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  • Registration for the AFHTO 2013 Conference is now live!

    The AFHTO 2013 Conference to be held on Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.

    We look forward to seeing you!

  • AFHTO 2013 Conference: Call for “Bright Light” Award Nominations

    The deadline for AFHTO “Bright Light” nominations has been

    extended to August 6, 2013.

    Nominations are open for the second annual AFHTO “Bright Light” Awards program recognizing leadership, outstanding work and significant progress being made to improve the value delivered by Family Health Teams across Ontario. Awards will be presented at the AFHTO 2013 Conference Awards Dinner, on October 22, 2013.

    Nominate an outstanding team or individual for an award in one of eight award categories. Winners in three of these categories will receive an education grant*.

    Make a nomination

    Nominations for “Bright Light” awards will be reviewed and selected by the “Bright Light” Review Committee.

    “Bright Light” Award Categories

    1. Leadership and governance for quality
    2. Using data to improve care*
    3. Improving care for “the 5%”
    4. Integration: building the team beyond the FHT
    5. Advances in health promotion and chronic disease management*
    6. Improving care for seniors
    7. Innovation in interprofessional collaborative team implementation
    8. Meaningful use of EMRs*

    * Thank you to our generous sponsors for providing education grants to award winners in the categories marked above:

    • Merck Canada Inc. for providing a $3,000 education grant for the “Bright Light” award recipient in the Using data to improve care category.
    • Boehringer Ingelheim for providing four award recipients in the Advances in health promotion and chronic disease management category with the opportunity to attend the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Conference on March 9-11, 2014, in Washington, DC.
    • QHR Technologies (Accuro EMR by Optimed) for providing a $3,000 education grant for the award recipient in the Meaningful Use of EMRs category.

    Please note: Sponsors have no role in establishment of award criteria, call for nominations, judging or selection of the program winners.

  • Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care settings: Applications Due by July 23, 2013

    The following information was released on June 27, 2013 via e-mail to FHTs, CHCs, AHACs & NPLCs from the Ministry: On April 18, 2013, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care announced that Ontario will be integrating physiotherapists into Primary Health Care (PHC) settings, beginning in the 2013/14 fiscal year. The initial focus of this initiative is focused on the following PHC settings: Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Family Health Teams (FHTs), and Nurse Practitioner Led Clinics (NPLCs). Opportunities to integrate physiotherapy into primary health care organizations will be supported in settings where the focus will be on the inclusion of physiotherapy into existing interdisciplinary primary health care programs. This could include programs related to Lung Health (COPD/Asthma), Cardiovascular Health (Congestive Heart Failure), Diabetes, Healthy Aging etc. Funding is limited in 2013/14 however there will be future opportunities for integration in subsequent years. Click on the links below for the PHC physiotherapy funding application:

    Should your organization wish to apply for PHC physiotherapy funding please submit a completed application by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 to the following email address:

    phc.physiotherapy@ontario.ca

    To assist with receipt of applications submitted to the ministry, please include in the Subject line:

    2013 Primary Health Care Physiotherapy Application – “(Name/Type of Organization)”

    Sincerely,

    Melissa Farrell Director, Primary Health Care Branch

  • Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care settings: Call for Applications will launch in last week of June

    To assist primary care organizations in preparing proposals to integrate physiotherapists, the Ontario Physiotherapists Association (OPA) has share the following resource document defining the role of physiotherapists in primary care settings:

    The call for applications to integrate physiotherapists into primary care settings should be sent next week directly to all FHTs, AHACs, CHCs and NPLCs by the Ministry of Health and Long Team Care.

    *************************************************

    On Friday, June 14, 2013, AFHTO sent out the notice below from the Ministry regarding the applications process and criteria for successful applications: Following a consultation meeting yesterday with associations representing interprofessional primary care organizations (AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO), the Ministry has providing the following advance notice about physiotherapy to share with our members:

    On April 18, 2013, Minister of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) announced that Ontario will be integrating physiotherapists into Primary Health Care (PHC) settings, beginning in the 2013/14 fiscal year.

    Opportunities to integrate physiotherapy into primary health care organizations will be supported in interdisciplinary Primary Care settings where the focus will be on the inclusion of physiotherapy into existing interdisciplinary primary health care programs. This could include programs related to Lung Health (COPD/Asthma), Cardiovascular Health (Congestive Heart Failure) Diabetes, Healthy Aging etc.

    Successful applications will be those that demonstrate an advanced state of readiness (e.g. mature programs), evidence of collaboration with other primary health care organizations/providers and the impact of physiotherapist integration on patient needs and organizational programming.

    The ministry is planning on running a Call for Applications process for PT integration in 2013/14.  This will be open to FHTs, AHACs, CHCs, and NPLCs.  Please note that the Call for Applications is expected to be released the last week of June from phc.physiotherapy@ontario.ca.  Applicants will be given a fairly short timeframe for completion (approximately 3 weeks).  Please organize accordingly if you are interested in this initiative.

    An information package will be sent along with the Call for Application with additional information.

    From what was discussed at this consultation meeting, AFHTO would encourage all who are interested in integrating physiotherapy into your programs to apply. This will give the Ministry a sense of overall need and interest. The Call for Applications applies to the current fiscal year, and the criteria for successful applications are listed above. The Ministry indicates you will be able to apply for these positions again in future years, through the usual business planning process. While waiting for the Call for Applications, you are encouraged to develop your collaboration ideas with potential partners. The Ministry has stated a preference for joint proposals from groups of providers. This could include partnering with other FHTs, NPLCs, CHCs, AHACs and/or opening up programs to patients in the community who are not rostered/registered to the team. The scope includes requests to approve new PT positions (salary, benefits and appropriate overhead funding) and re-profile existing vacancies. Beyond this the applications are intended to be resource-neutral. You will receive the Call for Applications directly from the Ministry. There will be one central intake and review/approval process for all primary care organizations, regardless of model. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact Clarys.Tirel@afhto.ca (she’ll be back July 2) or Angie.Heydon@afhto.ca and/or your Ministry Consultant.

  • Update on employment of Physician Assistants

    AFHTO members may be interested in the time-limited funding to be made available by MOHLTC in the “Physician Assistant Career Start” program and other news related to the employment of PAs.  Click here to read the memo from Suzanne McGurn, ADM, Health Human Resources Strategy Division, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

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    In case you missed AFHTO’s June 5 e-mail, please click here for the full report of our recent meeting with the FHT Unit. Topics covered:

    • QIDSS implementation: how the allocations have been made and what to expect in their implementation
    • Physiotherapy in FHTs: timing and process to apply for positions
    • Health Links: staffing implications for FHTs that are coordinating and/or taking on care for more patients
    • Changes in Ministry reporting: ensuring FHTs have adequate training and lead time
    • Flexibility and accountability in FHT budgets: finding the way toward greater budget flexibility while enabling the Ministry to ensure good value and appropriate oversight for public funds
    • A number of specific budget pressures:  recognizing that 2013-14 budget packages are already in the approval process, these were noted with the view to improving the situation for the 2014-15 budget cycle
    • Transfer of rostered patients within a group: FHTs are seeking clarification of Ministry policy and application
    • As well as quick updates on other issues.

    These topics zeroed in on the priority issues identified and developed by AFHTO’s ED Advisory Council and Board of Directors, with input from the AOHC CFHT ED Executive group.

  • Letter to AFHTO Members: Nominations to the AFHTO Board open until August 1

    Dear fellow AFHTO members: Are you interested in serving on the AFHTO board of directors? The Governance Committee of AFHTO’s board invites anyone who works within an AFHTO member’s team to apply.

    FOUR people are to be elected for a 3-year term on the 14-member AFHTO board. The AFHTO bylaws call for balanced representation on the board to include the various forms of FHT governance, the regions of the province, and a mix of the professions working within FHTs. Due to existing gaps on the AFHTO board, candidates from eastern Ontario, and from professions other than EDs and MDs are particularly encouraged to apply. The AGM takes place in conjunction with the AFHTO annual conference.  This year it will be held: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM The Westin Harbour Castle 1 Harbour Square Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A6 The Governance Committee of the AFHTO board will review all applications to assist the AFHTO board to determine the slate of candidates to recommend to the AFHTO membership for election at the AFHTO annual general meeting. Nominees will be informed of their status by September 20. Following from AFHTO member advice at the last AGM, nominees who are not recommended for the slate can choose whether they wish to proceed with having their name go forward on the election ballot. Please:

    • Click here to read AFHTO’s Nominations and Elections policy.
    • Click here for information on the role and requirements of AFHTO board members.
    • Click here to fill in the nominations form.

    Sincerely, John Stanczyk Chair, Governance Committee AFHTO Board of Directors Pharmacist, Delhi Family Health Team

  • Nominations to the AFHTO Board are open until August 1

    Are you interested in serving on the AFHTO board of directors? The Governance Committee of AFHTO’s board invites anyone associated with an AFHTO-member teams to apply. Click here to see the Governance Committee letter to members and role descriptions. (Please note member login information is required to see this page, contact info@afhto.ca for assistance.)

  • Report from quarterly meeting with MOHLTC FHT Unit, June 3, 2013

    FHT Executive Directors representing AFHTO and AOHC members met with the FHT Unit on Monday.  Topics covered included:

    • QIDSS implementation: how the allocations have been made and what to expect in their implementation
    • Physiotherapy in FHTs: timing and process to apply for positions
    • Health Links: staffing implications for FHTs that are coordinating and/or taking on care for more patients
    • Changes in Ministry reporting: ensuring FHTs have adequate training and lead time
    • Flexibility and accountability in FHT budgets: finding the way toward greater budget flexibility while enabling the Ministry to ensure good value and appropriate oversight for public funds
    • A number of specific budget pressures:  recognizing that 2013-14 budget packages are already in the approval process, these were noted with the view to improving the situation for the 2014-15 budget cycle
    • Transfer of rostered patients within a group: FHTs are seeking clarification of Ministry policy and application
    • As well as quick updates on other issues.

    These topics zeroed in on the priority issues identified and developed by AFHTO’s ED Advisory Council and Board of Directors, with input from the AOHC CFHT ED Executive group. Please click here for the full report from the meeting. This report details the background, updates from the meeting and next steps on each of these items. Understanding the financial constraints within which the FHT Unit must operate, the AFHTO and AOHC group appreciated their openness to involving FHTs, through their associations, to find ways to optimize these scarce resources to deliver the best outcomes possible for patients.  The specific next steps include:

    • Consulting with AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO on implementation of physiotherapy positions in the interprofessional primary care models.
    • Convening a joint working group in the fall, with the aim to implement some initial improvements in the accountability reporting for the 2014-15 fiscal year, and thereby set the stage to enable greater flexibility in use of budgets.
    • Receiving evaluation and recommendations on the QIDSS roll-out from AFHTO’s QIDSS Steering Committee.
    • Giving the opportunity for FHTs, through their association structures, to give input into priorities for funding.

    The meeting participants were:

    • MOHLTC: Phil Graham (Manager, FHTs and Related Programs), Richard Yampolsky (Program Manager, FHT Implementation), Fernando Tavares (Senior Program Consultant).
    • FHT EDs: Randy Belair (Sunset Country FHT in Kenora), John Golanch (Owen Sound and Sauble FHTs), Lynne Poff (North Hastings FHT in Bancroft), Keri Selkirk (Thames Valley FHT in London)
    • Association staff:  Angie Heydon and ClarysTirel (Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario), Sophie Bart and Tara Galitz (Association of Ontario Health Centres).

  • Couchiching FHT an innovative approach to health care

    Couchiching FHT is featured for growing primary care in their community. They have developed innovative diabetes and congestive heart failure clinics and geriatric programs to help keep patients healthy and at home longer. They have recently opened a brand new facility to provide care from one location for their Orillia community. Click here to read the full article in the Orillia Packet.

  • Advancing use of data and measurement in FHTs

    This is an update for AFHTO members on activities to advance use of data and measurement in FHTs (scroll below for more information):

    • Dr. Rick Glazier, Lead Scientist in ICES Primary Care and Population Health Program, joins AFHTO board
    • AFHTO recruitment is underway for a QIDSS Project Manager
    • AFHTO to establish QIDSS Steering Committee
    • Status of approvals for new QIDSS positions in FHTs
    • Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) EMR Working Group is collaborating to resolve common problems for users
    • AFHTO Conference 2013 features streams in using data to improve care and meaningful use of EMRs

    Dr. Rick Glazier, Lead Scientist in ICES Primary Care and Population Health Program, joins AFHTO board

    AFHTO’s strategic direction gives priority to ensuring FHTs are supported to measure and improve the quality of care they deliver. AFHTO’s board is thrilled that Rick Glazier, one of the key forces advancing the use of data for improvement in Ontario, agreed to fill a mid-term vacancy on the board.

    AFHTO recruitment is underway for a QIDSS Project Manager

    Following from AFHTO’s Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role, AFHTO has just launched recruitment for a QIDSS Project Manager to coordinate start-up activities among the FHTs that will host QIDSS positions, and foster on-going mentoring, coordination and collaboration among the QIDSSs.  The Project Manager will also support the QIDSS Steering Committee (see below) to achieve successful completion of QSC-approved projects, communications and provision of agreed support services to all participating FHTs.

    AFHTO to establish QIDSS Steering Committee

    Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role also presented the need for a QIDSS Steering Committee (QSC). This body will set specific project priorities and objectives to advance best practice and optimize performance measurement capacity across the FHT sector. Once it’s known which FHTs will be hosting or participating in QIDSS partnerships, AFHTO members will be invited to nominate candidates for QSC.

    Status of approvals for new QIDSS positions in FHTs

    FHT budget proposals are part way through the Ministry’s internal approval process. FHTs would receive confirmation of funding with their budget approvals – best guess is this will be about the beginning of July. We anticipate seeing 32 – 33 positions allocated, to be shared amongst groups of FHTs.

    Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) Working Group is collaborating to resolve common problems for users

    The PSS Working Group was born out of user desire to get better value from this EMR, deployed in about half of all FHTs. With leadership from a couple of FHT EDs to get this off the ground, the PSS Working Group now comprises 22 members from FHTs and from TELUS, the parent company for PSS EMR. A progress report went out last week to the leaders of FHTs using PSS. (If your FHT uses PSS and did not receive this e-mail, please contact info@afhto.ca to be added to this distribution list.)

    AFHTO Conference 2013 features streams in using data to improve care and meaningful use of EMRs

    There will be plenty to learn on these topics at the AFHTO 2013 Conference, October 22-23 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. A highly-experienced working group is currently reviewing over 30 presentation proposals to choose the best for the concurrent sessions on Using Data to Improve Care and Meaningful Use Of EMRs. Conference registration opens in a month.