Why do Canadians wait so long for doctors' appointments? - Canadian Medical Association | CMA

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized this October, Niagara Health is making breast screening more convenient than ever. Niagara Health's (NH) Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is making it easier for eligible patients to access screening services with the launch of Verto, a new online self-booking platform.   Patients can view available appointment options and select a date and time that best fits their schedule, in addition to being able to reschedule or cancel appointments. Automated reminders and confirmations may help reduce missed appointments.  "Implementing Verto is an important step in improving access and enhancing patient experience,” says Daisy Trojanowski, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging, NH. "By giving patients more flexibility and control over how they schedule their appointments, we are making it easier to connect them with the care they need.”  The move to Verto is part of Niagara Health's commitment to improve patient care, enhance patient experience and modernize scheduling.  The platform is particularly beneficial for eligible patients aged 40 to 74 who can self-refer to the OBSP to book a screening mammogram.

‘Tis the season for Quebec’s covid and flu vaccination Quebec health officials are hoping to dramatically increase vaccinations against the flu and covid. They're targeting at-risk people and the number of appointments being booked has started to skyrocket. Tim Sargeant reports.

Eligible patients can now schedule, reschedule or cancel mammogram appointments through the Verto system.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) could transform diabetes management for millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes who don't take insulin, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The clinical trial found that adults using CGMs spent approximately five additional hours each day within their target blood sugar range compared with those receiving routine care. Nearly twice as many CGM users also achieved an A1c level below 7%, a common treatment goal for people with diabetes.