Patient Education Library
This is our corner of the world to discuss all things health. You can read up on the latest fitness, lifestyle, nutrition, and mind & body news here.
Pregnancy
- Prenatal Handout– brief overview of what you need to know when you get pregnant
- Pregnancy Info– Fertility, healthy pregnancy, medical conditions in pregnancy, birth and labour, post-partum recovery
- VBAC (Vaginal Birth after C-Section)
Lifestyle and Safety
- Travel Safety
- Sexual Health– Information about contraception, sexual health, STIs, LGBTTQ+ and more
- Lower risk Alcohol guideline
- Lower risk cannabisguideline
- Smoking Cessation
- Physiotherapy-list of clinics that offer OHIP-funded physiotherapy for seniors and certain populations
- Intimate Partner Violence / domestic violence resources
Pediatrics
- Babies and Children– general information for each age category, vaccinations, common conditions and more
- Fever in Children
- Treating Constipation in Children
- Feeding your baby in the 1st year
- Speech Milestones– Age 0-4y
- Hand, Foot and Mouth disease
Chronic Pain
- Mike Evans – video on understanding and managing back pain
- Central Sensitivity Syndromes– relationship between fibromyalgia, migraines, TMJ pain, IBS, Interstitial cystitis, and other chronic pain conditions
Diabetes
- Living with Diabetes–Digestive Health
- EatUnprocessed.ca– guide to eating mostly unprocessed foods
- FODMAP foods– gas producing foods
Seniors
- Advanced Care Planning– workbooks, information, and resources for planning for your health needs
- Seniors Toronto– activities, groups, community resources, discounts and more
- Sedative risks in seniors– risks associated with medicines called benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Valium, Xanax
Below are a collection of wellness education websites and links that our physicians thought you might find helpful. We will be adding to this list as time goes on, so please keep checking back.
| General Information |
|---|
| Canada's Food Guide— nutrition resources from Health Canada |
| Canadian Diabetes Association— programs, services, publications and resources from The Canadian Diabetes Association |
| Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care- information about preventative health screening guidelines in Canada |
| Canadian Hearing Society- arrange a hearing test for adults and children |
| Choosing Wisely Canada— a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures |
| Eat Right Ontario— nutrition and healthy eating information |
| Darebee- independent fitness resource run and maintained by a small group of volunteers and fitness professionals; workout plans, challenges, fitness information, nutrition, and meal plans are all free to access and download; supported by user donations |
| Fertility- Website written by Canadian fertility doctors addressing numerous questions around getting pregnant and fertility |
| Heart and Stroke Foundation— programs, services, publications and resources including healthy eating, healthy weight and physical activity |
| HPV Info— information on HPV from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada |
| Living with Arthritis— programs, services, publications and resources from The Arthritis Society |
| The Mediterranean Diet- heart healthy diet |
| Menopause and U— information on menopause from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada |
| The North American Menopause Society— information sheets written by menopause experts that provide clear, easy-to-understand explanations of important menopause-related topics. |
| Ontario Physiotherapy Association— information from The Ontario Physiotherapy Association, including a link to locate a physiotherapist near you |
| Osteoporosis Canada- recommendations for calcium and vitamin D intake as well as a dietary calcium calculator |
| Pelvic Health Solutions— information on pelvic health and the role of pelvic floor physiotherapy |
| Regular Exercise Advice- regular exercise helps reduce heart disease |
| Sex & U— information on sexual health from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada |
| Smokers' Helpline— tools to help with quitting smoking from the Canadian Cancer Society |
| Toronto Public Health— information on breastfeeding, pregnancy, child development, parenting, immunization, etc.; includes free online information and programs |
| Vaccinations— information on Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule. |
| MENTAL HEALTH |
|---|
| Anxiety BC― a comprehensive online resource for patient with anxiety; highlights include the Resource Documentssection and the Mind Shift mobile app |
| Beacon 2.0 Depression Services― list of internet-based resources for depression that are based on CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) principles |
| Big White Wall- online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programmes, creative outlets and an online community moderated by trained staff, supported by OTN (Ontario Telemedicine Network) |
| BounceBack- free 1on1 telephone coaching program for adults and youth 15+ , learn skills to help manage worry and anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking, and become more active and assertive, free to people living in Ontario and who have a valid health card number |
| Canadian Mental Health Association― resources on mental health including information |
| CBT-i Coach- Improve sleep / insomnia through cognitive behaviour therapy |
| ConnexOntario― free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness, or gambling |
| Drug and Alcohol Helpline― provides information about drug and alcohol addiction services in Ontario |
| Gerstein Crisis Centre― 24-hour community based mental health crisis service |
| Greenspace- a made in Toronto tool to potentially help patients find a better therapist match |
| Headspace App- Meditation and mindfulness app |
| HeadsUpGuys- Free online resource that offers men information, practical tips, and guidance for managing and recovering from depression |
| Mental Health Helpline― provides information about mental health services in Ontario |
| Ontario Psychological Association Referral Service― searchable database of registered psychologists for a variety of counselling needs |
| Psychotherapy Referral Service― helps match patients with a psychotherapist based on his/her individual needs |
| Self-Help Resource Centre― includes a directory of self-help groups in Toronto |
| Sleep Hygiene― helpful tips on improving sleep habits. |
| PREGNANCY |
|---|
| pregnancyinfo.ca - information on pregnancy from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada |
| Durham Region Online Prenatal Classes― free online prenatal classes |
| East Toronto Postpartum Adjustment Program- program designed for women that have recently given birth or have adopted a child and are experiencing episodes of postpartum adjustment. |
| Exercise During Pregnancy- information on exercise during pregnancy. |
| Having a Baby at Mount Sinai― information on prenatal and parenting classes, and additional programs and services offered at Mount Sinai Hospital to support expectant mothers |
| Health Canada Food and Nutrition Guide on Prenatal Nutrition |
| Motherrisk Program— information on safety of medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding from The Hospital for Sick Children |
| Pregnancy-Related Information— pregnancy-related information supplied by the University Health Network, including articles about common symptoms and concerns during pregnancy, routine tests ordered during pregnancy, nutrition, labour and delivery, and breastfeeding |
| Prenatal Screening Ontario— information on prenatal screening tests |
| Toronto Public Health Pregnancy Resources― free online information and programs for pregnancy, parenting, and breastfeeding; includes contact information for the Public Health nurse |
| PEDIATRICS |
|---|
| About Kids Health— health information for parents and children from The Hospital for Sick Children |
| Autism Parent Resource Kit- Government of Ontario resource to help parents navigate available services, supports and programs |
| Breastfeeding Information— breastfeeding resources from Dr. Jack Newman |
| Caring for Kids— health information for parents and children from the Canadian Pediatric Society |
| Comfort, Play and Teach Developmental Milestones— Help promote your child's developmental milestones in various domains of development (social, emotional, language, intellectual, gross and fine motor). |
| Feeding Your Baby from Six Months to One Year— guide to help introduce solid foods to babies |
| Guide to Formula Feeding- resource from beststart |
| Immunization Well-Child Toolkit |
| Why Vaccinations Are a Healthy Choice for a Strong Immune System- guide to address top concerns from parents about vaccines to help them make informed and healthy choices for their children. |
| Tips for a Positive Immunization Experience- steps to take before, during, and after a vaccine for a better immunization experience. |
| If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child- disclosure of the risks of not vaccinating your child. |
| Introducing Solids— guide to starting solid foods from The Hospital for Sick Children |
| Mothercraft— early childhood resources including programs, workshops, and interventions |
| New Parent Resource Guide— information for new parents from the University Health Network |
| Rourke Baby Record for Parents— health information for parents and children from the Rourke Baby Record; includes information about normal child growth and development, along with information on common health topics. |
| Toronto Preschool Speech & Language Services— provides resources and supports to infants, toddlers, preschool children and their families living in the City of Toronto experiencing challenges with communication development, hearing loss, and visual impairment. |