Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Management/Operations

  • QI in Action eBulletin #115: Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution, Funding Opportunities, Partner Updates

    QI in Action eBulletin #115: Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution, Funding Opportunities, Partner Updates

    In this Issue:

    • Understanding the Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution
    • Clinical Systems Renewal Funding
    • Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs)
    • Updates from eHealth Centre of Excellence
    • NEW Online Smoking Cessation Program
    • Upcoming Webinars

     

    New Research Project! We want to hear from you!
    AFHTO has partnered with Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft on a study focused on understanding how and in what ways primary care contributes to vaccine distribution, challenges experienced by primary care in the transition of vaccine distribution, as well as generating recommendations about primary care’s ongoing and future roles in vaccine distribution, including COVID-19 boosters.

    This study will be in the format of focus groups with EDs, MDs, NPs, nurses, QIDSS and IHPs.

    If you are interested in participating, please complete this poll for your availability, by February 16, 2022.

    For any questions, please connect with Sandeep Gill: sandeep.gill@afhto.ca.

    Clinical Systems Renewal Funding
    The Ministry of Health (MOH), through Ontario Health, has approved up to $3.96M in dedicated funding each year in FY2021-22 and FY2022-23 for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and In Development (OHT) Teams to support investments that reduce the fragmentation of clinical systems with a focus on Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS). Funding is intended for innovative projects that lay a foundation to further streamline healthcare systems resulting in better integrated care outcomes. For more information, please click here.

    Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs)
    The Primary Care Data Working Group has produced OHT-specific Primary Care Data Reports (PCDR). The reports use standard health administrative measures in primary care in conjunction with measures for attachment to a primary care provider to deliver a standardized document for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). These reports are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the attributed population of each OHT from a primary care lens. To learn more about the reports, please click here.

    Updates from the eHealth Centre of Excellence: New and upcoming digital health tools for primary care

    The eHealth Centre of Excellence (eCE) has been developing several different decision support tools that can be integrated into primary care EMRs to facilitate access to best practice evidence at the point of care:

    • Development of the Long COVID tool jointly with Ontario Health is nearing completion for Telus PS Suite, with the Oscar version currently in development
    • Development for the Osteoporosis toolkit in Oscar is complete and the Accuro version is now in development; this tool is already available for the PS Suite
    • The Falls Prevention EMR tool developed jointly with the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has finished development and should be available soon for PS Suite
    • Work has begun with Surrey Place on the new “Health Check” tool, which aims to help with documenting a comprehensive health assessment for adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

    These tools will be made available for download directly from the community portal. If you have any questions and would like to see a specific tool developed, please reach out to: EMRtools@ehealthce.ca.

    The eCE Automates team continues to provide virtual assistants or “bots” that help to create more efficient workflows for clinicians and their staff:

    • The COVID-19 vaccination bot is continuing to help clinicians with their COVID-19 vaccine documentation, supporting 3rd and 4th doses within the PS Suite EMR, with development underway to bring this bot to Accuro
    • The new Bernie Lab ordering bot is currently in development with a planned release in the coming months – stay tuned!
    • They are working on a new automation project named ASAPP (Automated Solutions Assisting Priority Populations), which will build on the existing bot processes by running additional advanced algorithms to identify high risk patients

    Feel free to get in touch here if you are interested in learning more.

    Ongoing exploration is occurring through the HEAL (Healthcare Experience and Advancement Lab) initiative to help understand and prioritize future automations within both clinical and administrative spaces. If you are interested in providing input as to what tasks you would like to see automated, consider signing up for HEAL and they will be in touch.

    CAMH STOP on the Net

     

    NEW Online Smoking Cessation Program: STOP on the Net

    The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has launched an online smoking cessation program called STOP on the Net, available to adults in Ontario interested in quitting tobacco cigarette smoking. Eligible participants can receive a free 8-week NRT kit containing nicotine patches and gum/lozenges mailed directly to their address!

    Learn more about STOP on the Net by reading the flyer and visiting www.stoponthenet.com.

     

     

    Upcoming Webinars:
    OMD Educates Webinar: Targeting Patient Populations in Primary Care – A Practical Approach
    February 23, 2022
    Learning Objectives:

    • The importance of identifying a specific patient population and how it relates to your practice (Examples: Chronic Disease, Smoking, Diabetes Management, Mental Health, COVID-19 Vaccination Status, etc.).
    • Which digital tools and external reports are available to aid in identifying a specific population (Examples: MyPractice Reports, SARS, Insights4Care (i4C) Dashboard, Searches, EMR specific tools, etc.).
    • Practical tips on how to find and use these tools in Accuro® EMR, PS Suite EMR and OSCAR McMaster (OSCAR PRO).

    This session will include a panel discussion and Q&A followed by virtual breakout room workshops for Accuro EMR, PS Suite EMR and OSCAR McMaster (OSCAR PRO) users that will give you a better understanding of the tools and how to integrate them into clinic workflow

    Presented by Dr. Anil Maheshwari, Dr. Lee Donohue, and Dr. Vineet Nair, OMD Physician Peer Leaders with support from OMD Practice Enhancement Consultants.

    Register here

    MyPractice: Primary Care Report: Using Data for Improvement, February 28, 2022
    Ontario Health is hosting a webinar for primary care providers on using the antibiotic prescribing indicators in the MyPractice: Primary Care report to drive improvements in patient care. This is the second of an ongoing accredited series that will focus on using data from the MyPractice: Primary Care report for quality improvement.
    Register here

    Segmenting your OHT population: Stories from the Field (Part III), February 22, 2022
    Hosted by HSPN
    Registration: Click here

    Supporting caregiver well-being within Ontario Health Teams: Building caregiver resilience and reducing the risk of caregiver burnout, March 2, 2022
    Hosted by Ontario Caregiver Organization
    Registration: Click here

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #114 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

     

  • Follow-up on January’s regional calls with EDs and admin leads;update from meeting with the Primary Health Care Branch

    Note: This email is going to executive directors, lead physicians, NP clinical directors, and board chairs

    Dear leadership triad,

    Thank you to all executive directors and admin leads who joined their regional call with us at end of January. It is always helpful to hear from you, and we hope you found the call and the chance to connect with your fellow EDs to be useful.

    This email is a follow-up to provide the information promised during the calls, a summary of our call with the Ministry of Health’s Primary Health Care Branch on February 3, and a few other updates and supports.

    Please see the email from last Friday, February 4, titled “COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies, Vaccination Updates, and Other Updates” for an update on COVID-19 vaccination (including aged 5-11), long COVID, RATs supply, and more.

    Update from the meeting with the Primary Health Care Branch, MOH (February 3)

    • The Annual Operating Plan is scheduled to be due at the end of April, and teams can expect an email on this from the Primary Health Care (PHC) Branch sometime this month. To streamline the process, they will be sending it out as a Microsoft form (i.e., survey), which can be downloaded as a PDF/word document. Teams can enter information into the word document and then copy and paste it into the online survey. Information requested will be the same as previous years, with a bit more on virtual care.
    • Notification on FHT contract extension is expected this week. Teams will need to sign back on this agreement, with a March 15 deadline. E-deposits will then continue.
    • AFHTO raised teams’ concerns about the expenditure guideline requirement that no single profession may account for more than 50% of the total complement unless prior ministry approval is provided in writing.
      • It was noted that if a nurse is needed to do something extensive like mental health, particularly in small and/or rural teams, a case on the nursing compliment going above 50% could be made to the ministry. If there is a compelling case for a higher ratio of nursing staff, FHTs can make a business case for the change through the annual operating plan or through an in-year reallocation request. Teams are encouraged to speak with their senior program consultant.
      • The PHC Branch understands that there is confusion among teams around the role of nursing staff within a FHT and has made a commitment to provide clarity of the role and expectations on nursing-funded positions. Once more information is available, we will share it with you.
    • Members had inquired about using HR funding for recruitment/reallocation expenses. HR funding is not to be used for this purpose, but teams are reminded that per the ARI guidelines there is a tolerance threshold of $10,000 that can be moved between budget categories (HR to overhead) without ministry approval, which can allow you to employ tactics to support recruitment efforts. Anything beyond the tolerance threshold can only be reallocated with written approval from the ministry.
    • Although not confirmed and waiting on dissemination from Ontario Health, the PHC Branch has seen next year’s QIP expectations. The timelines and release are currently with Ontario Health, and PHC Branch was unable to give a timeline for its release as it is now out of their hands.
    • We know that teams continue to make unsolicited funding requests and do not always know why their proposals are rejected. To help support teams with future requests, the PHC Branch has agreed to develop a criteria checklist on what teams should be focusing on when requesting additional funding. This will help teams in preparing a business case. We do not have a timeline to share, but we will follow up with the PHC Branch a couple weeks, if needed. Stay tuned!
    • We also understand that the ministry has reviewed all unsolicited business cases from 2019/20, and the teams that are going to receive additional investments have been notified. We expect an announcement in the coming weeks to highlight the teams, including some that received substantial expansion dollars to support an increased number of patients rostered.
    • With year-end funds and projected surpluses, the ministry will be working with teams expecting a surplus and connecting them with teams in need of funding.  If you project overspending because of COVID, the ministry can help with matchmaking now to another team that is projecting a surplus. Teams are encouraged to contact their senior program consultant as soon as possible to discuss this.

    Pre-budget submission and the 2022 election

    • On February 11, we will be submitting our pre-budget submission with the Primary Care Collaborative. There are 22 recommendations, broken into four sections:
      • Address the HHR crisis and system capacity
      • Integrate health care across Ontario
      • Prioritize digital and data equity
      • Create a culturally safe healthcare system that addresses health inequities
    • We will share this submission with members once completed, and we will expand further on the points to provide an additional resource for election advocacy.
    • If teams have recent stories of success to share that would fall in any of these categories, please send them to Beth MacKinnon to highlight in our advocacy tools.
    • All advocacy tools for the 2022 election will be circulated by the end of February. We encourage you to check out who your local candidates are now and begin outreach to introduce yourself and schedule meetings for March.

    Moving the yardstick on funding for team-based primary care

    • AFHTO is arranging a pilot with a handful of teams in 2-3 regions to look at how we can work better together to maximize resources and expand access to team-based care based on population health needs. The pilot will be used to demonstrate how and why funding would be needed to expand even further.
    • Any group of teams who would like to be part of this pilot and are interested in working together are invited to contact Bryn Hamilton.

    Survey #1: Please complete this survey for the Vaccination Research Study

    • AFHTO has partnered with Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft on a study focused on understanding how and in what ways primary care contributes to vaccine distribution. This includes challenges experienced by primary care in the transition to vaccine distribution, as well as generating recommendations about primary care’s ongoing and future roles in vaccine distribution, including COVID-19 boosters.
    • This study will be focus groups with EDs, physicians, nurses, QIDSS, and IHPs. Please share this poll with team members so they can share interest and provide availability here: https://utorontofsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ocXZYkcgB5mzPM.
    • Please note, each team member can fill out this poll individually.
    • Please complete this survey by Friday, February 11.

    Survey #2: Please complete the Mental Health Survey

    • AFHTO is supporting the OMA in collectively identifying 2-3 key priorities of mutual interest to strengthen primary care’s capacity to deliver mental health and addiction care and strengthen primary care’s ability to deliver supports to address the needs of people living with moderate-severe depression, anxiety, OCD, and opioid use problems.
    • To support this work, we ask that Executive Directors/Administrative Leads of teams please fill out this quick survey: https://forms.office.com/r/u6Dueg7XV4.
    • Please complete this survey by Friday, February 11.

    A few other things

    • Executive directors and admin leads, please join us on Wednesday, February 23 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a meeting on “Ontario Health Teams: Where are we now and what’s next?” The first 30 minutes will be with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health, who will provide a brief update and Q&A. The last hour will be a discussion among teams. More information and registration are here.
    • A session is being coordinated with Ontario Health for a broader update on the work they are doing and the chance for teams to ask questions. A date will be shared later this month.
    • A reminder to check out the Monitoring Organizational Performance Toolkit and Dashboard that was developed for boards and introduced last month.
    • The second phase of Ontario’s work to ease public health measures is expected on February 21. More information on the province’s reopening plan can be seen here.  AFHTO, in collaboration with partners, shared concerns on the reopening plan and public health measures with the ministry prior to the first phase of reopening. You can read our letter to the minister here.
    • On February 7, Nadia Surani, Director of the PHC Branch, sent a memo to teams asking them to prioritize vaccination for children if capacity allowed. If you are experiencing ongoing issues with your PHU around vaccine access or need support, please contact us so we can bring concerns to the ministry. Also check out http://www.parenthomework.ca/ for some great practical, parent-facing guidance around children’s vaccination.

    A reminder to keep checking out our COVID-19 section that we regularly update with news, tools, and resources, including the daily situation reports.

    Please contact us any time. We hope you are all keeping well.

    Sincerely,
    Your AFHTO Team

  • COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies, Vaccination Updates and Other Updates

    Dear members,

    January has been an incredibly difficult month, and we want to thank you and your teams for all that you have done, and continue to do, for your patients. Encouragingly, the latest update on COVID-19 projections from the Science Table indicates that while hospital and ICU admissions continues to be high, Ontario data shows that vaccination (including third doses) is providing strong protection against serious illness.

    The Ministry of Health issued a memo on the gradual resumption of selected clinical activities on February 1st, in addition to updated COVID-19 Directive #2 for Healthcare Providers and accompanying Q&A. The Ministry notes that latest modelling for hospitalizations and new admissions indicates that we have likely reached the peak of the current wave and will see a gradual decline in new hospitalizations in the coming weeks, and the revised Directive #2 allows the cautious and gradual resumption of diagnostic imaging, cancer screening and scheduled ambulatory clinics, and non-urgent and nonemergent surgeries as operationally feasible.

    See the Ministry of Health’s Provincial testing guidance and the implementation of antivirals in Ontario slide deck, released February 2nd, for an overview of Ontario’s COVID-19 testing strategy, expanded use of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), antiviral pathway within 5 days of symptom onset, and other important information.

    Please find below for additional resources to aid your teams as we look forward with cautious optimism to the end of the Omicron wave.

    COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies

    This template patient script from the OCFP, updating on available COVID-19 treatments, can be adapted for community-based practices. The OCFP has also updated their Considerations for Balancing Demands, including more info on caring for symptomatic and COVID +ve patients.

    Referral forms in Telus PS, Accuro and OSCAR
    The North York Family Health Team has kindly digitized the referral form and made it available for all Telus PS and Accuro users in the province. Special thanks to Suja Arackal, Data Manager at the North York FHT.

    • For Accuro users:
      • Both the forms (“Ontario COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody(mAb) EUA Treatment Referral” & “List of sites distributing Paxlovid”) are available in Accuro cloud.
      • Please follow this link for instructions on how to download a form from Accuro cloud.
    • For PSS users:
      • Please download the custom form “Ontario COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody(mAb) EUA Treatment Referral” and the handout “List of sites distributing Paxlovid” using this link.
      • Instructions on how to import a handout in PSS: Click here
      • Instructions on how to import a custom form in PSS: Click here

    Thank you to Lisa Hawkins, QIDSS with the Champlain Region FHTs and Dr. Kevin Lai in North York for their assistance in developing the form for OSCA users.

    • For OSCAR users:
      • There are two options for you to choose from depending on your EMR compatibility. Please click here for more details.

    You can also find the OCFP summary of the OH Guidance for Primary Care Providers – Access to Sotrovimab and Paxlovid for outpatient therapies for COVID-19 here.

    COVID-19 Vaccination

    All about RATs
    The provincial stock of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) is now in good supply and can be used for staff and patients. Primary care will see their backordered RATs from provincial stockpile in the next week or two and can also order additional tests from the provincial stockpile. ConfusedAboutCOVID.ca has a good fact sheet on “When should I use Rapid Antigen Test?” you can share with your patients. You can order the RATs here.

    *NEW: note that symptomatic household members of patient-facing healthcare workers (includes primary care) are now eligible for PCR testing.
     
    Long COVID

    COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centres
    A reminder that clinical assessment centres have been stood up to support assessment, diagnosis, and disposition planning for people whose symptoms cannot be safely self-monitored at home but are also not experiencing severe symptoms that would require emergency care.
    See:

     
    Events
    Ontario Health Community of Practice

    • Primary Care and COVID-19 Support Community of Practice January 12th Ontario Health CoP meeting recording can be accessed online. In this recording you will hear Dr. Chris Simpson speak about COVID Clinical Assessment Centres and Dr. Mangin provides updates to the COVID Monitoring pathways for primary care.
    • The next CoP meeting is on February 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and will focus on further discussions on monitoring and Post COVID-19 Condition clinical guidance for primary care. Katie Hogue, NPLCA President, will speak to her experience up in Parry Sound. Register here.

    Ontario College of Family Physicians Community of Practice

    • The OCFP COVID-19 CoP February 4th session on Responding to the Omicron Surge – Part 2 can be accessed here. The slide deck from the session is also available here.  
    • The next CoP session will be Friday, February 18th from 7:55 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and registration details coming soon.

    Ontario Medical Association and OCFP Town Hall

    • On February 3rd the OMA and OCFP hosted a Town Hall on COVID-19 and children with Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, and other experts. Watch the recording here.

    In the next week we are expecting the updated Primary Care Guidance document which will provide updated guidance on how to manage in-person care with updated IPAC, screening and testing guidance. We will ensure we share that as soon as it is available.

    Once again thank you for all you are doing to keep your patients and the community safe. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    Yours in Good Health,

    The AFHTO Team
    (in collaboration with the Primary Care Collaborative)

  • 2021 Conference videos and slides

    Pre-Conference Day: Tuesday, October 26, 2021

    Program Component Materials

    Fireside Chat with Enterprise Canada – What You Can Expect in the Provincial Election

     

    Video

    Day 1: Wednesday, October 27, 2021

    Opening Session- Welcome,  Minister’s Address and Bright Lights Awards Ceremony

    		 Video
    Facts vs. Myth: The Realities of Equity in Canadian Healthcare Video

    The Power of Social Media during COVID

    Video

     

    Presentation slides

    Day 2: Thursday, October 28, 2021

    The Opioid Epidemic: The Forgotten Public Health Crisis Video
    Artificial Intelligence and Robots in Primary Care. The Future is Now!

    Video

    Presentation slides
    MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER: The Power of Resilience with Dr. Mamta Gautam

    Video

     

    Presentation slides
  • Resources and Tools for the Rollout of Vaccines for 5–11-Year-Olds

    Resources and Tools for the Rollout of Vaccines for 5–11-Year-Olds

    Dear Members,

    As you know, Health Canada approved the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old last Friday. The Government of Ontario opened booking beginning today, November 23. Ontario is expected to receive 1,076,000 doses of the vaccine from the federal government for the approximately one million eligible children, which will be distributed to public health units, pharmacies, and primary care settings across the province. If you are not aware of your PHU’s plans or would like to participate in the vaccine efforts, please contact your PHU directly.

    Below are some resources you may find helpful in either planning for vaccination or helping to address questions parents/caregivers may have about vaccinating their kids.

    Information Session Webinars for Health Care Providers

    Getting Kids Back to Being Kids: COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children 5-11

    Getting Kids Back to Being Kids: COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children 5-11
    Friday November 26, 2021 | 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. ET
    In this upcoming session, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, will share current information regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in children ages 5-11, and the provincial roll-out plans, followed by a panel of professionals providing an overview of implementation through a variety of lenses. A moderated Q&A will follow the discussion. Register to attend.

    Information webinar: COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old
    Monday November 29, 2021 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ET
    The Alliance, AFHTO and the NPLCA are cohosting an information session to help our members prepare, and to answer your most pressing questions. Dr. Janine McCready, infectious diseases physician at Michael Garron Hospital, will share details of the vaccine for children, share insights for how to counsel parents and guardians, and address commonly asked questions and concerns. Register to attend.

    Ministry of Health Resources and Tools

    AODA Compliant Fact Sheet and Poster COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Youth:
    Fact Sheet

    Poster

    Updated guidance documents related to COVID-19 vaccines for Children/Youth aged 5-17:

     

    Helpful Tools/Resources

    Updated Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty product monograph

    • Updated November 19, 2021

    Response to individuals requesting to book a paediatric vaccine appointment

    Sample letter to patients encouraging patients/caregivers to vaccinate their kids

    • Letter drafted by Drs Tara Kiran and Noah Ivers that can be adapted for use in your clinics

    Fears about safety and long-term effects:

    Needle fear and pain:

    Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy:

     

    University of Toronto DFCM and OCFP Free Learning Modules

    Free learning module: Vaccination in children age 5-11
    DFCM and OCFP have developed a free learning module on vaccination in children aged 5-11 designed to support primary care clinicians as they begin discussing vaccination of children with patients and their families.

    The vaccination in children module includes:

    • Dose and composition
    • Efficacy
    • Safety
    • Risk of myocarditis and pericarditis
    • Benefits of vaccinating children
    • Our role as primary care clinicians
    • Common questions and concerns
    • Resources

     
    This module is the latest update to a series of free COVID-19 vaccination modules developed to provide primary care professionals with the knowledge and skills to support Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination effort. The self-learning series is designed both as a continuous learning experience and as a resource that users can refer to as needed. To learn more and for free registration please register here.
     
    As we look towards the holiday season our team would like to thank you for all the hard work you continue to do to keep your patients and your communities safe. This has been another tough year, but hope is around the corner. Continue to stay safe and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or ideas.

    Yours in good health,
    The AFHTO Team

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories, multiple kids 5 -11 webinars and more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories, multiple kids 5 -11 webinars and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Introduction to ONCA slides and video available
    • Reminder- information webinar: COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old, Nov. 29, 2021
    • Reminder- Practical approaches to polypharmacy: the gentle art of deprescribing, Dec. 1, 2021
    • Letter for patients regarding children’s vaccine and more
    • Perkopolis for AFHTO members
    • Update on the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs)
    • 2022 Alliance conference- call for learning proposals
    • Call for AMS 2022 Fellows in Compassion and Artificial Intelligence
    • Upcoming events regarding COVID-19 vaccination in children age 5 to 11 years and more

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC- New programs tackling mental issues

    City of Kawartha Lakes FHT– receives diversity and inclusion award. Examples not mentioned in the article:
    – offered Indigenous culture and 2SLGBTQ+ and training for staff and as part of FHT annual Education Day(s);
    – participated in diversity and education training though the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion;
    – consulted and created enhanced capacity for transgender health including via Gender Journeys locally and Rainbow Health Ontario; and
    – increased physical accessibility at the Fenelon site.

    North Simcoe FHT – Midland COVID-19 assessment centre moving to new location

    Introduction to ONCA title slide

     

    Introduction to ONCA slides and video available
    On Nov. 17 Benjamin Miller from Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) held an education session for members on what is new in the Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), and steps nonprofits can take to set themselves up for success in transitioning to the new requirements under the Act. Slides and video are now available.

     

    Reminder- information webinar: COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old, Nov. 29, 2021

    Dr. Janine McCready, infectious diseases physician at Michael Garron Hospital, will share details of the expected or approved vaccine for children, share insights for how to counsel parents and guardians, and address commonly asked questions and concerns. Register here. (in partnership with the Alliance and NPLCA)

    Reminder- Practical approaches to polypharmacy: the gentle art of deprescribing, Dec. 1, 2021
    Join Dr. Dee Mangin as she speaks to approaches to the issues and problems around polypharmacy and deprescribing in primary care patients; discuss approaches to the integration of patients’ goals and priorities with evidence; and demonstrate the TAPER tool. Register here.

    Letter for patients regarding children’s vaccine and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Screenshot of Perkopolis newsletter

     

    Perkopolis for AFHTO members

    This is an early reminder AFHTO members are eligible to sign up for free access to over 5000 perks through Perkopolis. Get discounts on shopping, attractions and more. We know you’re probably on top of your holiday shopping, but given potential supply chain ssues this year, another source can’t hurt.

    EDs, if your team doesn’t have access yet, please email info@afhto.ca.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Update on the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs)

    On March 10, 2021, Ontario Health communicated that an adjusted strategy for the 2021/22 QIP would be forthcoming, designed to provide organizations with flexibility to reflect where they are with their QI efforts given the pandemic, local needs, pressures, and goals for the recovery period.
     
    After careful consideration, they have made the decision to not reopen Navigator for the 2021/22 QIP submission. You are not required to submit your 2021/22 QIP to Ontario Health. They do, however, encourage you to develop and post your 2021/22 QIP on your website and to share it with your staff, clinicians, and patients/clients and their family members. Please reach out to the team at QIP@OntarioHealth.ca if you have any questions about this. You can read the full email in English and French here.

    2022 Alliance conference- call for learning proposals

    Action Now! Building Equitable Futures Together will be held June 8-9, 2022. The call for workshop proposals now open. Visit their website to review the conference criteria, priority topics, formats and terms and conditions. Deadline for submissions is January 10, 2022.

    Call for AMS 2022 Fellows in Compassion and Artificial Intelligence
    The call for the AMS 2022 Fellowships in Compassion and AI is open. The program focusses on promoting the integration of digital technology and compassionate care in the delivery of health care services, education of health professionals as well as facilitating the leadership needed to realize the promise of technology. For more information visit their site.

    Employment Standards & Occupational Health and Safety Related to COVID-19, Nov. 24, 2021

    The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is hosting an online information session to help you understand your employment standards and occupational health and safety rights and obligations as they relate to COVID-19. Register here.

    Starting the Conversation: Perinatal Mental Health, Nov. 24, 2021
    Hosted by the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) to support healthcare providers in their understanding and awareness of the delivery of mental healthcare to pregnant and postpartum people in Ontario. Register here.

    Getting Kids Back to Being Kids: COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children 5-11, Nov. 26, 2021
    Hosted by OCFP, the session will begin with Dr Kieran Moore and Dr Daniel Warshafsky sharing current information regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in children ages 5-11, and the provincial roll-out plans. They will be followed by a panel of professionals who will provide an overview of implementation through a variety of lenses, and answer questions. Register here.

    Virtual Partnership Conference, Dec. 1, 2021
    Hosted by Canada Health Infoway. Register here.

    2022 Legal Issues for Primary Care Team Webinars, Jan. 6- Dec. 1, 2022
    Led by Kate Dewhirst, with early bird pricing until Nov. 30, 2021. Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: webinar re 5-11 yr old vaccination, your voice is key and more

    Bits & Pieces: webinar re 5-11 yr old vaccination, your voice is key and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Information webinar: COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old
    • Your voice is key – member consultation forum, Nov. 16, 2021
    • Celebrating Nurse Practitioner Week
    • Members’ stories
    • Reminder- Introduction to ONCA, Nov. 17, 2021
    • Third dose recommendations, dose date calculator and more
    • New tools and supports- substance use, navigation & child & youth depression
    • TUTOR-PHC call for applications
    • RNAO seeking best practice panelists
    • Upcoming events regarding improving access to community MHA services and more

     

    Information webinar: COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old

    COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old is expected to be approved by Health Canada by the end of November. The Alliance for Healthier Communities and the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario is cohosting an information session to help our members prepare, and to answer your most pressing questions.

    Dr. Janine McCready, infectious diseases physician at Michael Garron Hospital, will share details of the expected or approved vaccine for children, share insights for how to counsel parents and guardians, and address commonly asked questions and concerns.

    Register here.

    Your voice is key – member consultation forum, Nov. 16, 2021

    A reminder to please sign up for and spread the word across your teams and regional networks about AFHTO’s Member Consultation – 2022 Election Messaging on November 16 from 12 PM to 1:30 PM! This is member input on our election strategy and local messaging, and it is critical that we have good representation from a diversity of teams and professions.

    Your voice is key in our election preparation, and local advocacy is equally as critical as central advocacy – especially in the lead-up to an election where candidates are working to be (re)elected.

    We know how busy schedules are for team leaders these days, so if it helps, consider delegating this to one person on your team who can be a touch point for advocacy work over the next seven months as we work towards election day on June 2, 2022.

    Please register here! Any questions, please contact beth.mackinnon@afhto.ca.

    Beth faces the camera in a screenshot taken in an exam room.

     

    Celebrating Nurse Practitioner Week

    This week it’s time to recognize the important work of NPs in primary care teams. No matter the model, nurse practitioners are truly invaluable in providing comprehensive care to Ontarians. Thank you to our NP team members! And to highlight some of their great work, here is a video of past president and NPAO Patient Choice Award Nominee Beth Cowper-Fung, Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Georgina NPLC.

     

    Five physios stand with arms around each others' shoulders, masked and smiling

    Members’ stories

    Burlington FHT– Tough nuts to crack: The Burlington FHT Physiotherapy team during the pandemic

    Bruyère Academic FHT– Bruyère Receives Award in Innovation from CAN Health

    Georgina NPLC– ‘Decrease wait times’ focus behind Georgina’s nurse practitioner clinic that director promises will be ‘gorgeous’

    Lakehead NPLC – Lakehead nurse practitioner-led clinic offers drive-thru flu shots

    Reminder- Introduction to ONCA, Nov. 17, 2021
    Join Benjamin Miller from Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) for an education session on what is new in the Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), and steps nonprofits can take to set themselves up for success in transitioning to the new requirements under the Act. Register here.

    Third dose recommendations, dose date calculator and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    New tools and supports- substance use, navigation & child & youth depression

    Breaking Free Online – Digital Support Tool for Substance Use Disorder: Ontario Health has launched Breaking Free Online, an online therapy tool for Ontarians 16 and up to support recovery from the use of over 70 substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, including opioids, and help prevent a relapse. To implement, please email Nicholette Smith at nsmith@breakingfreegroup.com to receive your organization’s service code.

    Health Care Navigation Service – Coming Soon: The Ontario government is awarding a contract to create a one-stop, digitally enabled navigation tool with fully bilingual services that will increase access to care and improve equity. This new tool expected to be ready in early 2022, where Ontarians will have a ‘Digital Front Door’ to Ontario’s health care system. Find out more here.

    Improving care across Ontario一and beyond一for children and youth with depression– The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has launched a new free online tool to help improve the standard of care for youth living with depression. Cundill Centre Online Tool for the Treatment of Youth Depression summarizes best care practices for supporting youth as they manage their depression and is now available for primary care providers and other frontline clinicians everywhere.

    TUTOR-PHC call for applications
    Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC), is a one-year, pan-Canadian interdisciplinary research capacity building program that has been training primary and integrated health care researchers, clinicians and decision-makers from family medicine, nursing, psychology, epidemiology, social work, occupational therapy, education, policy, and many other disciplines since 2003.  The deadline to apply is December 6, 2021.

    For more information, please go to the website or email the TUTOR-PHC Project Coordinator at tutor@uwo.ca.

    RNAO seeking best practice panelists

    The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is seeking nominations for expert panel members for an upcoming new edition best practice guideline on Person-And Family-Centred Care, Third Edition. They are looking for 1 to 3 family physicians to be a volunteer on this panel which extends over 18 months.

    Please see attached letter for more information and if you are interested please let us know at info@afhto.ca by November 16th so we can inform the RNAO.

    Improving Access to community MHA services: A QI priority for Ontario Health Teams, Nov. 12, 2021
    Hosted by E-QIP. Learn more here.

    MyPractice: Primary Care Report: Using Data for Improvement: A focus on the Diabetes Management Indicators, Nov. 22, 2021

    First in a QI learning series by Ontario Health. Find out more here.

    HSPN OHT Webinar: Stories from the field Part 2, Nov. 23, 2021
    The webinar will focus on a few examples of teams that are looking at ways to meaningfully engage patients and families in co-design, to develop and implement integrated strategic plans, and to create robust governance structures. Register here.

    Prenatal Genetic Testing Options and Genetic Counselling Services in Northeastern Ontario, Nov. 24, 2021
    Prenatal Screening Ontario is pleased to partner with the Genetic Counselling Services of Health Sciences North to provide a free webinar for supporting prenatal care providers in Northeastern Ontario. Register here.

    Practical approaches to polypharmacy: the gentle art of deprescribing, Dec. 1, 2021
    We will explore approaches to the issues and problems around polypharmacy and deprescribing in primary care patients; discuss approaches to the integration of patients’ goals and priorities with evidence; and demonstrate the TAPER tool. Register here.

    Primary Care and COVID-19 Support CoP Connecting Call, Nov. 24, 2021
    Hosted by Ontario Health. Find out more here.

  • Notice of the AFHTO Annual General Meeting – Oct. 26, 2021

    Dear AFHTO Members:

    This Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being e-mailed to the Board Chair, Executive Director/Administrative Lead, Lead Physician or Clinic Director Nurse Practitioner, of each organization who, according to the AFHTO by-law, is eligible to vote. The AGM will be held the day before the Annual AFHTO Conference and before the Fireside Chat With Enterprise Canada – What Can You Expect In The Upcoming Provincial Election session.

    The Virtual Annual General Meeting takes place:

    Tuesday, October 26th, 2021
    4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

    Register here: https://events.myconferencesuite.com/AFHTO_2021_Registration/reg/landing

    Each AFHTO team-based model of care member is entitled to designate one voting representative for the AGM. The member Board Chair has the right to appoint any person associated with their organization as the voting delegate.

    Please e-mail sombo.saviye@afhto.ca to indicate who will be voting as representative of your organization before the Annual General Meeting as soon as possible. The AGM will take place as part of the virtual conference and voting delegates must register before the meeting to receive their log-in information. Conference registration is available here and please be sure to check the box to indicate attendance at the AGM.  

    For individuals not able to attend the AGM, you will also find a proxy ballot which you can submit 48 hours before the meeting with your vote.

    The agenda and accompanying reports for this AGM are below. The AFHTO Board will present:

    • The 2021 AFHTO Annual Report to the members;
    • AFHTO’s financial report including the audited statements for the fiscal year 2020/2021; and
    • The proposed acclamation of four Board of Directors.

    There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and share ideas. You are also most welcome to send me your comments, questions, or ideas in advance.

    On behalf of the AFHTO Board, we look forward to virtually seeing you at the meeting.

    Sincerely,
    Kavita Mehta
    Chief Executive Officer

    AGM documents:

     

  • Bits & Pieces: join our IHP Advisory Council, social media panel update and more

    Bits & Pieces: join our IHP Advisory Council, social media panel update and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Join our IHP Advisory Council!
    • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th
    • AFHTO 2021 Conference: less than a month to early bird deadline & social media panel update
    • Cancer screening digital toolkit
    • Medical exemption resource, impact in Australia and more
    • Seeking female patients’ input on technology-based care
    • Free online CPD course – safer, more inclusive STBBI care
    • Providing Excellent Care for Older Persons During the Pandemic and Beyond, Nov. 5, 2021
    • Infectious Disease Emergency Leave update
    • Upcoming events regarding using antibiotics wisely and more

    Join our IHP Advisory Council!

    There are two openings on AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council, and we invite all AFHTO-member IHPs to apply for a two-year term!

    This council 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. More information on the council is here.
     
    Interested members are asked to complete this application by Friday, October 29, 2021. Any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon.

    National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th

    As you know, the federal government has introduced a new statutory holiday on September 30th called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is intended to be a time for Canadians to spread awareness of and reflect on the tragedies experienced by Indigenous people as a result of the country’s former residential school system. It is also meant to commemorate the intergenerational harm these schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, honoring those who have been affected by this injustice. Read more here.

    AFHTO 2021 small logo

    AFHTO 2021 Conference: less than a month to early bird deadline & social media panel update

    There is less than a month to our early bird deadline, Oct. 20, 2021. Register today (member access code provided to team leadership- contact them to get your discount).

    The Power of Social Media during COVID
    The Information Age started in the 20th century, but the misinformation age exploded with social media. Before COVID, we marvelled at how fast it could connect people across the globe, unite them in common cause and help bring important issues into the light. We also saw how easily it could be used to sow discord about even benign topics. Learn more about this session and our speakers.

    Cancer screening digital toolkit
    As previously shared, Ontario Health has developed cancer screening resources to help support you and your patients to get caught up on cancer screening tests during COVID-19. While orders for printed materials have now ended, the digital cancer screening awareness toolkit is now available here. All materials are available in English and French, and select materials are available in additional languages, including Indigenous languages. While some resources have been developed for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cervical Cancer Awareness Week and Colon Cancer Awareness Month, they can be used at any time.  

    Please feel free to use them when sharing information about cancer screening with your patients. Please do not share this link to a public audience (e.g., patients), but rather share only the resources themselves if you wish to use them in your practice.

    If you ordered printed products you can expect to receive them by early October. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ontario Health at primarycareinquiries@ontariohealth.ca.

    Medical exemption resource, impact in Australia and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Seeking female patients’ input on technology-based care

    HeLTI Canada is a collaboration between researchers in Canada, China, India, and South Africa, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a technology-based type of care can improve the health of families in the preconception phase, during pregnancy, and into early childhood and prevent the development of chronic diseases.

    HeLTI is currently recruiting women living in the GTA, Hamilton, Niagara, and Ottawa, who have no children; have one child between 0-12 months of age; or have 2 children and youngest child is between 0-12 months of age and are planning a pregnancy within the next 3 years.

    Please visit www.helticanada.com for more information. If you have any questions or concerns, please email helticanada@smh.ca.

    Free online CPD course – safer, more inclusive STBBI care

    The Canadian Public Health Association recently launched Provide safer, more inclusive care for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections – a free online continuing professional development (CPD) course.

    Intended for family physicians and other clinical care providers, this modular course explores the stigma and discrimination often encountered by patients seeking treatment for sexual health, substance use or STBBIs. It can be completed in less than 4 hours, in your own time, and is designed to increase the comfort levels of care providers and the satisfaction and health outcomes of patients.

    Providing Excellent Care for Older Persons During the Pandemic and Beyond, Nov. 5, 2021
    Content provided by Sinai Health and University Health Network and Dr. Samir K. Sinha (edited for length)

    Please join Sinai Health and UHN at their 9th Annual CME Course which has been designed to provide primary care providers with the latest practical and evidence-based knowledge for delivering geriatric care. Their CME course has been accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 5.0 Mainpro+ credits. This year’s edition is titled “Providing Excellent Care for Older Persons During the Pandemic and Beyond” and will take place on Friday November 5th, from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM EST.

    This program will be delivered virtually. All sessions will be recorded and available to paid registrants. For further information, please visit the website. View the Agenda Here.

    Infectious Disease Emergency Leave update
    The Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (“IDEL”) provisions of the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 have been extended to December 31, 2021. They were previously set to expire on September 25, 2021. More information here.

    Are We Using Antibiotics Wisely in Primary Care in the Era of COVID-19? Oct. 6, 2021
    Choosing Wisely Talks will reflect on what we’ve learned about antibiotics and over-prescribing, a long-standing issue of global significance. Find out more.

    Expanding your differential diagnosis, Oct. 14
    Co-hosted with ECHO Ontario at UHN, this presentation provides an overarching schema of rheumatic diseases. Find out more and register here

    Public Health 2021 Program, Oct. 6-8, 2021
    Hosted by the Canadian Public Health Association. Find out more.

    Tapering and Stopping Opioids, Oct. 19, 2021
    Co-hosted with ECHO Ontario Chronic Pain and Opioid Stewardship (UHN). Register here.

    AFHTO 2021 Conference, Oct. 27-28, 2021
    Post-Pandemic Primary Care: Respond, Recover, Rebuild. Members get a significant discount on the registration fee. Find out more here.

  • Directive 6 Must Apply To Patient-Facing Team-Based Primary Care Providers During COVID-19

    Directive 6 Must Apply To Patient-Facing Team-Based Primary Care Providers During COVID-19

    Picture test

    To: Hon. Doug Ford, Premier
    Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health
    Cc: Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health
    Matthew Anderson, CEO, Ontario Health
    Helen Angus, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health (outgoing)
     

    Re: Directive 6 must apply to patient-facing team-based primary care providers during COVID-19

    September 3, 2021

    Dear Premier and Deputy Premier,

    First, we want to take the opportunity to thank your government for the leadership you’ve shown with the
    introduction of the vaccine certificate and Directive #6, which requires the implementation of a mandatory
    vaccine policy for employees, staff, contractors, volunteers and students in certain health care settings. As
    associations representing team-based primary care providers and other front-facing health professionals in every
    community of Ontario, we see Directive #6 as integral to protecting as many people as possible while giving
    options to our providers to mandate policies that work best for their organizations’ environments.
    Directive #6 is also an approach that allows us to take seriously and respond empathically to concerns about
    mistrust in the health system from populations and communities who’ve faced discrimination in the health
    system, while still making it clear to Ontario health care workers that getting vaccinated is a top priority in keeping
    health care settings safe for everyone. Every serious illness and death we can prevent, every outbreak we can
    prevent, every ICU admission we can prevent – will bring us closer to the end of the pandemic.

    So we’re writing to you today to ask you to expand Directive #6 to include team-based primary care settings that
    include our organizations – community health centres, family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics.
    Premier, Deputy Premier, as you know, our organizations deliver primary health care and social services to many
    of the populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 and its related impacts. Our members’ staff do outreach, both in
    shelters, urban areas and to isolated seniors; we provide harm reduction services and supports, often meeting
    people where they’re at; and our providers are also on the front lines of testing, community supports and
    vaccination rollout efforts. Simply put, providers at our member organizations are face to face with the virus,
    working with people most vulnerable to it, on a daily basis.

    Our members stand ready to implement Directive #6 and its guidance on how to encourage staff and related
    workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Many are ready to use their authority as laid out by the Chief Medical Officer
    of Health to, like University Health Network, go beyond the minimum requirements of the Directive. Your
    leadership can help enable this vital path of actions to get key Ontario health care settings to the highest levels of
    vaccination possible, and to protect more vulnerable Ontarians.

    We hope to hear back from you as soon as possible about the inclusion patient-facing primary care providers in Directive #6, and we are ready to meet to address any concerns or questions.

    Sincerely,
    Sarah Hobbs, CEO, Alliance for Healthier Communities
    Katie Hogue, President Elect, Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic Association
    Kavita Mehta, CEO, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO)

    See Full PDF Here