Experts at the AMMI Canada conference in Vancouver shared hot topics in infection control, from the changing role of infectious disease (ID) physicians to striking research on masks and air filters. They also highlighted growing concern about drug-resistant infections and new data on the dangers of sinks. Redefining the ID doc The COVID-19 pandemic sparked an explosion of interest in infection control — and cast ID doctors in new roles, said Lynora Saxinger, an ID specialist and associate professor at the University of Alberta. According to Saxinger, ID physicians have spent a “tremendous amount of uncompensated time” over the past two years acting as a bridge between lab colleagues and public health, and pharmacists and clinicians. She said the specialty should consider integrating science communication, media literacy, social media, and knowledge translation into its core competencies. Looking to the future, Saxinger said the official role and training of ID physicians could expand to include communicating with the medical community, the public, and the media to help “interpret the science, triangulate on recommendations and leverage trust.”
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Cma-Canadian Medical Assoc
