Ultimate Blogging Championship

Blog

  • Immediate Need for Case and Contact Management

    Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads,

    This message is being sent out on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Population Health Initiatives with regards to their need to immediately support the provincial care and contact management strategy, especially in regions where the COVID-19 numbers are steadily increasing. If you have any team members who can be redeployed to do this virtual work (it can be done in any part of the province), please read through the ask and contact Elise at the email below. In addition, if you have any questions or would need additional supports to even consider this request please let us know ASAP and we will do our best to provide the supports and/or answers that you need.
    ***
    The Ministry of Health (MOH) has identified a need for individuals who can be temporarily redeployed to assist with case investigation and management as part of the province’s enhanced Case and Contact Management Strategy.

    This critical work is central to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, through reaching out to positive cases, investigating acquisition and determining close contacts. The ministry is looking for individuals available for temporary redeployment beginning October 2020.

    Individuals interested in providing support will complete virtual training modules developed by Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Case managers will conduct interviews of patients with confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, with a focus on empathy and cultural competency. Interviews should include providing disease-specific information; assessing signs and symptoms, and underlying health conditions; discussion symptom onset to determine window period for contact elicitation and exposure risk for contacts; discussing activities to identify who may have been exposed; eliciting information on close contacts; and assessing support needs to maintain health and compliance during self-isolation. All work will be completed remotely.

    We are looking for primary care teams that can sufficiently maintain access to its programs and services but still have capacity to redeploy health professionals with experience in interviewing/counseling patients in a health care setting to assist with case investigation and management. Knowledge and experience in communicable diseases of public health interest, and in infection prevention and control practices in community settings, would be an asset. Individuals should have strong emotional intelligence and communication skills. Additional language skills would also be an asset.

    For any questions or to indicate interest in providing support for this work, please contact Elise.Belzil2@ontario.ca.

    ***
    Thank you for considering this request and again, if you have any questions please let us know.

    Additional Information:

     

  • Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill

    Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill

    Allan Grill

     

    I’ve sat on the AFHTO Board for six years and learned a great deal from many talented colleagues across our province who have volunteered their time to advocate for high quality, inter-professional, team-based primary care for all Ontarians. I’ve enjoyed our committee meetings and in-depth discussions on how to improve our health care system. I also continue to be amazed by the motivation and enthusiasm of Kavita and her skeleton staff to support us no matter what barriers stand in their way.

    Last week, my term as President began at the annual AFHTO conference. I must admit that it was bitter sweet. Usually the incoming President addresses conference attendees in person and then has a couple of days to schmooze and meet new members. It’s a nice escape from the hustle bustle of our practices, and one I look forward to every Fall. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, prevented that from happening this year.

    The live event was replaced with yet another virtual encounter, something we have all gotten very used to in a short amount of time. In particular, I felt for my predecessor, Dr. Tom Richard. Given all of the hard work he’s put in as President this past year, a thank you wave via Zoom just didn’t seem like the proper send off.

    Fortunately, the conference was immediately followed by the Thanksgiving Long Weekend; a time for self-reflection and gratitude for what we should all be thankful for in our lives. Our health. Fulfilling careers. Relationships with friends and family. My adorable puppy dog, Preston. I realized the privilege I was given during the conference to interview our Minister of Health, the Honourable Christine Elliott (which my wife and kids thought was pretty cool, by the way).

    Reconnecting with my Markham Stouffville Hospital colleague, Dr. Jane Philpott, was also a highlight for me. We have all followed her career as a physician, politician, and educator with awe, and her passion for improvement and change is something we should all continue to strive for. Finally, seeing the effort put forth by all of you to share stories and advice during the concurrent sessions reminded me of the strong community of practice we continue to build together.

    So to kick off my term, I have decided to set three goals for myself. The first is stakeholder engagement. I’m a believer in building and maintaining relationships, and look forward to collaborating with our primary care partners to advocate on your behalf and that of the patients we serve. Secondly, I’m going to promote the incredible work that we all do each and every day whenever I get the opportunity (and I encourage you all to do the same). Primary care often takes a back seat to other squeaky wheels in the health care space – probably because we are so busy servicing our communities! And finally, I’m a strong believer in feedback. AFHTO wants to hear from you, early and often. The Board needs to be aware of both your innovative ideas and pain points. I won’t promise to have a solution for everything, but we will continue to listen attentively. So don’t be a stranger!

    These are challenging times no doubt. There is so much uncertainty about how long the pandemic will last and when our lives will return to some degree of normalcy. Lucky for us, uncertainty is one of the hallmarks of primary care practice. We aren’t afraid to acknowledge it or suggest solutions to tackle it.

    So let’s continue to lean on each other as we navigate through uncharted waters, as I suspect we are all feeling a sense of burnout from time to time. Just because we need to maintain a physical distance between each other doesn’t prevent us from strengthening our social relationships.

    I’m looking forward to this journey. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Dr. Allan Grill

    President & Chair

     

  • Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2020 Award Winners!

    Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2020 Award Winners!

    bright lights 2020 logo

    On October 8 AFHTO named the winners of our annual Bright Lights Awards at our first ever virtual ceremony. These innovators have improved primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators and team players whose work has an impact on the healthcare system and in the lives of their patients and communities.

    The review committees made up of AFHTO members chose the winners from among dozens of nominations. AFHTO gave awards for each of our five conference themes, as well as two spotlight awards for excellent response to COVID-19. The winners in the conference themes will receive a $750 education grant each courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim.

    In addition, AFHTO’s board presented a special award to a teacher whose contribution helped prepare families for a return to school during a pandemic.

    Board Award: Darren Abenstein

    In recognition of: Preparing Families for a Return to School During a Pandemic
    This year, the board has recognized Darren Abenstein, a high school teacher for the York Region District School Board who worked with his wife, a Markham FHT physician, to create a practical guide for concerned parents on how to prepare for back to school.

    The five theme recipients of Bright Lights Awards and the winner of the spotlight award are listed below. Click on the links to read a summary of their achievements:

    1.    Central Brampton Family Health Team

    • Award Category: Mental Health and Addiction Support in Primary Care
    • Achievement: Coping Conversations webinar series

    Central Brampton FHT created a webinar series that succeeded in keeping them connected with their patients despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which evolved to fulfil more needs through their feedback.

    2. Amherstburg Family Health Team

    • Award Category: Integrating Digital Health and Virtual Care
    • Achievement: Increased daily appointments and after-hours access with platform that incorporated EMR

    To combat COVID-19’s impact on patient care, Amherstburg FHT used virtual care to increase same day/next day appointments from 25 to 60 percent throughout the pandemic and more than double after-hours access to care.

    3. Ontario Health West Teams

    • Award Category: Integrated Care and Community Responses
    • Achievement: Created web-based COVID-19 assessment system

    FHTs in the Ontario West Region and their partners created the COVID Population Health Navigator (Navigator), a web-based system that allows for virtual assessments of all patients — with minimal wait times — and makes it possible to collect population health data to better understand analytics and pandemic spread in each region.

    4. Delhi Family Health Team

    • Award Category: Public Health and Primary Care
    • Achievement: Created inter-county Primary Care Response Team to address COVID-19 cases among seasonal agricultural workers

    An interdisciplinary, mobile Primary Care Response Team (PCRT) assisted migrant farm workers in need, providing early intervention and reducing hospital admissions.

    5.    Couchiching OHT Social Determinants of Health Working Group

    • Award Category: Addressing Social Determinants of Health
    • Achievement: Creation of community-wide COVID-19 response strategy

    Various agency partners of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team created a COVID-19 response working group that adopted a response strategy for the Couchiching area. The partners’ response resulted in zero cases of COVID-19 in congregate living settings.

    6. The Spotlight Award: Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic

    • Award Category: Demonstrating a Community Response to COVID-19
    • Achievement: WE Health lending program

    As the pandemic took hold, Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic initiated WE Health, an electronic device lending program that allowed its vulnerable populations including the elderly, and high-needs patients access to services online when it wasn’t safe or possible for them to take advantage of in-person services.

    7. The Spotlight Award: Couchiching Family Health Team

    • Award Category: Demonstrating a Community Response to COVID-19
    • Achievement: Well-being program for area seniors

    Couchiching Family Health Team partnered with others to create and implement a program to ensure that their seniors’ health was addressed during COVID-19..

    Congratulations to all our winners and nominees! You can watch the ceremony here. And to see all our nominees please visit the 2020 Hall of Fame.

    The call for nominations for the 2021 Bright Light Awards will go out in June 2021. All AFHTO members are welcome and encouraged to participate.

  • Bits & Pieces: check your junk mail, how to get up to $150,000& more

    Bits & Pieces: check your junk mail, how to get up to $150,000& more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • How to get up to $150K to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID
    • #AFHTO2020: yes, we’re asking you to check your junk mail
    • Virtual mental health tools demonstration & video testimonial for Mental Health Awareness Day

     
    • Dr. Elizabeth Muggah now President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • COVID-19 screening tool for children in school and childcare and more
    • Upcoming events regarding Arts on Prescription and more

    How to get up to $150K to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID

    Resilient Communities Fund webinar

    The Ontario government is investing $83 million to provide grants through the Resilient Communities Fund to help eligible non-profit organizations, including family health teams and primary care organizations, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities. All teams are eligible to apply for this financial support!

    On September 29, we hosted a webinar about how teams can tap into these funds. The submission deadline is December 2. Slides and video now available.

    #AFHTO2020: yes, we’re asking you to check your junk mail

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

    If you registered for the conference by Oct. 2, your login information was sent by in an email titled “AFHTO 2020 Conference login Information and tips for your conference experience” by Sunday, Oct. 4. Please check your junk mail if you haven’t seen this email.

    If you did not receive the email please contact regAFHTO@mosaicevents.ca.
    And if you haven’t registered yet, you still can- join your peers from Ontario and beyond!

    Virtual mental health tools demonstration

    Virtual mental health tools demonstration & video testimonial for Mental Health Awareness Day

    On Sep. 24 we hosted a demonstration of Togetherall, BounceBack and Beacon, all provided free of charge.

    Slides and video available

    Togetherall also has video testimonial and graphics to be released on Mental Health Awareness Day Oct 10. Find materials here.

    Dr. Elizabeth Muggah now President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians

    Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Muggah of Bruyère Academic FHT, who has been installed as the OCFP president.

    COVID-19 screening tool for children in school and childcare and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Arts on Prescription: Improving health and wellbeing through arts participation, Oct. 6, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    You can still register for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Find out more here.

    COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians, October 16, 2020

    Join the OCFP and Department of Family and Community Medicine at UofT for their 10th CoP meeting in their series ‘Changing the way we work”, focusing on rising case counts, respiratory assessment centres, flue shots and more during COVID-19.
    Learn more here.

    Respiratory Health Forum, Oct. 21, 2020.

    This year’s forum will be held virtually and is completely free! Learn more about lung health alongside other primary care professionals.
    Learn more here.

  • AFHTO 2020 Conference: early bird rate deadline today

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: early bird rate deadline today

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo

    Register for the AFHTO 2020 Conference before midnight EDT!

     

    Register at the early bird rate to save on registration. After today, rates increase for both members and non-members.

    In previous years we have sometimes extended the deadline, but this is the closest to the conference we’ve ever had, so there will be no extension this year.

    Updates

    • Crossing Chasms: Primary care teams’ response to COVID-19– highlights of team initiatives to combat COVID-19- part of our free morning on Thursday
    • Posters– select presenters will be available to chat with attendees at the end of each day

    Group discount expires today

    Starting today, when you register two or more people, you save 15%!

    Save 15%, when you register two or more people. Now’s a great time to invite your partners- whether you’re in OHTs or less formal networks, register together and take advantage of this offer. Expires today.

    Register today!

    Conference Highlights:

    And don’t forget, members get a deep discount on registration. Email us now if you haven’t gotten your access code! Patients and students welcome! For general information, you can visit our conference page.  

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2020 Conference!

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories in AFHTO annual report, call for stricter measures to address COVID-19 & more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories in AFHTO annual report, call for stricter measures to address COVID-19 & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO annual report featuring your stories
    • Letter to the Premier for stricter measures to address COVID-19
    • Two days to the #AFHTO2020 early bird deadline
    • Indigenous relationship and cultural safety (IRCS) courses
    • COVID-19 testing guidance update and more
    • Survey of IHPs in FHTs during the COVID-19 pandemic
    • OMA flu vaccination administration survey
    • Guelph FHT annual report
    • Reminder- research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study
    • Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    • Upcoming events regarding Arts on Prescription and more

    2020 annual report

     

    AFHTO annual report featuring your stories

    We released our 2020 annual report in the notice for our annual general meeting sent to the triad yesterday. Read for a reflection on a tumultuous year, including ways primary care teams have risen to the challenge.

     

     

    Letter to the Premier for stricter measures to address COVID-19

    “The measures announced on September 25th are not sufficient. Protecting the most vulnerable in the province and conserving the limited health care resources we have should be our number one priority.”

    Today AFHTO, NPAO and OCFP sent a letter to the Premier calling for stricter measures to address escalating numbers of COVID-19 cases before the situation becomes unmanageable. Read the full letter here.

    Two days to the #AFHTO2020 early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

    We’re connecting with our speakers including Helen Bevan, editing the Bright Lights video, and preparing for a memorable conference next week. Don’t forget to do your part and register by this Thursday, Oct. 1 for the early bird discount. Group discount now available!

    In previous years we have sometimes extended the deadline, but this is the closest to the conference we’ve ever had, so there will be no extension this year.

    Indigenous relationship and cultural safety (IRCS) courses
    Primary care can pick from 13 e-learning courses on Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety by Cancer Care Ontario and earn certified credits. Find out more here.

    COVID-19 testing guidance update and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Survey of IHPs in FHTs during the COVID-19 pandemic

    We are now six months since the initial restrictions of COVID-19 and Queen’s University researchers are interested in hearing about your experiences working in FHTs during this time. You’re invited to participate in a brief web-based survey to understand the evolving experiences of interprofessional health care providers in Family Health Teams in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This research is being led by Drs. Catherine Donnelly (Associate Professor, Queen’s University) and Jordan Miller (Assistant Professor, Queen’s University). If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Catherine Donnelly by email at catherine.donnelly@queensu.ca.

    OMA flu vaccination administration survey

    Many primary care providers will have difficulty conducting their usual flu vaccine clinics due to limits on physical space, PPE supply and office cleaning requirements, among other challenges. OMA has developed a survey to find out the barriers you’re anticipating, what supports might be helpful and the innovative ideas you are leading or participating in as you prepare for flu vaccine administration. They would greatly value your input through this five-to-seven-minute survey. Please respond by Oct. 7.

    If the survey is being done as a group, please note as such and do not complete the survey more than once.

    Guelph FHT annual report

    The Guelph Family Health Team 2019-2020 Annual Report is available to read online. Learn about the work they do to provide patient-guided quality focused care.

    Reminder- research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study

    Researchers in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto are currently recruiting youth with concussion to participate in a study exploring the use of telerehabilitation for concussion management. Youth will participate in a 6-week rehabilitation program consisting of education, support and low-intensity exercise delivered by a kinesiologist or occupational therapist through weekly videoconferencing appointments.

    Who can participate?

    • Youth (ages 13-18 years) experiencing concussion symptoms
    • At least 2 weeks post-concussion

    For more information click here. To help with participant recruitment, please contact the research team at oaktelerehab@utoronto.ca or 416-946-3273.

    Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey. Updated deadline Oct. 30.

    Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease diagnosis and management: An overview for general practitioners, Sept. 30, 2020

    Recognize clinical factors and learn to treat NTM pulmonary disease.
    Learn more here.

    Arts on Prescription: Improving health and wellbeing through arts participation, Oct. 6, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

    Respiratory Health Forum, Oct. 21, 2020.

    This year’s forum will be held virtually and is completely free! Learn more about lung health alongside other primary care professionals.
    Learn more here.

    COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians, October 16, 2020

    Join the OCFP and Department of Family and Community Medicine at UofT for their 10th CoP meeting in their series ‘Changing the way we work”, focusing on rising case counts, respiratory assessment centres, flue shots and more during COVID-19.
    Learn more here.

  • A Joint Open Letter for stricter measures to address COVID-19

    September 29, 2020

    The Honourable Doug Ford
    Premier’s Office
    Room 281, Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
    Toronto, ON M7A 1A1

    Dear Premier,

    Ontario has now surpassed the highest number of daily cases that were identified during wave 1 in the spring. With 700 cases reported yesterday, it is time to look at stricter public health measures to curb the escalation of the pandemic this fall.

    Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and primary care teams are at the frontline of care and many of them were, and continue to be, redeployed to hospitals, long-term care facilities and assessment centres. We support the Ontario Hospital Association and multiple other health and community sector stakeholders with the call for stricter measures to address these escalating numbers before the situation becomes unmanageable. The measures announced on September 25th are not sufficient. Protecting the most vulnerable in the province and conserving the limited health care resources we have should be our number one priority.

    Increased support for schools to reduce class sizes and facilitating physical distancing is essential. Parents must feel safe sending their children to school and not worry about a child’s sickness possibly impacting their ability to work, especially those on the frontlines. To enable schools to stay open and to prevent an unmanageable demand on the healthcare system, temporary restrictions should also be in place for non-essential businesses, such as indoor dining and bars, movie theatres, gyms and places of worship. A return to Stage 2 in regions where numbers are increasing substantially such as Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa is necessary now in order to reduce what will be an overwhelming impact on not just acute care capacity but also congregate settings like Long-Term Care Homes that have already been hit with so much devastation and loss of lives this year.

    Stronger contact tracing and faster testing with increased lab capacity must be priorities, especially with expanded asymptomatic testing in pharmacies. Public communications need to be clearer with direct messaging about what each individual is responsible for if we are to combat this virus. COVID-19 can be managed if people act on physical distancing, practice proper hand washing, and wear a face covering when needed. Social bubbles have exploded and these need to be rolled back to smaller numbers. The health and economic wellbeing for all Ontarians rely on the actions taken by each one of us. Expectations must be understood and enforced across the province and by the province.
    The repercussions on businesses forced to close will be devastating and we all know that many businesses are still struggling today. Government supports at all levels will be needed to help, but right now there is an immediate need to act decisively and return to Stage 2 for those regions experiencing a high number of cases.

    Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and primary care teams stepped up to keep our communities and hospitals safe during the first wave and are prepared to continue to be the foundation, but the demand for that care must be manageable, and at this rate it will not be.

    Thank you for your continued work to battle this pandemic and to support the lives and wellbeing of every Ontarian.
    Sincerely,

    Dr. Tom Richard, President and Board Chair, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

    Kavita Mehta, CEO, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

    Shawn Dookie, President, Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario

    Dana Cooper, Executive Director, Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario

    Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, President and Board Chair, Ontario College of Family Physicians

    Leanne Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario College of Family Physicians

    Cc:
    Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
    Hon. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care
    Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health
    Mark Lawson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Policy, Office of the Premier
    Heather Watt, Chief of Staff, Minister of Health
    Laurel Brazill, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Minister of Health
    Anthony Dale, President & CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

    See the pdf version here.

  • Notice of the Annual General Meeting- Oct. 8, 2020

    Dear AFHTO Members:
     
    This Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being e-mailed to the Board Chair, Executive Director, Lead Physician or Clinic Director Nurse Practitioner, of each organization who, according to the AFHTO by-law, is eligible to vote. The AGM will be held just before the official opening of the AFHTO 2020 Conference with our annual AFHTO Bright Lights Award winners.
     

    The Virtual Annual General Meeting takes place:

    Thursday, October 8, 2020
    9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

    Register here: https://events.myconferencesuite.com/AFHTO_2020_Registration/reg/landing
     
    Each AFHTO member team-based model of care is entitled to designate one voting representative for the AGM. The member Board Chair has the right to appoint any person associated with their organization as the voting delegate.
     
     Please e-mail sombo.saviye@afhto.ca to indicate who will be voting as representative of your organization before the Annual General Meeting as soon as possible. The AGM will take place as part of the virtual conference and voting delegates must register before the meeting to receive their package and log-in information. Conference registration is available hereand for those not attending the full conference, a free Thursday morning registration is offered. Please be sure to check the box to indicate attendance at the AGM.

    For individuals not able to attend the AGM, you will also find a proxy ballot which you can submit 48 hours before the meeting with your vote.
     
    The agenda and accompanying reports for this AGM are below. The AFHTO Board will present:

    • The Annual Report to the members;
    • AFHTO’s financial report including the audited statements for the fiscal year 2019/2020; and
    • The proposed acclamation of six Board of Directors.

    There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and share ideas. You are also most welcome to send me your comments, questions, or ideas in advance.
     
    On behalf of the AFHTO Board, we look forward to virtually seeing you at the meeting.
     
    Sincerely,
    Kavita Mehta
    Chief Executive Officer
     
    AGM documents:

  • AFHTO 2020 Conference: just over one week left to register at the early bird rate

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: just over one week left to register at the early bird rate

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo

    Register for the AFHTO 2020 Conference before Oct. 1!

     

    Register at the early bird rate to save on registration.  After Oct. 1, rates increase for both members and non-members.

    Group fist bump

    Group discount available until Oct. 1

    Starting today, when you register two or more people, you save 15%!

    Now’s a great time to invite your partners- whether you’re in OHTs or less formal networks, register together and take advantage of this offer. Good until Oct. 1.

     

     

    Register today!

     

    Conference Highlights:

    And don’t forget, members get a deep discount on registration. Email us if you haven’t gotten your access code! Patients and students welcome! For general information, you can visit our conference page.  

    We look forward to seeing you at the AFHTO 2020 Conference!

  • Bits & Pieces: OHT partners & #AFHTO2020, updated symptom reference & more

    Bits & Pieces: OHT partners & #AFHTO2020, updated symptom reference & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Just over 2 wks to the conference- invite your OHT partners
    • Electronic Asthma Management System demo slides and video available
    • BEACON iCBT provincial program – resources & demonstration Sep. 24
    • Updated symptoms reference and more
    • Member access to conference recordings
    • Learning and improvement collaboratives for Ontario Health Teams
    • Ontario Health survey on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
    • New quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder
    • Submit a nomination for 2020 Canada’s volunteer awards
    • Upcoming events regarding the OTF Resilient Communities Fund and more

    Just over 2 wks to the conference- invite your OHT partners

    The AFHTO 2020 conference is an invaluable opportunity for all OHT partners to gain greater insight into your contributions to healthcare, so invite them to take part.

    With sessions like:

    There’s so much for them to learn.

     Don’t forget to register before Oct.1-use the member access code to get your discounted rate (sent to your team’s leadership)!

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo

     

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo slides and video available

    On Sep. 15 we held a live demonstration of the Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) tool. Video and slides for that demonstration are now available.

     

     

    BEACON iCBT provincial program – resources & demonstration Sep. 24

    BEACON is accessible and effective online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, guided by a registered Mental Health professional, and now funded by the Government of Ontario during COVID-19. Over 80% of participants have experienced symptom reduction and two-thirds have experienced clinically significant improvement.

    If you have any questions about BEACON, please feel free to contact colin.andersen@mindbeacon.com

    We will have a demonstration of BEACON, along with Togetherall and Bounceback Sep. 24.

    Togetherall (previously known as Big White Wall) is endorsed and paid for by the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Health. Bounceback is an evidence-based, skill-building program grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association and is FREE to all Ontarians aged 15+.Register here.

    Updated symptoms reference and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Member access to conference recordings

    After our in-person conference, available presentation slides are typically posted for members. This year, to help cover associated costs, we’re taking a somewhat different approach.

    Members will get access to individual session recordings and/or slides for a nominal fee of $15 compared to non-members for $25.

    In addition, all AFHTO members will get free access to recordings of keynote sessions, previously unavailable with our in-person event. Free member access includes:

    • Helen Bevan
    • Matt Anderson
    • Minister Elliott
    • Dr. Jane Philpott
    • And poster pdfs

    Presenters who decline to participate need to do so by contacting conference@afhto.ca by this Friday, Sep. 25.

    Learning and improvement collaboratives for Ontario Health Teams

    RISE & OH(Q) have created chat rooms/CoPs per priority population, patients & caregivers and digital health. Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) learning and improvement collaboratives bring together those actively participating in the development of OHTs with experts drawn from across the province, including system leaders, people with lived experience, and researchers.

    Learn more about how you can participate.

    Ontario Health survey on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
    With a lens towards health equity, OH has also initiated a project to complete an equity assessment and develop an action plan to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to address anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. Although FHT and NPLC contracts are currently not managed by OH, we encourage members to fill in the Survey on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism for Health Service Providers.

    This will help advance the vision of a more integrated health system that eliminates health disparities, addresses the social determinants of health, and delivers excellent and equitable access, experience, and outcomes for all Ontarians.

    New quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder

    Ontario Health (Quality) has released a new quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.

    For more information contact OH-HQO_QualityStandards@ontariohealth.ca.

    Submit a nomination for 2020 Canada’s volunteer awards
    Nominate a not-for-profit organization, an individual, a group of volunteers, a social enterprise or a business that is making a difference in your community. Deadline Sep. 30.

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund Webinar with Optimus, Sep. 29, 2020
    Learn more about the supports your team can receive to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 through the Ontario Trillium Fund. Hosted by AFHTO.
    Register today!

    Youth and Cannabis Use Speaker Series: Part 2: Panel Discussion: Cannabis use amongst Diverse Youth, Sept. 29, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    BETTER Prevention Practitioner Training, Oct. 1-2, 2020
    Healthcare professionals can learn how to better prevent and screen chronic diseases in primary care through this 2-day workshop held by the Better Program (Women’s College Hospital).
    More details can be found here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

    Special Interest Two-Part Series Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health In Primary Care, Oct. 14 & 21, 2020

    Attend this 2-part series covering infant and early child mental health case studies, held by CHEO (CAMH).
    Find out more here.

    Annual Toronto Geriatrics Update Virtual Course, Oct. 30, 2020
    The UHN’s annual geriatrics CPD course is now being offered online. Join this one day course for lectures and breakout sessions on geriatric issues and syndromes during the pandemic.
    Learn more here.

    Hearing Your Voices: A Virtual Conference on Compassion and Technology for Patients, Family and Caregivers, Nov. 3 and 4, 2020
    Listen to the experiences of patients, families and caregivers during COVID-19 and make recommendations for a more compassionate healthcare system.
    Find out more here