Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Management/Operations

  • Bits & Pieces: #AFHTO2023 call for abstracts and more

    Bits & Pieces: #AFHTO2023 call for abstracts and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO 2023 Conference: call for abstracts
    • Reminder- CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar tomorrow April 26
    • Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting: 50% OFF for Members
    • Doctors’ Day is May 1
    • Happy Health Administration Day April 26
    • PhD Dissertation: The Micropsychosocial effect of Accounting: A Health Care Context
    • Upcoming events including How peer counsellors can extend interprofessional teams and enhance care and more

     

    text says Team Based Care: Making it a reality for all in white font on a blue streaked background, like hyperspace

    AFHTO 2023 Conference: call for abstracts

    It’s time to highlight primary care. We’ll be selecting sessions and posters for our 4 core themes and we want to hear from you. This is YOUR opportunity to showcase the great work being done in your team, to share innovative approaches occurring in primary care, and to highlight initiatives that are making an impact on your communities’ health needs. Your submissions allow us to recognize the high-quality care each of you provide as we strive to make team-based care a reality for all.

    Find out more here.

    And don’t forget, the deadline to join a working group and/or Bright Lights review committee is next Tuesday, May 2. Come behind the scenes of our hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming, and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee. Deadline May 2.

    CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar April 26

    Reminder – CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar April 26

    In February we sent an email to EDs and Admin Leads titled “Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access” (triad access only). It gives a 40% discount to members for CPS Full Access. For those who’d like a demonstration, Canadian Pharmacists Association is hosting a webinar on April 26, 12:30 pm. Register here.

    They have also extended their free trial until May 1, 2023 for those who’d like a more hands-on approach.

     

     

     

    Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting: 50% OFF for Members

    Registration is open for Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting on May 11 and 12 in Toronto at the Globe and Mail Centre. Join the two-day event to engage with the Choosing Wisely community in an energized exchange of ideas on overuse. Choosing Wisely Canada is currently offering 50% off 10 tickets to AFHTO members. To register and use this offer, please use the promocode AFHTO_CWC_50.  This offer is available on a first-come-first-serve basis while tickets remain available.

    Join keynote session available in-person or via livestream:

    • Overuse and Health Care Equity on May 11 at 9 AM ET
    • The State of Overuse in Canada on May 12 at 9 AM ET
    • Choosing Wisely and the Climate Crisis on May 12 at 2:30 PM ET

    Discuss and network in smaller breakout sessions on topics including:
    Quality Improvement and Data Analytics | Reducing Overuse and Our Carbon Footprint | Preventing Burnout | Choosing Wisely in the Emergency Department | Using Blood Wisely | Appropriate Prescribing | Reducing Overuse in Hospitals | Patient and Public Engagement | Policy as a Tool to Reduce Overuse | Choosing Wisely in Pediatrics | Antibiotic Stewardship | & More

    Earn credits- This one-credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development for up to 9.00 Mainpro+ credits.

    Check out the agenda to see the in-person and livestream options available.

    Register now: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/cwc-2023/#registration

    Doctors’ Day is May 1

    Monday, May 1, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and health care organizations across the province will be recognizing contributions made by Ontario’s doctors. Ontarians can say thank you by picking a flag here.

    You can also join the conversation with hashtag #DoctorsDay.

    A special thank you to all the family doctors working with our teams for the great care you provide to your patients and your communities every day.

    Happy Health Administration Day April 26

    For all the bookings, checking patients in and making things just run better- we know it’s like herding cats, but we literally wouldn’t be able to do it without you.

    Happy Health Administration Day tomorrow!

    PhD Dissertation: The Micropsychosocial effect of Accounting: A Health Care Context

    Physicians are invited to participate in the dissertation of Dr. Makini McGuire-Brown. This anonymous online survey explores policy and physician patient-related decision making through 10 medical cases featuring common medical illnesses. It does not directly test clinical knowledge and will take less than 30 minutes. Physicians from across Canada may participate to contribute to the gathering of academic knowledge about how policies affect work! This can help more conscientious accounting and policy decisions to be made. You may direct any questions to makinidm@yorku.ca. This study has been approved by the REB of York University (STU 2022-134).

    Survey link: https://us.psytoolkit.org/c/3.4.4/survey?s=7szDB.

    How can peer counsellors extend interprofessional teams and enhance care? Apr. 28, 2023
    Part of the DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series, join a virtual fireside chat on incorporating peer counsellors into interprofessional care teams to enhance care. Register here.

    Mental Health Week, May 1-7, 2023
    CMHA toolkit will be available here

    Eating Disorders Quality Standard Webinar, May 5, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Eating Disorders quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    The roadmap to eliminating hepatitis C in Ontario, May 10, 2023
    This webinar will share an overview of the roadmap, including key priorities and strategies for how we can carry out its recommendations in Ontario. Register here.

    2023 University of Toronto DFCM Conference, May 11-12, 2023
    This year’s theme is “DFCM: Strengthening health systems through academic excellence, connection and collaboration.” Find out more.

    Collaborating Across Borders Conference, May 16-18, 2023
    Hosted by UHN, University of Toronto, and Cache. Find out more.

  • Bits & Pieces: create AFHTO 2023 Conference and more

    Bits & Pieces: create AFHTO 2023 Conference and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO 2023 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 2
    • Welcome to Connor Kemp
    • CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar April 26
    • Compensation market survey walkthrough video
    • Member stories
    • Relevant news and reports – OHT updates and more
    • Upcoming events including Autistic people and the COVID-19 pandemic – what have we learned so far, and more

     

    text says Team Based Care: Making it a reality for all in white font on a blue streaked background, like hyperspace

    AFHTO 2023 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 2

    Come behind the scenes of our hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming, and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee. Deadline May 2.

     

    Welcome to Connor Kemp

    Connor is wearing a light polka dotted shirt with brown tie, belt and grey pants. he has his hands in his pockets as he leans forward a little smiling.

    We’re happy to introduce Connor Kemp, our new Project Manager and KTE Specialist.

    Connor began his professional career in the hospital sector at PRHC in decision support. His desire to work in primary care landed him in a QIDSS position in the Kingston area. He has been engaged in several primary care research initiatives, including a clinic efficiency and burnout pilot project.

    Connor’s interest in primary care research led him to pursue an adjunct position with Queen’s University, where he has spent the past year supervising students in a primary care placement. He is also collaborating with colleagues to design experiments for testing biometric wearables to aid the decision-making process for primary care providers. He wishes to expand this data-driven decision-making research in PC. Connor has a background in mechanical/materials engineering and spent much of his graduate time at McGill developing automated screening processes for biomaterials.

    Welcome, Connor to the team!

    CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar April 26

     

    CPS: Beyond the Monograph webinar April 26

    In February we sent an email to EDs and Admin Leads titled “Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access” (triad access only). It gives a 40% discount to members for CPS Full Access. For those who’d like a demonstration, Canadian Pharmacists Association is hosting a webinar on April 26, 12:30 pm. Register here.

    They have also extended their free trial until May 1, 2023 for those who’d like a more hands-on approach.

     

     

    Compensation market survey walkthrough video

    On Friday, April 14, the Alliance hosted the Ontario Community Health Market Review walkthrough. The video is now available. The survey package itself was sent to EDs, Admin Leads and designated representatives of AFHTO member teams on April 4. The deadline to submit the survey to Eckler has been revised to April 27 to allow closer to two weeks after the walkthrough for survey completion. If you haven’t received the email, please contact us. For inquiries regarding the survey itself, please contact Tiffney Hill at thill@eckler.ca.

    Member stories

    Bruyère Academic FHT – pilot project cuts opioid use among patients with chronic pain

    Credit Valley FHT – Minister Marci Ien highlights Budget 2023 investments to strengthen public health care

    Inner City FHT – Inner City FHT to develop substance use hub for people experiencing homelessness

    Sunset Country FHT – Northwestern Health Unit report recommends safe consumption services in 4 Ontario communities

    Relevant news and reports – OHT updates and more

    ONCA Compliance Webinar, Apr. 20, 2023
    Hosted by Mills & Mills LLP, this free webinar will address steps organizations can take and what to be mindful of as we approach the Oct 2024 deadline. Register here.

    Autistic people and the COVID-19 pandemic – what have we learned so far? Apr. 27, 2023
    Hosted by CAMH. Register here.

    How can peer counsellors extend interprofessional teams and enhance care? Apr. 28, 2023
    Part of the DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series, join a virtual fireside chat on incorporating peer counsellors into interprofessional care teams to enhance care. Register here.

    Eating Disorders Quality Standard Webinar, May 5, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Eating Disorders quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Collaborative Health Governance Program, June 14-17, 2023
    Offered by the McMaster Health Leadership Academy. Find out more.

  • Mandatory Evaluation to Capture MHA Funding Impact (20-30min survey, due Apr 28)

    Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads,
     
    AFHTO is grateful for your hard work and creativity in utilizing the one-time MHA funding provided in January.
     
    Now is the time for you to showcase the breadth and impact of your work and make the case for this to become baseline funding for wellness and MHA care.
     
    Due by end of day Friday, April 28, this Final Evaluation is mandatory for all teams. The evaluation has been designed as a 20-30 min rapid-selection survey to be mindful of your time. Please only complete one response per organization.
     
    Please click here to complete the survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W23CDVV
     
    As you may be aware, IPHCC (in collaboration with Alliance for Healthier Communities, AFHTO and NPLCA) is leading the development of this funding evaluation report to the Ministry of Health. They are supported in this work by Dr. Javed Alloo, Colliers Project Leaders, and Community Storytelling. If you have any questions about this evaluation, please contact Angela.Picot@colliersprojectleaders.com.
     
    Thank you again for all your hard work. Your response to this evaluation will support efforts to make this funding more sustainable.

  • Guide for Interprofessional Primary Care Teams – Roles, Responsibilities, and Scopes of practice

    Dear Members,  

    AFHTO has released updated guidance regarding roles, responsibilities, and scopes of practices within the Interprofessional Primary Health Care Team. The guidance document is available on AFHTO’s website. This document has been validated by relevant associations and stakeholders to ensure it captures critical and updated information – we thank our colleagues and stakeholders for their efforts and collaboration with this work.
     
    Though extensive, this document does not serve as an exhaustive review of health care practitioners and their potential roles in a primary care team or a replacement of the current roles and responsibilities you may have identified within your IHP team. Rather, it serves as a guide to provide basic information to aid in the design, coordination, and scope of work of an Interprofessional Primary Health Care Team.

    Next Steps:  
    Collaboratively with our partners, we will hold a webinar series which will focus on each scope of practice. The purpose of this is to bring colleagues together and have a deep dive conversation around challenges, success factors, and changing roles using the guidance document as a starting point. Plans are underway to begin this work in Summer 2023. This discussion will also be included as a session at AFHTO’s conference this Fall.
     
    Going forward, the guidance document will be updated as required to be inclusive of the full scope of practice within the interprofessional health team and to reflect the changing roles and responsibilities. The webinar series and conference session will inform the next update.  

    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

  • Bits & Pieces: systems innovation grant and more

    Bits & Pieces: systems innovation grant and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Youth Opportunities Fund- applications open
    • Welcome to Michael Scarpitti
    • OurCare & Healthy Debate: Give me a primary-care provider who understands me
    • Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    • Relevant news and reports- prenatal care for refugees
    • Want to be a part of PSHSA’s HC Advisory Council?
    • RNs needed as research volunteers
    • Upcoming events including Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard Webinar, and more

    Youth Opportunities Fund- applications open

    AFHTO members and/or partners may be eligible to apply for the Systems Innovation Stream of Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Youth Opportunities Fund, a grant worth up to $250,000 per year for  2 to 5 years.

    • The System Innovations Stream supports collaboratives that are strengthening the quality and responsiveness of systems so they work better for youth facing systemic barriers.
    • Lead Organization Registration Deadline: June 2, 2023
    • Grant Application Deadline: June 20, 2023

    Information Sessions: April 6 and 19, 2023

    Welcome to Michael Scarpitti

    Michael, smiling, is wearing a dark suit, with white shirt and dark striped tie

    We’re happy to introduce Michael Scarpitti, our new Director, Strategic Communications and Government Relations.

    Michael joins AFHTO with a strong background in health systems policy and strategy. Prior to joining AFHTO, he led health systems transformation work for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, supporting the integration of mental health and addictions agencies into Ontario Health Teams.

    Michael has a strong interest in value-based health care and the role of primary care in the patient experience. As a consultant with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health, he provided strategic direction on connected care services and the implementation of the Patient’s Medical Home. In his spare time, he enjoys teaching pharmacoeconomics to students studying regulatory affairs at the post-graduate level. Michael has an M.Sc. from the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University and an MPA from the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.

    Welcome Michael to the team!

    OurCare & Healthy Debate: Give me a primary-care provider who understands me

    OurCare What's most important to patients? 98% of Canadians feel it is important that everyone have access to a family doctor, NP or team of health professionals that they can see regularly.

    Find out what patients and caregivers value most in a primary-care provider and health-care system in the latest blog published for the special series by Healthy Debate and OurCare, Give me a primary-care provider who understands me.

    And are you interested in how virtual care should be integrated into our system? Check out the second post, Virtual care must be integrated into public system, not driven by profit .

    Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory

    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    Relevant news and reports- prenatal care for refugees

    Want to be a part of PSHSA’s HC Advisory Council?
    Public Services Health & Safety Association would like an AFHTO member to sit on its health care advisory council. You can find terms of reference here. If you’re interested, please contact info@afhto.ca.

    RNs needed as research volunteers

    research volunteers needed

    Researchers from the School of Nursing at McMaster University are looking for volunteers who are Registered Nurses working in primary health care settings within Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, or London. The purpose of the study is to understand how Registered Nurses working in primary health care settings facilitate access to health care for recent immigrants. Potential participants will be screened during an initial telephone call to determine if they are eligible for the study.

    The study involves a one-on-one interview that will take approximately 45-60 minutes and will involve one session. The interview will take place using Zoom (or by phone) and interview date and times are flexible. All participants will receive a $20 gift card following completion of the interview.

    For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study, please contact Eugenia Ling via email: Linge6@mcmaster.ca.

    Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard Webinar, Apr. 13, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Surgical Site Infections quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 18, 2023
    This year’s free QI Innovations conference is for mental health and addiction providers and system planners who are interested in data driven decision making and quality improvement. Register here.

    Autistic people and the COVID-19 pandemic – what have we learned so far? Apr. 27, 2023
    Hosted by CAMH. Register here.

    How can peer counsellors extend interprofessional teams and enhance care? Apr. 28, 2023
    Part of the DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series, join a virtual fireside chat on incorporating peer counsellors into interprofessional care teams to enhance care. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: CIRA grants and more

    Bits & Pieces: CIRA grants and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • CIRA grant deadline April 12
    • Diagnosing and treating POTS in Long COVID patients and more
    • Reminder- Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28
    • Perkopolis Day at Canada’s Wonderland
    • Relevant reports – networks of care in resource constrained settings & socioeconomic gradient in mortality

     
    • Feedback on supplemental screening as adjunct to mammography for breast cancer screening in people with dense breasts
    • Upcoming events including Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, and more

     

    CIRA grant deadline April 12
    AFHTO members and/or their partners may be eligible for Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) grants. Grants are available up to $100,000. You can learn more about eligibility, key dates and priority funding areas for 2023 on their site. You can also watch their information webinar here.

    Diagnosing and treating POTS in Long COVID patients and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Reminder- Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28

    Fernando Tavares will join us for another Q&A session to provide a brief update on the Annual Operating Plan (submission timelines + process), discuss further details on the FHT contract extension including updates to the Governance & Attestation document, and review details of the “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” investment of $30 million to help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care. All EDs/Admin Leads are invited to attend the session on March 28th @ 12:00pm. Register here.

    Picture of people with their legs dangling as they sit at the top of a rollercoaster on a sunny day. The background shows trees and neighbourhoods. Text- early bird special .99

     

    Perkopolis Day at Canada’s Wonderland

    Perkopolis Day at Canada’s Wonderland is April 29th. This is an exclusive opportunity to spend a day enjoying Wonderland before the park opens. If your team isn’t registered under the AFHTO account yet, please email info@afhto.ca. Early bird deadline is March 31st. Find out more.

     

    Relevant reports – networks of care in resource constrained settings & socioeconomic gradient in mortality

    Feedback on supplemental screening as adjunct to mammography for breast cancer screening in people with dense breasts

    Ontario Health invites you to share your thoughts about a health technology assessment and draft funding recommendation Supplemental Screening as an Adjunct to Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening in People With Dense Breasts. Open for feedback until April 6, 2023. Learn more here.

    Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, Mar. 22, 2023

    In several provinces, the scope of pharmacist prescribing has expanded, enabling them to assess and prescribe treatments for common syndromes. With other provinces and territories expected to adopt similar approaches, how do we support pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in promoting resource stewardship and appropriate prescribing practices? Hosted by Choose Wisely Toronto. Find out more here.

    Journey with depression: Experiences accessing treatment and services, Mar. 23, 2023
    Virtual town hall hosted by ODPRN Citizens’ Panel with Dr. Noah Ivers. Find out more here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

    Engaging primary care – from the inside out, Mar. 24, 2023
    Part of the OHT Impact Fellows- Knowledge Translation Lunch and Learn Series. Register here.

    DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Mar. 31, 2023
    Join a conversation with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of Wellesley Institute and Professor of Psychiatry at U of T, on how family doctors and primary care providers can better link their work in education, research, and quality improvement to the social determinants of health, and how to partner with organizations that serve communities to be more socially accountable in their work. Learn more here.

    Primary care data reports for OHTs, Mar. 29, 2023

    Hosted by INSPIRE-PHC. Primary Care Data Reports for all OHTs are available here. Join here.

  • Solutions for Rapid Utilization of MHA Funding & Preliminary Survey Reminder

    Dear Executive Directors/Administrative Leads,
     
    Thank you for all your hard work with the one-time MHA funding that you received early this year.
     
    We recognize that short timelines and capacity constrains pose challenges with utilizing funding, so with our partners we have created a resource with a detailed list of recommendations to support you. Please see “Solutions for Rapid Implementation of MHA Funding for Primary Care Teams”. You may find this guidance helpful in addition to the previous guidance we shared.
     
    If you haven’t already, please also click here to fill out the 5-7 minute preliminary scoping survey about this MHA funding, which is helping to identify the value and spectrum of your work (survey deadline extended to March 31). Your responses will help shape the final evaluation of this MHA funding that will follow in April. Your contributions and survey participation can help build a strong case for renewed and sustained Mental Health and Addictions funding for primary care teams across Ontario.

    We hope this resource is helpful both for utilizing this funding and for your ongoing work. Thank you in advance for all your effort and contributions.

    If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Abisola Otepola.

  • $30 million new/expansion funding for teams

    Dear Executive Directors/Administrative Leads,

    On Feb 2nd we shared Minister Jones launch of the Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care. This plan includes an investment of $30 million to create up to 18 new teams and help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care for vulnerable, marginalized, and unattached patients to ensure they are able to connect to care where and when they need it. While the number of 18 was noted in the plan, the Ministry may also be looking at expansion of EXISTING teams and new satellite locations and will share their expectations as they work through their internal planning.

    As we await further information around next steps in the funding implementation process, we encourage all teams to begin thinking about and preparing for the call for proposals. We expect Ministry/OH will release guidance documents towards the end of March with a submission timeline of end of April. We have requested Ministry/OH to provide a technical briefing and review of the relevant documents and process once finalized. We will share the date of this webcast once confirmed.

    To get an idea of what the application template MIGHT look like, here is the link to the 2017-19 IPC Team Expansion Business Case Template. We anticipate the new application process will be similar in terms of structure and big categories for content. Below are also number of principles from the previous process that you may want to keep in mind to help create a successful submission:

    Planning Principles

    • Readiness for early implementation
    • Population health based planning approach
    • Promote equitable access to interdisciplinary primary care across the OHT
    • Enhance access to appropriate, linguistically and culturally sensitive care and services
    • Engage patients and caregivers in planning
    • Integrate and collaborate with local health, social and community service providers
    • Develop model for comprehensive, continuous and coordinated care
    • Enhance attachment, accessibility and timeliness of primary care
    • Enhanced quality improvement and safety
    • Reduce barriers to access to care for vulnerable populations (e.g., Francophone and Indigenous populations)
    • In areas where teams exist, it would be optimal to leverage these existing teams to minimize administrative costs and expend the majority of the allocation on direct patient care.

    Implementation Principles

    • Services/programs reflect OHT population health needs
    • Services/programs are open to the wider community (i.e. populations beyond the rostered or registered patients)
    • Patient and community engagement is a component of planning and governance
    • Health equity is a focus of programs/services
    • Increased programming that is planned and delivered in a culturally sensitive manner, with special focus on addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, including Indigenous peoples and Francophone Ontarians in Ontario
    • Focus on quality, including reporting on key performance indicators
    • Governance structure that includes community members to ensure local population needs are met
    • Improved attachment and access to primary care across OHT
    • Embedded care coordination and care navigation in primary care settings

    Please also note that the $30M is inclusive of increases in base funding for those teams experiencing overhead budget pressures – the process for increases in your base budget will be included in your annual operating plan which is set to be released imminently. Please make sure you join Fernando Tavares for a Q&A on March 28th @ 12:00pm where he will also touch upon the process to apply for increased base funding and provide an overview of this year’s annual operating plan and governance attestation documents. Register here.

    As always, please contact us if you have any questions.

  • Register Now – New Governance Support Available

    Hello EDs/Admin leads, board chairs, and lead clinicians,

    We’ve got all your Governance Training needs covered! Please see the Governance courses, webcast and training sessions available through AFHTO below:

    Provincial Webcast: Governing Through Complexity
    As a result of COVID-19, the implementation of Ontario Health Teams, HHR challenges, capacity and access constraints, and the shift to a population based approach, the pace of change has been quick and for many governors of primary health care teams the question remains: “What is the role of our board in this changing environment? How do we strengthen our governance practices? Where should we focus our efforts?”? This provincial webcast will help explore these questions and equip board members with the necessary knowledge to lead effectively and implement high functioning governance practices.

    Facilitators:       

    Dr. Rob Annis | Family Physician & AFHTO Board Member
    North Perth Family Health Team
    Bryn Hamilton | Interim CEO
    Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

    DATE: April 4th 12:00-1:30pm

    AFHTO/David Hartley Partnership
    Many of you are familiar with David Hartley’s particular expertise in primary care governance, so we are excited to share AFHTO’s partnership with him! David will offer his ‘Best Practice FHT Board Governance Training’ to teams on a 50/50 cost shared arrangement with AFHTO. This is $1350 in savings for teams! Up to 20 teams will receive Training in the form of either: 1) Virtual Option: 2 X 90 minute virtual training sessions (the sessions can be spread out 2 months). Cost per team = $1350; 2) In-Person Option: 3 hours at a location of your choosing. Cost per team = $1850

    More details on the resources and course content are available here.

    AFHTO/Charity Village Partnership
    We are pleased to announce a continued partnership with Charity Village to offer our teams a range of free governance courses. Over 100 members across 25 teams took advantage of these sessions last year with overwhelmingly positive feedback. We have added to the course offerings this year to ensure a broad range of topics to choose from.  

    Each course is chock full of solid information and practical resources that you can download and keep on hand for future reference. Courses are offered virtually in a self paced format. You have 3 months to complete the course once started. Below is a list of courses teams may choose from.

    1. Better Board Kit
    This is a three-part series which includes a 1.5 hr online, on-demand Boards that Work course + a Board Self Evaluation Survey + a Facilitation Guide that will walk your board through a planning session based on the survey results. The Boards that Work kit is available for up to 10 board members.

    For more information, please visit this page. This is a great refresher for all board members and a good way to complete the board evaluation that’s required as part of your governance attestation!

    2. Governing your Organization: A Deeper Dive
    Building on the foundations established in the Boards That Work course, this is a 2 hour on-demand course. For more information, please visit this page.

    3. Diversity, Sensitivity, and Inclusion Training: Promoting Anti-Discrimination and Equity in the Workplace
    This is an on-demand course that will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete. For more information, please visit this page.

    4. IDEA
    This module introduces core concepts and principles to help you establish foundational knowledge of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). For more information, please visit this page.

    5. OHSA and AODA Compliance Training Package (Available for Managers and/or Employees)
    Compliance training regarding Harassment, Health & Safety and Accessibility are mandatory for all non-profit organizations. Ensure your organization is protected from risk and non-compliance by signing up. For more information, please visit this page (managers) or this page (employees).

    If you are interested in any of the courses or training listed above, please click here.

    Setting the Cornerstone: A Blueprint for the Implementation of PCNs in Ontario Discussion document

    And finally, in our efforts to strengthen overall governance practices and models by enabling horizontal integration of the primary care sector, we are pleased to share with you the concept discussion paper developed specifically for the Ministry of Health that outlines preliminary recommendations for the establishment of Primary Care Networks (or PCNs) in Ontario. Developed jointly with AFHTO/OCFP/SGFP, the Blueprint provides an important opportunity to strengthening our province’s primary care system.

    We respectfully acknowledge that further consultation with our members and key stakeholders representative of the sector is required to refine the recommendations being presented. We hope that by sharing the document it will be considered a starting point for discussions between the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and representative of the primary care sector. With any changes it is critical that we work in co-design and all voices are heard. We will keep all members updated as conversations unfold.

     
    Any questions, feel free to reach out! We hope you find these offerings helpful as we continue to elevate our governance practices across teams.

  • Bits & Pieces: teams expanding and more

    Bits & Pieces: teams expanding and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month
    • Social Work Week
    • Measles preparedness and more
    • Member renewal emails sent
    • Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28
    • Nominate high performing early career family physicians
    • Farewell card for Kavita- sign before Friday
    • Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Update — March 2023
    • Upcoming events including Head and Neck Cancer: A Vaccine Preventable Disease and more

     

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC- Belleville NPLC to get additional funding

    City of Kawartha Lakes FHT – City of Kawartha Lakes FHT offering urgent care clinics for residents without a doctor or nurse practitioner

    Ottawa Valley FHT – Family health team expansion improves primary care for Carleton Place and Beckwith residents

    Village FHT – How Ontario’s new health-care deal could change the way your family doctor works

    Discover the power of pharmacy

     

    Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month

    March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month! We would  like to thank all our teams’ pharmacists for their invaluable contributions to comprehensive patient care and for always being there to provide guidance and support. Happy Pharmacist appreciation month!

     

    Recognizing Social Wokers Across Ontario

     

     

    Social Work Week

    It’s Social Work Week in Ontario, and we’d like to thank our teams’ social workers, who have worked tirelessly to support their patients and communities. You can show your appreciation too, with resources from OASW.

     

     

     

    Measles preparedness and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Member renewal emails sent

    Member renewal emails have now been sent to all teams. Thank you to all our members for your participation as we work together to make things better for both primary care teams, your patients, and your communities. Emails were sent to the leadership triad and administration where previously directed. If you have any questions, please contact info@afhto.ca.

    Q & A with Fernando Tavares for EDs, Mar. 28

    We’re pleased to announce that Fernando will join us for another Q&A session to provide a brief update on the Annual Operating Plan (submission timelines + process), discuss further details on the FHT contract extension including updates to the Governance & Attestation document, and review details of the “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” investment of $30 million to help bridge the gap in accessing interprofessional primary care. All EDs are invited to attend the session on March 28th @ 12:00pm. Register here.

    Nominate high performing early career family physicians

    Dr. Monica Aggarwal at the University of Toronto is conducting a study that will identify the key capabilities and competencies of high-performing family medicine graduates. This will help inform how learning, teaching and assessment can be improved in family medicine residency programs in Canada.

    She’s looking for nominations for high-performing early-career family physicians (based on the criteria identified here). If you have a nominee, please contact monica.aggarwal@utoronto.ca.

    Farewell card for Kavita- sign before Friday
    If you would like to join us in wishing our current CEO Kavita Mehta farewell with your own best wishes, please leave your message to her on this e-card before her last day this Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Update — March 2023
    Topics include Indigenous Mental Health and Equity and QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, a free virtual conference in April. Find out more here.

    Head and Neck Cancer: A Vaccine Preventable Disease, Mar. 7, 2023
    Speaker:
    Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, Toronto, Ontario

    Moderator:
    Dr. Christine Palmay, Family Physician, Toronto, Ontario

    Special Guest Speaker:
    Dr. Cheryl Cable, BSc, DDS, MBA, FRCD(C), Prosthodontist and Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, Associate Professor University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

    Find out more here.

    OHT supports events, Mar. 9-24, 2023

    Hosted by RISE:

    Celebrating Social Prescribing: A Virtual Tour Across Canada, Mar. 9, 2023
    On International Social Prescribing Day 2023, join social prescribing leaders from across Canada for a whistle-stop tour around the country to celebrate and be inspired by the current state of this work and emerging opportunities in different regions. Register here.

    Together We Care 2023, Mar. 27- 29, 2023
    Together We Care is the largest and most comprehensive learning and networking experience for professionals in long-term care and retirement living. Find out more here.

    Primary care data reports for OHTs, Mar. 29, 2023

    Hosted by INSPIRE-PHC. Primary Care Data Reports for all OHTs are available here. Join here.