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  • Winter Highlights 2023: AFHTO Leadership Council

    Fernando Tavares, Program Manager, Primary Health Care Branch, OHIP, Pharmaceuticals and Devices Division, MOH joined the AFHTO Leadership Council on February 17. Below are highlights from that meeting and updates on work that is underway.

    Q & A with Fernando Tavares
    Fernando Tavares joined the Leadership Council meeting for an hour-long Q&A session to discuss various topics, including provincial factors that are shaping and influencing the direction of team-based care in Ontario. Questions focused on the shift to a population-based approach to care, the future state of OHTs, relations between MOH and OH, HHR challenges, and organizing primary care. You can access the recording here.

    We are also pleased to announce that Fernando will join us for another Q&A session to provide a brief update on the Annual Operating Plan (submission timelines + process), discuss further details on the FHT contract extension including updates to the Governance & Attestation document, and review details of the “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” investment of $30 million to help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care.  All EDs are invited to attend the session on March 28th @ 12:00pm. Click here to register.

    Preliminary Survey to Capture MHA Funding Impact
    Further to our memo released on January 30th,the IPHCC has developed a preliminary survey to assess the progress and utilization of the MHA funding. Recognizing that teams have until March 31st to spend these funds, the intent of this survey is to capture the work you have underway and identify areas where we can provide further guidance, if necessary. The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete. Please note this is not a replacement for the fulsome evaluation that the IHPCC will send to you in April. Read the full message here.

    Please complete the survey here before March 10. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help to inform the feedback provided to the Ministry as well as the final survey you will receive in April. If you can’t access the link or have questions about the survey, please contact Abisola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    Market Salary Review & Compensation Working Group
    In 2022, multiple associations and organizations came together as the Community Compensation Working Group to jointly support a market survey in order to get a better idea of the wage disparity and compensation challenges across interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health and long-term care. The market salary review will be conducted for 78 positions across the primary and community care sectors. The Working Group has since partnered with Eckler Ltd. to begin this work with an estimated completion by end of spring 2023. Once complete, recommendations will be presented to the government and funders on reasonable, fair, and equitable compensation across the healthcare sector. Our goal is to demonstrate the significant pay gap and wage inequities across the community sector and to compel government to pay healthcare providers and staff the compensation they deserve.

    To ensure a successful market study with a substantive sample, Executive Directors are being asked to complete a survey that will accompany the market review. Surveys are targeted to be launched in late February 2023. If you have questions about this market study, please feel free to contact, Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    IHP roles and responsibilities
    IHP members requested updated information on roles and responsibilities of IHPs to aid in the coordination and management of their respective teams. AFHTO is currently validating information that had been provided and is planning to release the information over the coming months.  Following the release of the guidance document, plans are in place to host a webinar series with a focus on individual IHP disciplines/roles. The goal is to have generative discussion around individual roles and responsibilities, challenges, and key enablers using the guidance document as the starting point. This work will be done in partnership with associations and key stakeholders. Preliminary timelines for this will be summer 2023.

    A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care – what we know to date
    On Feb 2nd 2023,  Health Minister Sylvia Jones launched Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, a plan that sets the vision and direction for Ontario’s health system strategy for the next few years. We were thrilled to see an investment of $30 million to expand or create new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they can connect to care where and when they need it.

    AFHTO has been advocating for years around expansion of team-based care and it’s great to see the first large investment to expand teams in the province in a number of years. The details of what the implementation will look like (new teams or expansion of already existing teams) is still being worked through and we hope to provide you with more information as we continue to dialogue with the Ministry and Ontario Health. To read more about the Your Health plan please click here.

    PCN Primer
    Within the Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care we were also pleased to see the commitment to help support organizing primary care by:

    Creating a connected health care system through Ontario Health Teams by supporting collaboration and engagement with primary care providers across the province through the creation of primary care networks. Every Ontario Health Team will include a group of primary care providers organized in a network to be part of decision-making and to improve access to care for patients.

    To support the notion of primary organization, AFHTO along with our SGFP and OCFP partners have developed a concept discussion paper for the Ministry that outlines preliminary recommendations for the establishment of Primary Care Networks (or PCNs) in Ontario. A two-page primer summarizing the key concepts of PCNs can be seen here. We look forward to further consultations with our members and stakeholders over the coming months to refine the draft recommendations presented.

    $8.1M Funding Announcement for Expansion of Teams
    The provincial government is providing $8.1 million in new annualized base funding to enhance access to primary care in key regions of the province. “This funding will support various interprofessional primary care organizations, including 18 Family Health Teams (FHTs), 2 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 2 Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinics (NPLCs), to continue the delivery of high-quality care that Ontarians know and deserve.” If your team is receiving new base funding and you’re able to share details, please contact us so we can share.

    2023 Pre-Budget Submissions
    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million pre year for 10 years (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    3. Provide mental health and additions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care. 

     
    AFHTO has begun to set up meetings with government bodies to present our recommendations and hopes to begin meeting with officials very soon. Members are encouraged to present the pre-budget submission to their own MPPs if given an opportunity to meet. Please let us know if we can help in your local advocacy efforts!

    AFHTO Conference
    Mark your calendars for October 25, 2023, with pre-conference sessions beginning on October 24th. Now’s the time to start thinking about your submissions for Bright Lights!  Stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks.  

    Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access
    While you may open our emails because you know you’re getting the latest and most relevant updates, you might have forgotten about other benefits available to you. Here are some which can facilitate not just your work, but that of staff, clinicians, and board members as well, or simply make life a little easier, including a 40% discount on CPS Full Access.

    As we move into the spring, we continue to thank you for the great work you all do. If there are ways we can support you, please let us know.

  • Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access; plus, take advantage of ALL your AFHTO benefits and perks

    Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access; plus, take advantage of ALL your AFHTO benefits and perks

    To AFHTO member EDs/Admin Leads,

    Leading in primary care has never been easy and it would be an understatement to say the work has only become more challenging these past couple of years. That’s why you should take advantage of every opportunity available, and that includes making the most of your AFHTO membership.

    While you may open our emails because you know you’re getting the latest and most relevant updates, you might have forgotten about other benefits available to you. Below are some which can facilitate not just your work, but that of staff, clinicians, and board members as well, or simply make life a little easier.

    New benefit – 40% discount on CPS Full Access

    Is This Your Clinic?
    A patient’s prescription is at the pharmacy and the pharmacy team cannot fill it.  
    The pharmacy is attempting to contact your office.
    They have questions or need to find an alternative because either the patient refuses to pay for what was prescribed, the drug is in short supply/not available, or the dosing or directions need clarifying.
    It’s taking numerous attempts back and forth between your office and the pharmacy.  
    Meanwhile work is piling up, the patient is becoming frustrated and now either calling the office too or giving up and won’t pursue the prescription.

    If you spend time clarifying prescriptions, use CPS Full Access, a Canadian-developed platform that features up-to-date Canadian information such as:

    • Current drug shortages.
    • Health Canada–approved product names, indications, dosing and patient information.
    • Warnings, recalls and safety alerts.
    • Evidence-based therapeutic content and algorithms.
    • Drug tables with price ranges.  

    FREE TRIAL UNTIL APRIL 1st, 2023
    Go to: cps.pharmacists.ca
    Username: AFHTO
    Password: AFHTO@CPS

    Annual subscriptions are normally priced at $769 plus HST.

    As a member of AFHTO, you can get your annual CPS Full Access subscription starting April 1, 2023, at a reduced rate of only $460 plus HST per year, which includes both web and mobile applications.

    After April 1st, 2023, to subscribe, contact CPS Client Service Team at service@pharmacists.ca  
    Quote code: AFHTO for your 40% discount

    For more information:

    This benefit is being offered on a trial basis for a year, at which time we will assess participation rates.

    Membership benefits:

    HOOPP handbook cover with woman giving a little boy a piggyback ride, both laughing

    Eligibility to join Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

    • Employers Joining HOOPP – this page outlines some of the benefits for employers and an overview of the process
    • HOOPP Plan Features – this page outlines the many great features of the Plan that are available to all HOOPP members
    • The HOOPP Handbook – this member booklet provides a detailed overview of the Plan
    • If you’re interested in participating in HOOPP, you can contact Bill Kontos, Business Development Manager

    (NOTE: AFHTO continues to advocate to try to reduce the OHA membership fee to participate in the HOOPP program and will continue this work).

    Discount perks

    • Reduced rates for Community Health Ontario Group Insurance Plan (CHOGIP)- English and French
      • Available as a benefits program courtesy of our partnership with the Alliance for Healthier Communities (Alliance) and Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO)
      • As a reminder, benefits for primary care teams are set at 22.5% to enable teams to access benefits and pension. For more information on the CHOGIP program please contact our Benefits Consultant, Pierre Huneault at pierre@dibrina.com.
    • Perkopolis employee discounted program
    • GoodLife Fitness discounts

    And lest we forget- UpToDate® discounts

    Desktop monitor, tablet and smartphone all showing UpToDate information

    As an AFHTO member, you are able to save on an individual subscription to UpToDate® and optional add-on products.*

    AFHTO professional members can SAVE 15% off  on a subscription to UpToDate.

    AFHTO trainee members can SAVE 20% off on a subscription to UpToDate.

    AFHTO Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants SAVE 20% off annual (or longer) subscription rates on a three-year professional subscription to UpToDate.

    To take advantage of this offer, log in as an AFHTO member, and then click on either:

    Also included:

    There are so many calls on your time and budget, so take advantage of all we have to offer.

    Member renewal and voluntary contribution request coming up

    We’ll be sending out member renewal notifications and voluntary contribution requests as well in early March. Just a reminder as the end of the financial year approaches. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@afhto.ca.

    *Savings on annual and longer subscriptions only and based on subscription type. AFHTO member prices are reflected in the UpToDate storefront when you are signed in to the AFHTO website with your membership login. Applicable taxes may apply.

  • Preliminary Survey to Capture MHA Funding Impact

    Dear EDs and Admin Leads,

    Further to our Memo released on January 30th, the IPHCC has developed a preliminary survey to assess the progress and utilization of the MHA funding. Recognizing that teams have until March 31st to spend these funds, the intent of this survey is to capture the work you have underway and identify areas where we can provide further guidance, if necessary. The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete. Please note this is not a replacement for the fulsome evaluation that the IHPCC will send to you in April. 
     
    Please complete the survey before March 10, by clicking this link. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help to inform the feedback provided to the Ministry as well as the final survey you will receive in April. 

    Please note the following from the IHPCC regarding the evaluation framework:

    The scope of eligible work is wide, and you may have included unique innovations: we recognize that person-centered mental health is achieved not only by direct services to patients, but also supporting family and caregivers, and may include both individual services as well as panel or population education and outreach interventions, including efforts to address social determinants of mental health. This funding also provides an opportunity to reach systemically marginalized and people facing greater risk, including Indigenous, Black and Francophone communities, children, and youth, as well as those with chronic physical diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease and strokes, hypertension, lung diseases like COPD and asthma, kidney disease, etc.) which are associated with higher risk of concurrent mood and anxiety disorders, lower treatment adherence and poor health outcomes. Efforts that are culturally appropriate, motivate patient and caregiver autonomy and include measurements-based assessment (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, Audit-C, etc.) and stepped-care interventions strongly demonstrate the value of all your work.  

  • Winter Highlights 2023: AFHTO IHP Advisory Council Meeting

    We are pleased to launch the first AFHTO IHP Advisory Council Communique. The Council meets on a quarterly basis to provide input on primary care team matters related to IHPs, give advice to the AFHTO board and staff, and foster leadership across the IHP community. The council’s Terms of Reference and membership listing can be accessed here. Below are highlights from the winter 2023 council meeting.

    Market Salary Review & Compensation Working Group
    In 2022, multiple associations and organizations came together as the Community Compensation Working Group to jointly support a market survey in order to get a better idea of the wage disparity and compensation challenges across interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health and long-term care. The market salary review will be conducted for 78 positions across the primary and community care sectors.

    The Working Group has since partnered with Eckler Ltd. to begin this work with an estimated completion by end of spring 2023. Once complete, recommendations will be presented to the government and funders on reasonable, fair, and equitable compensation across the healthcare sector. Our goal is to demonstrate the significant pay gap and wage inequities across the community sector and to compel government to pay healthcare providers and staff the compensation they deserve.

    To ensure a successful market study with a substantive sample, Executive Directors are being asked to complete a survey that will accompany the market review. Surveys are targeted to be launched in late February 2023. If you have questions about this market study, please feel free to contact Abisola Otepola at abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    IHP Roles & Responsibilities

    As many of you are aware, members requested updated information on roles and responsibilities of IHPs to aid in the coordination and management of their respective teams. AFHTO is currently validating information that had been provided and is planning to release the information over the coming months.  

    Following the release of the guidance document, plans are in place to host a webinar series with a focus on individual IHP disciplines/roles. The goal is to have generative discussion around individual roles and responsibilities, challenges, and key enablers using the guidance document as the starting point. This work will be done in partnership with associations and key stakeholders. Preliminary timelines for this will be summer 2023.

    FHT and NPLC Contracts
    In late January teams received letters from the Ministry of Health with regards to the NPLC and FHT contracts for the upcoming fiscal year. The Ministry intends to transfer the contract management and oversight of the NPLCs to Ontario Health, effective April 1, 2023. All provisions in the NPLC Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

    A separate letter went to FHTs noting the FHT contract has been extended for another year. The FHT contract now expires on March 31, 2024. Although there should be no direct impact to IHPs, we understand there may be questions on the NPLC transition process and what this might mean for the potential of a future transition of the FHT contracts to OH. We’re speaking regularly with MOH and OH and will provide regular updates to our members.

    Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
    On Feb 2nd 2023,  Health Minister Sylvia Jones launched Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, a plan that sets the vision and direction for Ontario’s health system strategy for the next few years. We were thrilled to see an investment of $30 million to expand or create new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they are able to connect to care where and when they need it.

    AFHTO has been advocating for years around expansion of team-based care and we were pleased to see the first large investment to expand teams in the province in a number of years. The details of what the implementation will look like (new teams or expansion of already existing teams) is still being worked through and we hope to provide you with more information as we continue to dialogue with the Ministry and Ontario Health. To read more about the Your Health plan please click here.

    AFHTO Conference
    Mark your calendars for October 25, 2023, with pre-conference sessions beginning on October 24th. Now’s the time to start thinking about your submissions for Bright Lights!  Stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks.  

    PCC & AFHTO Pre-Budget Submissions & Local Advocacy

    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million pre year for 10 years (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table (recommendation provided in partnership with the Primary Care Collaborative)
    3. Provide mental health and additions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care. 

     
    AFHTO has begun to set up meetings with government bodies to present our recommendations and hopes to begin meeting with officials very soon. Members are encouraged to present the pre-budget submission to their own MPPs if given an opportunity to meet. Please let us know if we can help in your local advocacy efforts!

    Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    Ongoing Communication
    We hope ongoing communiques will create an opportunity for you to learn and stay involved with what the AFHTO IHP Advisory Council is working on providing to the primary care community and fellow IHP members! Please contact us at any time if you have any questions and please encourage the IHPs in your team to sign up for these communiques. 

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories and more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx, celebrates two years in Ontario
    • New Long COVID resources from the OCFP and more
    • New resource for social prescribing
    • Project on women and hypertension
    • 2023 OCFP award nominations now open
    • Evidence of value- financial counselling during baby checkups
    • Farewell card for Kavita
    • Upcoming events including Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario and more

    Member stories

    City Of Kawartha Lakes FHT – City Of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team To Receive Almost $110,000 Additional Base Funding For This Year

    “MPP Laurie Scott made the announcement today. Scott says the provincial government is providing $8.1 million in new annualized base funding to enhance access to primary care in key regions of the province. This funding will support various interprofessional primary care organizations, including 18 Family Health Teams (FHTs), 2 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 2 Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinics (NPLCs), to continue the delivery of high-quality care that Ontarians know and deserve.”

    If your team is receiving new base funding as well and you’re able to share details, please contact us so we can promote it.

    Peterborough FHT – Peterborough Newcomer Health Clinic helps immigrants and refugees transition to Canada’s health care system

    Parx 2022 roundup. Text reads- PaRx was nominated for an Earthshot Prize. Nature prescriptions were officially endorsed by the Canadian Medical Association. 200,000,000+ people learned about nature prescriptions and health

     

    Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx, celebrates two years in Ontario

    Research shows how important nature contact is for health, including reduced rates of anxiety, depression, respiratory and cardiovascular disease. To help connect Canadians to the health benefits of nature, the BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx in 2020, starting in British Columbia, then expanding to every province across the country including Ontario in February 2021. From physiotherapists and physicians to nurses and counsellors, over 10,000 prescribers are registered across the country. Learn more about their progress here.

    You can visit www.parkprescriptions.ca for more information on nature prescriptions and to register to become a prescriber.

     

     

     

    New Long COVID resources from the OCFP and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update multiple pages on our site with resources and news:

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    New resource for social prescribing

    The CEP has launched a new resource for social prescribing, which includes practical tips, talking points and tangible next steps to integrate social prescribing into your practice. It supports primary care clinicians to provide more holistic, patient-centred care and connect those in need to a wide range of non-clinical services in the community, ultimately improving health outcomes. 

    women & high blood pressure eligibility criteria

     

    Project on women and hypertension

    “Management of high blood pressure seems simple in that there is strong evidence of its reduction on hospitalizations and mortality. However, hypertension control is not improving but declining. There is a disconnect between the evidence-based guidelines available and primary care practice. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the barriers and enablers for family physicians, practice nurses/nurse practitioners, and women living with high blood pressure.”

    Hypertension Canada is focusing on the point of care and treatment process when a woman with high blood pressure attends a family physician clinic. They’re seeking:

    • Women who self-identify as over 40yrs old living with high blood pressure.
    • Family physicians, nurse practitioners, or practice nurses working in primary care.

    This would involve a one-time 30-60min interview (virtual or by phone), a small thank you gift will be provided. For more information contact, Dr Kaitlyn Watson, kewatson@ualberta.ca and (780) 492 3454.

    2023 OCFP award nominations now open

    Help shine a spotlight on the outstanding work and accomplishments of family doctors by nominating a colleague for an OCFP Award. Find out more here.

    Evidence of value- financial counselling during baby checkups

    “When you expand the team that’s providing care for families in early childhood, you can make the well-child experience more meaningful. And when people find things more meaningful, they come”. Read ‘How financial counseling at the pediatrician’s office can help families thrive’-NPR.

    Farewell card for Kavita
    If you would like to join us in wishing our current CEO Kavita Mehta farewell with your own best wishes, please leave your message to her on this e-card before her last day on Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario, Feb. 22, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive QI and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Long COVID, Feb. 24, 2022
    57th in the series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am, hosted by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

    Sensemaking Population Health Management in Ontario Health Teams: A Diabetes Example, Feb. 28, 2023
    HSPN OHT webinar hosted by Dr. Walter Wodchis, Principal Investigator at HSPN,
    Co-Founder IFIC Canada and Professor at IHPME. Register here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

  • City Of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team To Receive Almost $110,000 Additional Base Funding For This Year

    Kawartha 411 Published an article February 16, 2023

    By Pamela Vanmeer

    KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ontario government has announced that the City Of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team will receive an additional $109,825 in funding for 2022/23.

    MPPLaurie Scott made the announcement today. Scott says the provincial government is providing $8.1 million in new annualized base funding to enhance access to primary care in key regions of the province. This funding will support various interprofessional primary care organizations, including 18 Family Health Teams (FHTs), 2 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 2 Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinics (NPLCs), to continue the deliver of high-quality care that Ontarians know and deserve.

    The City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team (CKLFHT) will receive up to $109,825 in prorated additional base funding for the 2022-2023 Funding Year, annualizing to up to $439,300 in additional base funding for the 2023-24 Funding Year, to enhance access and support the delivery of quality interprofessional primary care in our community. This will bring the maximum available base funding to $3,928,240 for the 2022-23 Funding Year and $4,257,715 for the 2023-24 Funding Year.

    “Increasing provincial funding for CKLFHT will directly support the residents of our community through the addition of 2 Nurse Practitioners and 1 Administrative Staff”, said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “This is another step to providing quality health care close to home. Thank you to the CKLFHT for all they do and continue to do to help our residents”.

    “On behalf of the board, staff, physicians, and community, we applaud Ontario Ministry of Health’s recognition for support toward team-based primary health care, and specifically, toward the community of Kawartha Lakes where there is a continued need for health care services for the unattached population,” says Aasif Khakoo, Executive Director for the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team. “A very special thank you to MPP Scott for her tireless support to the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team, and the constituents of Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes and Brock. Like many communities across Ontario with similar demographics, our community needs a continued infusion of resources toward strengthening primary care for all residents in the region, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and integrated healthcare professionals. Today’s announcement is a strong and positive step forward for the community.”

    The City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team is located at 55 Angeline Street North in Lindsay.

    Click here for the full article

     

  • Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

    Originally posted Jan. 27, 2020. Last updated February 16, 2023

    This page will provide updates on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as they become available. The Ministry of Health has released guidelines for primary care, along with posters. A website for healthcare providers is now live. You can also access information for the public on their site.

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Resources

    COVID-19 Vaccination Information

    for providers and administration

    Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19

    for HR and administration

    Infection control resources and tools

    for primary care providers and administration

    COVID-19 information

    for Patients, Caregivers and the Public

    Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

    for providers and administration

    Mental health and wellness during COVID-19

    for providers and the public

     

    Providing Comprehensive Care during COVID-19

    for providers

    Ministry and other sites

    news

    News and updates

    Visit here for 2021 COVID-19 news and updates.

    Visit here for 2020 COVID-19 news and updates.

    SITUATION REPORTS

    For more recent updates, please visit Ontario’s website.

    How to sign up to automatically receive MOH Situation Reports:

    • Click here
    • There is a drop-down menu near the bottom of the form to opt into different automatic reports (Situation Reports, Cyber Security Updates, etc.)
    • If your organization is NOT in the drop-down menu, you can still fill out the form and apply.
    • Access to the report is not instant as each application is manually reviewed and added to the system.

     

  • Bits & Pieces: interim CEO announced and more

    Bits & Pieces: interim CEO announced and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Interim CEO announced
    • Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    • New one-and-done therapy can help curb severe COVID-19 infection and more
    • Open grant: optimizing team-based primary care
    • Updated information about accessing the provincial PPE/testing supplies stockpile
    • Health Connect Ontario is now Health811
    • Seeking older adults with multiple chronic conditions
    • Help address social isolation and loneliness in older adults
    • Upcoming events including Long COVID and more

     

     

    Interim CEO announced

    From President and Board Chair, Sara Dalo:

    “I am pleased to share that the AFHTO Board has appointed Bryn Hamilton to become AFHTO’s interim CEO, effective March 27, 2023. Many of you already know Bryn as AFHTO’s Director of Governance and Integration, supporting our membership through her focus on primary care integration, strengthening Board governance practices and supporting health system integration. Bryn has been with AFHTO since 2014 and is well versed in the needs of the members and the health system transformation currently underway. We invite you to join us in welcoming Bryn in her new role!”

    Visit our site to find out more about the recruitment process and sign Kavita’s farewell e-card.

    Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory

    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    New one-and-done therapy can help curb severe COVID-19 infection and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update multiple pages on our site with resources and news:

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Open grant: optimizing team-based primary care

    The Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM) has launched an open call for proposals supporting primary care practitioners and teams in augmenting and optimizing interprofessional team-based care in their practices. Funding up to $200,000 CAD is available. Deadline Feb. 20, 2023.

    Updated information about accessing the provincial PPE/testing supplies stockpile

    From the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD):
    “In November 2022, we informed you that the current Remedy ordering platform will be sunset by April 1, 2023, and replaced with a new system. We have now received information on the new system (the centralized PPE Supply Portal), including instructions on how each primary care practice will need to set up an account to access the new system.” This document outlines the steps required to onboard primary care teams to the PPE Supply Portal and a link to the registration form. Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

    Health Connect Ontario is now Health811

    Health Connect Ontario has changed its name to Health811.

    The focus and function is still the same – it remains a resource Ontarians can access 24/7 to receive health advice, speak with a registered nurse, get assistance finding local health supports and to find trusted health information. Health811 can be accessed by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by going online at Ontario.ca/Health811 or Ontario.ca/Sante811. Read the memo (EN and FR) for more information.

    Seeking older adults with multiple chronic conditions

    older adults with multiple chronic conditions recruitment poster linked in the blurb

    A PhD student from Ontario Tech University, Julie Vizza, is looking for participants to take part in a study entitled, “Experiences with medication management in interprofessional care models: A study of older adults with multiple chronic conditions”. It will examine the experiences of older adults who have been prescribed multiple medications to manage multiple chronic conditions and who are followed by a FHT in Ontario.

    Its purpose is to understand the impact of managing multiple medications and how individuals conceptualize their medication management care team. The results will offer important ideas on how care can be improved to better support patients in managing their medications.

    Eligible participants are currently being followed by a FHT in Ontario. See the poster for additional criteria. If you know of any older adults that may be interested in sharing their experiences or to learn more about the study, please contact: julie.vizza@ontariotechu.net.

     

    Help address social isolation and loneliness in older adults
    The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health has begun a new project on Social Isolation and Loneliness. It’s intended to lead in the development and promotion of Canadian guidelines for health and social service providers to identify and address isolation and loneliness among older adults. The survey’s focus is to learn more about the attitudes, experiences, knowledge, and ideas of people working directly with older adults, regarding the topic of social isolation and loneliness. It should take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. Find out more here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario, Feb. 22, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive QI and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Long COVID, Feb. 24, 2022
    57th in the series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am, hosted by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

  • Update on CEO Recruitment Process, Appointment of Interim CEO and Sending Your Best Wishes to Kavita

    Update on CEO Recruitment Process, Appointment of Interim CEO and Sending Your Best Wishes to Kavita

    Message Sent on Behalf of Sara Dalo, Chair of the AFHTO Board of Directors

    Dear Members,

    I am pleased to share that the AFHTO Board has appointed Bryn Hamilton to become AFHTO’s interim CEO, effective March 27, 2023. Many of you already know Bryn as AFHTO’s Director of Governance and Integration, supporting our membership through her focus on primary care integration, strengthening Board governance practices and supporting health system integration. Bryn has been with AFHTO since 2014 and is well versed in the needs of the members and the health system transformation currently underway. We invite you to join us in welcoming Bryn in her new role!

    With Bryn in the role of the Interim CEO, the work has started to recruit our current CEO’s (Kavita Mehta) successor. The AFHTO Board of Directors has established a CEO Selection Committee to recruit  our new CEO and ensure a smooth leadership transition by July 2023. The Committee has engaged Mirams Becker to lead the search. Inquiries may be directed to Sarah Adams, Principal, at sarah@miramsbecker.com.

    As we wind down the time we have with Kavita, I would like to recognize her once again for the contributions to our sector, especially in advancing interprofessional team-based primary care. Kavita, your leadership, passion, and values will not be forgotten. You will be missed and we wish you all the best! If you would like to join us in wishing Kavita farewell with your own best wishes, please leave your message to her on this e-card before her last day on Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    Over the next year we will see a lot of changes in AFHTO, but it also mirrors a lot of changes happening in the health care system. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their support and patience as we navigate this new chapter for AFHTO – your ongoing dedication to ensuring the ongoing success and sustainability of the organization is very much appreciated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

    Yours in Good Health,

    Sara Dalo signature

     

     

     

     

    Sara Dalo
    Board Chair and President, AFHTO

  • QI in Action eBulletin #126: The Health Equity Questionnaire

    QI in Action eBulletin #126: The Health Equity Questionnaire

    In this Issue:

    • The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs
    • Resources for social determinants of health
    • Food for thought
    • Updated Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams
    • Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario
    • Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    • Virtual Care Guidance Statements Checklist for Clinicians and other resources
    • Upcoming Events

     

    The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs

    The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs. Below are a group of hands in different watercolours reaching upwards

    To provide the most equitable care for our patients we need to know their social determinants of health. Current EMR specifications don’t require that this information is included in the dataset for each patient and EMRs don’t provide a standardized way to enter it.

    The Health Equity Questionnaire (HEQ) has been developed to allow social determinants of health information to be entered into EMRs efficiently and in a standardized way, allowing it to be easily accessed, updated, and searched.

    Questions and data elements from an extensive set of existing tools were collected, prioritized, and distilled into a practical new format designed around provider workflows. Many stakeholders, including several EDI specialists, were consulted.

    At the time of a visit, clicking on the ‘HEQ’ button in the chart will bring up the Questionnaire form. The provider can then enter any information that may be relevant to the patient’s care and save it to the chart. Clicking the button again will bring up a new copy of the form which is pre-populated with any previously entered data and can be updated as needed. The form is designed to display all the information in an “at a glance” view which means that all the information is shown in one window without any clicking or scrolling.

    The questions can also be sent directly to the patient via secure messaging. They can then answer any of the questions that they’re comfortable with and their responses will be automatically entered directly into their charts. If an HEQ form is not already in the chart, then a new one will be created. If there is an existing form in the chart, then it will simply be updated with their responses.

    Care must be taken to ensure that the patient understands why the questions are being asked, that the information will be treated with the same confidentiality as the rest of their medical information, that it will only be used to provide them with the best care possible, and that they only need to provide whatever responses they’re comfortable with.

    A video demonstration of the tool is available here.

    The toolkit can be downloaded from the TELUS Health Practice Solutions Community Portal by navigating in Chatter to Groups, Active Groups and then the East Wellington Family Health Team group. Plans are in progress to migrate the toolkit to the other main EMRs as well.

    Questions and feedback are welcome and can be directed to Dr. Kevin Samson kevin.samson@ewfht.ca.

    Resources for social determinants of health
    Webinars and conference sessions

    Select Resources

    Food for Thought

    Updated Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams
    INSPIRE PHC has posted the updated Primary Care Data Report for all of Ontario. These reports track key primary care health system indicators and guide attachment strategies in Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). The Primary Care Data Working Group produced reports specific to each OHT and are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the attributed population of each OHT. Find out more.

    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario
    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario! We are looking for patients and caregivers in Ontario to take a 15 to 20-minutes survey on the experiences and expectations with virtual care appointments as a patient or caregiver with a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional in a family practice. This study from the University of Toronto and the Bruyére Research Institute is led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft and Dr. Simone Dahrouge.

    To take the survey, please click one of the links below:

    As part of the recruitment efforts, primary care clinics will have the opportunity to receive a customized report based on the template regarding the experiences of their patients with virtual care. In addition, you can view the report last year on virtual care that was shared broadly to key decision makers. Should you be interested in participating or learning more, please contact Simon Lam, research coordinator, at sck.lam@utoronto.ca.

    Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    Ontario Health is conducting an evaluation of the ‘Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care’ developed in collaboration with an Expert Panel. You’re invited to complete this survey to capture your awareness of, access to and adoption of the Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care.   

    You may access the survey here.  

    The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain anonymous. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Mimosa Zhao by email at zhao@theevidencenetwork.com.

     

    Upcoming Events

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario
    February 22, 2023, 12:00pm
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Media Messaging on Equity: How do we do better?
    March 6, 2023, 4:30 pm
    The third-annual Vohra Miller Lectures in Critical Public Health Issues in collaboration with the Institute for Pandemics puts a spotlight on the media’s handling of equity issues, including health equity, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. What are the forces that shape media coverage of equity matters? What does the future of the media landscape hold and, what are the possibilities? Register here.

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #125 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.