Cold and flu season is just around the corner – in Canada, the season typically peaks during the fall and winter months from December to March. Both the common cold and influenza (flu) are contagious respiratory illnesses, however they are caused by different viruses. Because symptoms are similar, it can be difficult to determine what’s ailing you. Download our infographic to learn more about common symptoms. How can you stay safe? Get a flu shot Wash your hands frequently Wear a mask during cold and flu season Minimize contact with sick people and those who are coughing and sneezing Feelin ..read more

It’s back to school time – but before kids return to the classroom, it’s important to ensure they’re up-to-date on vaccines to keep them, and others, safe and healthy. The World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently sounded the alarm, announcing that more than 25 million children worldwide have fallen behind on routine, life-saving vaccines – the largest sustained decline in approximately 30 years. “While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of COVID-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline,” said Catherine ..read more

April 23-30 is National Immunization Awareness Week, an important time to recognize the importance of immunization and the success and impact vaccines have had in protecting and saving lives in Canada and around the world.   Though COVID vaccines have been dominating the headlines the past few years, there are a number of vaccines Canadian adults should ensure they are current on to stay healthy and prevent serious illness. And it’s now more important than ever – a recent poll found that as many as 1 in 4 adults missed, or is unsure if they missed, routine vaccinations for thems ..read more

Taking medications as prescribed is critical to improving health outcomes – especially for patients living with chronic diseases – yet many Canadians are unable to do so for a variety of reasons. On average, 20-30 percent of prescriptions in Canada are never filled. When prescriptions are filled, nearly 26 percent of Canadians admit to taking medications differently than prescribed, while 21 percent say they’ve stopped taking medications before advised, or without consulting their doctor. This can have serious consequences, both clinically and economically. Medication non-adherence results in ..read more

February 4 is World Cancer Day, though every day, millions of Canadians are impacted by the disease. The statistics are startling – two in five Canadians (44% of men and 43% of women) are expected to develop cancer in their lifetime, and one in four Canadians are expected to die from the disease. Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are the most common cancers diagnosed in Canada, accounting for 46 percent of all new cases in 2021. Though there is no sure-fire way to prevent cancer, regular screening in combination with a healthy lifestyle are some of the best steps you can take to sta ..read more

As we head into the new year, another strain of COVID-19 — this time Omicron — is dominating the news and prompting some countries to reinstate lockdown restrictions to prevent its spread. Initially discovered in South Africa and Botswana, Omicron carries an unusually high number of mutations that appear to make it more transmissible — and less susceptible to current vaccines — which led to the World Health Organization (WHO) naming it as a variant of concern in late November. Notably, Omicron contains 50 mutations, with 32 on the spike protein alone. The spike protein forms protruding knobs o ..read more

Unintentional falls are one of the most common causes of injury in Canada. In 2017, according to a report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), falls resulted in almost 1,800 emergency room visits and 417 hospital admissions every day. In 2016-17, nearly 654,000 of the more than 2-million injury-related emergency department visits across Canada were due to accidental falls. With winter now upon us, icy sidewalks and slippery streets mean the threat of unintentional falls increases exponentially. In 2016-17, there were nearly 9,000 hospitalizations in Canada due to slips an ..read more

Last year’s flu season in Canada saw a drastic decline in infection rates, likely due in part to mask mandates, social distancing measures, and travel restrictions. The Public Health Agency of Canada typically logs upwards of 43,000 influenza cases during flu season, however during the 2020-2021 season, they logged just 66 confirmed cases. On top of fewer influenza cases, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections were also down. Like influenza, RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults, however it can cause sev ..read more

Toronto Star Op-ed: Think Research’s Dr. Parminder Singh and Dr. Naila Kassam recently wrote an op-ed for the Toronto Star explaining why they believe virtual care billing codes must be made permanent in Ontario. In it, they discuss how telemedicine has been integral to providing life-saving care throughout the pandemic, and why adopting permanent virtual care billing codes is necessary to ensure we’re better prepared for the next public health crisis. Read the full story on the Toronto Star website. The post Telemedicine has literally been a life saver during the pandemic. Ontario needs ..read more

Appointments will be available to book online across Ontario in partnership with HealthCare Plus Toronto, July 21, 2021 — Think Research Corporation (TSXV: THNK) or (the “Company” or “Think”), a company focused on transforming healthcare through integrated digital health software solutions, is pleased to announce today its partnership with Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd. to connect pharmacy patients with Think’s leading physicians using the Company’s leading telemedicine software.  Physicians with HealthCare Plus, a network of primary care clinics within the Think family of companies ..read more