During the AFHTO 2013 conference, nearly 900 participants gathered to learn and explore the theme “Leadership in Healthcare for Ontarians”. Engaging sessions delving into this important theme started with the FHT Leadership session where participants discussed the role primary care leaders could and should play in Ontario’s healthcare system, continued with the opening plenary on inspirational leadership and ended with the closing debate about the affirmation, “Be it resolved that health system transformation must be led by Primary Care”. The resulting report, “Leadership in Healthcare for Ontarians- Learnings from the AFHTO 2013 Conference”, highlights and summarizes key messages from these sessions with insights from both speakers and conference participants. Primary care is built on long term relationships – with patients, within teams and with others in the community to care for these patients. This unique role fosters distinctive strengths that primary care leaders bring to the health system. As coordinators of care who see the complete range of patient needs and social context impacting these needs, primary care leaders have the skills and drive to develop and lead meaningful partnerships that keep patients at the centre Our report illuminates the importance of primary care leadership and will inform the development of AFHTO’s Governance and Leadership Program. With new initiatives coming in the near future, we look forward to continue providing support for current and future primary care leaders and strengthening their capacity to fulfil their roles within their teams, their community and Ontario as a whole. Thank you to all who participated in the AFHTO 2013 conference.
Leave a Reply