Updates, education opportunities and resources for FHTs and NPLCs. Click below for more information:

• AFHTO’s Response to HQO Report on Patient Experiences of Care Coordination and Communication
• Congratulations to Two Rivers FHT for completing their RNAO BPSO Designation
• IDEAS: Advanced Learning Program – free tuition available; deadline to apply is June 1
• Physician education: CFPC replacing MAINPRO education program with MAINPRO+
• Online Low Back Pain course re-accredited and available until October 7
• Revised CMOH Directive on Ebola virus disease (EVD) control measures
• New clinical tool for primary care: Preconception Health Care Tool
• Information to share with Patients:
  • Ontario Health Study
  • Affordable Housing Consultation

AFHTO’s Response to Health Quality Ontario Report on Patient Experiences of Care Coordination and Communication

Health Quality Ontario (HQO) released “Experiencing Integrated Care: Ontarians’ views of health care coordination and communication”, a report on patients’ experiences of their transitions between their primary health care doctor, specialists and hospitals. In primary care, however, we know care coordination also involves collaboration spanning a wider array of health and social services and is a fundamental role of primary care. To read more on our response to the report please visit our site.

Congratulations to Two Rivers FHT for completing their RNAO BPSO Designation

Two Rivers FHT has graduated from the three-year pre-designation program to become a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) designate. Since 2012, Two Rivers FHT has been implementing and evaluating the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)’s best practice guidelines in order to improve patient, staff and administrative outcomes. BPSOs are health-care and academic organizations selected through a request for proposals process. More information about this process is on the BPSO webpage.

IDEAS: Advanced Learning Program – free tuition available; deadline to apply is June 1

The IDEAS program (Improving & Driving Excellence Across Sectors) has opened applications for the 2015/16 accredited Advanced Learning Program. It includes nine days of classroom instruction and group-learning activity spread over five months focused on quality improvement in healthcare, plus support from an advisor to apply the learning to a project. Tuition is covered by IDEAS. Deadline to apply is June 1. Information and how to apply is available at www.ideasontario.ca.

Physician education: CFPC replacing MAINPRO education program with MAINPRO+

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is replacing MAINPRO, its program designed to support professional development for family physicians, with MAINPRO+ this year. Changes include new reporting categories to earn credit for more practice activities and increased accessibility through smartphones and tablets. Click here or watch this video to find out more.

Online Low Back Pain course re-accredited and available until October 7

The Low Back Pain course offered by the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has been re-accredited and is available until October 7, 2015 through funding received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The online course is available to providers across Canada in both English and French.

Revised CMOH Directive for primary care settings on Ebola virus disease (EVD) control measures

The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) issued a revised Directive for primary care settings to provide instructions on control measures related to Ebola virus disease (EVD) on April 13. The primary revision in the Directive is with the person protective equipment required for staff in primary care settings who are at risk of exposure to a suspect case of EVD or that case’s environment or waste. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact the Health Care Provider Hotline by phone at 1-866-212-2272 or by email at emergencymanagement.moh@ontario.ca.

New clinical tool for primary care: Preconception Health Care Tool

The MOHLTC has engaged CEP in partnership with the OCFP to develop clinical tools and health information for primary care providers. The first in a series is a Preconception Health Care Tool to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in your practice by guiding discussions of health promotion and illness prevention strategies with patients of reproductive age.

Information to share with Patients: Ontario Health Study and Affordable Housing Consultation

• Ontario Health Study – Local Study Centres increasing access for patients to participate

The Ontario Health Study is setting up temporary study centres in communities across Ontario to sign up new participants and collect blood samples, which will enable researchers to better understand what affects health and quality of life. Primary care providers are asked to share information about the study and the local study centres with patients and facilitate participation if appropriate. To learn more about the study and how you can help, click here. Contact the Ontario Health Study at 1-866-606-0686 or info@ontariohealthstudy.ca.

• Addressing social determinants of health – public consultations to improve access to affordable housing

The province is launching consultations to update their Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. Given the need for affordable housing and its potential impact on patient health, primary care providers may invite their patients to provide input as well as doing so themselves. The Consultation Discussion Guide outlines the progress of the current strategy, future goals and areas where more input from partners is needed. Participants can submit their views to the government online, by telephone or in writing by July 3, 2015.