Dr. Danyaal Raza in an analysis published in Policy Options.

Partners and support persons still excluded from pregnancy ultrasounds due to COVID-19
Global News on October 18, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

Having consistent support during pregnancy is critical, says Dr. Tali Bogler. She speaks with Global News about the importance of partners or support persons attending pregnancy ultrasounds.