Employee morale doesn’t simply translate into how happy your people are; It’s a direct reflection of how healthy your company culture is How well do you and other leaders communicate with teams And how effective your managers are. High morale only occurs when employees feel taken care of by their company. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that positive work cultures are more productive than those that aren’t. And while there are many benefits of remote work, some remote workers report feeling less satisfied with their sense of belonging. After all, it’s the social connection and bonds between colleagues that are foundational to all organizations’ success.  Moreover, people who feel a sense of connection to their work, teammates, partners and organization don’t just show up for their 9–5. Instead, they look forward to the opportunity, are resilient in the face of challenges and exceed goals faster. And these days, it’s easier than ever to gauge the culture at a potential workplace, with sites like Glassdoor allowing employees from all levels and departments to rate a workplace’s culture.  This article will first highlight the importance of positive employee morale and explore the relationship between employee morale and productivity. Then it will identify its causes, and lastly, ways to boost employee morale will be explored.  The estimated read time is 6-8 minutes. What is Employee Morale Employee morale is the outlook, satisfaction, attitude, and confidence that team members have at work. It reflects how healthy the company culture is, how well employees are supported, and how engaged employees are. Ultimately, it reveals the workplace mood! Moreover, while employers can’t give employees positive morale, they are potent contributors to employee morale. When team members feel taken care of and supported by their company, it fosters intrinsic motivation and creates a space that allows them to perform at their best. Impact of Positive Employee Morale With sites like Glassdoor being an important source of information for candidates looking to potentially join your businesses and a popular destination for disgruntled current (or former) employees, nurturing your staff morale is a strategic move.  Positive employee morale leads to increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace and, as studies have shown, produces higher quality work.  Staff morale can keep a company afloat: you might have to rely on your staff to help it pull through if your company hits hard times.  Solid company morale will lead you to attract and retain top talent, reducing staff turnover.  Positive employee morale helps reduce your business costs. For example, high employee morale helps reduce workplace accidents, leading to fewer absences and relieves lower workplace stress, leading to less paid time off.  Team Morale and Productivity The bridge that connects employee morale and productivity is meaningful work. Unfortunately, staff morale slowly declines in the absence of meaningful work, and toxic behaviours surface. Furthermore, employees who report having an above-average workplace meaning tend to stay where they are.  Increasingly, employees choose to work for companies that align with their values, offer supportive and healthy workplace cultures, and provide meaningful work.  When these elements are present, employees are more productive and stay with the company longer — regardless of the company’s prestige. With this in mind, it’s essential for managers to: Monitor the level of morale in the workplace regularly.  Address problems promptly and effectively.  Nurture relationships with their staff. Create a psychologically safe work environment. Understand what employees classify as meaningful. Provide meaningful work based on employees’ needs and goals. Causes of Low Employee Morale  AlthoughteEmployee morale is complex, what matters to one team member might not impact another. But some core factors can bring morale down across the board: Workplace Burnout  Poor leadership  Lack of growth opportunities.  Ways to Boost Employee Morale Prioritize employee recognition Promote work-life balance among employees Train your managers to become better coaches Give employees a voice Build trust by empowering your employees Support health and wellness Live your culture and values Emphasize communication and connection Don’t ignore the power of small gestures Boosting Team Morale Is An Ongoing Effort Employee morale is a crucial measure of an organization’s health and needs to be constantly measured and tended to throughout life. Therefore, leaders must regularly use employee satisfaction surveys to measure mood for continued insight into employees’ feelings. Furthermore, creating a healthy and positive culture goes beyond free merch or a booming social calendar. Ultimately, morale is cultivated by the big stuff (like policies, career growth, learning and development) and the small stuff (like social events, regular recognition and swag).  Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on How to Improve Employee Morale. We hope you found our article informative and important. In addition, we have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

Illegal Drugs In Canada, illegal drugs are contributing to an increasing number of harms. For example, the most common are overdoses from fentanyl and related substances, traffic collisions caused by drug-impaired driving, and gun violence associated with the illegal drug market. Furthermore, The Government of Canada is adopting different measures to decrease the supply and demand of illegal drugs. Thus, the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) is to reduce and prevent Canada’s illegal drug consumption. Read more to learn about illegal drugs in Canada and why they are so dangerous, followed by how the Government of Canada is taking actions to reduce and ultimately stop drug consumption in Canada.  The estimated read time is between 7-9 minutes.  Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous It is not safe for anyone to take illegal drugs because, depending on the drug, they can have adverse or unexpected effects on the mind and body – and some of them can be the cause of accidental or fatal overdose. what makes a drug illegal  Drugs are illegal if the government has included them in their laws on controlled substances. Illegal Drugs Can Be Harmful To Anyone Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. They can affect our emotions and the way we feel. They may cause people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. For example, while using drugs, a person is less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. In addition, it is often harder to think clearly and make good decisions for a person who is using drugs. Depending on the drug, there may be long-term effects of using, including substance use disorder and addiction. Moreover, when people use drugs, they may do risky things that could hurt them or other people. A person of any age can accidentally overdose when using drugs, whether they are someone experimenting for the first time or using street drugs regularly. Lastly, different drugs have different effects on people. Likewise, people react differently to each drug. How a drug will affect a person can depend on age, body type, or mental state. Just because someone else has tried it and had a certain feeling does not mean it will be the same for everyone.   Fentanyl In Canada As a medication, fentanyl is a synthetic opiate, a prescription-grade drug used primarily by cancer patients in severe pain in a patch form. Many illegal drugs bought off the street risk being tainted with fentanyl, between 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and many other drugs on the street can be cut with fentanyl in powder, liquid, or pill form, rendering them even more toxic. Other Illegal Drugs in Canada The following are other drugs that are illegal to consume in Canada, Cocaine Crack Cocaine Date Rape Drugs Ecstasy   Illicit Fentanyl Heroin Ketamine Hydrochloride LSD Meth (Methamphetamine) PCP – Angel Dust Psilocybin Mushrooms Drug-Impaired driving  Drugs, including cannabis, can impair driving abilities and increase the risk of getting into a car accident. Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal deaths and injuries in Canada. Police-reported data indicate that the proportion of drug-impaired driving incidents has increased from 2% of all impaired driving cases to over 8% in 2020 while, at the same time, the proportion of alcohol-impaired driving incidents was declining. You have options; plan ahead and make a plan to get home. Drug Stigma Awareness Training Module The Drug Stigma Awareness Training Module provides tools and references material to support police interactions with people who use substances. It supports more effective policing by helping to reduce the stigma faced by people who use drugs that may prevent them from accessing the health and social services they need. This Training Module for law enforcement is offered free of charge to Canadian law enforcement personnel until 2022 and for a modest fee after that. Click here to learn more. Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) is Canada’s policy on controlled substances. It takes an evidence-based approach led by Health Canada. Moreover, the CDSS is founded on the pillars of harm reduction, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Public Safety Canada supports the enforcement pillar of the CDSS and measures to reduce the harms associated with substance use. Legislative changes that came into force in 2017 have increased law enforcement’s ability to take early action against suspected illegal drug production and trafficking operations. Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on Say No To Illegal Drugs. We hope you found our article informative and important. We have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

College campuses are known for many things. Unfortunately, the presence of various illnesses in students and highly contagious diseases is one of them. There are a variety of causes at play. College students often deal with high stress, irregular sleeping patterns, poor diets, and may not be accustomed to taking care of themselves. Regardless of the cause, students and parents should be aware of these common illnesses that plague college campuses so they can take necessary preventative measures where possible. We have selected the following most common illnesses found in students. Although most of these illnesses are common, preventable and treatable with home remedies, there may be times when something becomes more serious. Read further to learn more and be aware of when to see a doctor for treatments.  The estimated read time is 6-7 minutes. Upper Respiratory Infection Also known as the common cold, upper respiratory infections are prevalent in many locations where many people congregate. Students spend their days close to one another, often sharing books, door handles, desks, etc. Couple that with the ease with which sickness is spread, and it’s no wonder college campuses are breeding grounds for bacteria that cause the common cold. There’s not much one can do to stave off getting a cold other than try to stay away from those who have one. But for students who do catch a cold this season, drink lots of fluids, rest and take over-the-counter fever-reducers and nasal decongestants until it runs its course. Meningitis First-year students seem to be affected by meningitis more than any other students or age groups, primarily because bacterial meningitis affects young adults the most and the proximity of dorm life. The illness can be bacterial and viral, with bacterial meningitis being the most dangerous. The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends preteens receive their meningitis vaccinations at age 11 or 12 and then receive a booster at age 16. Incoming students who’ve never been vaccinated can still get their vaccinations – it’s recommended young adults 19 to 24 do so more than others. In addition, some colleges may require students to vaccinate for bacterial meningitis. Gastroenteritis More commonly known as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis typically includes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps and a low-grade fever. Gastroenteritis spreads through contaminated food and drink. Though college-aged people are least likely to deal with severe complications from the stomach flu, the illness can still be problematic, especially for those who may already be sick or have an otherwise compromised immune system. The virus can only spread through ingestion, so the best way to prevent gastroenteritis is simply washing your hands often, especially before eating. Treatments include drinking clear liquids, eating foods like crackers and taking over-the-counter medicines. Influenza Like the common cold, influenza, commonly referred to as the flu often strikes schools during the winter. It’s spread very quickly, either by simply talking, shaking hands or being near someone coughing or sneezing. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports the flu virus can spread through the air for up to six feet.2 The proximity of dorm and lecture hall life makes college campuses a spawning ground for the influenza virus. If you’re a parent, the best thing you can do is get your college student a seasonal flu shot right around when the new school year begins or any time during flu season. Since that age group isn’t a high-risk group, they will likely only need one vaccine. Athlete’s Foot Tinea pedis, better known as athlete’s foot, thrives in dark, damp places, such as dormitory communal showers. Therefore, we recommend that students living in dorms always wear shower shoes to protect themselves from itchy fungal infections. Also, do not share shoes and change your socks often. An athlete’s foot isn’t serious, but it can be a significant annoyance. It can easily be treated with over-the-counter or sometimes prescription ointments. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Generally, four out of five adults have human papillomavirus (HPV). Couple that with the fact that HPV most commonly affects adults under the age of 24, and it’s no surprise HPV is a recurrent issue on college campuses. Though most people won’t show symptoms, and HPV will often go away, it’s wise for students to receive the HPV vaccine to prevent any potential complications and prevent the spread of HPV. Women can receive the HPV vaccine up to the age of 26, while men can get it up to 21. Seek Medical Advice Although most of the above-listed illnesses are common, preventable and treatable with home remedies, there may be times when something becomes more serious. If the disease causes significant discomfort or stays within for more than a couple of weeks, it is best to get appropriate treatments. Thus, we strongly suggest you seek medical advice in those unfortunate circumstances.  However, the great news is that your full body screening, including examining your skin condition, is included in the Student Medical Exam. Furthermore, other than the physical screening of your body, the SME doctor will also provide you with suggestions on taking blood tests, X-rays, and further medical treatments (if required). Lastly, the doctor’s report will provide you with recommendations for health improvements and wellness (if needed). Thus, to stay healthy physically and mentally, book your SME today to detect growing viruses and diseases in your body.  Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on Most Common Illnesses in Students. We hope you found our article informative and important. In addition, we have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

Do you doubt the career path you have chosen? Are you having trouble choosing a career path? You’re not alone! Many people have a hard time choosing a career path. Others have doubts about the wisdom of their choice later down the line. However, while choosing the right career path for yourself, the best option is to follow your passion. Secondly, it is never too late to switch. If you feel bored doing what you are doing, accept it and find different options that attract your interest. Lastly, go with the flow! At times you might find yourself in difficulties in making life decisions. In such times it is best to go with the flow and wait for the right opportunity to come your way.  We have gathered some crucial factors that you should consider while choosing the right career path for yourself. Our suggestions are as follows; The Big Question, How To Decide? When you choose a major, look at the pros and cons, and then ask yourself: Can you see yourself working in that profession in 15 years? If so, where would you want to be in that profession? Next, look at the advancement opportunities available for your chosen major while deciding on a career path. Finally, when you select a major, make sure you can use it as a stepping stone for different but similar careers. Or choose a major that will help you climb the ladder quicker. Follow Your Passion What type of work can you get lost in, feel strongly about and can do every day without getting tired of it? List the activities you do that you love to spend time on. For example, if you love to watch crime dramas, or you enjoy researching legal issues, you might enjoy working as a legal assistant or paralegal. If you loved biology in high school, you might satisfy your passion by becoming a doctor. If you can’t get enough of professional sports, you might go into sports management. Or, if you can never seem to find enough time to ride your horses, you might look at a degree in equine studies or even as a veterinarian. Identify Your Strengths While you can learn how to do something new, it’s much easier if you know what your strengths are. For Example; If you are great at math, you might choose a career in programming or science. Likewise, for a logical thinker who will spend hours crafting a logical response, he might want to look at legal careers. If your forte is being able to create budgets or you love financial analysis, you might consider a degree in accounting or another finance degree.  Identify Your Personality If you are empathetic and compassionate, you might look at a medical degree. However, if you are introverted, you might not be happy in a profession that requires you to be outgoing, such as sales or a legal profession where you have to speak in front of people often. And, if you’re an introvert, you might not do well in a career that has a loud environment or that has a lot of public contacts. Not sure what kind of a personality you got? It would help if you took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality inventory. The indicator will help you identify your personality.  Characteristics Of Your Ideal Employer Now that you have identified the industry you want to pursue your career in, it is now necessary to identify the ideal employer. Although the majority of the employers from the same industry generally work under similar patterns. Yet, the work environment may differ from company to company. Therefore, to stay motivated in your work-life, we have highlighted the following elements you should consider;  Hours of Operations Travel Requirements Work Schedule  Flexibility Salary Range Benefits Location Growth Potential Go With The Flow If you find yourself in a position where it is difficult to find the right career path for yourself, go with the flow. You are not alone in facing difficulties when choosing a career path. Maybe not today, but you will surely identify a path that will interest you and keep you motivated towards it in the near future. Until then, keep identifying your passion, strengths and personality. Lastly, never forget that you can always change your career later in life. It will never be late! Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on Finding The Right Career Path For Yourself. We hope you found our article informative and important. In addition, we have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

As generally accepted, employee well-being and engagement are the most vital elements for increased productivity and business growth. However, employee empowerment is a key predictor of engagement which is also different from engagement. More companies now understand that giving employees more responsibility and power can benefit both the people and the business. Furthermore, according to Harward Business Review and APA PsycArticles Journal Article, “when employees feel empowered at work, it’s associated with stronger job performance, job satisfaction and commitment to the organization.” This article will explore the true extraction of the term Employee Empowerment, followed by its benefits and how one can empower its employees. The estimated read time is 5-7 minutes.  What Is Employee Empowerment People define employee empowerment in several ways. First, we believe employee empowerment is about accountability and trust. When you give employees a certain degree of autonomy and responsibility for decision-making in their daily work, it’s more than that. When you empower employees to step up, make their own decisions and pave their path to success, you create a better workplace culture. Benefits Empowered employees are loyal, committed and potentially more productive. The benefits are endless when employees have the tools and resources to successfully manage or lead their projects, work toward their goals, and drive their careers. Empowered Employees; Go the extra mile Follow best practices Be more productive Have good communication Embrace change Have a “can-do” attitude Provide better customer service How To Empower Employees So, how do you spark employee empowerment in the workplace? Well, firstly offer it in the daily roles of our employees. Then, make sure to enable, inspire and encourage individuals to take steps to improve their work experience, increase their work engagement and help build an inclusive culture. Lastly, welcome feedback and suggestions from your team for building a better work environment.  Our Six Steps Guide For Employee Empowerment Offer authority and ownership by handing out responsibility.  Make guidelines and best practices clear.  Encourage communication  Offer individual or team coaching  Allow growth opportunities.   Provide organizational support for employees Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on Employee Empowerment. We hope you found our article informative and important. In addition, we have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

Employee burnout is a problem during stable times, let alone stressful times. Lower productivity, emotional and physical exhaustion, lack of concentration, less recognition from managers, negativity and a decline in health are all signs of burnout. And employees are at risk now more than ever before. Thus, eliminating burnout in the workplace and further knowing how to prevent employee burnout is crucial for retention and overall employee well-being.  Therefore, read this resource by the Canada Medical Exam Society to understand the causes of workplace burnout, its prevention importance and how you can eliminate it for your organization. The estimated read time is 5-7 minutes.  What Is Employee Burnout  World Psychiatry defines burnout as a response to prolonged exposure to emotional, physical and interpersonal stressors. It is a chronic feeling of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. Recent research has found that employees who experienced more significant stress levels felt higher levels of exhaustion, cynicism and inefficacy. Furthermore, most engaged employees feel the impacts of stress more than unengaged employees.  Common Causes Of Workplace Burnouts Overload of Work Pressure Role conflict and ambiguity Lack of support from managers, feedback, fairness and equity, participation in decision making Values disconnect A “broken” psychological contract between an employer and employee Eliminating workplace burnout is vital. However, these factors alone or in combination can lead even your best people to withdraw from their work. Importance of Workplace Burnout Prevention Engaged employees drive actual business results — they’re energized, enthusiastic and focused. Engaged employees enjoy their work and help boost productivity, performance, morale and growth. Ultimately, employee engagement is beneficial for people and businesses. However, highly engaged employees have low well-being due to unmanaged personal and workplace stressors, and burnout can happen. An employee has to be highly engaged to be burned out at work. The employee has to be all in and care deeply about their work to get to the point of feeling burned out. Therefore, top-performing, highly engaged employees are at the highest risk for burnout. Did You Know? With engages employees, businesses are; 78% more profitable 40% more productive 5x less likely to have a safety incident Stock growth price 2.5x that of their peers How To Eliminate Workplace Burnout The good news is that burnout is preventable. With strong management support and an understanding of what causes job burnout, employers can prevent their top talent from burning out more readily. Managers should meet with each of their direct reports each week for a one-on-one meeting. In this weekly meeting, managers should check on the employee’s overall well-being and address any issues that arise quickly. Design a plan for your employees to achieve their goals — balance is essential. Help your employees find their “sweet spot” of stress. Good stress keeps you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge. In contrast, bad stress can lead to many physical and mental health problems. Thus, encourage your employees to leave an hour early after a particularly stressful day or take a break when needed. Challenge employees to create a plan to connect with a friend, family member or colleague at a scheduled time each week. Schedule weekly team lunches, go on a walking meeting or plan a team-building activity or happy hour. Celebrate your employees, and bring teams together to refresh and rejuvenate as a company to prevent work burnout. This will lift their mood and help them feel connected. Connect each employee’s role to your organization’s mission and values. Connecting roles to how jobs directly contribute to the company’s goals help reinforce why each employee’s role matters. Thank You for reading our Medical Resource on How to Eliminate Workplace Burnout. We hope you found our article informative and important. In addition, we have more blogs for you to read, gain information and enjoy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

According to the recent figures released by Diabetes Canada, the rate of diabetes and prediabetes patients in Canada continues to rise high. The President and CEO of Diabetes Canada recently reported that 11.7 Million Canadians are either Diabetic or Prediabetic (nearly 31% of the total population in Canada). Diabetes & Prediabetes Continues to Commonize in Canadians More Than Ever Before. Prevalence – 2022 Diabetes (type 1 + type 2 diagnosed + type 2 undiagnosed)  Diabetes (type 1 and type 2 diagnosed)  Diabetes (type 1 + type 2 diagnosed + type 2 undiagnosed) and prediabetes combined  Cost  BC  825,000 / 16%  577,000 / 11%  1,636,000 / 31%  $565M  AB 575,000 / 12%  403,000 / 8%  1,242,000 / 26%  $494M  SK 161,000 / 13% 113,000 / 9% 334,000 / 26% $111M  MB 283,000 / 18%  151,000 / 10%  412,000 / 28%  $152M  ON 2,346,000 / 15%  1,643,000 / 10%  4,713,000 / 30% $1.7B  NL 102,000 / 19%  72,000 / 13% 190,000 / 35%  $70M  PE 25,000 / 15% 17,000 / 11%  50,000 / 31%  $19M NS 173,000 / 17%  121,000 / 12%  335,000 / 33%  $114M NB 152,000 / 19% 106,000 / 14%  274,000 / 35% $110M Canada 5,719,000 / 14%  4,003,000 / 10%  11,704,000 / 30%  Diabetes rates continue to climb in Canada – Diabetes Canada Thus, it is vital to watch out for prediabetes symptoms, even if you are otherwise physically fit.  Read further to learn about prediabetes, its causes, symptoms, prevention measures and when to seek doctor advice.  The estimated read time of this Medical Resource by CMES is 5-7 Minutes.  What is Prediabetes? As the word suggests, prediabetes is one step before one is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is diagnosed when the blood sugar levels are higher than usual. However, as the blood sugar levels are not overly abnormal in the case of prediabetes, it can be treated without any medical treatments. Yet, prediabetes is a serious health condition. If not detected and taken care of for a prolonged period, it puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sight loss, kidney failure and stroke.   Causes of Prediabetes Your pancreas makes insulin in your body. Insulin is a hormone that helps your blood sugar cells use as energy. However, if you are prediabetic, the blood sugar cells in your body would not respond to insulin normally. Thus, to get a normal response, your pancreas makes more insulin. Eventually, your pancreas can’t keep up, and as a result, your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes—and type 2 diabetes down the road. Important  Not everyone diagnosed with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes. If detected and taken appropriate measures, one can avoid turning into a diabetic patient. Unfortunately, according to Diabetes Canada, many people diagnosed with prediabetes develops type 2 diabetes eventually in Canada. Thus, Diabetes Canada recommends everyone to look out for the following signs and symptoms of Prediabetes and seek medical advice when necessary.   Signs and Symptoms of Prediabetes Prediabetes is general among people, especially in Canada. As a result, it is often undetected until a serious health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, shows up. Thus, it is very to early identify the symptoms of Prediabetes, consult with your doctor and get appropriate to prevent it from growing. Look out for the following signs and symptoms for early detection of Prediabetes; Signs; If your blood relatives, parents or siblings have type 2 diabetes, you may likely have Prediabetes.  It is more common in older people than younger. So if you are 45+ years old, it is likely that your sugar level may be higher than average.  Physically inactive for more than three days a week.  Diabetes during pregnancy Symptoms; Sudden weight gain/loss blurriness of sight Excessive thirst and urge to urinate often Headache Prevent Type 2 Diabetes If you are prediabetic, with some physical activities and modifications in your diet, you help prevent yourself from turning into a type 2 diabetic patient. For example,  Losing a small amount of weight (if you are overweight) Adopting a healthy diet plan with more natural fruits and vegetables Adding physical activities to your daily routine Get Tested  Firstly, get your blood sugar level checked. If you notice any signs of Prediabetes, speak to your doctor. The doctor will help you first physically examine the possibilities of diabetes in you, followed by blood test requisitions.  However, the good news is that during your SME – Student Medical Exam (EME or PME), the CMES registered doctor will examine your full body functionality through physical screening and urine tests. In addition, during the medical exam, you can consult possibilities of Prediabetes with your doctor. Our registered doctors examine complete body wellness and provide requisitions for blood tests and specialist referrals (if required). Furthermore, the doctor’s report will also provide recommendations for health improvements and wellness (if needed). Thus, to stay healthy physically and mentally, book your SME today to detect growing viruses and diseases in your body.   Moreover, with Diabetes Canada’s Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program, you can access a personalized digital wellness program from health professionals to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Check If You Are Eligible  Lastly, the Canada Medical Exam Society urges everyone living in Canada to get regular health check-ups, examine their health functionality and take preventive measures immediately. Help us build a healthy and safe Canada! Thank you for reading. We have more Medical Resources for you to read, gain information and stay healthy. Feedback and Suggestions for other blog topics are warmly welcome.

Saskatchewan Health Plan is the provincial healthcare plan available to all permanent Saskatchewan residents. What’s Fully Covered All medically necessary services are provided by physicians (inpatient/outpatient). Physiotherapy or occupational therapy. Screening mammography for women 50-69 via the Provincial Screening Program for Breast Cancer. Some immunization services. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment. HIV testing which can be done anonymously. Drug, alcohol abuse and gambling addiction treatment (done through the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Incorporated). Mental health services via the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Supplementary health services for residents who Social Services recommended. Supplementary services consist of coverages like dental services, prescription drug costs, medical supplies, podiatry/chiropody and transportation costs resulting from a medical emergency. Family health benefits: provided to low-income families who qualify. Benefits are the same as the supplementary services mentioned above and are primarily for children under 18. Home care services provided for free are case assessment, home nursing and physical/occupational therapy. For partially covered homecare services, see below. Some major dental services such as medically necessary dental surgery, extraction of teeth, and dental implants MAY be covered (routine dental services are not covered). What’s Partially Covered Air ambulance for transportation to get medical services is not available in Saskatchewan (there is a $350 fee). Must be ordered by a physician. Ground ambulance for seniors (a maximum fee of $275). The following public homecare services are partially covered: homemaking, meals and home maintenance. Based on the resident’s income and benefits received, a fee will be charged. Private home care services are not covered. Long-term care costs, unless the resident is assessed as “Level 1”. Resident charges are based on the resident’s income. Podiatry/chiropodist services (inserts are not covered). As of July 1, 2017, coverage for hearing-related services (e.g. tests, counselling, hearing aid fittings, etc.) is only available if you qualify for the Family Health Benefits or the Supplementary Benefits Program. Optometric services: coverage for an annual eye exam for residents who: are less than 18 years old or; have diabetes, or; have suffered some sort of trauma to an eye What’s Not Covered Prescription drugs, unless you qualify for a drug program. Routine dental services such as cleanings, scalings, fillings, etc. Ground ambulance transportation, unless you are a senior (there is partial coverage for seniors, see “Partial Coverage” above). Air ambulance, unless it is necessary to get treatment not available in Saskatchewan (in which case there is a $350 fee). Although there MAY be limited coverage for glasses if enrolled in the Family Health Benefits program, eyeglasses, lenses, etc. Most paramedical services such as psychologists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, registered massage therapists, etc. Eligibility If your home is in Saskatchewan and you usually live in the province for at least five months a year, then you are eligible for Saskatchewan health coverage. If you are a member of the Canadian Forces or an inmate of a federal prison, you are covered under federal government programs. Your spouses and dependents are also eligible for provincial coverage and must register with eHealth Saskatchewan. How To Apply https://skhealthcard.health.gov.sk.ca/

Manitoba’s provincial health plan is known as “Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, “The provincial drug benefits program is known as “Pharmacare.” These benefits are available to all permanent residents of Manitoba who reside in the province for at least six (6) months in a calendar year. What’s Covered 1. Medical Services Physician services that are medically required. Surgery and anesthesia. X-ray and laboratory services when ordered by a physician and performed in an approved facility. One routine eye exam by an optometrist every two (2) years for residents under 19 or over 64 years old. Eye exams considered medically necessary by a physician or optometrist are covered regardless of age. Up to 7 chiropractor visits per calendar year. Spinal column, pelvis and extremities adjustments are all covered. Some dental procedures are covered when performed in a hospital. 2. Hospital Services Standard accommodations and meals. Medically necessary nursing services. Laboratory, x-ray and diagnostic procedures. All medications given in a hospital. Operating room, anesthetics and all surgical supplies. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy services. Dietetic (diet and nutrition) counselling. 3. Personal Home Care Standard (not semi-private or private) accommodations. Basic nursing. Assistance with daily living activities. Physiotherapy plus occupational therapy. Medical and surgical supplies if medically required. Prescription drugs that Manitoba Health approves. Meals (this includes specialty diets that are needed). Laundry and linen services. Important  Emergency ambulance services are usually not covered by Manitoba Health. Exceptions are some air ambulance transfers and land transfers between medical facilities. Residents who permanently live in Manitoba are eligible for personal home care benefits; newcomers are eligible after living in the province for 24 months. An assessment panel must determine that you require personal home care to receive insured benefits What’s Not Covered Health services requested by a 3rd party (e.g. exams and lab tests for employment, driver’s licenses, etc.). Unless given in a hospital and medically necessary, most prescription drugs or unless you qualify for Pharmacare. Ambulance transportation costs, unless being transported between medical facilities. Note that there is a Northern Patient Transportation Program available for residents who live north of the 53rd parallel). Private and semi-private hospital rooms. Chiropodists, podiatrists and acupuncturists. Psychologists and dietitians (unless service is performed in a hospital). Private nursing. Any procedure or service not medically required (e.g. cosmetic surgery). All chiropractic services that are not considered adjustments. Personal home care received out of province. Extra costs associated with private and semi-private hospital rooms. Advice rendered over the telephone. Routine eye exams are not covered if you are aged 19 to 64. Any chiropractic services required due to an automobile accident if covered by Manitoba Public Insurance. Eligibility  To be eligible for Manitoba Health coverage, you must: Be a Canadian citizen or; Have Immigration status as outlined in The Health Services Insurance Act: Permanent Residents Work Permit holders and their spouse/dependants (Permit validity periods apply) Establish a permanent residence in Manitoba, and Reside (physically) in Manitoba for six months in a calendar year How To Apply https://forms.gov.mb.ca/health-registration/

If you are a resident of Quebec, you are required by law to have either public or private health insurance to receive services, including prescription medication coverage. Public health insurance is managed by la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec or RAMQ, for short. RAMQ’s public health plan is also known as the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan. The RAMQ provides coverage to Quebec residents who do not have access to a private health insurance plan. This includes people who are: Not eligible for a private plan (for example, self-employed workers) Age 65 or over not enrolled in a private plan Recipients of financial assistance and holders of a claim slip (carnet de réclamation) Children of people covered by the public plan Private health insurance refers to any form of insurance coverage purchased by a person or provided by the employer from a private insurance company rather than or in addition to coverage funded by Quebec’s provincial government.  What’s Covered  RAMQ covers basic medical costs; Prescription Drugs: You pay a deductible and coinsurance amount. Once you reach the maximum monthly contribution all remaining expenses that month are covered by RAMQ. Ambulance: Covered for in-province land and air ambulance when medically necessary if you are 65 years or older, injured in a road or work accident or transported between two clinics. Dental: Covered for some in-hospital dental surgeries depending on your age. Children 10 and younger are also covered for routine services and one examination per year. Vision: Covered for eye exams if under 18 years old or 65 years and older. Services in Public Hospitals: All Covered  Medical Supplies: Partial Coverage  Out of Country Medical Services: Partial Coverage What’s Not Covered Physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, etc. Dental care Vision care Cosmetic procedures Sessions with psychologists Laboratory and diagnostic services such as blood work, MRI and CT scans (except those performed in hospitals) Bandages, splints and other medical supplies. Treatment of varicose veins by injection in a private medical office Paramedical Services Services in Private Hospitals  Eligibility Requirements  People without access to a private plan Children under age 18 living in Quebec with parents do not have access to a private plan Children under age 18 temporarily residing in Quebec for more than six (6) months People age 65 and over who have not joined a private plan Recipients of last-resort financial assistance and certain other holders of claim slips (carnet de réclamation) How To Apply https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance/register