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Dietitians May Return to Non-Essential Virtual and In-Person Care with Conditions
Posted: May 27, 2020
Publié le 27 May 2020
Effective immediately, the Chief Medical Officer of Health has amended Directive #2, which allows dietitians to gradually resume, “All deferred and non-essential and elective services”. This refers to both virtual care and in-person visits.
What does this mean for a dietitian returning to non-essential and elective services, both in- person and virtually?
This directive does not mean that dietitians may return to non-essential in-person practice as they did before the pandemic. The return to non-essential care for both virtual and in-person care is intended to be gradual and with stringent conditions in place to mitigate the spread of disease. You must adjust your practice according to
Directive 2 and the Ministry’s
COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart, which specify:
- Dietitians are urged to use professional judgement in determining which clients can be treated virtually and, if not feasible, which could be seen in-person.
- You must have in place strict protocols, as required, around feasibility and risk assessments, infection prevention and control, hazard controls, screening, personal protective equipment, and client scheduling to ensure physical distancing and safe care.
- Decisions about client visits must be in keeping with the principles set out in Directive #2: Proportionality; Minimizing Harm to Patients; Equity; and Reciprocity.
What Should Dietitians Know
As you gradually resume non-essential virtual and in-person care, you must adhere to the measures outlined in the documents below. Please read them carefully.
Note that guidance may change overtime. Check the College’s website frequently for updated information.
If you need further guidance or have any questions, please contact the College’s Advisory Service.
416-598-1725/1-800-668-4990, ext. 397
practiceadvisor@collegeofdietitians.org