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  • Bits & Pieces: full OHT list now available, member news, conference deadlines & more

    Bits & Pieces: full OHT list now available, member news, conference deadlines & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • Full OHT List now available
    • Member news
    • AFHTO 2019 Conference deadlines starting Aug. 9
    • NEW Ontario follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors
    • Free workshop to develop support for patient-oriented research
    • Managing benzodiazepine use in older adults- tool available
    • LeaderShift Conference
    • Upcoming events regarding opioids, COPD and more

    Full OHT List now available
    The Ministry of Health has posted the full list of Ontario Health Teams online. A number of our teams are actively involved in the application and in development phase including two in development by members ESF NORD-ASKI and Huron Shores FHT.
     
    The list can be used as a resource by any health service provider or organization to connect with an existing team that has already started the Ontario Health Team journey.

    The updated list of teams led by or involving members is available on our site as well, with a link to a map created by the OMA.

    A reminder to stay up to date on the health transformation currently underway by subscribing to the Connected Care Updates.

    Member news
    Mount Sinai Academic FHT – Mount Sinai Academic FHT prenatal services fit under Ontario’s plan to expand midwifery services

    City of Kawartha Lakes FHT – City of Kawartha Lakes FHT celebrates grant for seniors’ play park in Fenelon Falls

    Owen Sound FHT – Owen Sound FHT holds ‘Adulting’ focused seminar for youth

    AFHTO 2019 Conference deadlines starting Aug. 9

    Westin pool

    August 9: Our referral program is only open until next Friday, August 9, 2019. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! Please remind your partners and stakeholders to mention your team’s name! Non-members and members alike can win.

    August 19: Book your hotel room before August 19. This ensures you get our group rate. After this date, rooms are released to the public. Prices start at $222/night. That’s more than $100 discount on current rates!

    August 19: IHP Sessions– we still need leads for the Administrative and Social workers
    individual sessions. If no leads are confirmed by August 19, we may have to cancel these sessions. All IHP session leads get a $50 discount on conference registration. Email us for more information.

    September 4: Our early bird deadline to register for the AFHTO 2019 Conference, “Health System Integration Built on the Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care”

    NEW Ontario follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors
    Cancer Care Ontario is sharing the new provincial follow-up care clinical guidance summaries for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, now available on their website. The summaries are to serve as concise and user-friendly informational tools for primary care providers to support the delivery of evidence-based follow-up care to their patients. If you have any questions, please email the Transitions in Care Team at TransitionsInCare@CancerCare.on.ca.

    Free workshop to develop support for patient-oriented research
    Do you know any patient partners, policymakers, managers or researchers who would benefit from learning more about how patient-oriented research can improve the patient experience and patient outcomes? If so, McMaster Health Forum is asking you to encourage them to register for one of their two remaining free, online training sessions:

    • Sept. 9 – Nov. 25, 2019 (sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30 – 3:30pm)
    • Jan. 6 – Mar. 23, 2020 (sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, 12 – 1pm)

    This is a limited opportunity for them to help bring a strong patient voice to both research and decision-making. Over 11 weeks, this virtual course will better prepare participants to support the conduct and use patient-oriented research in Ontario’s health system and become mentors to others looking to do the same.

    Managing benzodiazepine use in older adults- tool available
    The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has published a new clinical tool to support  the assessment and discussion of the use of benzodiazepines with older patients.

    Developed as part of the Knowledge Translation in Primary Care initiative, the Managing Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults tool focuses on the role of benzodiazepines in insomnia, anxiety disorders and panic disorder, with steps to support safely discontinuing, starting and continuing to prescribe benzodiazepines.

    LeaderShift Conference
    Leadershift logoRead more about the LeaderShift Conference that was held on July 11, 2019 and how attendees were able to connect and collaborate with their peers, learning how they were part of the #shapetheshift movement currently underway in the province.

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    Understanding an evolving opioid crisis, August 8, 2019
    HQO’s next Quality Rounds Ontario webinar. Find out more here.

    COPD Workshop, August 26, 2019
    The Lung Association’s – Ontario’s Provider Education Program will host a COPD Workshop in Mississauga and via OTN. Register here.

    Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada: Clinical Trials – What you Need to Know, August 6, 2019
    This webcast will provide blood cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with an overview of clinical trials concepts and processes. Find out more here.

  • AFHTO 2019 Conference: less than 5 weeks to early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2019 Conference: less than 5 weeks to early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2019 conference logo

    REGISTER BEFORE SEP. 4

     

    It’s officially August but before you check out for the long weekend, spare a thought for (barely) post-summer activities. Our early bird deadline of Sep. 4 is just over a month away.

    An easy way to be productive before leaving work?

    Our referral program is open until next Friday, August 9, 2019. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration!

    So far, although attendees have said they’ve been referred, they haven’t listed the organizations, so please remind your partners and stakeholders to mention your team’s name! Non-members and members alike can win.

    Another way to attend for free
    Due to a staffing change, we have an opening for a program host. These volunteers help keep our sessions on track and get complimentary registration in return. See the role description here and email paula.myers@afhto.ca if you’re interested.

    Other volunteer opportunities:

    • IHP Sessions- we still need leads for these individual sessions:
      • Administrative
      • Social workers

    If no leads are confirmed by August 19, we may have to cancel these sessions. All IHP session leads get a $50 discount on conference registration. Email us for more information.

    We also have other volunteer opportunities onsite for deeply discounted registration, such as registration desk, attendee assistance at breakfast and lunch and wayfinding. Email us for more information.

    And don’t forget, members get 50% off registration. Email us if you haven’t gotten your access code.

    Less than a month to get the hotel rate

    Westin pool and whirlpool
    <em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Westin Harbour Castle pool and whirlpool. Relax here after a busy day or get your laps in to start it off.</em>

    Book your hotel room before August 19. This ensures you get our group rate. After this date, rooms are released to the public. Prices start at $222. That’s more than $100 discount on current rates!

     

    Conference Highlights:

    Patients and students welcome! For general information, you can visit our conference page.  

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2019 Conference!

  • Bits & Pieces: AFHTO members & OHTs, last call for LEADS & more

    Bits & Pieces: AFHTO members & OHTs, last call for LEADS & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • AFHTO members & OHTs
    • Last call for LEADS learning series cohorts
    • Tomorrow’s the deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council
    • Seeking input: two draft quality standards for asthma care
    • Advancing frailty care in the community collaborative
    • Primary Care Virtual Community update
    • Seeking your input on patient and team engagement about concussion
    • Get rid of your fax machine: Ontario Privacy Commissioner annual report
    • Upcoming events regarding dementia and more

    AFHTO members & OHTs

    On July 18, 2019, the Minister of Health, Hon. Christine Elliott, hosted a town hall to provide an update on the next steps for becoming an Ontario Health Team (OHT) for those who completed a self-assessment. Of the more than 150 readiness assessments received, 74 teams have demonstrated the core components necessary for the development of the OHT (inclusion of primary care, acute care and community care).

    Thirty-one (31) teams have been invited to proceed to full application phase (which need to be submitted by October) and then forty-three (43) teams are moving to in development.

    After the town hall, multiple announcements for individual applications went out and AFHTO members so far are either leading or actively involved in multiple OHTs who can now proceed to full application.

    Read the full article to find out which teams have been announced so far.

    While AFHTO is working with our partners to determine supports and resources for our members, the Ministry has also engaged the McMaster Health Forum with housing some tools. Visit Rapid-Improvement Support and Exchange (RISE) – an interactive website that provides access to resources, experts and assistance for potential Ontario Health Teams.

    Last call for LEADS learning series cohorts
    As you know, our Ontario health care landscape is currently undergoing major systems transformation. Now more than ever, our leaders need the confidence to lead, the capacity to collaborate and the courage to transform!

    We urge you to take advantage of LeaderShift’s FINAL OPPORTUNITY to attend the 5-day LEADS Learning Series FOR FREE!  
     
    The deadline for North York, Barrie, Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga and London is today, July 30, 2019.     Travel subsidies are also available.
     
    APPLY TODAY! If you have already attended the series and know of a colleague who could benefit from this experience don’t forget to encourage them to apply!

    Let’s #shapetheshift together.  

    Tomorrow’s the deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council
    There are two vacancies on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council and we’re inviting all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply. More information and the Terms of Reference are here. One vacancy is a regular two-year term and the other is a one-year term for a maternity leave.
     
    Interested members are asked to complete this application by tomorrow Wednesday, July 31. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.

    hqo asthma feedbackSeeking input: two draft quality standards for asthma care
    Two quality standards are underway to address asthma care – because about 50% of people with asthma live with uncontrolled symptoms. Please share your thoughts on these draft quality standards by August 8, 2019:

    They’re accompanied by draft patient guides to help patients and caregivers ask informed questions of their health care providers. Both are being developed by Health Quality Ontario.

    Advancing frailty care in the community collaborative
    The Canadian Frailty Network and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement have launched Advancing Frailty Care in the Community (AFCC) Collaborative and will support teams to implement practice change interventions to improve the care and quality of life of those living with frailty and those who support them.

    The initiative will support up to 20 interdisciplinary teams from across Canada from November 2019 to September 2021. Deadline to apply August 21, 2019.

    Primary Care Virtual Community updatePrimary Care Virtual Community logo
    Did you miss the last Primary Care Virtual Community session?
    Materials from previous sessions are available through the Ontario College of Family Physicians Learning Management System. Please follow the prompts to create an account to view the materials.  

    There is no charge to create an account, and it’s open to all members of the Primary Care Virtual Community (i.e. not only family physicians). For additional information or assistance in logging in, please contact ocfpcme@ocfp.on.ca.

    Our next virtual community meeting will be held on September 25th, 2019.

    Seeking your input on patient and team engagement about concussion
    The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation is seeking your input on how to best engage primary care teams and patients/families about concussion. The ONF has been working to provide clarity and evidence-informed direction with respect to post-concussion care for healthcare providers by releasing the Standards of Post-Concussion Care and the 3rd Edition Guideline for Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury & Persistent Symptoms for Adults over 18 Years of Age.

    ONF has distributed thousands of hard-copy booklets of the Concussion Information for Patients and Families to teams across Ontario but is looking at being more efficient and strategical in the approach. They would like your assistance on how to best engage your team and patients and which resources and mechanisms could help achieve this goal. You can contact Judy Gargaro, ABI Director at 416-422-2228 x 216 or Judy.gargaro@onf.org.

    Ontario Privacy Commissioner 2018 annual report

    Get rid of your fax machine: Ontario Privacy Commissioner annual report
    The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (OIPC) released its 2018 Annual Report, Privacy and Accountability for a Digital Ontario on July 10, 2019. Per this Bennett Jones LLP blog post, highlights relevant to primary care include:

    • Cyberattacks– there is a rise in the frequency of ransomware incidents, with Ontario municipalities and health care institutions being particular targets.
    • Fax Machines– 6,000 of the reported 11,000 health information privacy breaches in 2018 were the result of misdirected faxes. The OIPC recommends Ontario’s health care organizations “reduce or eliminate dependence on fax machines”.

     

     

     

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    Canadian Conference on Dementia, October 3- 5, 2019
    The 10th annual conference will be held in Quebec City. Find out more here.

    Charting the Future of Primary Care: Leadership, Teams, and Culture, September 11 – 12, 2019
    Ivey Academy partnership program with the Harvard Medical School. Find out more here.

    Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada: Clinical Trials – What you Need to Know, August 6, 2019
    This webcast will provide blood cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with an overview of clinical trials concepts and processes. Find out more here.

  • AFHTO 2019 Conference: announcing Deputy Minister Helen Angus

    AFHTO 2019 Conference: announcing Deputy Minister Helen Angus

    Headshot of Helen Angus

    Fireside Chat with Deputy Minister Helen Angus

    We’re excited to announce that Helen Angus, Deputy Minister of Health and Deputy Minister of Long-Term Care, will be joining us for the Fireside Chat at our conference on the evening of Thursday, September 19.

    This is a great opportunity to hear the Deputy speak about Ontario Health and the formation of Ontario Health Teams in this time of health system transformation. She’ll speak for 20 minutes and then the floor will be opened for questions and conversation.

    Register now to join us for light snacks and conversation with a leader in health system restructuring.

     

     

    And in the spirit of Ontario Health Teams, remember our referral program is open until Friday, August 9, 2019. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! Non-members and members alike can win.

    Other sessions at the AFHTO 2019 Conference, “Health System Integration Built on the Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care”, focused on focused on collaboration and integration include:

    See all concurrent sessions at a glance.

    REGISTER TODAY

     

    Less than a month to get the hotel rate

    Westin Harbour Castle Lake View Terrace
    <em>Lake View Terrace at the Westin Harbour Castle. An earlier conference date means you can relax here on your breaks.</em>

    Book your hotel room before August 19. This ensures you get our group rate. After this date, rooms are released to the public. Prices start at $222. That’s more than $100 discount on current rates!

     

    Conference Highlights:

    Patients and students welcome! For general information, you can visit our conference page.  

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2019 Conference!

    AFHTO 2019 conference logo

     

  • Bits & Pieces: OHT current state survey, Health Canada funding opportunity & more

    Bits & Pieces: OHT current state survey, Health Canada funding opportunity & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • OHT current state survey  
    • Health Canada/PHAC funding on substance use
    • Hotel group rate deadline Aug. 19
    • Reminder- call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
    • Deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council is July 31
    • Ministry response on budget adjustments
    • CPSO consultations on draft policies due Aug 2
    • Upcoming events for NPs, RDs and more

    OHT current state survey  
    Thanks to those of you who have reached out to let us know the current status of your OHT applications. Great to see the level of primary care leadership across the province as OHT implementation progresses!

    We’re now asking EDs to complete this short survey to share some more detail on your team’s state and needed supports. We hope to hear from all teams, including those not part of this first round. It should only take 5-10 minutes of your time.

    We’re working closely with the OMA and OCFP to map out primary care involvement and to ensure teams have access to supports that will help improve OHT development and eventual implementation.
     
    Please complete the survey by Friday, August 2, 2019.
     
    If you have any questions, please contact bryn.hamilton@afhto.ca.

    Health Canada/PHAC funding on substance use
    On July 17, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new anticipatory Calls for Proposals. Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) will fund projects in three streams:

    1. Harm reduction, community-led and front-line initiatives;  
    2. Increasing access to pharmaceutical grade medications as a safer alternative to the contaminated illegal drug supply; and
    3. New approaches that address problematic methamphetamine use.  

    The application deadline is Thursday, September 26, 2019. More information, including detailed Guidelines for Applicants, can be found here: Substance Use and Addictions Program. If you have questions or you would like to request an application form, please contact hc.SUAP-PUDS.sc@canada.ca.

    Separately, the Public Health Agency of Canada will fund projects that use evidence-based approaches to reduce barriers to care for people who use drugs. Letters of Intent must be submitted by August 30, 2019 and the deadline to request the application package is 11:59am ET, August 7, 2019.More information can be found here: Pathways to Care. If you have questions, please contact phac.cgc.solicitations-csc.aspc@canada.ca with the subject line: LOI Pathways to Care.

    Westin hotel room

    Hotel group rate deadline Aug. 19

    With the AFHTO conference in September this year, the deadline to get the hotel group rate is Aug. 19. After that, rooms are released to the public, with no guarantees. Please book before the deadline to secure your spot.

     

     

    Reminder- call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
    The Ministry of Health invites AFHTO members to submit applications for establishing a public-facing digital identity, authentication and authorization (IAA) service for patients in Ontario’s health system. Full details on the eligibility requirements, the submission and review process, and project requirements and deliverables can be found in the Call for Applications document.

    The closing date for submissions is August 9, 2019 at 12pm EDT. Please send any questions to digitalhealthsecretariat@ontario.ca.

    Deadline to join our IHP Advisory Council is July 31
    There are two vacancies on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council and we’re inviting all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply. More information and the Terms of Reference are here. One vacancy is a regular two-year term and the other is a one-year term for a maternity leave.
     
    Interested members are asked to complete this application by Wednesday, July 31. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.

    Ministry response on budget adjustments
    AFHTO wrote to the ministry on May 31 with members’ questions and concerns about budget adjustments. The response was received on July 12 and has been posted for the triad.

    We’re in touch with the ministry on unanswered questions, and we’ll keep members posted as we receive more information.

    CPSO consultations on draft policies due Aug 2
    The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is requesting feedback on draft policies, all due Aug. 2:

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    FHT RD Conference + RD Research Afternoon, October 17- 18, 2019
    Education, networking and brainstorming opportunities to leave you feeling motivated about nutrition in primary care. Find out more here.

    NPAO Conference: Stronger Together: Our Time is Now, September 12-13, 2019
    Register for the NPAO Annual conference to network and engage with your NP colleagues. Learn more here.

    BORN Conference, November 7-8, 2019
    Held in Ottawa, the BORN conference connects the conversation between health-care providers, administrators, policy makers, researchers and students. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: join the IHP Advisory Council, free conference registration & more

    Bits & Pieces: join the IHP Advisory Council, free conference registration & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • Join our IHP Advisory Council!
    • Call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
    • How to come to the conference for free
    • IHP Session Leads needed
    • Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, July 17
    • Senior Friendly Care Learning Series
    • Ebola Virus Disease readiness memo
    • Upcoming events including BoneFit and more

    Join our IHP Advisory Council!
    There are two vacancies on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council, which was established in May 2018 to provide input on team-based care matters related to IHP issues; to give advice and input to the AFHTO board, staff, and leadership council; and to foster leadership across the IHP community within team-based models of care.
     
    We’re inviting all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply! More information and the Terms of Reference are here. One vacancy is a regular two-year term and the other is a one-year term for a maternity leave.
     
    Interested members are asked to complete this application by Wednesday, July 31. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.

    Call for applications: patient digital identity, access and authorization
    The Ministry of Health invites AFHTO members to submit applications for establishing a public-facing digital identity, authentication and authorization (IAA) service for patients in Ontario’s health system.

    Interdisciplinary and collaborative project teams made up of health care providers, technology providers and community-based associations and advocacy groups are encouraged to submit applications.

    Full details on the eligibility requirements, the submission and review process, and project requirements and deliverables can be found in the Call for Applications document.

    The closing date for submissions is August 9, 2019 at 12pm EST. There will be an information conference call during the week of July 22-26. Please RSVP your interest to attend by July 19.

    Please send any questions to digitalhealthsecretariat@ontario.ca.

    How to come to the conference for free

    Woman jumping over gap

    We have several openings for program hosts. These volunteers help keep our sessions on track and get complimentary registration in return. See the role description here and email paula.myers@afhto.ca  if you’re interested by Thursday, July 18, 2019.

    We also have a new referral program. All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! This offer is good until Friday, August 9, 2019. Find out more here.

     

    IHP Session Leads needed
    Other volunteer opportunities exist with the IHP Sessions- we still need leads for these individual sessions:

    • Administrative
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Social workers

    All IHP session leads get a $50 discount on conference registration. Email us for more information.

    Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, July 17
    Presented by Melanie Dugard, CPA, CA, Principal, Grant Thornton LLP, the second webinar in the Financial Webinar series is tomorrow, July 17, 12 noon- 1:00 p.m. It focuses on:

    • Role of a Board Member
    • Ontario Not-for-profit Corporations Act
    • CRA’s Risk Identification
    • Project Corporate tax filing requirements – HST, T2 and T1044 Not-for-Profit Information Returns

    You can register here.

    Senior Friendly Care Learning Series
    Co-developed with geriatric clinical experts from Ontario, on behalf of the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario, the sfCare Learning Series supports clinicians and organizations in providing best practices in care for frail older adults, and is a companion resource to the sfCare Framework.

    Available at no charge, the series comprises introductory educational modules for clinicians, along with supporting posters and patient handouts on 7 key clinical topics: delirium, mobility, polypharmacy, pain, loneliness, nutrition, and urinary incontinence. You can join their next webinar on July 26 to learn more.

    Ebola Virus Disease readiness memo
    A memo from the Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health regarding an update on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) readiness in Ontario regarding updated EVD guidelines, laboratory testing and educational webinars has been provided in English and French.

    Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, July 17, 2019
    Join AFHTO & Grant Thornton LLP for their second webinar in the Financial Webinar Series. Register here.

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    Members get 50% off registration; plus early bird rates are in effect! Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    BoneFit, September 2019 to March 2020
    The BoneFit schedule has been released for sessions in Sault Ste Marie, Guelph, Ottawa, Chatham and Kingston. Hosted by Osteoporosis Canada. View the schedule here.

    The Osgoode Certificate In Privacy Law And Information Management In Healthcare, November 5- December 3, 2019
    Attend this one-week certification program, suitable for professionals in the healthcare field. Find out more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #89: Mental Health and Addiction Initiatives in Primary Care

    In this issue

     

    • Mental Health and Addiction Initiatives in Primary Care
    • AFHTO 2019 conference

     

    Mental Health and Addiction and Primary Care
    In any given year, one in five Canadians, including over one million children and youth, experiences a mental health problem or illness1. Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada, and one-third of Canadians in need of mental health care report that their needs are not fully met1. Every Ontarian should have equitable access to mental health and addictions services and supports across the province.

    In order to reach this goal, patients must have access to mental health and addictions resources in all health care settings, including primary care. Integrating mental health services in primary care has been shown to decrease rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations, increase patient satisfaction and outcomes, decrease stigma, and increases access to services.

    AFHTO members have developed, implemented and evaluated a variety of mental health & addiction programs and initiatives focusing on improving access, quality of care, transitions, and integrations. Listed within the document below are some of these programs and initiatives that have been shared at previous AFHTO conferences. The presentations are categorized into three areas: access, quality of care, and transitions, integrations and partnerships.  

    Click here for a listing of AFHTO member mental health and addiction initiatives.

    The mental health and addiction sector is also working to improve access and services through the E-QIP (Excellence through Quality Improvement Project) initiative. E-QIP is a collaborative initiative of Additions Mental Health Ontario (AMHO), Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Health Quality Ontario. E-QIP is working with organizations (including primary care teams) across the province to identify and address quality issues that are relevant to specific regions and organizations. Click here to learn more about the E-QIP initiative and how you can get involved.

    AFHTO, CMHA and AMHO have recently partnered to complete a 4-part webinar series focusing on community and primary care QI projects and initiatives in the area of mental health and addiction. Click here to access the slides and recording of the first webinar. Keep an eye out for dates of the rest of the webinar series in AFHTO’s Bits & Pieces newsletter and QI in Action e-Bulletin.

    Email improve@afhto.ca if you would like to get in contact with any of the teams listed above to learn more about their programs or initiatives. Or let us know if you have developed a program or service that should be shared with our teams!

    AFHTO 2019 Conference

    Here are some important dates relating to this year’s AFHTO conference taking place September 19 & 20.

    • June 2019: Conference registration opens
    • August 19, 2019: Hotel group rate deadline
    • September 4, 2019: Early-bird registration ends
    • Sep 19 & 20, 2019: AFHTO 2019 Conference

    References:

    1. Mental Health and Primary Care Policy Framework. (2016). Centre for Addition and Mental Health. https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/pdfs—public-policy-submissions/primarycarepolicyframework_march2016-pdf.pdf  
    2. Addressing Mental Health and Addictions Needs in Primary Care – Canadian Mental Health Association. https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/addressing-mental-health-and-addictions-needs-in-primary-care/
    3. Michelle Funk, Benedetto Saraceno, Natalie Drew, Edwige Faydi. Integrating mental health into primary healthcare. Ment Health Fam Med. 2008 Mar; 5(1): 5–8.

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #88 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Balancing patient priorities for technical and interactional aspects of care in a measure of primary care quality

    Balancing patient priorities for technical and interactional aspects of care in a measure of primary care quality

     

    Cambridge University Press article published on January 1, 2019

    Authors:

    • Carol Mulder, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario, Queen’s University
    • Nadiya Sunderji, Waypoint Center for Mental Health Care, University of Toronto

     

    Abstract
    Aim:
    This study attempts to strike a balance to measure primary care quality in a way that considers what is important to patients, providers and the healthcare system, all at the same time.

    Background:
    The interest in delivering patient-centered primary care implies a need for patient-centered performance measurement. However, the distinction between measures of patient experience and technical aspects of care raises an unanswerable question: if a provider has good performance on technical measures but not on patient experience measures (or vice versa), what can be said about the quality of care?

    Methods:
    We surveyed patients to determine the relative priorities of each of a series of primary care measures in the patients’ relationship with their primary care provider. The on-line survey was co-designed with patient co-investigators. The items consisted of 14 primary care quality measures used in pre-existing performance report, 41 additional indicators including a novel set of patient-generated Key Performance Indicators and 17 questions about patients’ demographics, health and socioeconomic status as well as open-ended questions.

    Findings:
    Despite challenges, the study suggests that this is feasible. We argue that it is necessary to get better at measuring and finding ever-better ways to put patients at the center of primary care

    Click here for the full article on Cambridge University Press

  • AFHTO 2019 Conference: how to come for free

    AFHTO 2019 Conference: how to come for free

    Let us help you get to the AFHTO 2019 conference. Introducing our referral program!

    In the spirit of Ontario Health Teams and the potential for increased collaboration they represent, we’d like you to invite your community and partners to experience the conference for themselves and better understand the work you do.

    All non-members have to do is say who recommended them during registration and the organization with the most referrals wins a complimentary registration! Non-members and members alike can win. This offer is good until Friday, August 9, 2019.

    The AFHTO 2019 Conference, “Health System Integration Built on the Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care”, offers many sessions of interest with topics like:

    See all concurrent sessions at a glance.

     

    REGISTER TODAY

     

    Want another way to attend for free?
    We have several openings for program hosts. These volunteers help keep our sessions on track and get complimentary registration in return. See the role description here and email paula.myers@afhto.ca if you’re interested.

     

    Other volunteer opportunities exist with the IHP Sessions– we still need leads for these individual sessions:

    • Administrative
    • Health promoters
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Social workers

     

    All IHP session leads get a $50 discount on conference registration. Email us for more information.

     

    And don’t forget, members get 50% off registration. Email us if you haven’t gotten your access code.

     

    westin guest room

    Other ways to minimise cost include:

     

     

    Conference Highlights:

     

    Patients and students welcome! For general information, you can visit our conference page.  
    • Transitions from hospital to home
    • Digital coalitions
    • Integrated care for seniors with complex needs
    • Creative expansion of social work services
    • Increasing rural patient-centered care
    • Addressing social determinants of health
    • Promoting and treating youth mental health
    • Building health literacy capacity for patients and staff

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2019 Conference!

  • City of Kawartha Lakes FHT Celebrates grant for Seniors’ Play Park in Fenelon Falls

    Lindsay Advocate article published July 4, 2019

    By Laurie Scott, The Lambton Shield

    Local MPP Laurie Scott participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Ontario’s first Seniors’ Play Park, which is about to be built in Fenelon Falls. Thanks to the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team receiving a $121,600 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation earlier this year, the park is on its way to becoming a reality. 

    “I am pleased that the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team has been awarded a $121,600 grant to build the first Play Park in Fenelon Falls,” said Scott. “By providing a free and accessible recreational space for seniors, this is an investment in the promotion of social and active lifestyles.”

    The creation of a Seniors’ Play Park for Fenelon Falls is the initiative of local resident Penni Holdham. The basic idea behind designing outdoor gyms and play areas for older adults or those with mobility challenges is to help improve people’s overall health and fitness and reduce isolation. The park, located at the Lloyd Kelly Parkette behind the Red Apple, will provide 24/7 outdoor space with activity stations that have no barriers to access.

    “We are very proud to deliver the first Seniors’ Play Park in our area, generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Penni Holdham.

    The most recent population data available indicates that 50 per cent of people living in Fenelon Falls are over 55 years of age. Seniors Play Parks are designed for older adults looking to safely maintain their flexibility, agility and mobility through use of low-impact equipment geared for gentle exercise while enjoying time with friends. It’s expected that the park will be an outdoor recreational space where seniors can engage in a range of stretching and balancing activities using the onsite, fun and easy-to-use activity stations. There will be no fees or set hours to use the park and all activities are self-guided.

    “We are pleased to help provide opportunities for local seniors to stay active and socialize,” said Mike Perry, Executive Director of the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team. “There are great health – and health care cost savings – benefits to keeping active and this kind of park really has great potential.”

    The City of Kawartha Lakes municipality approved the park to be used for this purpose and will be taking care of its maintenance for the coming years. The park is scheduled to open this fall.

    The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $108 million to some 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.  For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca

     

    Click here to access the complete Lindsay Advocate article