Need help? You're not alone.

• Report / Disclose Mistreatment Form

NOSM University is committed to creating a climate of inclusiveness, responsiveness, understanding, and respect for the dignity and worth of every person in order to create the best possible environment for learning, working, and research.

• Addressing Learner Mistreatment
• Learner Support
• Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• Responding to Resident Concerns of Mistreatment Procedures

NOSM University firmly stands against any form of sexual misconduct, harassment or assault. We are unwavering in our dedication to fostering a community that is safe, inclusive and respectful for all.

• Report an incident
• Sexual Violence Prevention
• Learner Support
• Learner Sexual Violence Prevention Policy
• Sexual Violence Prevention Process

If you find yourself in a personal crisis, you are not alone there is help.
Please note that the Resident Wellness Program is not itself a crisis service and not available after hours.

PARO Crisis Helpline: 1-866-HELP-DOC

The PARO Crisis Helpline is a confidential support service for residents and your family members. This toll-free number is accessible anywhere in Ontario 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Trained professional counsellors who understand the resident experience will answer your call. Call 1-866-HELP-DOC or visit myparo.ca/helpline.

The PARO website also includes wellness information, tips for thriving in residency and strategies for stress. These and other resources can be found at myparo.ca.

Ontario Medical Association Physician Health Program (PHP): 1-800-851-6606

The Ontario Medical Association Physician Health Program (PHP) provides a range of direct services to physicians, residents and medical students, as well as supportive services to family members. This confidential support line is available during regular business hours anywhere in Ontario. A clinical coordinator will answer your call and direct you to appropriate services in your community.

The PHP provides confidential support for individuals who are struggling with substance use and mental health concerns, as well as with other behaviours that have a personal and professional impact. The PHP also offers support and education to physician leaders, hospitals, and other worksites; as well as to anyone else who is concerned about a loved one or colleague. Additional information is available online at php.oma.org.

Community-based Crisis Services

Homewood Health 

Homewood Health™ provides the Student Assistance Program (SAP) to students and their eligible family members. Homewood Health is a private Canadian company specializing in assistance programs for over 40 years. They offer a one-of-a-kind approach to SAP—the highest quality of clinical support and intervention available—and an unmatched continuum of services that spans health promotion, mental health and addictions treatment, and prevention-focused work-life counselling services. Once registered, you can access services online at Homeweb or call Homewood Health anytime.

1-800-663-1142 (English) | 1-866-398-9505 (Numéro sans frais – en français)
1-888-384-1152 (TTY) | 604-689-1717 International (Call Collect)

Academic challenges are common in residency and you are not alone. Most residents at some point receive an unexpectedly negative assessment, many require enhanced learning plans, and some will go on to remediation or probation. Many residents are unsuccessful on an attempt at a licensing exam. These challenges present an opportunity to learn, grow, and access to additional assistance. Your supervisors, program leaders and colleagues are all on your side and want you to succeed.

The policies that govern resident assessment, promotion, remediation and probation can be found on the NOSM University website. If you wish to appeal an assessment or program decision, the information on appeals can be found in the same policy. Pay close attention to the timelines.

Failure is the best teacher and most successful physicians will tell you they experienced many setbacks along their career. However, no matter how hard you try to adopt a growth mindset, an unexpected turn in your academic progress can have a significant impact on your well-being. We are here to help:

For wellness support contact: residentwellness@nosm.ca.

At all times you should endeavour to protect yourself from harm at work through proper use of personal protective equipment and safety practices. Nonetheless, incidents may occur despite your best efforts. Therefore, it is important to review and understand the safety protocols of the institution in which you are working. If any injury occurs, follow the steps below:

Step 1: If necessary, immediately obtain first aid and report to the nearest emergency department. Identify yourself as a NOSM University resident.

Step 2: At the first opportunity, report the injury to the Occupational Health Department at your work site. Each of the main teaching hospitals has its own injury protocol, which must be adhered to in addition to the NOSM University protocol. If there is no Occupational Health Department where the injury occurred, report the injury to your immediate supervisor.

• Health Sciences North: 1-866-469-0822 or visit their website at hsnsudbury.ca.
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: 1-807-684-6000 or visit their website at tbrhsc.net.
• Sault Area Hospital: 1-705-759-3434 or visit their website at sah.on.ca.
• North Bay Regional Health Centre: 1-705-474-8600 or visit their website at nbrhc.on.ca.
• Timmins & District Hospital: 1-705-267-2131 or visit their website at tadh.com.

Step 3: Complete the NOSM University Injury/Incident Reporting Form in conjunction with your supervisor. Email or fax the completed form to NOSM Human Resources at hr@nosm.ca or 705-671-3880.

Step 4: If the injury is a needlestick or biological contamination injury, see your site-specific Occupational Health department for additional forms and testing.

Step 5: A NOSM University Human Resources representative will follow-up with you to clarify the status of the injury and gather any missing information.

Step 6: The NOSM University Human Resources representative will generate and submit Form 7 (Employer Report of Injury to WSIB on your behalf).

Step 7: WSIB will follow-up with you directly by mail or telephone. For your information, the WSIB will issue you a Form 6 (Worker Report of Injury) and a Form 8 (Health Professional Report) to be completed by your treating healthcare professional.

Step 8: Claims Management: The NOSM University Human Resources representative will monitor the injury and close the file upon your return to work in a full-time capacity. After the file is closed you are expected to report any recurrence of the injury to your supervisor and to Human Resources immediately.

If you have questions about the NOSM University process, contact NOSM University Human Resources at hr@nosm.ca.

Prevention: Preventing needlestick and contamination injuries includes: employing universal precautions, consistent use of PPE, appropriate handling and disposal of sharps, and managing fatigue-related risks. In addition, all healthcare workers should be vaccinated against HBV. Despite these measures, injuries sometimes occur. Do not panic. Review the information below.

Immediate measures: Do not squeeze the wound. Allow it to bleed freely then wash the wound gently with soap and water. If a mucous membrane is involved, rinse with clean water for 10 minutes. If the injury is severe enough that medical attention is required, present to the nearest Emergency Department.

Occupational Health: Next, present promptly to the Occupational Health Department or after-hours service at your training site. Hospital-based Occupational Health Departments have considerable experience with these types of injuries and will walk you through the protocol including risk assessment, testing, source testing, referral for prophylaxis if necessary, and reporting.

• Health Sciences North: 1-866-469-0822 or visit their website at hsnsudbury.ca.
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: 1-807-684-6000 or visit their website at tbrhsc.net.
• Sault Area Hospital: 1-705-759-3434 or visit their website at sah.on.ca.
• North Bay Regional Health Centre: 1-705-474-8600 or visit their website at nbrhc.on.ca.
• Timmins & District Hospital: 1-705-267-2131 or visit their website at tadh.com.

Risk Assessment: Transfer of bloodborne pathogens to healthcare workers is extremely rare. For example, the average risk of acquiring HIV infection following a percutaneous exposure involving an HIV-infected person is approximately 0.3%. Injuries are lower risk if there is a small volume of fluid, a solid point sharp, a known source that is negative or low risk for BBPs, or a known source with a suppressed viral load. If you are serologically proven to be immune to HBV, there Is sufficiently low risk of transfer that, in most cases, further testing or treatment is not required for HBV.

Source Testing: Testing of the source patient can only occur if the source is known, and if consent is obtained. Occupational Health is responsible for notifying the patient’s most responsible physician and arranging for consent. The panel for testing generally includes HBsAg, HCV serology, and HIV virology and serology.

Your Testing: HBV testing is not indicated if you have documented immunity to HBV or a history of HBV infection. Under most protocols, HBsAg and HBsAb are obtained if your vaccines are incomplete, you are a rare vaccine non-responder, or immunity has not been documented. Tests are repeated at 3 and 6 months

HCV and HIV serology are usually obtained at the time of exposure, and again at 3 and 6 months, along with a hepatic panel. Seroconversion beyond 6 months is highly unlikely.

If at any point the source patient’s results are returned negative, further testing can be discontinued unless there is sufficient reason to believe the patient was in the seroconversion window at the time of injury.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Occupational Health will conduct a risk assessment to determine whether PEP for HBV or HIV is indicated, usually in the setting of a known positive or high-risk source. PEP should be obtained promptly in the Emergency Department.

HBV prophylaxis is a dose of HBIG after exposure and again in 1 month. The first dose is known to be effective 72 hours after exposure but should be obtained as soon as possible.

HIV prophylaxis involves several weeks of anti-retroviral medications, which should be initiated as soon as possible after exposure. Serial labs are required, and some individuals experience adverse effects that interfere with job duties. If the source is proven to be HIV negative, the PEP can be discontinued.

There is no PEP for HCV.

Health surveillance is guided by Occupational Health and may involve your primary care provider.

Reporting: Any exposure or injury that results in a positive test, time away from work, or requires healthcare access (including a visit to the Emergency Department for treatment or PEP) requires a report to Occupational health and to NOSM Human Resources. The NOSM Reporting Protocol is outlined on the “I have suffered a workplace injury” page.

If you have questions about the process, contact NOSM Human Resources at hr@nosm.ca.

Responsibilities: You are responsible for communicating with your supervisor whenever there is a deterioration in a patient’s clinical status, whenever there is an emergency situation, when the management of a patient is in doubt, and when the patient or family expresses concerns about care. Your preceptor is responsible for being reachable and providing adequate supervision. Always establish the preferred method of communication at the start of the work period.

• Supervision policy.

Backup Methods: There is usually more than one way to contact an MRP. If they are not responding to pages, try the cell phone. If not responsive to either one, try the home phone. The unit clerk or locating services usually lists more than one number for each staff member.

Alternate Provider: Some hospital-based services have a back-up call person. If this is the case, locating will be able to give you the contact information.

If there is no back-up call, another option is the Chief of the Department. There is no guarantee that the Chief will be available to answer pages if not on call.

All hospitals have on-site Emergency Department coverage ad most have on-site or nearby Anaesthesia coverage. While they may not know your patient, these providers are skilled in acute care across the lifespan and they should be notified if there is an emergency and no one from your own service is available.

Calling a Code: If the patient is in cardiac arrest or impending cardiac arrest, call a code blue. This will immediately concentrate hospital resources on your patient. If your patient is deteriorating but not coding, call your hospital rapid response team if such a service exists.

Reporting: Once patient needs are met, notify your Program Director as soon as possible that you were unable to reach your supervisor when needed.

If you are too tired to drive yourself home safety after an overnight or extended shift, do not get behind the wheel. Instead, get a ride from a friend of call a taxi to come pick you up.

NOSM University will reimburse you for the cost of a taxi trip from the hospital to your residence in the same city, as well as the cost of retrieving your car later on.

Download the NOSM U Well App for a list of local taxi companies and a simple photograph-based method for submitting receipts.

Guidelines

• Eligible shifts: Your taxi ride home is eligible for reimbursement if you have worked an extended shift (greater than 12 hours), or an overnight shift, and you determine you are too fatigued to safely drive home.
• Origin: Your origin point must be a NOSM University training site.
• Destination: Your destination must be your residence within the same city.
• Receipt: The photo must capture the original receipt along with clearly legible date, time, company name, and cost. You can write the tip on the receipt if you have paid in cash.
• Retrieval of personal vehicle: We recommend you use a taxi service that will return your car home concurrently. If such a service is not available, your taxi ride back to the hospital to retrieve your car is also eligible for reimbursement.
• Deadlines: The NOSM University finance department must adhere to a 90-day deadline for all reimbursements, after which the reimbursement is forfeited with no exceptions.

See the Postgraduate Medical Education Safety Policy.

For all wellness inquiries, please contact residentwellness@nosm.ca.