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Tag: Highlights

  • AFHTO 2015 Conference: The early bird takes flight today (Sept. 28th). Register before prices go up!

    Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join thought-provoking plenaries, vibrant discussions and networking with your peers. Register before early-bird rates end Monday (Sept. 28th). Ontario’s health system is transforming to become more sustainable and person-centred; primary care is the critical component. Now is the time for leaders and collaborators to ask – how are we strengthening primary care to fill this need?

    Ed Wagner Head Shot Danielle Martin Head Shot Bob Bell-resized
    Ed Wagner Opening Plenary Team-Based Primary Care: The Foundation of a Sustainable Health System             Danielle Martin Bright Lights Awards Dinner Celebrating primary care innovations Robert Bell Closing Plenary Evolution of a Sustainable Health System: Where do we go from here?

     

    Early-bird registration closes this Monday, September 28, 2015.

    Attendees at the AFHTO 2015 Conference will spend two session-packed days studying innovations in primary care, strengthening partnerships and addressing the challenges facing Ontario’s primary care teams. Highlights include such diverse and relevant topics across 7 core themes:

    Concurrent Sessions Posters Interprofessional Collaboration as the Anchor of Team-Based Primary Care
    Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care Leadership Session: Leading primary care through the next stage EMR Communities of Practice Meetings (vendors included)

      This program has been accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 17 Mainpro-M1 credits. Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 2.5 Category II credits for Oct 27th Governance in Primary Care; 1.5 Category II credits for Oct 28th pre-conference (Leadership and IHP Sessions); 4 Category II credits for the Conference towards for their maintenance of certification requirement.

  • Auditor General’s Report: Hard look needed to improve CCAC service delivery model

    In a news release announcing a Special Report on CCACs, the Auditor General of Ontario stated, “The Ontario government needs to take a hard look at how the province’s Community Care Access Centres (CCACs), along with their third-party service providers, deliver home- and community-based health care and related support services to patients outside hospital settings.” Effective care coordination is best led by a person’s primary care team throughout his or her lifetime. It reduces duplication, facilitates access and ensures continuity of care regardless of setting, be it care in the home, community, hospital or long-term care facility. As we work together to improve our health system, AFHTO joins with its colleagues on the Ontario Primary Care Council to call on government and others in Ontario’s health system to ensure primary care is supported to fulfill this central role in coordinating care. This Special Report on CCACs (Auditor’s Report) and the Report of the Expert Group on Home and Community Care (Donner Report) provide sound analysis to guide the way forward. Click here to read the Ontario Primary Care Council’s Position Statement on Care Coordination in Primary Care.

  • Family health teams deliver improved diabetes care for Ontario patients

    According to research published in in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), switching doctors from fee-for-service payment and adding interprofessional health providers to the team appears to result in moderately improved diabetes care for Ontario patients. “Our study suggests that Ontarians might be healthier if everyone had access to team-based care” said Dr. Tara Kiran of St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT and one of its authors. Based on data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) on more than 10 million patients, this longitudinal study asked whether the move of physicians to blended capitation models with care provided by a health care team improved patient outcomes. FHT patients were 22% more likely to receive recommended diabetes testing, more likely to be monitored for diabetes (40% v. 32%), to undergo screening for breast cancer (77% v. 72%) and colorectal cancer (63% v. 61%), than those in a fee-for-service practice. They experienced the greatest improvements in diabetes care over time but had similar improvements in mammography and colorectal cancer as non-FHT patients. With capitation payment, instead of a fee per service provided, physicians earn a set fee per patient per year, regardless of the number of patient visits. Since 2002 in Ontario, 45% of primary care physicians have moved to capitation payment and approximately half of these physicians are with a FHT. The authors, which include Dr. Rick Glazier, Alexander Kopp and Dr. Rahim Moineddin of ICES, also note that while these measures have the potential to improve quality of care, this needs to be weighed against the cost of reforms. For further details please read the relevant articles below:

  • New Look. New Website. Still AFHTO.

    We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new website. With a fresh new look and user-friendly navigation, it’s been updated to help you and our partners find what you’re looking for faster and easier than ever. Changes include:

    • Updated look – Our new homepage features the latest and most relevant news for members.
    • Members Only News preview – missed our last email? A sneak peek at content is now available on the homepage.
    • Improved access to Members Only content – clicked on a link from an e-mail? Now, once you log in, you will be taken directly to the page you’re looking for.
    • Member resources and toolkits are now accessible from the footer on every webpage.
    • Public content updated to more clearly reflect AFHTO’s work and member priorities
    • Easier mobile browsing – the AFHTO website is now accessible on smartphones and tablets

    Member Log-in

    All member log-in details remain the same. If you do not remember your log-in information please contact your team administrator or e-mail info@afhto.ca.

    Further Improvements to the AFHTO Website

    While this is the most dramatic change to the site this year, it’s not the first. The Members Only section was reorganized into five broad categories in April to make our resources easier to find. More changes will be coming within the next year including simplified access to the Members Only section. Stay tuned for more information as these come into effect. We hope you will enjoy the new site. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please e-mail info@afhto.ca.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1.      Why have you changed the site?

    The changes to the AFHTO website are part of an overall strategy to provide easy to find and useful information to our members and partners. In our old website, members were finding it increasingly difficult to find the information they needed and asked us to remove barriers to the site. We’ve taken this opportunity to re-organize the content, upgrade the website for browsing on multiple platforms, and provide direct access to the newest and most relevant information.

    2.      Are you making any more changes to the site?

    Yes, this is the second stage of a three-part project. In April 2015, we re-organized the categories of the Members Only section to be more reflective of the work we do and resources we offer. The next stage of the project is to improve access to the Members Only website with more personalized log-ins for individuals working with AFHTO member organizations.

    3.      I see members only news on the home page. Can anyone see this now?

    Everyone visiting the AFHTO website can see the titles of webpages in Members Only News and under AFHTO Programs. You must be logged in to Members Only to see the content of these pages. HINT: All pages with a light blue border are Members Only content and you must be logged in to see the page.

    4.      What is my log-in for the Members Only section?

    All member log-in details remain the same. If you do not remember your log-in access information please e-mail info@afhto.ca or contact your team administrator.

    5.      Can I share my Members Only log-in with my colleagues?

    All AFHTO members have a general log-in to the AFHTO website. This is shared by the administrator of your team with staff, board members and clinicians affiliated with the team.

    6.      I can’t find what I’m looking for. Where can I get help?

    With the reorganization of the site, some content may be in new sections. While we hope this has made things easier to find, we understand there may be a period of adjustment. A few tips for searching content:

    • Web Categories: Take a look at the top menu of the website and Members Only. All content is organized within these categories with the most recent information appearing at the top.
      • HINT: Members Only categories have brief descriptions for the type of content found within each.
    • Keyword Search: Click on the search icon at the top right of your screen and input key words. The search results will pull all public, members only and PDF/Media content on the website based on the key word search.

    And if you’re still not able to find what you’re looking for, please email us at info@afhto.ca or call 647-234-8605 x200.

    7.      I’ve found something out of date or incorrect on the website. How can I get this changed?

    Please send an e-mail to info@afhto.ca with the URL and section of the page that needs updating. We will make necessary corrections as needed.

    8.      How can I add an event, careers posting, success story, etc?

    Send an e-mail to info@afhto.ca with your request to post content on the AFHTO website. As a general rule we accept requests as follows:

    • Events: We will post conferences, webinars, education opportunities and other events that are relevant to AFHTO members and organized by AFHTO partners, non-profit organizations and/or government agencies.
    • Career postings: AFHTO members are welcome to post job openings on this site, free of charge. Please send the complete posting in Word format, including how to apply and closing date, by e-mail to info@afhto.ca.
    • Success Story or Members in the Media: These posts are curated from Canadian news sites. All AFHTO members are invited to share their accomplishments and updates to be posted.
    • Member resources and shared templates: The Members Only website holds a repository of templates and resources developed by other teams. All members are welcome to share content.
    • Other resources: We will post free resources for AFHTO members on our Members Only website. Please contact us to see what information may be relevant.

    Need further help? Contact us at info@afhto.ca or call 647-234-8605 ext. 200.

  • Deputy Minister Bob Bell now confirmed for the AFHTO 2015 Conference!

    Throughout the AFHTO 2015 conference, we’ll explore the many ways in which team-based primary care is the foundation of a sustainable health system and the diverse approaches teams are taking to strengthen that foundation. All this work takes place within a larger system so to wrap it up we ask – what’s the government’s vision and direction for primary care in Ontario? And how exactly do we move forward from its current state? Our closing plenary panel discusses this and takes your questions about how best to deliver high-quality, team-based care to all Ontarians who would best benefit from it, what factors affect our ability to deliver such care, and how we can do it in a way that achieves the best value.

    Our panel of experts includes:

    • Dr. Bob Bell, Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
    • Dr. Sean Blaine, incoming AFHTO President; Lead Physician, STAR FHT (Stratford)
    • Mr. Paul Huras, CEO, South East LHIN
    • Ms. Kavita Mehta, Executive Director, South East Toronto FHT; past president of AFHTO
    • Dr. Cathy Faulds, OCFP President; Lead Physician, London FHT

    Given the challenges and opportunities currently facing the health system, this promises to be a spirited and fruitful discussion. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this conversation!

    Register now for the AFHTO 2015 Conference. Early-bird discounts end September 28.

    The conference also includes:

    And our pre-conference sessions (exclusively for and free to AFHTO members):

    Members receive 50% off registration. Contact your administrator for the access code.

    This program has been accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 17 Mainpro-M1 credits. Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 2.5 Category II credits for Oct 27th Governance in Primary Care; 1.5 Category II credits for Oct 28th pre-conference (Leadership and IHP Sessions); 4 Category II credits for the Conference towards for their maintenance of certification requirement.

  • Family Health Teams participating in “Bundled Care” – a funding model aiming to improve care coordination

    Sep. 2 – Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins announced provincial funding for an expanded pilot to provide for patients’ care needs using an approach called bundled care. Taking place in six communities across Ontario, the aim is to help people transition more smoothly from the hospital into their homes. Also known as an “integrated funding model”, with this approach a single payment is provided to a group of health care providers to cover care for an individual patient both in the hospital and at home. Most of their health care team will remain the same, with services coordinated around their needs. This should decrease emergency department visits and lower the risk of readmission. The announcement was made as part of the Ministry’s Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. In February, changing funding models was outlined as one way to improve the delivery of better coordinated and integrated care. A commitment to proceed with bundled care was also made in Patients First: A Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care in May. Since care coordination is a fundamental role of primary care, this pilot has implications for interprofessional primary care teams whose collaborations with health care partners would be impacted by this change. AFHTO members North York FHT and Thames Valley FHT are currently taking part in these groups which also include such diverse health care organizations as hospitals, community care access centres, Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). The bundled care approach has been piloted at St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton since 2011. Results show hospital stays have been reduced by up to 33 per cent and rates of readmission within 60 days to any hospital have decreased by 56 per cent. The program is also saving up to $4,000 per patient. The province plans to continue the program’s expansion, supporting additional teams in different areas across Ontario within the next year. AFHTO looks forward to learning more about the results of these projects and what they mean for our members. For further information, you can read:

  • AFHTO 2015 Conference: Education opportunity for the whole team. Register now!

    The AFHTO annual conference offers unparalleled educational value. More than any other event, it is truly interprofessional, providing opportunities for everyone in primary care to learn and share innovations with their colleagues from across Ontario. This year’s sessions offer a range of topics for everyone within the primary care team, such as:

    • Planning and integrating care based on community/population needs
    • Optimizing team care for medically complex patients
    • Understanding and transforming the patient experience
    • Reducing hospital readmissions

    Don’t miss out! Register today!

    Last year attendees agreed:

    • 96.5% of respondents told us the conference “provided a valuable opportunity to share and learn about innovations, best practices and research findings to improve care and value in primary care”
    • 93.4% said that what they learned and experienced would be useful in their future practice.

    Now accredited by CFPC* and CCHL‡. Physicians can earn up to 17 Mainpro-1 credits, and CCHL members can earn up to 8 MOC-II credits.

    Members: Get even more educational value from #afhto2015 by signing up for one of our FREE pre-conference sessions!

    “Early-bird” registration ends on September 28th

    Visit our conference page to learn more about this year’s program.  We hope to see you there! *Physicians: This program has been accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 17 Mainpro-M1 credits. ‡Health Leaders: Attendance at this program entitles certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members (CHE / Fellow) to 2.5 Category II credits for Oct 27th Governance in Primary Care; 1.5 Category II credits for Oct 28th pre-conference (Leadership and IHP Sessions); 4 Category II credits for the Conference towards for their maintenance of certification requirement.

  • AFHTO Bright Lights Awards – thank you to all who submitted nominations

    Thank you to all who submitted nominations to highlight significant achievements being made in primary care. The hard work and thoughtful innovations of our members are truly inspiring. Next steps for awards selection:

    • All nominees received a confirmation e-mail on August 11. This e-mail is your assurance that the nomination was received and will be reviewed.
    • If you didn’t receive the confirmation e-mail, please e-mail conference@afhto.ca to confirm the status of your submission. Please identify the title, name and other nominee details.
    • All nominations received are now being sent to the Bright Lights Review Committee.
    • All award winners will be announced at the Bright Lights Awards Dinner on October 28.

    Thanks once again to all of you for your daily contributions to strengthening primary care. We look forward to celebrating all the winners and nominees at the Bright Lights Awards Dinner on October 28.

  • Supporting the Call for National Drug Coverage

    “When you can’t pay for the drugs you need to treat or manage your health conditions, you get sicker and develop more serious complications. Families, employers and communities are hurt as well. Primary care teams see this every day. We wholeheartedly support this campaign to move toward a national system of pharmacare.”- Angie Heydon, Executive Director The call to create a national drug coverage plan is gaining ground, and with the possibility of a federal election in a few short months, it can now make even greater strides with your support. Canada is the only industrialized country with universal health insurance that does not offer universal prescription drug coverage but we can change that. Health policy researchers and health organizations have started a Campaign for a National Drug Coverage. A national drug coverage plan which is public, affordable and safe, would mean that everyone in Canada would have access to the medicines they need. This campaign is aiming to build on the momentum following the recent Round Table Discussion on Pharmacare between Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and other provinces. We’ve given our support and invite our members and all those interested in improving access to healthcare to do so as well. Find out more by visiting http://campaign4nationaldrugcoverage.ca/.

  • D2D 2.0 report release: AFHTO members advance primary care measurement

    AFHTO members are leading the way to advance manageable and meaningful measurement across primary care. This work is critical. Around the world, cost-effective, high-performing health systems are based on a strong foundation of comprehensive primary care; robust measurement is a mandatory ingredient for strengthening that foundation.

    D2D 2.0 demonstrates significant progress in this journey:

    • More than 100 family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics have voluntarily submitted their data.
    • This gives insight into the care of over 1.7 million Ontarians.
    • Comparative analyses indicate the results are representative of the full AFHTO membership of Family Health Teams (FHTs) and Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs).

    The D2D journey is revealing how to get better at measuring what matters most:

    • AFHTO members are shaping implementation of Health Quality Ontario’s Primary Care Performance Measurement Framework (PCPMF) – in identifying priority measures for system and practice level and in refining these measures.
    • Working with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), AFHTO members are leading the way to measure the average cost of all health care received by the panel of patients served by each team, adjusted for the characteristics of that patient panel.  This measure is highly important since it:
      • Can be calculated for the panel of patients in any type of primary care practice in the province.
      • Enables cost to be monitored over time to better understand the impact of improvements in quality of primary care and the health of patients on the sustainability of health care system.
    • To better reflect the many facets of comprehensive primary care that matter to both patients and providers, AFHTO members have completed their first iteration of a composite measure of quality.
    • Working across such a large number of primary care teams is enabling innovation to simplify data extraction from EMRs and improvement in data quality.

    D2D 2.0 shows encouraging results for AFHTO members and provides guidance for further improvement (click here for table):

    • Overall, AFHTO members are performing better than the provincial average on same day/next day access (40% better), cancer screening (10% better), and patient satisfaction with their involvement in decision-making (4% better).
    • There are preliminary indications that patient satisfaction with the courtesy of office staff has improved over the past 3 years (20% improvement).
    • Most teams rank high on some indicators and lower on others. D2D enables teams to compare themselves to their peers and pinpoint their improvement activity.

    AFHTO has created a series of handouts that highlight some of the exciting results we have seen to date and illustrate how we got there.

    The D2D journey continues. Measures will continue to be refined to become more and more meaningful to providers and their patients, and acted upon to improve care. Watch for the next iteration in January 2016.