Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Care for Specific Populations

  • Bits & Pieces: Made-in-Ontario high impact actions feedback, opioid self assessment & more

    Bits & Pieces: Made-in-Ontario high impact actions feedback, opioid self assessment & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Feedback on Made-in-Ontario high impact actions for Nov. 21 session
    • Member in the media and the Missing Million COPD report
    • Online opioid self-assessment program
    • GoodLife LG TV promotion
    • The Gatehouse programs for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse – Etobicoke/Toronto
    • Upcoming events on health and climate change, concussions and more

    Feedback on Made-in-Ontario high impact actions for Nov. 21 session
    The primary care virtual community has co-defined a list of High Impact Actions felt to spark meaningful improvements in primary care, building on lessons learned from the UK’s own transformation efforts. The community has also shared insight on the actions they feel are within their control, in addition to where support is needed.

    In our upcoming Nov. 21 session, we’ll be refining and prioritizing the list of Made-in-Ontario High Impact Actions. We’ll also be showcasing examples of where the High Impact Actions are already occurring.

    Please share your feedback on the current list and share examples of where they’re already occurring by clicking here.

    You can also:

    Member in the media and the Missing Million COPD report
    City of Kawartha Lakes FHT: Family health teams a positive change, say majority, although health care cuts a worry

    The Missing Million: according to a report from The Lung Association and Boehringer Ingelheim, more than one million Canadians are living with COPD and don’t know it

    Online opioid self-assessment program
    The Online Opioid Self-Assessment Program is a FREE course developed with funding from Health Canada to improve opioid prescribing. It’s highly interactive and uses assessment as a technique for knowledge exchange and guideline implementation. In order to facilitate active

    learning, a variety of techniques are employed, including videos, case presentations and an assortment of question types to keep you engaged and apply it in practice.
     
    Dr. Andrea D. Furlan MD PhD, ECHO Ontario Co-Chair, developed this interactive course with other colleagues in physiatry, family medicine and addictions medicine. This course is based on the updated 2017 Canadian Opioid Guideline.

    GoodLife TV promotion

    GoodLife LG TV promotion

    GoodLife has launched a contest- all new members who join the membership program before Nov. 30 will be entered to win one of five 50” LG TVs (value approx. $799 each).

    As a reminder, AFHTO members save up to 40% off regular GoodLife Fitness rates. The annual Corporate Membership rate is $519, and the bi-weekly payment is $24. Any identified member on the ‘Bits & Pieces’ mailing list is assigned member IDs on a monthly basis.

    To register, please email info@afhto.ca for your membership ID. Once you’ve received your ID, you can register online.

    For more information:

     

    The Gatehouse programs for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse – Etobicoke/Toronto

    1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.

    The Gatehouse peer-led Adult program’s primary focus is to enable survivors of child sexual abuse to develop positive coping strategies focusing on building healthy boundaries and relationships leading to a more meaningful and grounded life. The programs are offered over the course of 31 weeks in two phases. They also offer a support program for partners/support persons of survivors, the only one in the country aimed at helping foster connection, healthier communication and boundaries from a peer perspective for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

    If you would like a tour, please contact Paula Cordeiro at 416-255-5900 x228 or pcordeiro@thegatehouse.org.

    If your patients are also survivors of childhood sexual abuse, The Gatehouse provides peer support group programs and they don’t have a catchment area. There is no formal referral required. Clients can call 416-255-5900 to schedule an in-person intake to start the process. Their program workbooks are available at www.thegatehouse.org.

    A webcast for IHPs: OHTs and health system transformation, Nov. 14, 2019
    Please join us on from 12 PM to 1:30 PM for an overview of OHTs, and to hear from teams proceeding to full application whose OHT development has included close collaboration with IHPs. They will speak to their work to date and highlight how IHPs are engaged. All members are encouraged to join (not just IHPs!)
    Register today!

    Cyber Security and Data Breaches- How Vulnerable are you? Nov. 20, 2019
    The next Financial Webinar Series webcast co-hosted by AFHTO and Grant Thornton LLP is right around the corner. Join us for an hour on data, cyber security and policies and procedures to mitigate possible issues. Register today!

    OPHA’s Fall Forum:  Health and Climate Change, Nov. 13, 2019
    Explore what’s at stake for individual and community health in the face of a changing climate and how we can work collaboratively across sectors to protect human health. Find out more here.

    What Primary Care Teams Need To Know About CONCUSSION, Nov. 19, 2019
    Remember to register for the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation’s webinar on concussion. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: Dr. Linda Lee wins Joule grant for MINT Memory clinics & more

    Bits & Pieces: Dr. Linda Lee wins Joule grant for MINT Memory clinics & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • Dr. Linda Lee wins Joule grant for MINT Memory clinics
    • Members in the media
    • OHT Webcast Series: The Shift to Shared Leadership video and slides available
    • HQO quality standard updates including mental health transitions
    • Ministry of Health news and updates
    • Upcoming events including improving timely access and more

    Dr. Linda Lee wins Joule grant for MINT Memory clinics

    Dr. Linda Lee, Centre for Family Medicine FHT won a Joule 2019 Innovation grant for access to care on Sep. 10. A $100,000 grant has been allocated to help scale up the MINT memory clinic model beyond their 112 clinics in Ontario.

    New resources, including an infographic, are also available at their site.

    Members in the media
    Couchiching FHT:  feature on their Bright Lights award-winning trans health program

     Elliot Lake FHT: Virtual Clinic coming to Elliot Lake Family Health Team

    OHT Webcast Series: The Shift to Shared Leadership video and slides available

    shift to shared leadership webcast

    On Sep. 12 we held a webinar reviewing approaches to creating shared leadership tables and/or working groups and offered practical “OHT Starter Kit” tips and tools. We were joined by our partners at the Ontario Community Support Association and Advantage Ontario as co-hosts.

    The webcast was facilitated by Karima Kanani, Partner at Miller Thomson LLP, and Keri Selkirk and Maria Sanchez-Keane from the Centre for Organizational Effectiveness.

    Slides and video are on our site, along with other resources.

    HQO quality standard updates including mental health transitions

    Seeking volunteers for quality standard advisory committee on inpatient mental health transitions– This quality standard will outline care for people moving between the hospital and home after a mental health or addictions related stay. Deadline to apply Oct. 8.

    Draft diabetes quality standards and patient conversation guides- feedback needed by Oct. 10:

    Ministry of Health news and updates

    Memo – seasonal influenza update CMOH – overview of actions they’re taking to help partners mitigate and prepare for health system pressures.

    Situation report #2: RYUK security incident advisory – a second hospital was hit with RYUK ransomware Wednesday, Sep. 25. As there is a risk of further incidents beyond hospitals, the ministry is issuing a second advisory and is expanding distribution to the broader health system. Read the advisory and the recommendations.

    Drug Shortage / Supply Health System Alert: Fresenius Kabi – Oxytocin 1ml vial – due to higher than anticipated demand, their stock of Oxytocin Injection Synthetic 10 USP units/mL SD vial 1mL has been depleted earlier than expected and will be going on backorder effective September 30th, 2019. Read the update here.

    Canadian Conference on Dementia, October 3, 2019
    Held in Quebec City and featuring plenary and parallel sessions, an exciting debate, interactive workshops, as well as oral and poster presentations. Find out more here.

    Palliative and End-of-Life Care & MAiD Educational Opportunities, October 16 – December 11
    Take a look at this 5-part webinar series developed by Queen’s University Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with the OCFP. Find out more here.

    BoneFit, October 5, 2019 to March 28th, 2020
    Osteoporosis Canada is holding these evidence-informed exercise training workshops around Ontario at the Basic and Clinical levels. See the locations and dates here.

    Improving timely access to primary care, Oct. 9, 2019
    HQO webinar to share findings from 2019/20 Quality Improvement Plan indicator measuring timely access to a primary care provider. Register here.

    ECHO Chronic Pain/Opioids evening series, Oct. 7- Nov. 4, 2019
    A 4-part evening ECHO series on Buprenorphine/Naloxone prescribing in primary care. Register here.

    Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach to Fatty Liver, Oct. 17, 2019
    Part of ECHO Liver quarterly evening series. Find out more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #90: Dementia

    QI in Action eBulletin #90: Dementia

    In this issue

    •  What is dementia?
    • What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?
    • Programs and Initiatives supporting Primary Care Health
    • Support Services for Patients and Caregivers
    • Upcoming QI Events

    What is dementia?
    Dementia isn’t a natural part of aging, as it’s an abnormal degeneration of the brain which causes changes in an individual’s ability to think, speak, socialize and participate in daily activities1. Dementia is a medical term used to describe a set of symptoms affecting brain function that are caused by neurodegenerative and vascular diseases or injuries such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, head trauma and more2,3.

    Symptoms of dementia can include1,2,3:

    • Memory loss
    • Difficulty with thinking, problem-solving or language
    • Awareness of person, place and time can be impacted
    • Loss of understanding and judgement
    • Changes in how the individual expresses their emotions
    • Changes in personality
    • Problems coping with day to day activities
    • Problems with socializing

    419,000 Canadians of the age 65 years and older are living with a diagnosis of dementia of which almost two thirds are women2. Within Ontario, 111,000 individuals live with dementia of which many reside in the community with complex care needs; this number has increased by 46% between 2009/10 and 2015/164.

    What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?

    http://trinitybrainhealth.com/#/lightbox&slide=15

    The material was created by Dr. Sabina Brennan of Trinity College Dublin and Trinity Brain Health with financial support from GENIO. © 2017 Trinity Brain Health. Permission to use this material was granted by Trinity Brain Health (trinitybrainhealth.com) which reserves all rights in the material.

    Programs and Initiatives supporting Primary Care Health

    2 out of 5 Canadian doctors feel well-prepared to manage community dementia care; however, with the growing number of individuals being diagnosed with dementia it’s crucial to be aware of the supports available5.

    • A physician, Nurse Practitioner or any IHP can make a referral to First Link, a program designed to help connect individuals newly diagnosed with dementia and their families/caregivers to Alzheimer Society for services and support
    • Multispecialty Interprofessional Team (MINT) Memory Clinics offer clinicians training through a standardized nationally accredited training program. There are over 100 MINT Memory Clinics across Ontario – a special congratulations to AFHTO member Centre for Family Medicine FHT’s Dr. Linda Lee who recently received a 2019 Joule Innovation Grant Award that will allow for the MINT clinics to continue to scale up
    • The Rural Dementia and Action Research (RaDAR) Team is a research team from three provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario) and the United Kingdom with a goal to improve healthcare delivery to people with people with mild cognitive and dementia and their caregivers in rural and remote communities
    • Mount Sinai Hospital has also designed a Dementia Toolkit for Primary Care which includes resources specific to primary care such as assessment and screening tools, medication management, driving safety and much more
    • Centre of Effective Practice has created the Use of Antipsychotics in Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Tool
    • HQO has previously created Dementia Quality Standard which addresses care for community-dwelling people living with dementia
    • A list has been put together by the Alzheimer Society with multiple avenues of professional development in terms of caring for individuals with dementia
    • A list of tools to assess pain levels for healthcare professionals have been put together by the Alzheimer society
    • eConsult is a secure web-based tool that allows a physician or nurse practitioner timely access to specialist advice, including psychologists, and often eliminates the need for an in-person specialist visit
    • SwitchRx is a website that aims to provide healthcare professionals with the most current and useful information to guide their clinical practice when adjusting their patient’s psychotropic treatment regimens
    • eHealth centre of excellence community portal always has some tools being released that can be translated into your EMR!

    Support Services for Patients and Caregivers

    • HQO has developed a Patient Reference Guide with questions patients can ask their caregivers
    • Dementia Advocacy and Support Network (DASN) is a worldwide online organization for those diagnosed with dementia working together to improve their quality of life  
    • There are support groups for families and friends of individuals diagnosed with dementia offered by the Alzheimer Society  
    • Mount Sinai Hospital has put together a list of caregiver support services available within Ontario
    • A range of brochures and publications can be found for both patients and caregivers on the Alzheimer Society website

    Upcoming QI Events:

    References:

    1. Dementia in Older Adults. https://camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/dementia-in-older-adults.
    2. “What Is Dementia?” Alzheimer Society of Canada, https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/What-is-dementia.
    3. Let’s make our health system healthier. “Evidence to Improve Care.” Behavioural Symptoms of Dementia – Health Quality Ontario (HQO), https://www.hqontario.ca/Evidence-to-Improve-Care/Quality-Standards/View-all-Quality-Standards/Behavioural-Symptoms-of-Dementia.
    4. Spotlight on Dementia Issues | CIHI. https://www.cihi.ca/en/dementia-in-canada/spotlight-on-dementia-issues.

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #89 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: Faces of Caring, conference registration & more

    Bits & Pieces: Faces of Caring, conference registration & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • Faces of Caring
    • AFHTO 2019 Conference registration still open
    • New ECHO launching in support of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Reminder- primary care virtual community meeting Sep. 25
    • Upcoming events including our OHT webcast series and more

    Faces of Caring

    Faces of Caring logo

    “What I can only describe as being sucked into a very fast-moving tornado has changed my life forever.”

    Faces of Caring is an online community launched to share stories, advice, and resources for facing serious illness. You can share this with patients and caregivers just starting their caring journey who may find the advice of those with lived experience helpful.

    AFHTO 2019 Conference registration still open

    AFHTO 2019 Speakers

    You can still register for the AFHTO 2019 conference!  Email us if you haven’t gotten your access code.

    Chandler Bing reaction

     

    With Ministry speakers, primary care team leaders discussing the latest innovations and programs, and multiple sessions focused on Ontario Health Teams, could this content BE any more relevant really?

    We also 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.

     

    New ECHO launching in support of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    In January 2020, ECHO Ontario Adult Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at CAMH, University of Toronto, and Surrey Place will be launching a new ECHO (i.e. a free educational program). The focus will be on helping healthcare or developmental service professionals in their work with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    They’re looking for individuals in this area of work who might be able to help them to define a curriculum that would matter most. The responses to our short survey will help create the curriculum for the weekly learning sessions. To complete the survey, click here. For more information on ECHO Ontario Mental Health, please visit their site.

    Reminder- primary care virtual community meeting Sep. 25

    primary care virtual community logo

    The primary care virtual community, brought together as an AFHTO/OCFP partnership with Change Foundation, will next meet on Sep. 25 from 8:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. This session builds on the conversation and feedback you shared in prior sessions to further develop the concept of the 10 High Impact Actions implemented within the UK and what our own made-in Ontario High Impact Actions could be.

    As we come together to share these ideas, we are focused on how the high impact actions can shape all 4 elements of the quadruple aim, and how we improve both the provider and patient experience. Register here.

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    The conference is just over a week away! It’s not too late to register- join over 800 primary care professionals to explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    Understanding The Caregiver Experience: Regional Insights to Inform Ontario Health Teams, Sep. 12, 2019
    Join The Change Foundation on
    Thursday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (EST) as they share their insights on the patient and caregiver experience in Ontario’s health care system and the opportunities for change and improvement. Register here.

    OHT Webcast Series: The Shift To Shared Leadership, September 12, 2019
    AFHTO and the OCSA will review approaches to creating shared leadership tables and/or working groups and offer practical “OHT Starter Kit” tips and tools. For more information or to register, click here.

    EMR: Every Step Conference, September 26, 2019
    Attend the annual OntarioMD conference to enroll or learn more about Health Report Manager (HRM) and eNotifications, ONE® ID, eConsult, Insight4Care Dashboard and many other services. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: OHT webcast series reminder, early bird tomorrow & more

    Bits & Pieces: OHT webcast series reminder, early bird tomorrow & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • Reminder- OHT Webcast Series: The Shift To Shared Leadership
    • AFHTO 2019 Conference early bird deadline tomorrow
    • 2019 Bright Lights Hall of Fame
    • Project ECHO Ontario bariatric network update
    • Dorset Hub featured on CBC podcast
    • Reminder- RISE webinar series to address key topics for teams invited to submit an OHT full application
    • Upcoming events including regional insights into the caregiver experience and more

    Reminder- OHT Webcast Series: The Shift To Shared Leadership
    On Thursday, September 12, 2019 AFHTO and the OCSA will review approaches to creating shared leadership tables and/or working groups and offer practical “OHT Starter Kit” tips and tools. For more information or to register, click here.

    AFHTO 2019 Conference early bird deadline tomorrow
    Register at the early bird rate to save on registration! After tomorrow, rates increase. The registration site is separate, so your member access code is different from your individual login to our regular site. Email us if you haven’t gotten your access code.

    We also 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.

    2019 Bright Lights Hall of Fame

    2019 Bright Lights Hall of Fame banner

    Find out more about the Bright Lights 2019 nominations! Winners will be announced at the Bright Lights Ceremony, with the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott.

    Project ECHO Ontario bariatric network update
    Spots are still available to register for ECHO OBN sessions starting on the following dates:

    • September 9, 2019 from 2:30 – 4 pm hosted by Kingston Health Sciences Centre Bariatric Centre of Excellence
    • September 12, 2019 from 11 am – 12:30 pm hosted by Guelph General Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence
    • October 2, 2019 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm hosted by The Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence

    Don’t miss this opportunity to update your knowledge on post bariatric care and obesity management. Register here.  

    Dorset Hub featured on CBC podcast
    On Aug. 14, the CBC Ontario Today podcast addressed the topic “Can’t Find a Family Doctor”. The Dorset Community Health Hub, a partnership between the Algonquin Family Health Team, Lake of Bays Township, Dorset Canada and the Township of Algonquin Highlands, was featured as one solution to this issue. You can find a transcript of the relevant portion on our site.

    Reminder- RISE webinar series addresses key topics for teams invited to submit an OHT full application
    The RISE regional sessions by McMaster Health Forum are now transitioning to a series on topics for teams invited to submit an Ontario Health Team (OHT) full application. They will build on lessons learned from, and sometimes feature, team members who participated in the regional sessions. Many of the insights will be relevant to teams in development and teams in discovery as well.
     
     Register now for one or more of the sessions:

    • Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Key considerations for OHTs working with Francophone and Indigenous communities [Provisional title]
    • Monday, Sep. 23, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Topic to be confirmed
    • Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 12:00-1 PM – Topic to be confirmed

    AFHTO 2019 Conference, September 19- 20, 2019
    The early bird deadline closes tomorrow! Members save 50% off their registration when using the early bird rates. Get your member access code from your administrator and come explore Health System Integration Built on The Foundation of Team-Based Primary Health Care. Register now!

    Understanding an evolving opioid crisis, September 11, 2019
    HQO’s next Quality Rounds Ontario webinar, rescheduled. Find out more here.

    Understanding The Caregiver Experience: Regional Insights to Inform Ontario Health Teams, Sep. 12, 2019
    Join The Change Foundation on
    Thursday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (EST) as they share their insights on the patient and caregiver experience in Ontario’s health care system and the opportunities for change and improvement. Register here.

    Primary Care Virtual Community, September 25, 2019
    The primary care virtual community, brought together as an AFHTO/OCFP partnership with Change Foundation, will bring together primary care change makers interested in leading in their context and supporting meaningful system change within the Ontario healthcare system. Find out more here.

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    AFHTO 2019 Conference deadlines starting Aug. 9

    Westin pool

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

    AFHTO members & OHTs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Let’s #shapetheshift together.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Ontario Privacy Commissioner 2018 annual report

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

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

     

     

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Westin hotel room

    Hotel group rate deadline Aug. 19

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

     

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Please send any questions to digitalhealthsecretariat@ontario.ca.

    How to come to the conference for free

    Woman jumping over gap

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

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

     

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

    • Administrative
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Social workers

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

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

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

    You can register here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bits & Pieces: GoodLife 7-day trial available, summer perks, patient-centered performance measurement & more

    Bits & Pieces: GoodLife 7-day trial available, summer perks, patient-centered performance measurement & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In this Issue:  
    • GoodLife 7-day trial available
    • Summer perks
    • Patient-centered performance measurement
    • Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network – update your knowledge on post bariatric care and obesity management
    • Seeking caregiver input
    • Join the Ontario Quality Standards Committee
    • Upcoming events including Considerations for Primary Care Teams as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and more

    GoodLife 7-day trial available
    Reminder that AFHTO members can save up to 40% off regular GoodLife Fitness rates. The annual Corporate Membership rate is $519, and the bi-weekly payment will be $24.

    At this time all identified members on our ‘Bits & Pieces’ mailing list as of June 24 are already eligible for the discount.

    To register, please email info@afhto.ca for your membership ID. Once you’ve received your ID, you can register online. For more information:

    On the fence? Would you like try it out before committing? You can get a complimentary 7-day pass at www.goodlifeatwork.com/trial.
     
    Class schedules can be found online and filtered by area on their site.  Pressed for time? The Fit Fix is a great way to get a quick workout in. It allows you to do a full body workout in just 20 minutes! Perfect to squeeze in at lunch or just before work. If you have any questions, please email info@afhto.ca.

    Perkopolis summer

    Summer perks for the whole family

    And don’t forget, AFHTO members are eligible to sign up for Perkopolis discounts, which include travel and activities such as Ripley’s Aquarium, African Lion Safari, Universal Orlando and more.

    Other perks include shopping, movies and theatre. Check with your administrator if your team is already signed up and you can register right away. It’s free to sign up!

     

     

     

     

     

    Patient-centered performance measurement
    “Balancing patient priorities for technical and interactional aspects of care in a measure of primary care quality” – article in Primary Health Care Research & Development, Volume 20 focused on results of a co-designed survey where patients were asked to determine the relative priorities of each of a series of primary care measures in the patients’ relationship with their primary care provider. Authors include Dr. Carol Mulder, former Provincial Lead of the QIDS Program at AFHTO and lecturer at Queen’s University and Dr. Nadiya Sunderji Psychiatrist in Chief, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health and Assistant Professor at University of Toronto.

    Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network – update your knowledge on post bariatric care and obesity management
    The Ontario Bariatric Network is launching a new Project ECHO in post bariatric care and obesity this coming fall. A series of six sessions will be hosted by seven Bariatric Centres of Excellence across Ontario. Join one of their knowledge sharing networks with other primary care providers and specialist from the Bariatric Centres of Excellence to share best practices and discuss cases using videoconferencing technology.  Sessions are open to all primary care providers and interprofessional health care providers, are offered at no cost and are eligible for Continuing Medical Education credits.

    To register or for more information on session details please visit their site or view the flyer.

    Seeking caregiver input

    Baycrest Caregiver Input

     

    Baycrest GEMH is recruiting caregivers of people with dementia who might want to participate in an online learning module regarding medication management and dementia.  Please circulate the flyer and/or email to any of your patients’ caregivers who you think  might be interested.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Join the Ontario Quality Standards Committee
    Health Quality Ontario is seeking volunteers for its Ontario Quality Standards Committee. The committee provides advice on its quality standards program, including on ways to enhance the adoption and impact of the standards. Deadline July 18, 2019.

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

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

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

    OMD EMR: Every Step Conference, September 26, 2019
    Early-bird registration has opened for the OMD conference, held in Toronto. Learn more here.