Ultimate Blogging Championship

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  • Considerations for Implementing the Nurse Practitioner Role Within Your Team

    Beth Cowper-Fung (NP-PHC, MN, Clinic Director of Georgina NPLC, and AFHTO President) and Claudia Mariano (MSc, NP-PHC, and Manager of Practice and Policy, NPAO) presented on considerations for implementing the nurse practitioner role within a team.

    The following was reviewed and discussed:

    • The scope of practice of an NP
    • Examples of NP integration
    • How the NP role contributes to patient care and team functioning
    • Characteristics of high-functioning teams

    The presentation can be seen here.

    Below is the recording of the webinar:

     

  • The People’s Health Care Act and Government Transformation of the Health Care System

    On February 26, the government announced a major overhaul to the health care system through Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019. This legislation will, if passed, create an agency called Ontario Health that would have oversight of five sub-regions. Across these regions, there would be a total, province wide, of 30-50 Ontario Health Teams (OHT), serving up to 300,000 patients each. These teams will connect health care providers and services around patients and families.

    The intent of the proposed changes is to create a more coordinated and seamless patient experience, and to improve access to services, supported by digital tools.

    The Minister’s announcement can be heard here. 

    Background information:

    Please click here for resources and information on Ontario Health Teams.

    Please click here for an overview of the 2019 Budget.

     

  • Bits & Pieces: major overhaul to ON healthcare announced & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:
    • Major overhaul to ON healthcare  
    • MPP Advocacy: Primary care takes a team
    • Reminder- Harvard ManageMentor Mar. 5
    • New toolkits from Choosing Wisely Ontario
    • Addressing gaps experienced by adults with developmental disabilities
    • Overview of the Redesigned OHIP+
    • Seeking input on TELUS Health’s Babylon mobile app
    • Updating the Guideline for Diagnosing and Managing Pediatric Concussion
    • Upcoming events on team-based approaches to chronic pain management and more

    Major overhaul to ON healthcare

    This morning, the government announced a major overhaul to the health care system through legislation that will, if passed, create Ontario Health. This agency will have oversight of 30-50 Ontario Health Teams – teams that will connect local health care providers and services around patients and families. The Minister’s announcement can be heard here, and the legislation will be introduced this afternoon. More information is here, and it will be regularly updated.

    MPP Advocacy: Primary care takes a team

    The legislature has resumed, and the legislation for significant changes to the health care system was announced today. All MPPs will be there as this legislation is debated, so keep up the great work with local meetings. MPPs can work to see team-based primary care be a key part of this reform if they know its value. Tools and resources are online, including key messages we encourage you communicate. We have also posted a new literature piece for your use. You’ll receive a few hard copies in the mail in the next 2-3 weeks!

    Reminder- Harvard ManageMentor Mar. 5

    Join us next Tues. Mar. 5, 12:00-1:00 p.m. for a lunch and learn session hosted in partnership with Harvard ManageMentor.

    A self-directed online-learning program affiliated with the Harvard School of Business, it covers over 40 topics of vital relevance to today’s healthcare managers. Each module helps strengthen specific leadership skills that drive performance and results.

    New toolkits from Choosing Wisely Ontario

    You can help reduce unnecessary testing and treatments, starting with these new toolkits from Choosing Wisely Ontario:

    • Benzodiazepine use
    • Imaging for low back pain

    Addressing gaps experienced by adults with developmental disabilities

    The Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H-CARDD) Program has released its latest report, Addressing Gaps in the Health Care Services Used by Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario.

    Results show that adults with developmental disabilities were disadvantaged for every outcome examined. This was true regardless of age, sex, the wealth or poverty of the neighbourhood where they lived, or the kind of developmental disability they had. Find out more about this and their recommendations here.

    Overview of the Redesigned OHIP+

    The Ministry will be hosting weekly webinars to provide an overview of the redesigned OHIP+ and to answer questions regarding changes to Ontario Drug Benefit program coverage for children and youth aged 24 years and under. Webinars will be held each week on Wednesdays from 12:15-1:00 pm

    Click on this link to access the webinar on Wednesday February 27, 2019 from 12:15-1:00 pm.

    Teleconference information will be available at this link 10 minutes prior to the start of the webinar. Please mute your phone by pressing *6 once you have dialed in.

    If you do not have the latest version of Adobe installed on your device, please click on the link a few minutes early in the event you are prompted to update your software.

    Seeking input on TELUS Health’s Babylon mobile app

    A 2nd-year graduate student in the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program at the University of Toronto, Irene Duah-Kessie, is conducting a project on a new health care mobile app named Babylon by TELUS Health. The aim of the app is to make care more accessible for patients without a family doctor, who have after-hours non-emergent needs, and/or live in rural areas.

    She’s currently looking for family physicians across the GTA to participate in a confidential 30-minute interview to initiate a conversation on how the app will impact physicians and their patients. The results will be used to develop a strategic plan to guide the implementation of this app in Ontario. She will be in the field now until Friday, March 15th.

    If you are interested in participating in this work or have any further questions, please email irene.kessie@mail.utoronto.ca.

    Updating the Guideline for Diagnosing and Managing Pediatric Concussion

    The process to update the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation’s ‘Guideline for Diagnosing and Managing Pediatric Concussion’ published in June, 2014 to guide healthcare professionals in diagnosing and managing pediatric concussion is underway.

    Led by Drs. Roger Zemek (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario; University of Ottawa) and Nick Reed (Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; University of Toronto), this process has involved clinicians and researchers from the disciplines involved in pediatric concussion. Learn more here.

    Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship, Feb. 28, 2019

    Nearly 20% of Canadian adults experience chronic pain. This webinar will provide insights to help your patients manage their pain safely and effectively, and introduce you to the Opioids Clinical Primer. Register today.

    7th Annual Addictions and Mental Health Conference, May 26-28, 2019

    Registration is now open for Where Change Happens. Find out about the program and register here.

    Governance Webcast Series: Risk Management, Mar. 27, 2019

    Join us to discuss risk management and the board’s role and leading practices in this. Register here.

    Health Care Consent & Advance Care Planning in Ontario, Feb. 27, 2019

    Hosted by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Find out more.

  • Winter 2019 Highlights: AFHTO Leadership Councils

    Below are the highlights from the winter 2019 leadership council meetings: Executive Director Advisory Council (EDAC), Physician Leadership Council (PLC), Board Chair Leadership Council (BCLC), NPLC Leadership Council (NPLC LC), and IHP Advisory Council.
     
     
    A New Government and Health System Reform
    • Much is up in the air as the government undertakes health care reform. While nothing is final, documents leaked to the press in late January and early February give a general idea of the direction the government will go.
    • The draft Health System Efficiency Act, 2019 can be seen online through several media sources. A summary of it and of the other internal documents that were leaked are on AFHTO’s website. We encourage you take a look and become better informed about the proposed changes.
    • A key piece is the formation of a “super agency” that would oversee local integrated care delivery systems (ICDS) – MyCare Groups – whose function remains unclear.
    • AFHTO will work with our GR firm, H&K Strategies, to arrange a webinar to review and discuss the legislation and transformation agenda, including possible implications for our members, once the expected legislation is tabled. Please stay tuned for more details.
    • The Premier’s Council on Improving Health Care and Ending Hallway Medicine released its first interim report in late January. Its priorities align well with AFHTO’s pre-budget submission that was submitted a few days prior.
    • The Arbitrator’s Award was issued to the Ministry and the OMA on February 19. The news release from the Ministry is here.
    • AFHTO will continue to work with the new government to show that an investment in a robust primary care system will deliver a high-performing health care system, which will lead to better outcomes and patient experience.
    Meetings with the Minister and the Ministry
    • AFHTO met with the Minister on January 21. Mental health and addictions are among her top priorities. The meeting went well although the direction of primary care remained unclear.
    • AFHTO continues to meet with officials to discuss the direction of primary care in the province.
    • AFHTO is working closely with the Primary Care branch on issues such as an integration of mental health and addictions support in primary care, care coordination, and ongoing support for team-based care for more Ontarians. In a recent meeting, we were also notified that AOPs will likely be delayed this fiscal year.  AFHTO will keep teams posted on timelines once we learn more.
    • For the 10 or so pilot ICDSs, the Expression of Interest is expected soon. We’ll let teams know once we have more information. If your team is interested in possibly taking leadership in this new initiative, please let us know. We can ‘plant some seeds’ with the policy makers at the Ministry.
    • AFHTO continues to emphasise the importance of primary care being part of integration efforts.
    Local Advocacy – Time to Connect with Your MPP
    • We continue to encourage teams to meet with their local MPP to demonstrate the value of team-based care for the MPP’s constituents.
    • Tools and resources are online.
    • The tools include key messages to explain the value of team-based care and how it aligns with the government’s priorities.
    • AFHTO encourages teams be consistent with the main points to ensure the government hears the same message from MPPs about why team-based care is important as they undertake restructuring of the health care system.
    • Let us know when you’re meeting with your local MPPs! Send us your pictures, stories and tag us on Twitter @afhto.
    Continuing to Support Great Governance and Leadership
    • As we have already let members know, the G&L program did not receive project funding for 2018/19, and project funding for 2019/20 is unknown.
    • AFHTO still aims to provide support tools. Governance webcasts continue to roll out, and we continue to support teams transitioning to a skills-based board.
    • Integration and collaborative governance are an expected focus of the new government. AFHTO will align training and supports under this new direction to ensure teams are adequately equipped with the tools and knowledge needed.
    • A strategic planning toolkit is being prepared to support boards in developing a strategic planning process and a strategic plan. The final is expected in the coming month.
    • LeaderShift opportunities continue. Sign up now!
    Focus Shifting to Improvement
    • As noted with the G&L Program, the QIDS program also did not receive project funding for 2018/19, and project funding for 2019/20 is unknown.
    • To align with the government’s mandate, the focus of the program is shifting from measurement to improvement.
    • The main priority of the QIDS Program will be continued AFHTO support for QIDSS in the field and through the newly created “Quality Improvement in Primary Care” council, which will support QIDSS in the areas of advocacy, knowledge translation and improvement.
    • AFHTO is pleased that Dr. Kevin Samson has agreed to be the new Chair of the AFHTO Quality Steering Committee, which will be looking at a renewed focus on highlighting the value of team-based care.
    • On March 6 (Ottawa) and March 8 (Toronto), AFHTO will be hosting two KTE workshops based on our QI Enablers study called “Building together: how to become a high performing team.” A better functioning team is better care. Registration for Ottawa is now closed, and for Toronto it is February 22.
    • The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health spoke to several councils about OPTIMUM, a project funded by the Patient-Centred Outcomes Research Institute. They’re looking to collaborate with primary are providers to recruit 300 people for a project in optimising depression treatment in older adults. The presentation and contact information are here.
    Membership Renewals and Voluntary Contributions
    • A reminder that membership renewals will be going out at the end of February and early March.
    • AFHTO works to serve and represent our members to the best of our ability, and we hope to see you renew your membership! With all the health system reforms currently underway, now more than ever we need a strong voice for team-based primary care.
    • Please also consider a voluntary contribution to help ensure AFHTO can continue its work in advocacy, governance and quality. Contributions can flow out of the overhead budget line and there is no limit. Voluntary contribution forms will be sent with your membership renewal forms.
    Any questions or comments, please contact Bryn Hamilton, Provincial Lead, Governance & Leadership Program.
     

  • First interim report released by Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine

    The first report of the Premier’s Council on Improving Health Care and Ending Hallway Medicine was released on January 31, 2019. The Council, chaired by Dr. Rueben Devlin, provides an assessment of Ontario’s health care system and lays the groundwork for future reports that will speak to recommendations for health system restructuring.

    The first report describes three key challenges facing Ontario’s health care system:

    1. Patients and families are having difficulty navigating the health care system and are waiting too long for care. This has a negative impact on their own health and on provider and caregiver well-being.
    2. The system is facing capacity pressures today, and it doesn’t have the appropriate mix of services, beds, or digital tools to be ready for the projected increase in complex care needs and capacity pressures in the short and long-term.
    3. There needs to be more effective coordination at both the system level, and at the point-of-care. This could achieve better value (i.e. improved health outcomes) for taxpayer money spent throughout the system. As currently designed, the health care system does not always work efficiently.

    While there is very little mention about primary care, it should be noted that the report references that patients are going to the hospital when they could be treated in primary care, with a recognition that there should be additional focus on preventative measures and effective engagement with primary care providers.

    The essential role of primary care in providing mental health and addictions supports was acknowledged, with the report noting that about 1 in 3 adults who reported to an ED for mental health and addictions care hadn’t previously accessed physician-based care for their illness. And challenges in home and community care was highlighted, noting that the health care system is overly complex which makes it more difficult for patients and families to navigate.

    The report concluded with three opportunities for improvement: digital and modern health care, integrated care delivery and efficiency in the system.

    AFHTO was pleased to see that many of the findings in the report are consistent with AFHTO priorities and aligned with our most recent Pre-Budget Submission submitted to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs:

    1. We need a health system that is truly integrated, one where patients don’t have to move from one part of the system to another part to get their care, especially care for mental health and addictions – primary care and mental health care providers need to work together to ensure that mental health and addictions investments are integrated in primary care.
    2. The relationship between primary care and home and community care can be strengthened by transitioning the function and associated resources of care coordination to primary care. This will bring greater efficiency and patient-centredness to care. Care will be integrated, allowing for seamless transitions of care for patients.
    3. Support expansion of interprofessional team-based care across Ontario. This can start with communities that don’t have a team at all and then expand to all Ontarians who wish for it. Allow for local-level innovation but ensure that primary care providers are involved in the co-design on what would work best for them in their communities and for their patients.
    4. Look at existing models of performance measurement in primary care and facilitate and fund a strategy that spreads it across the system. This strategy must measure outcomes that matter to patients and providers while assisting in lower system costs. To support this, there needs to be further investments in quality improvement practice facilitators to help support front line providers.

    AFHTO members are already taking leadership in many of the areas that are highlighted as challenges in the report and we look forward to sharing your innovations, ideas and patient stories with the government so we can continually highlight that an investment in creating a robust primary care system will lead to a high performing health system with better outcomes and patient experience.

    Documents of Interest:

  • Draft legislation and other leaked documents on health system transformation

    A draft bill from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was leaked to the media at the end of January. The Health System Efficiency Act, 2019 appears to be in early stages, but the draft provides a high-level overview of what may be a major structural overhaul of health services in the province.

    A summary of the draft legislation, as it read on January 31 when leaked, can be seen here. The draft legislation itself can be seen through online media.

    Additional documents that show major changes to the health care system were leaked on February 4. These provide more information on a policy that is being formed, including information about MyCare Groups, the “Super Agency,” and how the ministry may be restructured. Information about the February 4 leaked documents can be read here.

    While there is now more clarity about the government’s plans, much is still up in the air and will be seen in the weeks and months ahead. As we get more information, we’ll let our members know. In the meantime, we continue to encourage teams to reach out to their MPP to speak about the value of team-based care in their communities. Tools and resources are here. 

    If you have any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon (Program Associate, Policy, Leadership and Strategic Communications) at beth.mackinnon@afhto.ca or 647-234-8605 x206.

  • Bits & Pieces: new website coming soon, deadline to build together this week & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:

    • New website coming soon
    • Building Together registration deadlines this week
    • Teams continue to meet with MPPs
    • Call for submissions – Ted Freedman Award

     

    • OCFP 2019 Awards call for nominations
    • Social Work Week Resources
    • Upcoming events regarding NP role implementation and more

    New website coming soon

    We’re working hard on the new AFHTO website, testing every feature to ensure it works for you.

    Some of these include:

    • Individual login
    • Different access levels for triad and staff
    • Refined search and more user-friendly features

    We’re currently checking for bugs and glitches, but we’ll be revealing it within a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for the results!

    Building Together registration deadlines this week

    The deadlines to register for Building Together: How to become a high-performing team are Feb. 20 and Feb. 22 for the Ottawa and Toronto workshops respectively.

    What makes a good team great? Join us at this FREE workshop on March 6 and 8 to find out.

    Developed and presented with our research partners at Western University, originated with last year’s QI Enablers Study.

    This is for every member of a primary care team. Everyone is welcome, from the official and unofficial leaders to the clinicians and the clerical staff. Team-building happens from the bottom up and the top down, and from all other directions as well.

    When and where?

    • Ottawa: Wed., Mar. 6, 2019
    • Toronto: Fri., Mar. 8, 2019

    For more information, check out our FAQ or the web post.

    Teams continue to meet with MPPs

    It’s great to see MPP meetings happening across the province! This work is helping to ensure MPPs understand and can speak to the value of team-based care. The legislature resumes today, and work around health care reform is expected to be a focus. Now is the time to meet with MPPs. Tools and resources are here, including the key points we encourage you communicate.

    Call for submissions – Ted Freedman Award

    The Ted Freedman Award for Innovation in Education is open to all healthcare organizations and recognizes those individuals or organizations that inspire, advocate and enable education in health, health services and healthcare management. Deadline is Mar. 15, 2019.

    For submission guidelines and further information visit their site.

    OCFP 2019 Awards call for nominations

    Nominations are now open for the 2019 OCFP Awards, celebrating family medicine and the contributions that Ontario’s family physicians make with their patients, communities and our healthcare system. AFHTO members have won numerous awards, including Family Physician and Family Practice of the Year.

    For additional information please visit their site. Deadline is Apr. 8, 2019.

    Social Work Week Resources

    Social Work Week will take place from March 4 – 10, 2019. The Ontario Association of Social Workers invites teams to participate in an online celebration by sharing what issue you turn into answers using their downloadable speech bubbles. You can use the hashtag #TurnIssuesIntoAnswers and/or #SocialWorkWeek2019

    Social workers or teams can also use the speech bubbles to engage with one another in person and create a collage or poster in their workplace, transitioning this into a meaningful and interactive experience for all. You can access digital resources here.

    Government Webcast Series: Strategic Planning and Public Complaints: Feb. 20, 2019

    Attend this webcast on strategic planning and public complaints. Register now!

    Building Together: How to become a high-performing team, Mar. 6 & 8, 2019

    What makes a good team great? To find out, join us on March 6 in Ottawa and March 8 in Toronto. It’s free, interactive, and interprofessional! Register now for Ottawa and Toronto.

    Spirometry Interpretation Workshop, Feb. 21, 2019

    Learn the ins and outs of Spirometry at this workshop held in Stratford. Learn more here.

    Considerations for Implementing the NP Role within your Team, Feb. 22, 2019

    Join Beth Cowper-Fung, AFHTO’s President and Board Chair and Clinical Director of Georgina NPLC & Claudia Mariano, Manager, Practice and Policy, NPAO, for this interactive session. Register here

    Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship, Feb. 28, 2019

    Nearly 20% of Canadian adults experience chronic pain. This webinar will provide insights to help your patients manage their pain safely and effectively, and introduce you to the Opioids Clinical Primer. Register today.

  • Bits & Pieces: how you can learn with Harvard, pain competence assessment & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:

    • Build, broaden and refresh your leadership skills with Harvard ManageMentor
    • Teams meeting with MPPs
    • Reminder- fill out the GoodLife Fitness discount survey by Feb. 19
    • ECHO Evening Series
    • Pain competence assessment tool reliability testing
    • Seeking input: a draft early pregnancy complications and loss quality standard
    • Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day
    • Seeking input – national guidance on workplace violence and harassment
    • Upcoming events regarding NP role implementation and more

    Build, broaden and refresh your leadership skills with Harvard ManageMentor

    Join us Tues. Mar. 5, 12:00-1:00 p.m. for a lunch and learn session hosted in partnership with Harvard ManageMentor.

    What is Harvard ManageMentor?

    • A self-directed online-learning program affiliated with the Harvard School of Business
    • Covers over 40 topics of vital relevance to today’s healthcare managers. Each module helps strengthen specific leadership skills that drive performance and results.
    • Includes quick videos, Learn-Practice-Reflect lessons, assessments and downloadable resources/tools for your everyday management responsibilities and challenges

    Teams meeting with MPPs

    Several teams in Niagara region met with MPP Wayne Gates this week. Meetings across the province continue, helping MPPs from all parties speak to the value of team-based care for their community. The legislature resumes next week, and the government is undertaking health system reform, so now is the time to meet! Tools and resources are here.

    Please aim to communicate the three key points, so the message the government hears is consistent and aligns with their priorities.

    And don’t forget to let us know when you’re meeting, so we can add it to our website!

    Reminder- fill out the GoodLife Fitness discount survey by Feb. 19

    AFHTO is looking into setting up a partnership with GoodLife Fitness to provide great savings on membership for all our members and their families. This includes access to all GoodLife Fitness clubs across Canada.

    We need to find out if there’s enough interest first before we can proceed. If you’re interested in a possible membership, please complete the survey by Feb. 19. This will determine if we go ahead with the program.

    ECHO Evening Series

    ECHO Ontario will be hosting 2 different series in February/March, 2019. ECHO sessions consist of a short didactic lecture by an interprofessional specialist team and real de-identified patient cases presented by participants.

    ECHO Liver:
    Date:  Feb. 21, 2019
    Topic:  Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach to Liver Enzymes

    Click here to register or for more details

    ECHO Chronic Pain/Opioid Stewardship
    A 4-part series on Buprenorphine/Naloxone prescribing, starting Feb. 25

    Click here to register or for more details

    Pain competence assessment tool reliability testing

    The Musculoskeletal Program at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI) has developed a new Pain competence assessment tool (PCAT) to assess competence among clinicians managing chronic pain (CP) patients. They’re now conducting a reliability testing for the new PCAT.

    To do this, they’re recruiting clinicians (family physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, social workers, and psychologists), who are working at a primary care setting to participate in this study. As an appreciation for your time, you will be compensated by a $25 gift card. You can find out more or take the survey here.

    Seeking input: a draft early pregnancy complications and loss quality standard

    Share your thoughts on a draft quality standard to address early pregnancy complications and loss. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, with 80% of them occurring in the first trimester.

    Send your feedback by Feb. 26, 2019.

    This quality standard and accompanying patient guide, being developed by Health Quality Ontario and the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network, outline for patients and clinicians what quality care looks like.

    Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day

    Taking place on June 5, 2019, you can submit an abstract or register today. Limited travel grants available.

    Seeking input – national guidance on workplace violence and harassment

    The Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) is conducting research on behalf of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), a global organization dedicated to safety, social good, and sustainability.

    The purpose of the research is to determine the need for national standards or guidance on the prevention and management of workplace violence and harassment and to recommend where further work needs to be done on any identified gaps. Please respond to the survey. Deadline is Feb. 21, 2019.

    Government Webcast Series: Strategic Planning and Public Complaints: Feb. 20, 2019

    Attend this webcast on strategic planning and public complaints. Register now!

    Considerations for Implementing the NP Role within your Team, Feb. 22, 2019

    Join Beth Cowper-Fung, AFHTO’s President and Board Chair and Clinical Director of Georgina NPLC & Claudia Mariano, Manager, Practice and Policy, NPAO, for this interactive session. Register here

    Building Together: How to become a high-performing team, Mar. 6 & 8, 2019

    What makes a good team great? To find out, join us on March 6 in Ottawa and March 8 in Toronto. It’s free, interactive, and interprofessional! Register now for Ottawa and Toronto.

    Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship, Feb. 28, 2019 Nearly 20% of Canadian adults experience chronic pain. This webinar will provide insights to help your patients manage their pain safely and effectively, and introduce you to the Opioids Clinical Primer. Register today.

    How big data changed sports and will revolutionize your health care, Feb. 21, 2019

    Join HQO’s Quality Rounds on how teams can leverage data to support patients. Save the link here.

  • MPP Meetings – Advocacy Tools & Resources

    A new government and many new Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) were elected in June 2018. AFHTO members are encouraged to meet with  their local MPP.

    Establishing a relationship with new MPPs – or building on existing relationships with longer-serving MPPs – and communicating the value of team-based primary care is key to helping see MPPs do two things:

    • Advocate for investments in team-based care, and
    • Understand the value of team-based care for their constituents, so they can speak to it as the new government undertakes primary care reform.

    It’s important to include primary care providers and, where possible, a patient in these meetings. These are people the government is especially interested in hearing from. Where there is more than one team in an MPP’s riding, we encourage teams coordinate one meeting together, if possible.

    Working with Hill+Knowlton Strategies, our government relations firm, the following tools have been prepared to help with local advocacy:

    It’s important that teams across the province are consistent in saying why team-based care matters. The key messages are the main points to communicate, with proof points to back you up, but the document is not intended to be left with the MPP. The slide deck summarises the key messages, and it’s what can be left behind after the meeting.

    In the deck, be sure to add a couple success stories and accomplishments where patients – the MPP’s constituents – benefitted because of team-based care.

    Other tools, resources and references

    If you have any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon (Program Associate, Policy, Leadership and Strategic Communications) at beth.mackinnon@afhto.ca or 647-234-8605 x206.

  • Data to Decisions eBulletin #84: Building Together

    In this issue

    • Register now for Building Together
    • Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship
    • Resources to Support Follow-Up after Hospitalization
    • The “Q” Council – Towards a More Self-Sustaining Community of Practice
    • QIPS, Program Planning and Schedule A

    Register now for Building Together

    What makes a good team great? To find out, join us on March 6 and 8 for Building Together: How to become a high-performing team. We’ll take a deep dive into what makes teams – your teams – work!  

    This FREE workshop, developed and presented with our research partners at Western University, originated with last year’s QI Enablers Study. Dr. Judith Belle Brown will lead us through an exploration of the foundational elements that teams are built on. In small-group sessions throughout the day, we’ll examine three of the pillars that are built on this foundation and elevate a team’s performance.

    This workshop is for every member of a primary care team. Everyone is welcome, from the official and unofficial leaders to the clinicians and the clerical staff. Team-building happens from the bottom up and the top down, and from all other directions as well.

    When and where?

    • Ottawa: Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Express Ottawa-Nepean, 2055 Robertson Road
    • Toronto: Friday, March 8, 2019 at St. Paul’s on Bloor, 227 Bloor Street East

    For more information, check out our FAQ or the web post. When you’re ready, register at the links below:

    We look forward to seeing you – and your team – there!

    Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship

    Nearly 20% of Canadian adults experience chronic pain. This webinar will provide insights to help your patients manage their pain safely and effectively.

    Join us on Thursday, February 28 from 12:00-1:00pm for Team-Based Approaches to Chronic Pain Management: Opioid Stewardship, presented by Dr. Jennifer Wyman. Topics to be covered include:

    • The role of the team in supporting patients who use opioids to manage chronic non-cancer pain.
    • When is the dose too high? Assessing opioid benefits and risks.
    • Supporting patients on their journey with chronic pain.
    • Recognizing opioid use disorder in the primary care setting.

    This webinar will also introduce you to the Opioids Clinical Primer. Led by Dr. Wyman from the University of Toronto, in collaboration with experts and community practitioners from across the province, this free, accredited online course is intended to help clinicians address opioid use disorder and implement safer opioid prescribing strategies in the management of chronic pain. Please consider reviewing Course 3: Safer Opioid Prescribing Strategies prior to the session.

    Please use this link to register for the webinar.  Can’t make it on the 28th? We’ll post the recording here along with the slide deck and other materials.

    Resources to Support Follow-Up after Hospitalization

    Meaningful follow-up for patients who have been hospitalized is an essential element of high-quality, comprehensive care. Not only does it reduce the likelihood of readmission, it saves lives. It has also been identified as a priority by AFHTO’s members and board. Transitions in care, including follow-up, are also a priority area for the 2019-20 QIPs. And it’s not as hard as you think!

    Need help? Here it is! We’ve pulled together resources from AFHTO and beyond, and we’ve turned them into a step-by-step process that can help whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning a program that’s been in place for a while. If you think we’ve missed something, let us know.

    The “Q” Council – Towards a More Self-Sustaining Community of Practice

    The “Q” – that’s what we call the community of practice made up of QIDS Specialists, QIDSS-like folks, QIIMS, and E-QIP coaches – is five years old! And as you’ve probably heard by now, they’re embarking on a transition towards greater self-direction, peer support, and collective advocacy.

    A big, important step has been the selection of a council. This small but mighty group of peer leaders will advocate for the Q and for quality improvement; coordinate resource-sharing and collaboration; and help build an even stronger community of practice.

    Here are the members of the first-ever Q Council:

    • Brice Wong, QIDSS, Windsor FHT partnership
    • Cameron Berry, QIDSS, Kawartha North FHT partnership
    • Sandeep Gill, QIDSS, Queen Square FHT partnership
    • Abigail Scott, QIDSS-like, Queens FHT
    • Charles Bruntz, QIDSS, Timmins FHT

    Please join us in thanking Brice, Cam, Sandeep, and Abi for stepping forward as volunteer leaders. They’re taking on a big and important job.

    QIPs, Program Planning and Schedule A

    It’s that time again! QIP and Schedule A submission are right around the corner. We have tools to make these processes a little easier. Check them out!

    Help for your 2019-20 QIPs brings together resources from AFHTO, Health Quality Ontario, and others. These include webinars and documents to support you through the QIP process and orient you to this year’s priority themes and indicators, as well as tools to help you start making improvements in these areas.

    Program planning & evaluation tools will help you complete your Schedule A submissions. To help you choose measures for the evaluation portion of Schedule A, we’ve made some updates to the Program Performance Measures Catalogue (PPMC). As teams use it, the PPMC will help build consensus and consistency in program planning measures across the province, and this will make it easier for teams to learn from each other about how best to measure and improve program effectiveness. To make the most of the PPMC, check out the Quick Reference Guide to the Catalogue; Choosing Better Indicators: How teams are using the PPMC; and the PPMC Video Walkthrough.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #83 or other back issues here!

    Questions? Comments? Connect with the QIDS team at improve@afhto.ca.