Your Biweekly News & Updates
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Call for abstracts – AFHTO’s The Power of Primary Care
This is more than a showcase. It’s a design session for the future.
The Power of Primary Care is where leaders, providers, and partners come together not just to share what’s working — but to actively shape what should come next. This year’s conference isn’t about passive learning. It’s about bold conversation, cross-sector collaboration, and co-designing the primary care system we need for the future.
Whether you’re rethinking care models, building new partnerships, designing innovative roles, or transforming team culture, your work should help answer a critical question:
“What does the next era of primary care need to look like — and how do we build it together?”
The deadline to submit for an #AFHTO2025 presentation is June 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EDT)
AFHTO and CHOGIP benefits overview webinar video available
On Friday, May 23 we hosted an informative webinar in collaboration with our benefits provider CHOGIP (Community Health Ontario Group Insurance Plan).During this session, CHOGIP presented an overview of their available benefit options. Video is now available.
Member stories
Prince Edward FHT- More care required
Englehart and District FHT– Englehart-area doctor shortage at a critical level
Ingersoll NPLC- Stephanie Nevins receives King Charles the Third Coronation Medal
Member stories
Algonquin FHT- ‘The pressure is on the recruitment side’: Wage gap a challenge for Algonquin Family Health Team
Central Lambton FHT– Doctors are badly needed in Lambton County. This scholarship is trying to attract them
Niagara North FHT– Strategic Plan 2025-2028
OurCare survey- share with patients
The OurCare project is conducting a research survey, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, to hear from people across Canada about their experiences with primary care and where we can make improvements. Help us hear from as many people as possible. Use these materials to share the link to the research survey with patients and the public.
The OurCare project is being led by Dr. Tara Kiran from the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. For more information, visit ourcare.ca.
AFHTO is a proud collaborator on the OurCare initiative and encourages feedback from our diverse membership community and related stakeholders. Share it with your colleagues, patients and clients.
Green Health Day
The Guelph Family Health Team held its 3rd annual Green Health Day on April 22nd, coinciding with Earth Day. For the past 3 years, Guelph FHT clinics have been focusing on 5 green health initiatives: mask recycling, exam paper reduction, inhaler alternatives, reusable batteries and disposal, and virtual appointments. But the work has not stopped there! Some clinics have taken on additional green practices such as electronic waste recycling.
Leading up to Green Health Day, on April 15th, Guelph FHT and the community came together for a clean-up event to help combat climate change. The event removed several bags of litter and garbage from a well-loved community park, making it a safe and clean space to be enjoyed by all this season.
To learn more about Guelph FHT’s Green Healthcare, visit our website: https://www.guelphfht.com/guelph-fht-green-healthcare/
News and updates including Canada Post service disruption impacts on key cancer screening program activities
- Canada Post Service Disruption Impacts on Key Cancer Screening Program Activities – Primary Care Program, Ontario Health, May 27, 2025
- Family Physicians in Focused Practice in Ontario, Canada: A Population-Level Study of Trends From 1993/1994 Through 2021/2022– The Annals of Family Medicine May 2025
- Proud, Prepared, and Protected – collection of online resources to assist people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ to access and receive inclusive, respectful care – Canadian Virtual Hosice
- New tool: Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia– CEP, May 2025
- 2025 Hypertension Canada Primary Care Guideline– Hypertension Canada, May 26, 2025
Free e-learning module- Creating safe connections: towards equity-informed preventative care
“We invite you to participate in an e-learning module, “Creating Safe Connections: Towards Equity-Informed Preventative Care” for primary care providers.
As we evaluate this module, primary care providers that complete the module and its evaluation will be invited for an interview and will receive a $100 honorarium.
Who: ALL primary care providers (Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Social Workers, Health Promotors, Pharmacists, Peer Navigators etc.)
What: FREE e-learning course that teaches primary care providers how to integrate equity-oriented, trauma- and violence-informed care strategies into their primary care conversations. The course uses lung cancer screening and smoking cessation as a case example.
When: Available NOW!
Why: Primary care providers can learn to apply trauma- and violence-informed care strategies to address barriers and risks associated with accessing and using preventative healthcare services, ultimately increasing access to equitable care for ALL patients including at-risk populations.
For more information about the learning module or other activities in the Improving Cancer Care Equity (ICCE) Lab, please email: Ambreen.Sayani@Wchospital.ca.”
Ready to turn your European travel dreams into reality?
As a Perkopolis member, you have exclusive access to unbeatable deals on hotels, resorts, and experiences across Europe’s most iconic destinations — from the cobbled streets of Paris to the sun-drenched coasts of Greece.
Whether you’re planning a weekend in Rome, a scenic rail trip through Switzerland, or a summer getaway in the Mediterranean, Perkopolis helps you travel better — and spend less. As a reminder, Perkopolis is your members-only gateway to exclusive offers and savings on travel, entertainment, shopping, and more. It’s completely free to use and tailored to elevate your everyday experiences.
NB- EDs, if your team doesn’t have access yet, please email info@ahto.ca so we can sign you up under our account.
Study on family physician experiences with diagnosing and managing POTS in primary care
The University of Toronto’s Translational Research Program is currently conducting a national study on family physician experiences with diagnosing and managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in primary care. It aims to identify the barriers and facilitators for care for patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and then to work with stakeholders to co-create solutions. Find out more here. Recruitment ends on 30th of May 2025.
Hypertension Canada 2025 Primary Care Guidelines webinar, June 5, 2025
The 2025 Guidelines have now been published in May. Register here.
Osteoporosis and Fracture Prevention Workshop, June 6, 2025
Hosted by OCFP. Register here.
Pharmacist Prescribing for Minor Ailments in Ontario – Virtual Town Hall, June 17, 2025
Hosted by The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network. Learn more.