The deadline to submit an abstract for the AFHTO 2015 Conference is only two weeks away. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and innovations to show what comprehensive, interprofessional primary care can deliver. Submit an abstract or encourage your colleagues to submit in one of our 7 core themes.

To help with your ideas for presentation topics, the conference review groups have shared some key topics of interest for each of our seven concurrent session themes (refresh to ensure you see the latest version). If you know anyone doing interesting work in the areas identified (or indeed any area that fit into our themes), please share this with them.

Click here to submit

Click here to review submission guidelines

For further information on the submissions process including guidelines and a template visit our site here. If you have any questions you can also contact us at info@afhto.ca. This message was forwarded with a previous email sent on April 7, 2015.

To: EDs, Lead MDs/NPs and Board Chairs of all AFHTO member organizations AFHTO’s Executive Director Advisory Council (EDAC) met on April 22^nd. This email provides an overview and highlights key items discussed:

• Ministry-FHT Contract Renewal: Update from PHC Branch Meeting on April 8^th
• The Commitment to Recruitment & Retention Efforts
• What’s Ahead for Primary Care: Preparing for Change
• AFHTO Program Updates

Ministry-FHT Contract Renewal: Update from PHC Branch Meeting on April 8^th

Following from the principles and priorities that emerged from the AFHTO membership last fall, AFHTO has been pursuing next steps for contract renewal with the ministry. This renewal provides opportunity to demonstrate the evolution of FHTs (and NPLCs since the same principles will most likely apply to all team-based models), and to develop more meaningful contracts that will support teams to continue to deliver high-quality primary care. Its content will be informed by the ministry’s plans to review team-based primary care models from the perspectives of performance and accountability, funding, and use of interprofessional teams (as reported to members on March 3). During the April 8^th meeting with senior officials in the PHC branch, AFHTO reached provisional agreement on the following:

• Leverage work of D2D and aim for 6-10 meaningful measures to be included in the next contract agreement;
• Ensure performance measures support and align with ministry priorities;
• Reduce the current reporting burden by eliminating that which is not meaningful, including removal of the current Schedule E;
• Retain Schedule A as a document that encourages and gives evidence of program planning and enables an inventory of programs across LHINs/Province (with improvements to Schedule A as a planning and reporting tool).

Over the next few weeks, members of an EDAC work group will begin the process of reviewing the contract, identifying issues that need to be addressed, and begin strategizing the approach to the renewal process.  Work will evolve over the coming months in collaboration with the members of the leadership triad (EDs, Board Chairs, and Physician Leads) and the Ministry.

The Commitment to Recruitment & Retention Efforts

AFHTO continues to give top priority to advocacy for increased funding to enable our members to recruit and retain the staff needed to deliver comprehensive team-based primary care. EDAC members reconfirmed the significance and urgency of dealing with recruitment and retention efforts and spoke about the desire to explore alternative actions and strategies if no further movement is seen on behalf of the Ministry. As reported to the AFHTO membership on April 24, the 2015 Ontario Budget included no formal commitments; however, political staff confirmed the Minister is committed to making progress in the next few months.

What’s ahead for Primary Care: Preparing for Change

EDAC members reviewed recent Ministry announcements and key messages, including: – An email summarizing Associate Deputy Minister Susan Fitzpatrick’s meeting with the AFHTO board on March 3 and the intent to move to “comprehensive regionally governed, population-based primary health services for Ontarians.” To this end, members are encouraged to build upon current relationships and strengthen partnerships with their local LHINs and regional health service providers. –  A summary of what’s ahead for primary care in Ontario based on a March 5th meeting between AFHTO’s representatives and the PHC Branch. The Ministry’s emphasis on providing “solid evidence of the value of FHTS/NPLCs and team-based care” will be a strong influencing factor in the development of new MOHLTC-FHT contracts. EDAC commented on the need to showcase the matured state of FHT/NPLCs, demonstrate the impact of team-based care through manageable, meaningful measurement and to focus on strengthening the development of high performing teams.

Governance & Leadership Program Update

Members of EDAC reviewed excerpts from AFHTO’s Year Two Report and Year Three Proposal (2015-16) to the Ministry.  A number of achievements were acknowledged from the 2014-15 plan (most of which could not have been done without the support and contribution of EDs!), including:

• Executive Director Resource Toolkit (members were pleased to support the formal launch of the toolkit  – this is a terrific achievement and an extremely useful tool for use by all EDs!)
• Launch of the Physician Leadership Council, NPLC Community of Practice (CoP) and re-launch of the Health Links CoP –  communiques released after every meeting to keep all leadership informed

o   Governance Webinars o   Governing for Quality Workshops o   Case Studies (to be completed early May – stay tuned!) Visit Governance and Management  on AFHTO website for access to tools/resources achieved. Focus for 2015- 2016 Together with our members and in collaboration with the ministry and other partners, AFHTO is striving to advance the objectives listed below by March 31, 2016.

• Measuring and improving
• Demonstrating and assuring value
• Strengthening governance and leadership practice
• Optimizing team capacity
• Supporting and strengthening collaborations and partnerships
• Maintaining and strengthening the foundation of AFHTO membership and leadership

To support these objectives, AFHTO is proposing to conduct a series of one-day leadership sessions in each of the LHINs beginning in the fall. EDAC members reflected on their role in supporting the outcomes and deliverables to be achieved and the role of EDs as facilitators in bringing leadership together. There are a number of work items that EDAC will focus on over the coming few weeks including: establishing a mentor/buddy system for new EDs, establishing/strengthening the development of regional ED networks; and developing case studies that will illustrate FHTs that have transitioned human resources such that physician-funded and FHT-funded staff all come under one entity as a mechanism to harmonize working relationships.

QIDS Program Update

The QIDS program has reached their goal to grow member participation in D2D from 30% in the first iteration to, so far, 55% for the second iteration. As of today, 104 out of 187 AFHTO members have signed up to submit data for D2D 2.0! Members can continue to sign up until the data submission deadline of May 28. For members who are considering whether to participate, this new 4 minute video tells a story about why D2D matters from the perspective of a family doctor. See Data to Decisions eBulletin #9 for further information and updates.  

Kavita Mehta (Chair, EDAC) Executive Director, SETFHT kavita.mehta@setfht.on.ca

Bryn Hamilton Provincial Lead, Governance & Leadership Program 647-234-8601 Bryn.Hamilton@afhto.ca

 

To: Executive Directors and Board Chairs of all AFHTO member organizations AFHTO is thrilled to announce the launch of the Executive Director Resource Toolkit! In collaboration with The Osborne Group, members of the Executive Director Advisory Committee (EDAC) and work group  have developed this very thorough toolkit to orient new EDs of FHTs/NPLCs to their role and provide all EDs with easy access to a comprehensive collection of tools, resources and templates that will help you manage the organization effectively. The Toolkit can be used:

• As an orientation guide for new Executive Directors
• As a support for current Executive Directors
• As an educational tool to help explain the scope of the Executive Director role

• As a resource for FHT/NPLC boards as they hire, orient and oversee the ED role.

The material is organized as follows:

1. Introduction to Family Health Teams and Nurse Practitioner-led Clinics
2. Key information about the role of the Executive Director
3. Resources, tools, templates and sample documents.

Hyperlinks in the text will take you to relevant sample tools, suggested references and related information. In addition, AFHTO is committed to building a robust repository of resources for EDs on the website as part of an ongoing area of work. We encourage all EDs to share existing tools/policies/templates by adding them to our existing repository (see Sample Policies.) A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone that contributed to the development of the Executive Director Resource Toolkit. We hope all of you will find this to be a valuable resource for you and your team.

AFHTO is making it easier to access resources on the Members Only resources website – content has been re-organized into five broad categories to improve navigation. As you browse  you’ll find that each sub-category includes a description of the type of content to be found there:

• Governance and Management: includes tools and resources on governance, management/operations of primary care teams, leadership development and supports for legislative and contractual issues.
• Measurement and Quality Improvement: includes links for members to participate in Data to Decisions, resources to support effective use of EMRs, tools for using data to improve care and quality improvement planning, and updates/records of the QIDS Program.
• Advocacy and Government Relations: includes advocacy tools, reports following AFHTO meetings with the ministry and updates on recruitment & retention advocacy efforts.
• Collaborative Patient Care: is a compilation of resources provided by members to share collective knowledge and templates for team collaboration, Health Links and other community partnerships, patient engagement, medical directives, health promotion and chronic disease management, care for specific populations, access to care and team-based mental health care.
• Library: continues to hold the archive of AFHTO member communications, annual conference materials, past webinar recordings and reports about primary care teams and the policy environment.

This is a first step in an overall strategy to make the website more useful to members. We will be simplifying access to Members Only and support browsing with smartphones and tablets. Stay tuned for more information as these changes come into effect.

Stay engaged and updated on AFHTO activities:

• The AFHTO website is open to all staff, physicians and board members of member organizations. Share your team’s log-in credentials with them. Contact info@afhto.ca for help with log-in if needed.
• Join the AFHTO community on Facebook and Twitter for updates on AFHTO activities.
• Ensure all the key contacts in your FHT/NPLC are signed up to receive AFHTO e-mails. Send updates for contact information to info@afhto.ca.
• Encourage your staff to connect with a profession-based and/or EMR community of practice.

Updates, education opportunities and resources for FHTs and NPLCs. Click below for more information:

• AFHTO’s Response to HQO Report on Patient Experiences of Care Coordination and Communication
• Congratulations to Two Rivers FHT for completing their RNAO BPSO Designation
• IDEAS: Advanced Learning Program – free tuition available; deadline to apply is June 1
• Physician education: CFPC replacing MAINPRO education program with MAINPRO+
• Online Low Back Pain course re-accredited and available until October 7
• Revised CMOH Directive on Ebola virus disease (EVD) control measures
• New clinical tool for primary care: Preconception Health Care Tool
• Information to share with Patients:
  • Ontario Health Study
  • Affordable Housing Consultation

AFHTO’s Response to Health Quality Ontario Report on Patient Experiences of Care Coordination and Communication

Health Quality Ontario (HQO) released “Experiencing Integrated Care: Ontarians’ views of health care coordination and communication”, a report on patients’ experiences of their transitions between their primary health care doctor, specialists and hospitals. In primary care, however, we know care coordination also involves collaboration spanning a wider array of health and social services and is a fundamental role of primary care. To read more on our response to the report please visit our site.

Congratulations to Two Rivers FHT for completing their RNAO BPSO Designation

Two Rivers FHT has graduated from the three-year pre-designation program to become a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) designate. Since 2012, Two Rivers FHT has been implementing and evaluating the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)’s best practice guidelines in order to improve patient, staff and administrative outcomes. BPSOs are health-care and academic organizations selected through a request for proposals process. More information about this process is on the BPSO webpage.

IDEAS: Advanced Learning Program – free tuition available; deadline to apply is June 1

The IDEAS program (Improving & Driving Excellence Across Sectors) has opened applications for the 2015/16 accredited Advanced Learning Program. It includes nine days of classroom instruction and group-learning activity spread over five months focused on quality improvement in healthcare, plus support from an advisor to apply the learning to a project. Tuition is covered by IDEAS. Deadline to apply is June 1. Information and how to apply is available at www.ideasontario.ca.

Physician education: CFPC replacing MAINPRO education program with MAINPRO+

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is replacing MAINPRO, its program designed to support professional development for family physicians, with MAINPRO+ this year. Changes include new reporting categories to earn credit for more practice activities and increased accessibility through smartphones and tablets. Click here or watch this video to find out more.

Online Low Back Pain course re-accredited and available until October 7

The Low Back Pain course offered by the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has been re-accredited and is available until October 7, 2015 through funding received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The online course is available to providers across Canada in both English and French.

Revised CMOH Directive for primary care settings on Ebola virus disease (EVD) control measures

The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) issued a revised Directive for primary care settings to provide instructions on control measures related to Ebola virus disease (EVD) on April 13. The primary revision in the Directive is with the person protective equipment required for staff in primary care settings who are at risk of exposure to a suspect case of EVD or that case’s environment or waste. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact the Health Care Provider Hotline by phone at 1-866-212-2272 or by email at emergencymanagement.moh@ontario.ca.

New clinical tool for primary care: Preconception Health Care Tool

The MOHLTC has engaged CEP in partnership with the OCFP to develop clinical tools and health information for primary care providers. The first in a series is a Preconception Health Care Tool to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in your practice by guiding discussions of health promotion and illness prevention strategies with patients of reproductive age.

Information to share with Patients: Ontario Health Study and Affordable Housing Consultation

• Ontario Health Study – Local Study Centres increasing access for patients to participate

The Ontario Health Study is setting up temporary study centres in communities across Ontario to sign up new participants and collect blood samples, which will enable researchers to better understand what affects health and quality of life. Primary care providers are asked to share information about the study and the local study centres with patients and facilitate participation if appropriate. To learn more about the study and how you can help, click here. Contact the Ontario Health Study at 1-866-606-0686 or info@ontariohealthstudy.ca.

• Addressing social determinants of health – public consultations to improve access to affordable housing

The province is launching consultations to update their Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. Given the need for affordable housing and its potential impact on patient health, primary care providers may invite their patients to provide input as well as doing so themselves. The Consultation Discussion Guide outlines the progress of the current strategy, future goals and areas where more input from partners is needed. Participants can submit their views to the government online, by telephone or in writing by July 3, 2015.

Sign up to participate in Data to Decisions (D2D) 2.0. If your team is still considering participating, see the video below to help your team see the value. Teams participating in D2D 2.0 can choose to submit data for one or more indicators, based on your team’s readiness to contribute data. The list and sources of data are outlined in the data dictionary. Some of these indicators require OHIP data from ICES, to access this data fill out the online ICES data request form and submit by April 21, 2015. Why participate: This video was created by your peers to help all team members and decision makers understand how D2D may impact care. Teams may choose to participate in D2D for a variety of reasons. Begin the conversation with your Board and colleagues to see how D2D can benefit your team. Scroll down to see what your peers have to say about their experience with D2D. For more information about the video click here. Next steps: A detailed timeline for participating in D2D 2.0 is available on the AFHTO website along with the D2D 2.0 data dictionary. The most important next steps are:

1. Sign up to contribute data to D2D 2.0 and create a codename to retrieve data from the report once it’s live.
2. Submit the online ICES data request form by April 21, 2015.  You will receive your ICES data by May 17th. Note: A signed version of the form by the ED and Lead Physician of your team is required.  Please scan and email to AFHTO or fax to (416) 920-6556 attention Denise Pinto.
3. The deadline to submit data from all sources via the D2D 2.0 submission platform is May 28, 2015.

For more information contact your QIDS Specialist, the QIDS provincial program or go to the D2D webpage. Additional AFHTO members have shared their experiences participating in D2D:

“I see D2D 2.0 as a unique reflection of interdisciplinary care.  Reporting how we are doing as teams can  help those of us in the trenches measure, improve and ultimately advocate for team-based care across Ontario” Cathy Faulds, lead physician, London FHT

“I see D2D 2.0 as a way to make measurement more reflective of how I work every day with my team and with my patients.  I like the idea of having input into what those measures are.  D2D 2.0 gives me a way to do that” Rob Annis, family physician, Board member North Perth FHT (Listowel) and AFHTO

“D2D 2.0 lets me see how our team stacks up against other teams like us so we can see where the gaps are locally as well as across the province.  This gives me a sense of pride in what we have already been able to achieve — and helps me focus my energy on what is most important” Kavita Mehta, Executive Director of South East Toronto FHT, AFHTO board member

“D2D moves quality improvement to the next level. Optimizing the patient experience happens when we measure the things that are truly meaningful to both patients and their healthcare providers.” Dave Courtemanche, Executive Director, City of Lakes FHT (Sudbury), QIDSS host team

“AFHTO members are delivering great value – D2D 2.0 gives us a way to demonstrate that in a way that we and our partners can see and act on it!” Randy Belair, Executive Director Sunset Country FHT, QIDSS host team, AFHTO president