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  • AFHTO 2022 Conference: less than 3 weeks to early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2022 Conference: less than 3 weeks to early bird deadline

    Reconnect and Reimagine: moving forward together

     

    Register before Sep. 28!

    Time to harness that back-to-school energy and register for the conference– there are less than 3 weeks to the early bird deadline!

    via GIPHY

    Networking update
    Social workers can sign up for focus groups by Sep. 9. Details on this and sessions for other groups and interests here.

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

    Conference Highlights:

    We’ll also release more information about other sessions so stay tuned!

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

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2022 Conference!

  • Bits & Pieces: aconitine poisoning memo and more

    Bits & Pieces: aconitine poisoning memo and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • CMOH memo re aconitine poisoning
    • Reminder- Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress, Sep. 15
    • Member stories
    • Submit questions for the fireside chat with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health by Sep. 23
    • First boosters open for children 5- to 11-years-old and more
    • Reminder – deadline to email re social worker focus groups at #AFHTO2022 is Sep. 9
    • Upcoming events including Immunizations Across the Lifespan and more

     

    CMOH memo re aconitine poisoning

    “I am writing to notify all healthcare providers and local public health units that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation concerning aconitine poisoning cases reported in Ontario this week. I am urging all healthcare providers to be alert for patients presenting with symptoms that are consistent with aconitine poisoning.”

    Read the full memo here.

    Reminder- Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress, Sep. 15

    Hosted in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into change processes and their impact on workplace mental health. Learn more and register here.

    Member stories

    Central Lambton FHT- Health team among the few accepting patients

    Peninsula FHT – Health unit commends Peninsula FHT for COVID-19 efforts

    Queens FHT – Nine new family doctors to practice in the City of Kingston

    Submit questions for the fireside chat with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health by Sep. 23

    Dr. Catherine Zahn profile picture shows her smiling with a closed mouth. She has a silver haired pixie cut and is wearing a dark grey top with black polka dots, grey pearl earrings and a statement necklace Matt Anderson

    We are pleased to welcome Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Catherine Zahn, and Ontario Health CEO, Matt Anderson, to the AFHTO conference this year at our pre-conference fireside chat on Oct. 11! Together, we will have an informal conversation about the current state of health care in Ontario, including their reflection on the role of primary care during the pandemic and in the build back of the health care system in the province.

    Moderated by AFHTO’s past president, Dr. Allan Grill, this session will be an important opportunity to hear about the work the government is doing. We encourage members to join and to submit questions by Sep. 23, 2022.

    First boosters open for children 5- to 11-years-old and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Reminder – deadline to email re social worker focus groups at #AFHTO2022 is Sep. 9

    Content below provided by University of Toronto
    We want to hear your thoughts on how social work practice is organized and supported in primary care! Take part in a 60-minute focus groups with other social workers to discuss how social work practice has shifted during the pandemic. We’ll be hosting focus groups in-person at the AFHTO 2022 Conference and invite you to join the discussion. Please note the in-person focus groups are for conference attendees but we’ll also host online focus groups for social workers who are not attending the conference.

    To participate, please email Simon at sck.lam@utoronto.ca by Friday, September 9 and let us know if you will be attending the conference.

    This study from the University of Toronto is led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, Associate Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and supported by the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

    Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: A Three-Part Series, starting Sep. 15, 2022
    Hosted by ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health. Register here.

    Immunizations Across the Lifespan, Sep. 17, 2022

    Hosted by Canadian Collaborative Research Network for family physicians and pharmacists. Register here.

    OMGMA Conference 2022: Together Again, Sep. 21- 23, 2022
    In-person event in Mississauga. Register here.

    OMD Digital Health and Virtual Care Conference, Sep. 29-30, 2022
    Virtual conference hosted by OntarioMD. Find out more here.

    NPAO 2022 Annual Conference, Sep. 22-23, 2022
    This years’ Conference theme is The NP Experience: Pushing Boundaries Towards Common Goals. Find out more here.

    AFHTO 2022 Conference, Oct. 12, 2022

    Join your peers from across Ontario and beyond as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together.

    Members get more than 50% off registration. Register with your verification code here.

  • First boosters open for children 5- to 11-years-old, updated public health guidance going into the fall

    September 1, 2022

    Dear members,

    Yesterday, the government announced that first boosters for children 5- to 11-years-old would be available as of today through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

    Primary care plays a huge role in the delivery of paediatric vaccines, including with counselling and educating parents and family members. If you haven’t yet done so or haven’t heard about the distribution of the paediatric vaccines, please contact your public health unit or the COVID-19 delegated vaccine lead.

    COVID-19 Paediatric Vaccination in Primary Care
    The ministry has shared the primary care update for vaccine implementation for the week of August 29.

    Vaccination uptake for children 0-4 years old is very low with first dose sitting at only 4.4% in Ontario. As of today, children 5- to 11-years-old qualify for their first booster, with a recommended interval of 6 months since the second dose (minimal of 3 months). Though the discretionary NACI recommendation is that this should be available to any child aged 5 to 11, the priority population is those with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.

    A reminder that the following resources are available:

    Updated Public Health Guidance
    In yesterday’s announcement, CMOH Dr. Moore presented updated public health guidance to manage COVID-19 during the respiratory illness season this fall. Some of the key highlights include:

    • If you are in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, continue to self- monitor for symptoms. There is no longer a need to isolate but you should wear a mask for 10 days when in public.
    • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or runny nose, stay home from school, work, and social events until your fever is gone and symptoms are improving, get a rapid antigen test or, if eligible, a PCR test. Wear a mask for 10 days after and avoid non-essential visits to high-risk individuals and settings.

    A reminder that you can still access PPE and RATs through the provincial stockpile, along with oxygen saturation monitors that are available to order for the COVID@Home program.

    Additional resources

    • Memo – Paxlovid prescribing in primary care – Testing and tools – EN and FR– OH, Aug. 30, 2022
    • Addendum: Guidelines for Pandemic Stockpile Use- EN and FR – MOH, Aug. 24, 2022
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Administration (version 7.0) –  EN – MOH, Aug. 31, 2022
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations (version 9.0) – EN – MOH, Aug. 31, 2022
    • Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario –  EN and FR – MOH, Aug. 31, 2022

    We know this fall will be challenging with the backlog you are trying to manage and bracing for the release of the influenza and the highly anticipated bivalent vaccines. As always, we’ll provide you with information as it becomes available, but please always feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

    In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the last few days of summer and continue to stay healthy and safe.

    Yours in good health,

    Your AFHTO Team

  • Bits & Pieces: deadline to come to #AFHTO2022 for free and more

    Bits & Pieces: deadline to come to #AFHTO2022 for free and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Deadline to come to #AFHTO2022 for free is today
    • Reminder- Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress, Sep. 15
    • Member stories
    • Paxlovid memo, addendum to COVID-19 PPE guidance and more

     
    • Integrate early literacy into your practice with Early Words/Premiers mots
    • Ontario Health seeking feedback on a new quality standard: sickle cell disease
    • Upcoming events including Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and more

    Deadline to come to #AFHTO2022 for free is today
    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. Deadline Aug. 31, 2022.

    Reminder- Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress, Sep. 15

    Hosted in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into change processes and their impact on workplace mental health. Learn more and register here.

    Member stories

    A large group of CarePoint Health staff stand in front of their logo in thier building

    CarePoint Health – PMH Success Story: CarePoint Health

    Credit Valley FHT – Canada experiencing shortage of family doctors

    Paxlovid memo, addendum to COVID-19 PPE guidance and more

    Recent updates include:

    • Memo – Paxlovid prescribing in primary care – Testing and tools – EN and FR– OH, Aug. 30, 2022
    • Addendum: Guidelines for Pandemic Stockpile Use- EN and FR – MOH, Aug. 24, 2022

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

    Integrate early literacy into your practice with Early Words/Premiers mots

    The Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation is inviting clinics and hospitals across Canada to apply to join its Early Words/Premier mots program. Early Words provides healthcare professionals with resources, training, and books to deliver early literacy support to families with babies and young children.

    If your team serves children from newborn to age five who face barriers to literacy, you can learn more here, and apply to join here. Expressions of interest are due by Sep. 30. For more information please email earlywords@childrensliteracy.ca.

    Ontario Health seeking feedback on a new quality standard: sickle cell disease
    Ontario Health is developing a new quality standard for sickle cell disease and invite you to review the draft and offer feedback. Primary care providers can play a key role in monitoring of symptoms and management of chronic complications for people with sickle cell disease. The quality standard and patient guide will be available for review here from September 2 to 23.

    Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: A Three-Part Series, starting Sep. 15, 2022
    Hosted by ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health. Register here.

    Immunizations Across the Lifespan, Sep. 17, 2022

    Hosted by Canadian Collaborative Research Network for family physicians and pharmacists. Register here.

    OMGMA Conference 2022: Together Again, Sep. 21- 23, 2022
    In-person event in Mississauga. Register here.

    OMD Digital Health and Virtual Care Conference, Sep. 29-30, 2022
    Virtual conference hosted by OntarioMD. Find out more here.

    AFHTO 2022 Conference, Oct. 12, 2022

    Join your peers from across Ontario and beyond as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together.

    Members get more than 50% off registration. Register with your verification code here.

  • Bits & Pieces: social worker focus groups and more

    Bits & Pieces: social worker focus groups and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Social worker focus groups at #AFHTO2022
    • Resources needed for library refresh
    • Hamilton FHT Green Initiative
    • Member stories
    • Want to come to #AFHTO2022 for free?
    • COVID-19 vaccination for kids under 5 materials and more
    • Free online module- Management of Transient lschemic Attack (TIA) and Minor Stroke
    • ECHO Ontario Mental Health Fall 2022
    • Call for abstracts- Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day
    • Upcoming events including Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress and more

    Social worker focus groups at #AFHTO2022

    Content below provided by University of Toronto

    We want to hear your thoughts on how social work practice is organized and supported in primary care! Take part in a 60-minute focus groups with other social workers to discuss how social work practice has shifted during the pandemic. We’ll be hosting focus groups in-person at the AFHTO 2022 Conference and invite you to join the discussion. Please note the in-person focus groups are for conference attendees but we’ll also host online focus groups for social workers who are not attending the conference.

    To participate, please email Simon at sck.lam@utoronto.ca by Friday, September 9 and let us know if you will be attending the conference.

    This study from the University of Toronto is led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, Associate Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and supported by the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

    Resources needed for library refresh

    We’re hoping you can help us update our members’ resource library! As you know, AFHTO maintains an extensive web-based library of resources for our members. This includes sample policies, agreements, and resources that have been contributed by members for members and/or developed by third-party affiliates. We’re reviewing and refining the resources to ensure the website layout is simple, intuitive, and helpful, as well as current and accurate.

    We’re asking you assist in the collection of sample documents that would be shared on our website such as:

    • Finance Policy Manuals
    • Operations Policy Manuals
    • HR Policy Manuals
    • Strategic Plans

    Please forward any sample resources to Alexander Christy at alexander.christy@afhto.ca. Members with any questions are welcome to contact Bryn Hamilton.

    Hamilton FHT Green Initiative

    Screenshot of video- Hamilton FHT logo with 'Green Initiative' underneath

    The HFHT Green Initiative is an interprofessional team developing practical solutions to improve patient health care outcomes while simultaneously reducing climate change.

    The initiative provides a free and evidence-based program which includes an action-based checklist, poster orders (1148 so far delivered), a monthly newsletter (17 sent so far), a CFPC Mainpro+ accredited webinar series (212 attendees thus far), an infographic series (31 different topics), 2 waiting room videos, 2 EMR-embedded prescription templates, patient facing group education, resource kits, and project support. For more information, please contact the HFHT Green Team at green.team@hamiltonfht.ca.

    Member stories

    Essex County NPLC – calls to open more nurse practitioner-led clinics in Windsor-Essex

    Georgina NPLC – PORTRAITS OF GIVING: Beth Cowper-Fung

    Hamilton FHT – new family doctors are opening a Hamilton Mountain clinic

    Want to come 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. Deadline Aug. 31, 2022.

    COVID-19 vaccination for kids under 5 materials and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Free online module- Management of Transient lschemic Attack (TIA) and Minor Stroke

    The West GTA Stroke Network team has developed a Free Online E-Learning Module on the Management of Transient lschemic Attack (TIA) and Minor Stroke: The Latest Best Practice! The target audience is primary care physicians. Learn more here.

    ECHO Ontario Mental Health Fall 2022
    Registration for Fall 2022 programming for ECHO Ontario Mental Health at CAMH and U of T is now open. Find out more and register here.

    Call for abstracts- Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day
    You can submit your research for presentation at the 2022 Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day, Oct. 14. Deadline Sep. 30, 2022. Find out more here.

    Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress Sep. 15

    Hosted in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into change processes and their impact on workplace mental health. Learn more and register here.

    Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: A Three-Part Series, starting Sep. 15, 2022
    Hosted by ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health. Register here.

    Immunizations Across the Lifespan, Sep. 17, 2022

    Hosted by Canadian Collaborative Research Network for family physicians and pharmacists. Register here.

    OMGMA Conference 2022: Together Again, Sep. 21- 23, 2022
    In-person event in Mississauga. Register here.

    OMD Digital Health and Virtual Care Conference, Sep. 29-30, 2022
    Virtual conference hosted by OntarioMD. Find out more here.

    AFHTO 2022 Conference, Oct. 12, 2022

    Join your peers from across Ontario and beyond as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together.

    Members get more than 50% off registration. Register with your verification code here.

  • AFHTO 2022 Conference: announcing fireside chat speakers

    AFHTO 2022 Conference: announcing fireside chat speakers

    Reconnect and Reimagine: moving forward together

     

    A Fireside Chat with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health – The Role of Primary Care during the Pandemic and Beyond

    Dr. Catherine Zahn profile picture shows her smiling with a closed mouth. She has a silver haired pixie cut and is wearing a dark grey top with black polka dots, grey pearl earrings and a statement necklace Matt Anderson

    We are pleased to welcome Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Catherine Zahn, and Ontario Health CEO, Matt Anderson, to the AFHTO conference this year at our pre-conference fireside chat on Oct. 11! Together, we will have an informal conversation about the current state of health care in Ontario, including their reflection on the role of primary care during the pandemic and in the build back of the health care system in the province.

    Moderated by AFHTO’s past president, Dr. Allan Grill, this session will be an important opportunity to hear about the work the government is doing. We encourage members to join and to submit questions by Sep. 23, 2022.

    Register today!

     

    Want to come 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. Deadline Aug. 31, 2022.

    Updates and deadlines

    Conference Highlights:

    We’ll also release more information about other sessions throughout the summer so stay tuned!

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

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2022 Conference!

  • Government’s 5-point Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery

    To EDs/admin leads, board chairs and lead clinicians of AFHTO member teams

    Dear members,

    This morning the government released its 5-point Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery.

    With a plan to focus on protecting hospital capacity and supporting long-term care, we are disappointed that there was no tangible supports for primary care as a key component in health system stability and recovery. Other than noting one way to ease emergency pressures on emergency departments- “increased access to the family health organization model of primary care will improve access to primary care and reduce demand for emergency department care”– the plan does not address the considerable backlog of mental health and addiction, chronic disease, cancer screening, and vaccination that is coming through your doors. And while primary care is only notionally addressed, mental health and addiction is not addressed at all.

    AFHTO will continue to advocate with our partners to push the government and Ontario Health to add needed supports in primary care. They have acknowledged primary care is an important part of the healthcare system and know the challenges it faces, so the question remains: why is it forgotten?

    Here are the highlights:

    Preserving our Hospital Capacity

    • Continue to provide access to testing for COVID-19, Paxlovid and Evusheld therapies for treatment for those who are eligible, with plans on expanding eligibility for Evusheld for high-risk populations in the coming weeks.
    • COVID-19 shots and flu shots will continue to be provided to Ontarians.
    • Free rapid antigen tests will continue to be available at participating grocery and pharmacy retailers as well as for workplaces, schools, and congregate settings.
    • Extend temporary COVID-19 physician funding.

    Providing the Right Care in the Right Place

    • Expanding the 9-1-1 models of care to include additional ailments and giving paramedics the flexibility to provide better, more appropriate care to divert patients from ERs.
    • There will be several initiatives to help avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, improve the process for ambulance offloading, and reintroduce respite services in long-term care.
    • Ontario is introducing legislation that, if passed, will support patients whose doctors have said they no longer need hospital treatment and should instead be placed in a long-term care home, while they wait for their preferred home.
    • Continue and expand funding of community paramedicine.

    Further Reducing Surgical Waitlists

    • Invest over $300 million in 2022–23 as part of the province’s surgical recovery strategy.
    • Work with hospitals to identify innovative solutions to reduce wait times for surgeries and procedures, including considering options for further increasing surgical capacity by increasing the number of OHIP-covered surgical procedures performed at independent health facilities.
    • Increase surgeries in paediatric hospitals and existing private clinics covered by OHIP, as well as fund more than 150,000 additional operating hours for hospital-based MRI and CT machines.

    Easing Pressure on our Emergency Departments

    • Increase access to the FHO model of primary care to reduce demand for ERs.
    • Launch a new provincial emergency department peer-to-peer program to provide additional on-demand, real-time support and coaching from experienced emergency physicians to aid in the management of patients presenting to rural emergency departments.
    • Adding 400 physician residents to support the workforce in northern and rural Ontario.
    • Working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to expedite the registration of doctors, including those from out-of-province and who may want to work in rural and northern emergency departments, so they can start working and caring for patients sooner.

    Further Expanding Ontario’s Health Workforce

    • Expand funding for the supervised practice experience partnership program which has already supported over 600 international nurses in getting licensed since January. The province anticipates that by the end of the fiscal year another 400 international nurses will gain the practice and language requirements necessary to work in Ontario.
    • Working with the College of Nurses of Ontario to reduce the financial barriers that may be stopping some retired or internationally trained nurses from receiving accreditation to resume or begin practicing by temporarily covering the cost of examination, application, and registration fees, saving them up to $1,500.
    • The province is aware that agency rates have increased significantly, creating instability for hospitals, long-term care homes and emergency departments. In response, Ontario will engage with frontline partners to better understand how to bring stability to hospitals and emergency departments, while protecting quality of care.

    The government notes these actions will “see faster access to health care, including lower wait times in emergency departments, lower wait times for surgical procedures and more care options right in their communities” and that “this will add up to 6,000 more health care workers. Combined with the initiatives included in the first phase of the plan that are adding 13,000 more staff, the two plans together are adding 19,000 more health care workers.” However, the actual number of health care workers that have left the system remains unknown.

    AFHTO will continue to work with the government and encourages local advocacy with MPPs. Many teams have new MPPs, so now is also a good time to reach out for introductions and to provide general info about the care you provide to some of their constituents. Those MPPs can then help inform government about the critical work you do in their communities, and how important it is for a stable, effective healthcare system that provides the best care and reduces demand on hospitals.

    The advocacy material from the campaign is still relevant – the advocacy is simply now to your MPP instead of multiple candidates –  and members can expect more material this fall after the Community Health Compensation Working Group has completed its Ontario Community Health Market Salary Review with our compensation consultant.

    Thank you for the work you all do every day. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

    Yours in good health,
    The AFHTO Team

  • QI in Action eBulletin #120: Striving for Health Equity and Better Health Outcomes

    In this Issue:

    • Striving for Health Equity and Better Health Outcomes at McMaster FHT
    • Targeted Poverty Screening Process Improves Health Equity
    • Collecting Race-Based and Indigenous Identity Data
    • Learning Opportunities
    • Upcoming Events

     

    Striving for Health Equity and Better Health Outcomes at McMaster FHT
    Content below developed by McMaster FHT

    Through the expertise and passion of Dr. Tejal Patel, Andrea Pansoy (PA), Dr. Amanda Ramdyal and Dr Anjali Menezes, McMaster FHT (MFHT) has developed an interactive program focused on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), anti-racism and anti-oppression (AR/AO) that has led to the hiring of a full-time EDI and AR Partner. Initially, a 4-part EDI & AR/AO educational session was created in response to a global awakening that is ongoing but came to a head in 2020.

    After the tremendous success of the initial series, the 3 creators and the EDI/AR Partner continue to support both the MFHT and our community partners formally and informally, through continued offerings including workshops, a lending library, a community of practice, weekly newsletter updates regarding internal and external events and learning opportunities, multi-cultural calendars and more. The MFHT has changed its approach to recruitment and retention and collaborates with equity deserving suppliers.

    Finally, the launch of the DFM Racialized Community of Support took place in June 2022, creating a safe space for self-identifying Black, Indigenous and/or racialized staff and faculty. Such a support group already exists for the family medicine residents learning at the MFHT, started by 2 residents in 2020/21.

    The team has created a Community of Practice and support groups, shared their reflective anti-racism and EDI prompts with 3 clinical Departments and their residency programs, as well as with the GHHN. Invitations have been extended further to other McMaster staff and faculty, as well as community partners to attend education sessions and promote the dissemination of this material.

    The team is working with resident groups to integrate this educational framework into resident education at McMaster University, and they are working on a literature review of anti-racism teaching within medical education. Find more information here or contact Jill Berridge at berridj@mcmaster.ca.

    Targeted Poverty Screening Process Improves Health Equity
    A research team at North York General Hospital and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto created an innovative way for family physicians to use a validated tool to screen their patients for poverty.

    The project used data managed by the University of Toronto Practice-Based Research Network (UTOPIAN) to identify patients living in low-income neighbourhoods by postal code and Statistics Canada census information and create a chart alert. During patient visits, physicians could then see the alert and use the evidence-based clinical tool to assess for poverty. Then if needed, physicians could offer referrals to North York FHT case workers to provide supports to improve patients’ well-being, which includes tax-filing assistance and income optimization. The results from this study are published in this peer-reviewed article.

    This project is one of the first to incorporate neighbourhood-level data into EMRs in community primary care settings and was funded through a Patient’s Medical Home Caring and Compassion Grant from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. For more information, please contact Joyce Lo at jlo@nyfht.com.

    Collecting Race-Based and Indigenous Identity Data
    CIHI released pan-Canadian minimum standards for collecting race-based and Indigenous identity data in health systems, along with guidance on their use. You can also view a supplementary report that identifies some key concepts and considerations related to collecting and using race-based and Indigenous identity data. For questions on the guidance and standards, please contact populationhealth@cihi.ca.

    Learning Opportunities
    2SLGBTQI Identity and Dementia: An Introduction for Healthcare and Social Service Professionals
    Egale Canada has a free e-module that takes 45-60 minutes to complete and is designed for healthcare providers, social work professionals, and other support personnel specializing in the care of people living with dementia. It may also be of interest to anyone working in homecare, community care or long-term care settings. For more information and to fill out the form to access any of Egale’s e-modules, click here.

    Call It Out: Racism, Racial Discrimination and Human Rights
    A 30-minute interactive eCourse from the Ontario Human Rights Commission that offers a foundation for learning about race, racial discrimination, and human rights protections under Ontario’s Human Rights Code. The course offers a historical overview of racism and racial discrimination, explains what “race”, “racism” and “racial discrimination” mean, and provides approaches to preventing and addressing racial discrimination.

    Upcoming Events

    Health Care Innovation: New Opportunities in the Digital Era
    Monday, September 12, 2022, 12:30-4:00 pm | Globe and Mail
    This half-day event will bring leading voices and experts in health care innovation together to discuss where the greatest opportunities lie, along with strategies to overcome barriers to implementation. Register here.

    Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress Webinar
    Thursday, September 15, 2022, 12-1 pm | Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario & AFHTO
    In a webinar hosted in partnership with CMHA Ontario, participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into change processes and their impact on workplace mental health from Nancy Hood, the head trainer of the Your Health Space program. Strategies for managing hybrid working models and combating stress will also be explored. Learn more and register here.

    POPLAR Webinar Series: EDIIA in Research
    Equitably improving primary health care requires research and practice-based learning that are thoroughly grounded in the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility (EDIIA). POPLAR, Ontario’s provincial primary healthcare Practice-Based Learning and Research Network has the vision to advance equitable primary healthcare delivery and health outcomes for everyone in Ontario, and is hosting the following webinars for anyone who wants to learn more about building these principles into their work:
     
    Part 2: Building Research Projects with an EDIIA Lens
    Friday, August 26, 2022, 12-1 pm | Dr. Vivian R. Ramsden, University of Saskatchewan
    Learn more and register here.

     
    Part 3: Embedding Equity in Leadership and Teams- Measuring EDIIA
    Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 12-1 pm | Dr. Nicole Kaniki, University of Toronto
    Learn more and register here.

    Part 4: EDIIA and Data – Building Capacity
    Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 12-1 pm | Dr. Andrew Pinto, Upstream Labs
    Learn more and register here.

    OMD Digital Health and Virtual Care Conference
    Thursday, September 29 to Friday, September 30, 2022
    Learn how to take advantage of innovative technologies to realize more of their benefits and integrate them with your EMR workflows. Find out more here.
     
    AFHTO 2022 Conference
    Wednesday, October 12, 2022
    Join your peers from across Ontario and beyond as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together. Members get more than 50% off registration. Register here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #119 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Striving for Health Equity and Better Health Outcomes at McMaster FHT

    Content below developed by McMaster Family Health Team

    Through the expertise and passion of Dr. Tejal Patel, Andrea Pansoy (PA), Dr. Amanda Ramdyal and Dr Anjali Menezes, the McMaster FHT (MFHT) has developed an interactive program focused on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), anti-racism and anti-oppression (AR/AO) that has led to the hiring of full-time EDI and AR Partner. Initially, a 4-part EDI & AR/AO educational session was created in response to a global awakening that is ongoing but came to a head in 2020. After the tremendous success of the initial series, the 3 creators and the EDI/AR Partner continue to support both the MFHT and our community partners formally and informally, through continued offerings including workshops, a lending library, a community of practice, weekly newsletter updates regarding internal and external events and learning opportunities, multi-cultural calendars and more. The MFHT has changed its approach to recruitment and retention and collaborates with equity deserving suppliers. Finally, the launch of the DFM Racialized Community of Support took place in June 2022, creating a safe space for self-identifying Black, Indigenous and/or racialized staff and faculty. Such a support group already exists for the family medicine residents learning at the MFHT, started by 2 residents in 2020/21. 

    Over the course of the offered workshops to date, attendance remains high with the average session attracting 40-100 people and overall participation for cumulative sessions is 700+. The Community of Support group had 13 participants in its inaugural session while the Resident Support Group averages approximately 20+ participants each meeting. These high attendance values reinforce the subjective comments the team receives regarding the impact, engagement and positive learning experience these sessions are providing. Further objective data obtained in a post-attendance feedback survey demonstrates 93% of survey respondents feel these sessions are a safe space in which to participate. The most common constructive feedback obtained through these same surveys is a regret regarding time limitations. 

    Through the many and varied offerings, feedback is solicited by participants to assist the team in evolving future offerings based on constructive and positive suggestions. Patients at the MFHT have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences through our bi-annual Patient Satisfaction Surveys, as well as in the upcoming Patient Advisory Committee focus on EDI & AR/AO planned for fall 2022. The team also collaborates with other anti-racism experts, external partners and organizations to ensure further quality improvements and the latest evidence is incorporated into their work. 

    The team has created a Community of Practice and support groups, shared their reflective anti-racism and EDI prompts with 3 clinical Departments and their residency programs, as well as with the GHHN. Invitations have been extended further to other McMaster staff and faculty, as well as community partners to attend education sessions and promote the dissemination of this material. The team is working with resident groups to integrate this educational framework into resident education at McMaster University, and they are working on a literature review of anti-racism teaching within medical education. For more information, please contact Jill Berridge at berridj@mcmaster.ca. 
     

  • These 3 new family doctors are opening a Hamilton Mountain clinic amid a national physician shortage

    CBC Hamilton Published an article on August 14th 2022

    By Bobby Hristova

    Hundreds of patients already signed up for the 688 Queensdale Ave. clinic that opens Monday.

    Hamilton Mountain is getting a new family medicine clinic that is poised to serve roughly 3,600 patients, an addition that comes amid a Canadian shortage of family physicians.

    The clinic, run by the Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT), opens Monday at 688 Queensdale Ave. and will have patients registered to doctors, rather than taking walk-ins.

    Doctors Natalie Klostermann, Joyce Moore and Rebecca Voth say they’re eager to get started.

    “Really getting to know the patient and see them through a lifetime, hopefully … is a privilege,” Klostermann said.

    You walk with people for many, many years … that’s the beautiful part of family medicine.– Dr. Rebecca Voth

    Moore grew up in Hamilton and Voth grew up in Kitchener, Ont. They both studied at McMaster University and Klostermann studied at the University of Toronto. All three now live in Hamilton.

    Terry McCarthy, HFHT executive director, said the three doctors are starting with no patients, which will benefit people looking for a family doctor.

    What’s behind the doctor shortage?

    Brad van den Heuvel, a recruitment specialist with Hamilton Physicians at the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, said there are roughly 363 active, permanent family doctors in the city. There are other part-time or contract doctors, but van den Heuvel noted it’s hard to track how many.

    He said the city needs roughly 50 more doctors (assuming local doctors are assigned to 1,380 patients each) to ensure everyone has one. But he notes that doesn’t mean there are thousands of people without care.