Your Weekly News & Updates
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AFHTO annual report featuring your stories
We released our 2020 annual report in the notice for our annual general meeting sent to the triad yesterday. Read for a reflection on a tumultuous year, including ways primary care teams have risen to the challenge.
Letter to the Premier for stricter measures to address COVID-19
“The measures announced on September 25th are not sufficient. Protecting the most vulnerable in the province and conserving the limited health care resources we have should be our number one priority.”
Today AFHTO, NPAO and OCFP sent a letter to the Premier calling for stricter measures to address escalating numbers of COVID-19 cases before the situation becomes unmanageable. Read the full letter here.
Two days to the #AFHTO2020 early bird deadline
We’re connecting with our speakers including Helen Bevan, editing the Bright Lights video, and preparing for a memorable conference next week. Don’t forget to do your part and register by this Thursday, Oct. 1 for the early bird discount. Group discount now available!
In previous years we have sometimes extended the deadline, but this is the closest to the conference we’ve ever had, so there will be no extension this year.
Indigenous relationship and cultural safety (IRCS) courses
Primary care can pick from 13 e-learning courses on Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety by Cancer Care Ontario and earn certified credits. Find out more here.
COVID-19 testing guidance update and more
Updates recently released include:
- COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update -Ministry of Health, revised September 24, 2020
- An amendment to Ontario Regulation 364/20 “Rules for Areas in Stage 3” under the Reopening Ontario Act, requires all places of business to comply with the advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening individuals.
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Business and Organizations). The Tool provides screening questions for employees and visitors seeking to enter the place of business. Each Ontario workplace must now pro-actively screen employees and visitors for COVID-19 prior to entry into the workplace each day. This does not apply to people working from home. This became effective September 26th.
We continue to update several pages on our site with resources and news:
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
- COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
- COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
- Infection control resources and tools for primary care
- H+K Memos and Insight Notes on Government Press Releases
- Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
- Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
- Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
- Resources for Re-opening – NEW
- Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19
Survey of IHPs in FHTs during the COVID-19 pandemic
We are now six months since the initial restrictions of COVID-19 and Queen’s University researchers are interested in hearing about your experiences working in FHTs during this time. You’re invited to participate in a brief web-based survey to understand the evolving experiences of interprofessional health care providers in Family Health Teams in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This research is being led by Drs. Catherine Donnelly (Associate Professor, Queen’s University) and Jordan Miller (Assistant Professor, Queen’s University). If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Catherine Donnelly by email at catherine.donnelly@queensu.ca.
OMA flu vaccination administration survey
Many primary care providers will have difficulty conducting their usual flu vaccine clinics due to limits on physical space, PPE supply and office cleaning requirements, among other challenges. OMA has developed a survey to find out the barriers you’re anticipating, what supports might be helpful and the innovative ideas you are leading or participating in as you prepare for flu vaccine administration. They would greatly value your input through this five-to-seven-minute survey. Please respond by Oct. 7.
If the survey is being done as a group, please note as such and do not complete the survey more than once.
Guelph FHT annual report
The Guelph Family Health Team 2019-2020 Annual Report is available to read online. Learn about the work they do to provide patient-guided quality focused care.
Reminder- research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study
Researchers in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto are currently recruiting youth with concussion to participate in a study exploring the use of telerehabilitation for concussion management. Youth will participate in a 6-week rehabilitation program consisting of education, support and low-intensity exercise delivered by a kinesiologist or occupational therapist through weekly videoconferencing appointments.
Who can participate?
- Youth (ages 13-18 years) experiencing concussion symptoms
- At least 2 weeks post-concussion
For more information click here. To help with participant recruitment, please contact the research team at oaktelerehab@utoronto.ca or 416-946-3273.
Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey. Updated deadline Oct. 30.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease diagnosis and management: An overview for general practitioners, Sept. 30, 2020
Recognize clinical factors and learn to treat NTM pulmonary disease.
Learn more here.
Arts on Prescription: Improving health and wellbeing through arts participation, Oct. 6, 2020
Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
Learn more here.
AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020
Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.
Respiratory Health Forum, Oct. 21, 2020.
This year’s forum will be held virtually and is completely free! Learn more about lung health alongside other primary care professionals.
Learn more here.
COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians, October 16, 2020
Join the OCFP and Department of Family and Community Medicine at UofT for their 10th CoP meeting in their series ‘Changing the way we work”, focusing on rising case counts, respiratory assessment centres, flue shots and more during COVID-19.
Learn more here.
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