Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Members Only News

  • QI in Action eBulletin #129: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

    In this Issue:

    • Celiac Disease in Ontario
    • Celiac Canada Webinars
    • Celiac Resources
    • Food for thought
    • Past Webinars
    • Upcoming Events

    Celiac Disease in Ontario

    May is Celiac Disease Awareness month and we join Celiac Canada in helping to bring this initiative to the attention of team-based Primary Care. The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced it is extending a pilot program for free celiac disease diagnostic testing through community based labs. This extension is active until March 31, 2024 and includes first time diagnostic blood tests (IgA and tTg IgA) for patients. The Minister of Health has recently informed Celiac Canada that these tests will become permanently covered by OHIP following the pilot’s completion. 

    Celiac Canada aims to raise the index of suspicion with physicians as it takes an average of 10 years from symptom onset to celiac diagnosis for Canadian patients. The majority of patients with celiac disease remain undiagnosed.

    Celiac Canada Webinars 

    Celiac Resources

    Food for Thought

    Ontario has been the ONLY province in the country not to cover the blood screening test for CD.
    This is despite the tests being part of standard clinical practice around the world. Ontario patients have had to pay anywhere from $60-$150 for the test. For many families, this cost is unaffordable. Since celiac testing is not on the standard lab requisition form, it is often missed by doctors in their health screening.  This cost also impacts the ongoing disease management for currently diagnosed celiac disease patients who are required to monitor their bloodwork on an ongoing basis.

    New free celiac blood tests could benefit 128,000 Ontarians and save $1 billion
    News Provided by
    Celiac Canada 
    Mar 30, 2023, 11:00 ET

    The provincial government’s decision to make simple but crucial blood tests for celiac disease available at no cost to patients will improve the quality of life for as many as 128,000 Ontarians and potentially save Ontario’s health care system as much as $1 billion1, Celiac Canada said today.

    Past Webinars

    PHO Rounds: Health Conditions Attributable to Smoking and Alcohol by Public Health Unit in Ontario

    Every year in Ontario, smoking and alcohol consumption are responsible for thousands of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. A new report by Ontario Health and Public Health Ontario provides estimates of the prevalence of smoking and alcohol use in the province and includes detailed estimates of the number of harms caused by smoking and alcohol consumption. The report also provides estimates of the number of cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory, communicable disease, neuropsychiatric, and injury harms. These are provided for all of Ontario and for each public health unit.

    Upcoming Events

    Check out some of the coming events

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 6 of 7: Engagement Methods

    • May 16, 2023 11:30 am – 01:00 pm

    This series focuses on building connections and competencies for meaningful patient engagement. This session will be the 6th of a 7-part engagement learning series. In this session, you will get to experience various co-design strategies and use of different virtual platforms. Learn how to co-design in a way that avoids tokenism. Eliminate barriers to engagement, and tailor engagement methods to different individuals and groups.

    PHO Rounds: The 2023 Ontario HIV Testing Guidelines

    • Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

    Intended audience: Public health physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, STBBI case managers, supervisors, Medical Officers of Health overseeing public health units, front-line physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners in public health sexual health clinics

    By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

    • Identify population groups that should be tested for HIV according to the new Ontario HIV testing guidelines
    • Describe scenarios and conditions where it is appropriate to test (and retest) people for HIV; and
    • List additional HIV prevention interventions and when to recommend them.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #128 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

     

  • 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.

  • Bits & Pieces: Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap and more

    Bits & Pieces: Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Ontario charting the path to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030
    • Member stories
    • New digital tools with implementation support- heart failure; anxiety disorders and depression
    • Help advise which health care services and medical devices should be publicly funded
    • Refreshed Indigenous relationship and cultural awareness courses
    • Upcoming events including How can peer counsellors extend interprofessional teams, and more

    Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap Ontario

    Ontario charting the path to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030

    The Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap is guiding policy and practice action to end hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. This is a collaborative, multi-sector initiative led by hepatitis C experts and with contributions from government, clinicians, community and more. AFHTO has been one of the partners in its development.

    Expanding the number of primary care providers who can deliver hepatitis C care is essential to reach elimination. Hepatitis C care is easier than ever, however is still primarily delivered by specialists. As trusted, familiar providers, you can expand access to care, particularly among priority populations.

    Hepatitis C is among the most burdensome infectious diseases in Ontario. However, an effective cure, widespread testing and proven prevention strategies mean elimination is within reach. Visit on.endhepc.ca find out more.

    Member stories

    Cottage Country FHT – Gravenhurst council endorses expansion plans

    Grandview Medical Centre & Two Rivers FHTs – Pilot program underway for mental health and addictions treatment

    Norfolk FHT – Team moving to enhance services

    New digital tools with implementation support- heart failure; anxiety disorders and depression

    Evidence2Practice Ontario (E2P) makes it easier for primary care clinicians to access up-to-date, evidence-based information at point-of-care. Working with topic experts across Ontario, E2P is developing a suite of user-friendly digital tools that seamlessly integrate quality standards and best practices into EMRs.

    E2P is currently focused on three common conditions in primary care settings: heart failure (available now in TELUS PS Suite EMR); anxiety disorders and depression in adults (available in late April in OSCAR Pro and Accuro QHR EMRs); and pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes (coming this summer). They also provide complimentary MainPro+ accredited change management and academic detailing sessions (1-on-1 discussions with a clinical pharmacist). Clinicians can sign up via the E2P website.  

    E2P brings together multi-disciplinary, cross-sector expertise under the joint leadership of the Centre for Effective Practice, eHealth Centre of Excellence and North York General Hospital. It’s funded by the Ministry of Health as part of Ontario’s Digital First for Health Strategy, with support from Ontario Health.

    Help advise which health care services and medical devices should be publicly funded

    Ontario Health is seeking expressions of interest for the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC) and the Ontario Genetics Advisory Committee (OGAC), a standing sub-committee of OHTAC. This group of experts helps make evidence-based funding recommendations to the Ministry of Health regarding which health care services and medical devices should be publicly funded. Deadline April 19, 2023.

    Refreshed Indigenous relationship and cultural awareness courses

    Providing care that acknowledges, respects, and incorporates cultural and language considerations is an essential part of person-centred care. Ontario Health’s Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Awareness courses have undergone a major refresh and now contain current content with a more interactive look and feel.

    These courses have been designed to summarize 500 years of history into bite-sized chunks of information, providing you with knowledge about First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous peoples, including their governance structures, communities, and histories. All courses are free self-paced learning modules publicly available to all.

    Certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, you can register today and earn up to 19.5 Mainpro+ credits. 

    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.

    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.

  • 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: 2023 Ontario budget and more

    Bits & Pieces: 2023 Ontario budget and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Overview of the 2023 Ontario government budget
    • Farewell to Abisola Otepola
    • PCC submission re Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023
    • Reminder- CPS Full Access free trial ends April 1
    • Chronic noncancer pain management: Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care
    • Upcoming events including DFCM New Horizons Speaker Series with Dr. Kwame McKenzie, and more

    Overview of the 2023 Ontario government budget

    Last Thursday the government released their 2023 Ontario Budget, Building a Strong Ontario. This budget was largely a reinforcement of “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care”. Introduced in February 2023, it focused on three pillars: The Right Care in the Right Place, Faster Access to Care, and Hiring More Health Care Workers.

    Most relevant, the provincial budget recommitted to connect Ontarians to additional primary care teams by investing $60 million over two years. We have confirmed this is the same $30 million that was announced in February, carried over 2 years resulting in a total investment of $60 million dollars. While this is a step in the right direction, we are disappointed there was not more of a commitment over the longer term.

    The health human resources crisis that currently exists was acknowledged through additional investments in nursing, medical school education and home care, but none were made for primary care nor any mention of dropping the appeal to retain Bill 124. However, much needed support in mental health and addictions was welcomed. Read full details on our site.

    Abisola Otepola

    Farewell to Abisola Otepola

    It is with genuinely mixed feelings we announce that Abisola Otepola will be leaving AFHTO for new opportunities.

    Abisola has been with AFHTO since last May as Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations. Many have you had the pleasure of working with her as she has led our efforts on the compensation review and IHP guidance document, details of which are to be released soon.

    We’re going to miss Abisola but know she will bring so much to her future endeavours. Please join us in giving her our sincerest best wishes. Her last day with AFHTO will be April 14 – any questions related to her work can be directed to info@afhto.ca.

    PCC submission re Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023

    On Mar. 27, members of the PCC including AFHTO presented our submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023. “We are committed to working with the government on health policy that will uphold the principles necessary to provide Ontarians with the care they need. This submission highlights further clarification and recommendations regarding Bill 60 to ensure an equitable and sustainable approach to the delivery of care provided under this act.” Read the submission here.

    Reminder- CPS Full Access free trial ends April 1

    On Feb. 23, we sent an email, “Introducing our new benefit- discount on CPS Full Access”, to all member EDs and Admin Leads. If you spend time clarifying prescriptions, use CPS Full Access, a Canadian-developed platform that features up-to-date Canadian information such as:

    • Current drug shortages.
    • Health Canada–approved product names, indications, dosing and patient information.
    • Warnings, recalls and safety alerts.
    • Evidence-based therapeutic content and algorithms.
    • Drug tables with price ranges.  

    This is a reminder that the free trial expires April 1. After that, members can get a 40% discount. Login information for the trial is available on our site at the triad level only (i.e., accessible just to EDs/Admin Leads, lead clinicians and board members). This benefit is being offered on a trial basis for a year, at which time we will assess participation rates. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@afhto.ca.

    Chronic noncancer pain management: Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care

    Problem addressed Chronic noncancer pain is often excessively managed with medications (most notably opioids) instead of nonpharmacologic options or multidisciplinary care—the gold standards.

    Objective of program To offer an effective alternative to pharmacologic management of chronic noncancer pain in primary care.

    Learn more about the successful integration of this nurse-led program at Bruyère Academic FHT.

    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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #127: Nutrition Month

    QI in Action eBulletin #127: Nutrition Month

    In this Issue:

     

    • Nutrition month resources
    • Food for thought
    • NEW- Eating Disorders Quality Standard
    • NEW- Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard
    • Share your experience and inform future prenatal care innovations
    • Upcoming Events

    Nutrition month resources
    This month we join our Registered Dietitians in celebrating the impact of good nutrition on our patients’ health outcomes. Examples successfully integrating this focus in primary care teams include:

    Webinars and conference sessions

    Posters

    Select Resources

    Food for Thought

    NEW- Eating Disorders Quality Standard
    Ontario Health’s Eating Disorders quality standard consists of nine quality statements that describe what high quality care looks like for people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. It applies to all care settings and the accompanying patient guide and caregiver guide can help inform conversations between health care providers and people with an eating disorder and their families and caregivers. Find out more.

    NEW- Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard
    Ontario Health’s latest quality standard consists of seven quality statements highlighting key areas for improvement to prevent surgical site infections for people having surgery that requires an incision. Its accompanying patient guide can help inform conversations between health care providers and people having surgery. Find out more.

    Share your experience and inform future prenatal care innovations

    Share your experience with us and inform future prenatal care innovations

     

    BORN and Prenatal Screening Ontario are funded by the Ministry of Health with mandates focused on improving the health outcomes of individuals during and after pregnancy. Prenatal Screening Ontario, who currently oversees aneuploidy screening, is expanding its reach to offer high-quality prenatal screening for conditions amenable to populated-based screening to better inform care and prenatal management.

    They want to hear about your experiences caring for pregnant individuals. Interviewees will receive a $50 gift card as a token of their appreciation. Sign up here.

     

    Upcoming Events

    Surgical Site Infections: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario
    Apr 13, 2023, 12:00pm
    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.

    Eating Disorders: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario
    May 5, 2023, 12:00pm
    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.

    QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes
    April 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.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #126 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

     

  • Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Bits & Pieces: inclusive community grants and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    • Member stories
    • Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research and more
    • Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15
    • Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table
    • It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day
    • Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs
    • Upcoming events including Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope – and What it Means for Appropriate Prescribing, and more

     

    Applications open for 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants
    Members and/or partners may be eligible for Inclusive Community Grants. The grants provide municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities with up to $60,000 for local projects that will help older residents and people with disabilities participate in community life. Deadline April 20, 2023. Find out more here.

    MPP Robin Martin stands with MD, social worker and pharmacist and leadership team at North York FHT and their Board Chair in front of windows in a room. All are masked.

     

    Member stories

    North York FHT – MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin visited North York FHT last week.

    Picture left: MPP Robin Martin with physician, social worker, pharmacist, leadership team and Board Chair at North York FHT.

     

     

    Infant Moderna shelf-life extension, Canada investing in Long COVID research 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.

    Join the Ontario First Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force- deadline Mar. 15

    Prenatal Screening Ontario (PSO) is seeking experts to join the First-Trimester Preeclampsia Screening Task Force to advise on implementation considerations for first-trimester preeclampsia screening, should it be made available in Ontario. This is a short-term task force (find terms of reference here). To apply, fill out this survey and forward your CV to PSO@bornontario.ca  by Mar. 15, 2023.

    Call for expression of interest: Ontario MHA Oversight Table

    Ontario Health has sent out a Call for Expression of Interest for members of the Mental Health and Addictions Oversight Table. The table will define, guide, monitor and lead the development and delivery of standardized, high quality mental health and addictions services to address the needs of Ontarians per the mandate of the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence.

    The table will have input from the Clinical Council, the Planning and Performance Council and other, more focused, Centre of Excellence advisory tables, and the broader mental health and addictions stakeholders across Ontario. Senior clinical and administrative system leaders are invited to submit an expression of interest as a member of the Oversight Table. Please see the Call for Expression of Interest and terms of reference for more information. Submissions should be sent by Friday, March 24, 2023 to mhacoe@ontariohealth.ca.

    It’s never too early to begin preparing for National Advance Care Planning Day

    Content provided by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

    National Advance Care Planning Day is on April 16, 2023, and Hospice Palliative Care Ontario has tools and resources to help you prepare.

    The Person-Centred Decision-Making Online Learning Portal was developed to assist you with having Advance Care Planning conversations and Goals of Care discussions with your patients. This program is intended to increase awareness and knowledge as well as build capacity across Ontario’s health care system. If you are a health professional or administrator and are interested in learning about Advance Care Planning, Health Care Consent, and Goals of Care, you can access the course here.

    We also have resources to support you whether you plan on providing an educational event within your organization or community, or plan on having a conversation with your patients. The guides, posters, postcards, wallet cards, and bookmarks are great resources to incorporate into your Advance Care Planning Day initiatives or ongoing conversations.

    To encourage these important conversations, all orders placed on materials until March 31 at 4:00 P.M. will be provided with a discount of 20% off. Visit our website to order materials.

    Community Legal Education Ontario wants to understand your legal needs

    Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) is launching a survey to get a picture of the legal needs of nonprofits relating to governance, employment law, and privacy/record keeping. By participating, you will be helping to inform CLEO about the legal supports your organization needs. The survey has 15 questions and should take about 15 minutes. Please take a moment to complete the survey. To learn more about the Nonprofit Law Ontario project, visit nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca.

    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.

  • 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.