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Tag: Members Only News

  • Mobilizing Primary Care to Support Hospitals with COVID@Home and Ramping up COVID-19 Vaccinations

    Dear triad members,

    Last night we received a memo from Matt Anderson, President and CEO of Ontario Health, that outlines the severity of the situation in hospitals due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

    Ontario is facing a severe crisis with hospital capacity due to the surging number of cases. The positive COVID-19 cases announced today was over 4,200 – the second highest number since the pandemic began. The pressure on hospitals’ critical care capacity is extreme. As a result, Ontario Health has instructed hospitals to ramp down all elective surgeries and non-emergent/non-urgent activities to preserve critical care and human resource capacity as of Monday, April 12, at 12:01 AM. This does not currently apply to hospitals in the Northern Ontario Health Region or pediatric specialty hospitals.

    In the ADM memo we shared yesterday with the EDs and administrative leads, PHUs have been asked by the Ministry to utilise primary care to their full capacity in the mobile team vaccination efforts and in contacting eligible patients to encourage they vaccinate. This includes anyone aged 18 and older in high-risk communities, as announced on April 7.

    There will be pop-up and mobile clinics for those aged 18 and older in high-risk communities at essential workplaces, in community centres, and in public spaces. At this time, people aged 18 to 49 cannot book online; mass vaccination sites will be adhering to older age cut-offs and other eligibility criteria, as noted on the online booking page. Communication about this to patients will be critical.

    Teams are encouraged by the Ministry to work with their PHU to be clear on eligible patients and to optimise the use of primary care in delivering the vaccines.

    You will also soon receive a memo from the Ministry requesting that teams who are in identified hot spots (about 30+), where hospital capacity has reached its limits, help support the care of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in their homes with the COVID@Home program. You may hear from your Senior Program Consultant, who will check to see what kind of capacity you have for this initiative, including extending support to patients of non-affiliated physicians in your community.

    As part of the COVID@Home initiative, the Ministry of Health has procured a stockpile of oxygen saturation monitors to be distributed to primary care professionals and teams to provide enhanced monitoring of their COVID-19 positive patients at home. To learn more, the Ontario College of Family Physicians has shared a webcast explaining COVID@Home with Dr. Dee Mangin from their most recent Family Medicine Summit.

    We have requested a meeting for teams early next week with the Ministry and/or Ontario Health to support teams who have questions. We will share that information as soon as we have it.

    For today, please reach out to your public health unit, if you have not already, to help support community-wide vaccination efforts. All needed care for your patients remains critical. However, as this is a dire situation that Ontario is facing, we encourage you assess your ability to support the vaccination efforts and to help relieve strain on the hospitals to the best of your capacity.

    We will continue to keep you posted as we learn more. These are incredibly challenging times, and primary care will be critical in ensuring we get through them.

    Thank you for the work you are doing. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@afhto.ca.

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO team

  • Ontario stay-at-home order and the Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

    Dear Executive Directors and Administrative Leads,

    The third province-wide stay-at-home order took effect today at 12:01 AM.

    Under the stay-at-home order, primary care teams are encouraged to continue virtual care wherever possible but do not stop or delay in-person care. It remains at a clinician’s discretion to determine if a patient needs to be seen in person.
    While all teams have continued to deliver virtual care since the pandemic began, a reminder that the following are available as support tools in determining virtual vs. in-person care:

    In yesterday’s announcement, the provincial government did not address some of what we consider important to help control the spread, such as paid sick days. However, the pivot to go into high-risk communities and to vaccinate anyone there aged 18 and older is a step in the right direction.   

    These mobile teams – part of Phase Two in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan – are starting in the regions with the highest rates of transmission (ex. Toronto, Peel). This will expand to other hot spot regions based on established patterns of transmission, severe illness, and mortality. The news release can be read here.

    We received this memo today from ADM Patrick Dicerni regarding vaccination. On a related note, we encourage teams to work with public health regarding the mobile teams that will go to high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based locations, and locations occupied by large employers in high-risk communities. Vaccinating is something primary care does best, and no one knows their communities better! If your team has the capacity, reach out to your public health unit as primary care can play a key role in getting these shots in arms.

    This is hopefully the final time we’ll see a stay-at-home order issued in Ontario for COVID-19.

    If you have any questions, please contact us at info@afhto.ca.

    Stay well,
    AFHTO

    Relevant Link:

  • Bits & Pieces: respiratory care during COVID-19, Stay-at-Home order and more

    Bits & Pieces: respiratory care during COVID-19, Stay-at-Home order and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Respiratory care during COVID-19: what have we learned one year later, Apr. 21
    • Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order
    • Member stories
    • Lessons learned from KFLA Moderna community vaccination clinics and more
    • UpToDate discount reminder
    • Evaluation and performance improvement for OHTs CoP and webinar
    • Upcoming events including improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications and more

     

    Respiratory care during COVID-19: what have we learned one year later, Apr. 21

    The COVID-19 pandemic has required healthcare professionals to change the way care is delivered and has allowed for the development of innovative practices and partnerships for the continued provision of quality care.

    On April 21 this webinar, co-hosted with the Lung Health Foundation, will highlight practice changes and considerations for the diagnosis and management of chronic lung diseases such as COPD. This includes highlighting the challenges of respiratory diagnostics such as spirometry testing and policies and changes that were needed to provide a safe testing environment.

    Find out more and register here.

    Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order

    Ontario needs a Stay-at-Home order, community vaccination plans, and paid sick leave for ALL workers to stop spread of COVID-19 variants, reduce the burden on health care.

    Today the Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) issued a statement urging the government to do more to suppress the transmission of COVID-19, including these 5 vital actions:

    1. Move the province from a shutdown to a stay-at-home order
    2. Ensure vaccines are reaching those who are most at risk for infection and who need them the most
    3. Prioritize vaccination of teachers, educators and school staff
    4. Create a broad education and communications campaign to address vaccine hesitancy
    5. Implement paid sick leave for all essential workers now.

    Read the full statement here.

    Member stories

    Dr. Allan Grill on CTV

    Markham FHT– our president and chair Dr. Allan Grill on CTV on protecting schools from outbreaks and more

    Multiple members- our Twitter thread highlighting members’ vaccine efforts. One tweet already has nearly 20,000 views!

    Lessons learned from KFLA Moderna community vaccination clinics and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    UpToDate discount reminder

    Thanks to our partnership with Wolters Kluwer, AFHTO members have access to special benefits on UpToDate®. Physicians, residents, NPs, pharmacists, and PAs are all eligible.  For more details, please contact your ED or Admin Lead.

    EDs and Admin Leads, if you have any questions, please email us at info@afhto.ca.

    Evaluation and performance improvement for OHTs CoP and webinar

    HSPN is hosting a new community for those working on evaluation and performance improvement in OHTs. You can join here.

    The next OHT Evaluation Webinar will be OHT Improvement Measures for Focus Populations on April 27. Register here

    Your role in improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications, April 15, 2021
    Co-hosted with Wounds Canada, this interactive webinar will provide an overview of your role to improve the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications across the full continuum of care settings to improve patient experience, outcomes and costs. Register here.

    Together We Care Virtual Conference, April 20-22, 2021
    Join the OLTCA & ORCA as they connect the LTC and retirement community sector to help shape the future of senior’s care.
    Find out more here.

    Building vaccine confidence in the Black community, evolving guidance, and more, Apr. 9, 2021

    The OCFP’s COVID-19 COP will focus on building vaccine confidence in the Black community.
    Find out more here.

    A Deep Dive into Co-Designing Care Models for your Priority Populations, May 6, 2021
    The RISE OHT webcasts will show how your OHT can re-design care for patients in your priority populations, and help every patient in those populations experience coordinated transitions between providers.
    Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: oxygen saturation monitors for COVID@Home, Primary Care Collaborative and more

    Bits & Pieces: oxygen saturation monitors for COVID@Home, Primary Care Collaborative and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Oxygen saturation of COVID home monitoring
    • Announcing the Primary Care Collaborative
    • Your role in improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Member stories
    • Joint letter on vaccine dose intervals for indigenous populations
    • Patient-facing document updates, Gen. Hillier memo and more
    • Supporting older persons at home slides and video
    • Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee
    • AMS Healthcare research fellowships: provider mental health and wellbeing
    • Upcoming events including Building a Resilient Nonprofit Organization through Proactive Risk Management and more

    Oxygen saturation of COVID home monitoring

    COVID-19 pandemic has led to unexpected surges in demand on the provincial healthcare system, and healthcare settings across the province face patient capacity constraints, potentially affecting care for all patients. To help ease these constraints, Ontario Health is providing tools and resources for COVID@Home to help primary care providers who wish to remotely monitor people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 in the community.

    Oxygen saturation monitors are now available to be ordered by primary care physician offices and interprofessional primary care team offices through the provincial pandemic stockpile. Find out more about the initiative and how to order here.

    Announcing the Primary Care Collaborative

    COVID-19 shows the vital roles primary care providers play every day for community health and wellbeing and health system cooperation in Ontario.

    On March 29 we announced the launch of the Primary Care Collaborative with five other partners, including Alliance for Healthier Communities, IPHCC, NPLCA, OCFP and SGFP. Visit our site for the full release.

    Working more collaboratively together, we hope a unified primary care sector can help advance the important role that primary care will play towards recovery from this pandemic.

    Your role in improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications

    Co-hosted with Wounds Canada, this interactive webinar on April 15 will provide an overview of your role to improve the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications across the full continuum of care settings to improve patient experience, outcomes and costs.

    By the end of the webinar participants will:

    • Discuss prevention and management approaches based on risk stratification of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Explore ways to leverage telehealth / virtual care assessments to support patients at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Leverage Wounds Canada resources to optimize your practice

    Register here.

    Member stories
    Bancroft FHT– Bancroft FHT vaccinates over 1000 people from COVID-19

    Central Lambton and Rapids FHTs – Family doctors join vaccine rollout in Sarnia-Lambton

    Georgian Bay FHT– video tour of the Collingwood and Wasaga drive-thru vaccine clinics

    Queen Square FHT– Ontario family physicians seek clarity on when they can administer COVID-19 vaccines in office

    Joint letter on vaccine dose intervals for indigenous populations
    On March 26 we sent a joint letter to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott on changes to the vaccine dosing schedule for Indigenous populations.

    “We are standing in solidarity with the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council and asking that, at bare minimum, those Indigenous people living in urban areas who’ve already received their first doses of vaccines be grandfathered in, and permitted to receive their second doses within 21-28 days. This allows for continuity of care, and confidence in this process and the vaccine itself.”

    Read the full letter on our site.

    Patient-facing document updates, Gen. Hillier memo and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Supporting older persons at home title screenshot

    Supporting older persons at home slides and video

    On Mar. 25 Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario discussed how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slides and video are now available.

     

     

    Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee
    Canada’s Volunteer Awards (CVA) will be accepting applications for the CVA National Advisory Committee (NAC) until April 8. Members of the National Advisory Committee play a leading role in the selection of Canada’s Volunteer Awards recipients by reviewing nominations and making recommendations to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. They will also support the promotion of the program throughout their term. To apply visit their site.

    AMS Healthcare research fellowships: provider mental health and wellbeing

    AMS Healthcare is offering one-year fellowships of up to $75,000 to early and mid-career academic researchers and scholars and academically trained regulated health care professionals to study and develop expertise/competence in the impact of digital technology/artificial intelligence on compassionate care. Some projects will have an additional focus on the wellbeing and mental health of healthcare providers, patients and caregivers to address the challenges of living and working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter of intent due Apr. 7. Visit their site for details.

    Foundations to QI (IDEAS) Program e-Learning Course, Mar. 31 & Apr. 1, 2021
    E-QIP is holding this comprehensive introductory QI course designed for the community mental health sector. You’ll be well versed in a common language and approach to QI with the aim of improving client care, experience and outcomes after this course.
    Find out more here.

    ECHO Managing COVID-19 in Primary Care, Starting Apr. 13, 2021
    UHN’s ECHO series is back- now with 12 parts. Join other primary care providers in this interactive online program.
    Find out more here.

    Building a Resilient Nonprofit Organization through Proactive Risk Management, Apr. 22, 2021
    Charity Village webinar with Risk Management Consultants Lilli Chiu and Isaac Monson from HUB International and insights on how to navigate uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected. Register here.

    Excellence through Quality Improvement (E-QIP) Conference, Apr. 13, 2021
    Hosted by CMHA Ontario, this one-day virtual conference is being offered for FREE.
    Visit their site.

  • Bits & Pieces: phase 2 guidance, cancer screening rock stars needed and more

    Bits & Pieces: phase 2 guidance, cancer screening rock stars needed and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Cancer screening rockstars needed
    • Reminder- Supporting Older Persons at Home, March 25
    • COVID-19 vaccine roll-out & hesitancy in Indigenous communities
    • Guidance on phase 2 prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination and more
    • National Newcomer Navigation Network – N4
    • Virtual health care for patients with developmental disabilities- study
    • Excellence through Quality Improvement (E-QIP) Conference
    • Upcoming events including Wise Practices for COVID Vaccinators and more

     

    Cancer screening rockstars needed

    Don’t leave your team’s stories untold!
    In a recent Bits & Pieces, you may have seen Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)’s guidance for resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening. In collaboration with our primary care partners and Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), we will host a webinar to further explore this document and share stories from teams resuming cancer screening.

    If your team has initiated a cancer screening program to resume and catch up on screening, please fill this member initiative webform to let us know! If you are interested in sharing your story during our webinar, please email Sandeep Gill sandeep.gill@afhto.ca by this Friday, Mar. 26.

    Questions? Email us at improve@afhto.ca 

    Reminder- Supporting Older Persons at Home, March 25

    COVID-19 highlighted numerous barriers and challenges to providing integrated care for older persons living in the community.

    Join Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario in a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We will discuss needs in primary care – focusing on the role of interprofessional teams – and offer some resources and tools to better support team-based care for older persons.

    We will also discuss how specialized geriatric service programs in your area can provide support to primary care clinicians.

    Indigenous vaccine page screenshot

     

    COVID-19 vaccine roll-out & hesitancy in Indigenous communities
    Indigenous communities are prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, but the historic reasons for that prioritization-including systemic racism- may also contribute to vaccine hesitancy within the communities.

    In response we have compiled resources from Akausivik Inuit FHT and Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority to help combat it. Visit our site for the full list.

     

     

     

     

    Guidance on phase 2 prioritization for COVID-19 vaccination and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    National Newcomer Navigation Network – N4

    N4 is a national network for professionals from Canada’s Healthcare and Social Service sectors to connect, learn and collaborate in their work with newcomers (immigrants and refugees).

    While newcomers make up over 20% of Canadians and face many barriers to receiving care or services, they are often overlooked as needing help to navigate our systems.

    N4 provides a one-stop platform for professional development, education, virtual discussions, networking, and the sharing of data and resources. N4 promotes inter-sectoral collaboration to encourage sharing of expertise, economies of effort, and promotion of leading and best practices in the field of newcomer navigation.

    Membership is free thanks to funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can become a member here.

    Virtual health care for patients with developmental disabilities- study

    A University of Toronto PhD candidate is currently recruiting for a study on virtual primary care for adults with developmental disabilities. This work is being conducted together with the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at CAMH.

    The goal is to learn how to deliver high quality virtual care to patients with developmental disabilities, when virtual care is not appropriate, and what supports are needed to be successful. As part of this study they are interviewing primary care providers.

    See the flyer here.

    If anyone is interested in learning more about the study you can contact  avra.selick@camh.ca or 416-535-8501 x30127.

    Save the date april 13, 2021 E-QIP QI Innovations: Understand-Pivot-Change 2021 virtual conference

     

    Excellence through Quality Improvement (E-QIP) Conference

    The Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP), Quality Improvement Innovations: Understand-Pivot-Change 2021 Conference will be on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Hosted by CMHA Ontario, this one-day virtual conference is being offered for FREE.

    It will bring together Ontario’s leading quality improvement experts in the mental health and addiction sector. Visit their site.

     

     

     

     

     

    Wise Practices for COVID Vaccinators, Mar. 23, 2021
    Learn how to actively design and deliver vaccination services to support high quality, safe experiences for Indigenous patients. You’ll walk away with wise practices & strategies for working in a culturally safe & respectful way.
    Find out more here.

    BounceBack refresher webinar, Mar. 25, 2021

    The BounceBack communications and marketing team invites you to a 30-minute refresher presentation on BounceBack, a free CBT skill-building program designed to help individuals 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate anxiety or depression, stress or worry.

    OHT Virtual Engagement Series Second Session (RISE OHT Webinar), Mar. 25, 2021
    Join the Ministry as they discuss the details around the core components of the OHT Performance Measurement Framework. They’ll be identifying Cohort 1 OHT-selected indicators and OHT evaluation approaches to help you understand OHT evaluation and key measurement supports.
    Learn more here.

    Foundations to QI (IDEAS) Program e-Learning Course, Mar. 31 & Apr. 1, 2021
    E-QIP is holding this comprehensive introductory QI course designed for the community mental health sector. You’ll be well versed in a common language and approach to QI with the aim of improving client care, experience and outcomes after this course.
    Find out more here.

    Lessons from vaccine pilots, evolving guidance, and more, Mar 26, 2021
    The COVID-19 CoP, held by the OCFP and the University of Toronto DFCM, will be discussing lessons learned and new guidance around COVID-19 vaccines and rollout.
    Learn more here.

    ECHO Managing COVID-19 in Primary Care, Starting Apr. 13, 2021
    UHN’s ECHO series is back- now with 12 parts. Join other primary care providers in this interactive online program.
    Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: community investment grants, free legal services and more

    Bits & Pieces: community investment grants, free legal services and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • CIRA community investment grants
    • Happy Nutrition Month
    • Members’ stories
    • Family Justice Centre -free legal services
    • AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine & thromboembolic events, MOH updates and more
    • COVID-19 support available for isolated seniors and people with physical disabilities
    • OMA burnout survey
    • White papers on population health management and population segmentation
    • Upcoming events including supporting older persons at home and more

     

    CIRA community investment grants

    AFHTO members and/or their partners may be eligible for Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)’s Community Investment Program grants.

    Applications for more than $1 million in grants for Canadian internet projects are now open. They’re looking for not-for-profits, charities, and researchers with projects to improve Canada’s internet – with a special focus on students and northern, rural, and Indigenous communities. Learn more on how to apply. Deadline is April 14.

    Nutrition month 2021 -colourful pics of people and food

     

    Happy Nutrition Month

    March is Nutrition Month, and tomorrow is Dietitian’s Day. We appreciate our registered dietitians and their ongoing commitment to teamwork and helping patients #FindYourHealthy!

     

     

     

     

     

    Members’ stories

    Elliot Lake FHT – Elliot Lake Health Team plans first mass vaccination clinic this week

    Grandview Medical Centre & Two Rivers FHTs– Vaccination clinic now open at Langs in Cambridge

    Guelph FHT – Guelph FHT to operate 2 new vaccination clinics

    Infographic- English

    Family Justice Centre -free legal services

    There is a substantial and long-standing disparity in the ability of Ontarians to access the family justice system. In some jurisdictions, upwards of 80% of litigants begin their court cases self-represented. The inequity in access has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the backlogs caused by court closures and the inability of people to pay for legal services due to job and/or income loss.
     
    Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) recently launched Family Justice Centre (FJC) to bridge this gap.

    Through the creation of public legal education resources and regularly held virtual legal clinics, family lawyers in private practice and law students provide FREE unbundled legal services (summary advice, document preparation, legal education, and legal coaching) to individuals who are unable to afford a lawyer. Learn more by visiting their website.

    AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine & thromboembolic events, MOH updates and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    know a senior?

    COVID-19 support available for isolated seniors and people with physical disabilities

    Do you know an isolated, low income senior or person living with a physical disability, without family or community support, who needs help getting essentials during the current COVID-19 pandemic?  
    The Ontario Community Support program helps those in need get meals, groceries, medicine, and other essentials delivered through Meals on Wheels so that they can safely isolate at home. Service is available through March 2022.

    To identify a local community provider and request service, visit their site or dial 211 or 1-877-330-3213 (toll free). TTY service is also available at 1-888-340-1001.

    OMA burnout survey

    The OMA has relaunched its burnout survey to understand the impact of COVID-19 on physician burnout. The results will be compared to findings from the burnout survey completed in March 2020 to assess the impact of the pandemic on burnout over the past year. You can complete the survey here.

    White papers on population health management and population segmentation

    Health System Performance Network (HSPN)’s three supporting white papers on population health management and population segmentation are now available on their site.

    They will hosting their next webinar on OHT Improvement Measures from Health Administrative Data: Where are OHTs Starting From? on March 23 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Click here to register.

    Supporting Older Persons at Home – Learning and Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, Mar. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario, join us for a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here.

    Primary Care and the Digital Health Revolution, Mar. 17, 2021

    The University of Toronto’s webinar, hosted by the Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy, will cover the digital revolution in primary care, and how providers and patients are changing in response to it.
    Learn more here.

    Wise Practices for COVID Vaccinators, Mar. 23, 2021
    Learn how to actively design and deliver vaccination services to support high quality, safe experiences for Indigenous patients. You’ll walk away with wise practices & strategies for working in a culturally safe & respectful way.
    Find out more here.

    The COVID-19 vaccine: An interactive panel discussion, Mar. 18, 2021
    DFCM City Wide Research Rounds from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join on Zoom.

    Lessons from vaccine pilots, evolving guidance, and more, Mar 26, 2021
    The COVID-19 CoP, held by the OCFP and the University of Toronto DFCM, will be discussing lessons learned and new guidance around COVID-19 vaccines and rollout.
    Learn more here.

    Workplace investigation training course
    Training managers and/or HR people to conduct internal investigations by McDonald HR Law and Noxon Workplace Investigation. Learn more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin # 105: Ontario Health Submission March 2021

    QI in Action eBulletin # 105: Ontario Health Submission March 2021

    In this Issue:

    • A new tool for primary care providers: Quality Standard Placemats
    • Quality Improvement Plans – Update
    • A Peoples’ Panel on how race and ethnicity data should be used for health data research in Ontario
    • Upcoming Webinars

    Content below developed by Ontario Health

    A new tool for primary care providers: Quality Standard Placemats

    Quality standards outline what high-quality care looks like for conditions or processes where there are large variations in how care is delivered in Ontario. They are based on the best evidence and designed to help you know what to do to reduce gaps and variations in care – there are over 25 quality standards developed by Ontario Health, in collaboration with health care professionals, patients, and caregivers across Ontario.

    Ontario Health is pleased to share a newly developed tool called the Quality Standard (QS) Placemat that is a resource for primary care practitioners. The placemat highlights key elements of care for a condition and:

    • is an evidence-based, quick-reference tool that concisely summarizes key information from the quality standard
    • includes links to helpful resources and tools
    • can be used to facilitate patient-centered discussions

    Three quality standard placemats have been developed to date:

    Illustration of someone touching their lower back with pain radiating from it

    Low Back Pain QS Placemat – summarizes content from the Low Back Pain Quality Standard, focusing on care for people 16 years of age and older with persistent or recurrent episodes of acute lower back pain. French version.

     

    3 pics of parts of the skeleton- knee, hip, hand- with pain radiating

     

    Osteoarthritis QS Placemat – summarizes content from the Osteoarthritis Quality Standard, focusing on care for adults with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hand (i.e., thumb or fingers). French version.

     

    Acute low back pain and osteoarthritis represent two of the most common clinical conditions encountered on a daily basis in the primary care setting. We have received feedback from primary care providers that concise, evidence-based materials help to not only support dialogue between patients and providers, but also support clinical decision-making regarding patients presenting with acute low back pain and osteoarthritis.
     

    • Dr Colin Wilson, Primary Care Clinical Lead, Ontario Health

    Hear more from Colin here

    2 men seated facing each other, one with hand raised with pen and notepad in the other hand

     

    Anxiety Disorders Quality Standard (QS) Placemat – summarizes the Anxiety Disorders Quality Standard, highlighting the key elements of diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, as well as includes links to helpful resources and tools. French version.

     

     

     

     

    The placemats can also be uploaded and used within EMRs for easy access. Resources to support adding these tools into your EMR system will be added on Quorum soon, so please stay tuned for more information!

    In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are observing an increasing unease among individuals in the communities and families. As health care providers, it is critical for us to appropriately diagnose anxiety disorders and differentiate them from other conditions that may arise in these uncertain times.

    • Dr. David Kaplan, Chief, Clinical Quality, Ontario Health

    Hear more from David here

    Access the quality standard and related resources at the links below:

    We would like to hear from you about how we can support you and if there are other topics you would find helpful for future QS placemats. Please email qualitystandards@ontariohealth.ca  

    Upcoming Events: Webinar
    As part of the release and dissemination of the quality standard, Ontario Health and Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario will be co-hosting a webinar for health care providers about delirium, in alignment with World Delirium Awareness Day on March 17, 2021.

    Webinar | Delirium – A New Quality Standard for an Important Health Concern| Wednesday March 17, 12–1 p.m.  
    Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario and Ontario Health co-host a webinar with clinical experts to share information and resources to support patients who are at risk for delirium or who are experiencing symptoms of delirium. The session will review delirium and its significance to COVID-19 infection, introduce key statements from the quality standard, and showcase related resources available to support people who are at risk for delirium or who are experiencing symptoms of delirium. Please register here to join the session.

    Quality Improvement Plans – Update from OH(Q)
    Last April, QIP submissions for 2020/21 were paused to allow organizations to focus on supporting their staff, health care providers, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The QIP Navigator remained open so that organizations that had the capacity to continue working on their submissions were able to do so. We will be closing the 2020/21 cycle in Navigator on March 24, 2021.

    As we look ahead to the 2021/22 QIPs, we understand that organizations continue to be under unprecedented pressure related to the COVID-19 pandemic and that this will likely continue for the next several months. As such, we are making adjustments to the 2021/22 QIP to help ensure that organizations are able to focus their efforts on responding to urgent needs related to COVID-19. While quality improvement is of critical importance in our collective response to COVID-19, for now, the pause on the program will continue.

    We will monitor the situation and will share a revised approach in the coming months, ensuring that it is responsive to circumstances in the health system and that you have sufficient time to prepare. The approach to 2021/22 will be designed to provide organizations with flexibility to reflect where they are with their quality improvement efforts given the pandemic, local needs, pressures, and goals for the recovery period. We encourage organizations to continue with their local quality improvement initiatives and we will be in touch soon.  

    As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at QIP@OntarioHealth.ca if you have any questions.

    A Peoples’ Panel on how race and ethnicity data should be used for health data research in Ontario
    ICES is working together with the Tamarack Institute and Digital Justice Lab to lead a Peoples’ Panel on how race and ethnicity data should be used for health data research in Ontario. Through this Peoples’ Panel, ICES seeks to recognize the ways that science has perpetuated racism and understand the complexities in the use of race, ethnicity, and immigration data.

    The Peoples’ Panel will involve 30-60 diverse and representative individuals who will meet weekly for 5 weeks starting on March 17, 2021. ICES is seeking regular people—no experience in health, science or policy needed. If you live in Ontario and have an interest in how race data is used, and especially if you identify as racialized individual, they invite you to express your interest in being part of the Peoples’ Panel. Participants will be compensated.

    Learn more and apply

    Upcoming Webinars:
    OHT Improvement Measures from Health Administrative Data: Where are OHTs Starting From?
    March 23, 2021 (12:00 – 1:30 pm EST)
    Click here for more information and to register.

    Supporting Older Persons At Home – Learning And Collaboration During The COVID-19 Pandemic And Beyond
    March 25, 2021 (12-1 pm EST)
    COVID-19 highlighted numerous barriers and challenges to providing integrated care for older persons living in the community. Join Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario in a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will discuss needs in primary care – focusing on the role of interprofessional teams – and offer some resources and tools to better support team-based care for older persons. We will also discuss how specialized geriatric service programs in your area can provide support to primary care clinicians. Click here to learn more and register.

    Interested in sharing your teams’ initiatives in a future webinar? Email Sandeep Gill – Sandeep.gill@afhto.ca to learn more about the AFHTO KTE Webinar Schedule!

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #104 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: leaving no story untold, IHPs and outcomes in diabetes care, and more

    Bits & Pieces: leaving no story untold, IHPs and outcomes in diabetes care, and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Don’t leave your team’s stories untold
    • Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month
    • Members’ stories
    • Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021 slides and video
    • AFHTO 2021 Conference survey deadline today
    • How IHPs affect outcomes in diabetes care- input needed
    • Patient and staff on the vaccine, guidance updates, armpit lumps and more
    • GoodLife rates increase April 1
    • Reminder- Supply Ontario input due today March 9
    • Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care resources
    • Draft recommendation on internet-delivered CBT for PTSD or acute stress disorder
    • Upcoming events including supporting older persons at home and more

     

    Don’t leave your team’s stories untold

    Don’t leave your team’s stories untold!
    We’ve heard so many amazing stories and we want you to keep them coming! Share anything, anytime on our member initiative webform.

    • Starting a new program because of a newly recognized demand?
    • Changing up how you provide care during COVID?
    • Collaborating with different partners to make a difference in the community?

    Enter your untold stories in this form and we’ll keep you in mind for our advocacy efforts. You choose how widely the information can spread: keep it in-house with AFHTO or allow us to share on our website, social media, publications and/or promotional material.

    Questions? Email us at info@afhto.ca.

    Pharmacy Appreciation Month #PAM2021

    Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month

    March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month, so we thank all our teams’ pharmacists for stepping up, during the pandemic, before, and beyond. Happy Pharmacist appreciation month!

     

     

     

    Members’ stories

    Akausivik FHT – Vaccine rollout for Indigenous community expands

    Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Arnprior and District, Madawaska Valley, Petawawa Centennial & West Champlain FHTs – Renfrew County FHTs & Partners providing virtual mental health and addiction walk-in counselling clinic

    saegis webinar mar 4 2021

    Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021 slides and video

    On March 4 we cohosted a webinar with Saegis that:

    • Discussed the top 5 cybersecurity threats facing your clinic
    • Listed the 10 questions to ask before engaging an IT consultant for your clinic, and questions to ask about your clinics network security
    • Described how and where to report clinic cyberattacks and privacy breaches.

    Slides and video are now available.

    AFHTO 2021 Conference survey deadline today

    We’re going virtual again for this year’s conference and although we haven’t set a date yet, the earliest would be some time in October. Now that we’ve tried it once, we’d like to make the next better for you- more streamlined and focused on your needs.

    We need your help. What do you want to hear more about and how would you like it? Tell us in this really quick survey. Deadline today, March 9

    How IHPs affect outcomes in diabetes care- input needed

    The AFHTO QSC is looking to begin the process of exploring IHP and outcome data.  The committee chose diabetes as many teams are working daily to lower HbA1C in patients.  If you work in diabetes care, please complete this survey (about 5-8 minutes in length).    

    Patient and staff on the vaccine, guidance updates, armpit lumps and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    GoodLife rates increase April 1
    GoodLife rates for AFHTO members were due to increase in November, but because of closures due to COVID, existing – annual (paid in full) rates of $519 and biweekly rates of $24- have been extended until April 1. Those with existing GoodLife memberships should have already received emails from GoodLife. Phasing updates by region are available on their site here.

    To take advantage of discounted rates, you need a membership ID assigned by AFHTO. Automatically assigned to those on the ‘Bits & Pieces’ mailing list, these are sent to GoodLife monthly near the end of the month. To get your ID or be put on the list for one, please email info@afhto.ca.
     
    As of April 1, annual (paid in full) rates will be $619 and biweekly rates $25.

    Reminder- Supply Ontario input due today March 9

    Supply Ontario is a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.

    They need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline today, March 9.

    Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care resources

    • eLearning Hub– has a range of interactive, short eLearning courses that use LTC-specific case scenarios to illustrate care delivery-related concepts that are relevant in all care setting, like supporting people’s psycho-social and communications needs at the end-of-life, person centred language, nursing leadership. Many of them available in French too.
    • Webinars
    • Newsletter– short monthly newsletter reaching over 2000 people

    Draft recommendation on internet-delivered CBT for PTSD or acute stress disorder

    Ontario Health requests feedback on a health technology assessment and draft funding recommendation on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered online to treat PTSD or acute stress disorder by March 14, 2021.

    Supporting Older Persons at Home – Learning and Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, Mar. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario, join us for a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here.

    The COVID-19 Vaccine: Newly approved vaccine, public health collaboration, and more, Mar. 12, 2021
    The OCFP’s COVID-19 CoP will be continuing the discussion on COVID-19 vaccinations- this time, focusing on the Astra Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Learn more here.

    BounceBack refresher webinar, Mar. 18 & 25, 2021
    The BounceBack communications and marketing team invites you to a 30-minute refresher presentation on BounceBack, a free CBT skill-building program designed to help individuals 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate anxiety or depression, stress or worry.

    RISE OHT Webinars, Mar. 17 & 18, 2021

    • Measurement-based Care in Mental Health and Addictions Service Delivery, Mar. 17, 2021
    • Redesigning Care Models through Co-design, Mar. 18, 2021

    Learn more here.

    Fundamentals in Practical Leadership, starting Mar. 29, 2021
    Fundamentals in Practical Leadership: Skills and Tools for New and Emerging Leaders and Managers is a year-long webinar series by Centre for Organizational Effectiveness. Learn more here.

    Delirium – A New Quality Standard for an Important Health Concern, Mar. 17, 2021
    The Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario & Ontario Health will be co-hosting a webinar with clinical experts to share information and resources to support people who are at risk for delirium or who are experiencing symptoms of delirium. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Supporting older persons at home webinar March 25
    • Reminder – Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4
    • Reminder – AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want
    • Happy Social Work Week
    • Learnings from primary care: vaccine roll-out slides and video
    • Engaging and supporting caregivers slides and video
    • Video profile of Akausivik Inuit FHT COVID rollout, OECD report and more
    • Supply Ontario appoints first CEO and needs primary care voices
    • OpenNotes study seeking clinician participants- tomorrow deadline to respond
    • Study invitation – characterizing the impact of primary care pharmacists’ consultation notes on health care decisions
    • Healthy Professional Worker study
    • RISE updates
    • Upcoming events including COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Providers, Practising Well CoP and more

    Supporting older persons at home webinar March 25

    Supporting Older Persons at Home – Learning and Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
     

    COVID-19 highlighted numerous barriers and challenges to providing integrated care for older persons living in the community. Join Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario in a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We will discuss needs in primary care – focusing on the role of interprofessional teams – and offer some resources and tools to better support team-based care for older persons. We will also discuss how specialized geriatric service programs in your area can provide support to primary care clinicians.

    Reminder – Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4

    Cohosted with Saegis, this webinar:

    • Discusses the top 5 cybersecurity threats facing your clinic
    • Lists the 10 questions to ask before engaging an IT consultant for your clinic, and questions to ask about your clinics network security
    • Describes how and where to report clinic cyberattacks and privacy breaches.

    Learn more here.

    Reminder- AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want

    We’re going virtual again for this year’s conference and although we haven’t set a date yet, the earliest would be some time in October. Now that we’ve tried it once, we’d like to make the next better for you- more streamlined and focused on your needs.

    We need your help. What do you want to hear more about and how would you like it?Tell us in this really quick survey. Deadline now March 9

    Recognizing social workers. Social Work Week 2021. #YouAreNotAlone. OASW

    Happy Social Work Week

    The first week of March marks the beginning of Social Work Week in Ontario (#SWW2021). The current environment we find ourselves in is truly unlike any other. Please consider this year’s Social Work Week theme, “You are Not Alone” and explore the resources being shared as part of Social Work Week, at: www.oasw.org/socialworkweek. 

    Join us as we recognize our fellow social work colleagues by celebrating Social Work Week and their many contributions to teams and their patients.

    learnings from pc vaccine webinar

    Learnings from primary care: Vaccine roll-out across Ontario

    Last Friday, February 26 we heard from teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. Ministry of Health officials, including Daniel Warshafsky (Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health) was also there to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. Slides and video are now on our site.

     

    Engaging and supporting caregivers slides and video

    OCO Webinar Title Slide

    On Feb. 25, the Ontario Caregiver Organization highlighted resources and opportunities for primary care teams to support and engage caregivers. Attendees learned about:

    • The Ontario Caregiver Organization and their key programs, services, and resources
    • Three key caregiver-related strategies that can positively impact health outcomes and the patient/family/caregiver experience
    • Resources, programs, and actions that primary care teams can take to help advance these strategies

    Slides and video are now available.

    Video profile of Akausivik Inuit FHT COVID rollout, OECD report and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Supply Ontario appoints first CEO and needs primary care voices

    Supply Ontario is a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services. The agency has appointed Frank Rochon as their first CEO, effective March 1, 2021.

    They need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline now March 9.

    OpenNotes study seeking clinician participants- tomorrow deadline to respond

    Researchers at CAMH are looking to recruit mental health care providers across Ontario who document patient notes within an electronic health record, to participate in the “The OpeN Study”. This study is looking to understand and explore the needs of clinicians who are providing patients and their family members access to their clinical notes.

    The study is recruiting participants to take part in a 60–90-minute interview to share their experiences. More information about the project can be found in this poster.

    If you are interested in participating in this study, please email Strudwick.research@camh.ca by Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021.

    Study invitation – characterizing the impact of primary care pharmacists’ consultation notes on health care decisions

    Dr. Nicole Domanski is a clinical pharmacist at the UBC Pharmacists Clinic. Her research project is designed to characterize the impact of pharmacists’ consultation notes on healthcare decisions made by prescribers. As a physician or nurse practitioner working in FHTs, you have likely received a consultation note written by a primary care pharmacist.

    She invites you to complete the following anonymous survey: to share your perspectives on pharmacist consultation notes. The survey consists of ranking and multiple-choice questions that should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

    Click here complete survey.

    Healthy Professional Worker study

    An interdisciplinary, multi-university research team led by Dr. Bourgeault at the University of Ottawa is exploring the mental health experiences of professional workers, and how these experiences are affected by their personal, work and family life. They are particularly interested in the role that gender has on these experiences. There will also be some questions about how COVID-19 has impacted these experiences.

    If you are interested in taking part in this study, please follow this link to the online survey in English or in French. The survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. If you would prefer to participate in an interview, please contact the study project coordinator, Audrey Kruisselbrink, at HPW@uottawa.ca. The interview will take 40-60 minutes, for which there will be a $20 honorarium.

    To learn more, you can see the flyer.

    RISE updates

    You can also sign up for their monthly newsletter here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

    COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Providers webinar, Mar. 4, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with speakers:

    • Moderator: David Kaplan, Chief Clinical Quality, Clinical Institutes and Quality Programs, Ontario Health
    • Dr. Dee Mangin and Dr. Cathy Risdon, McMaster University Department of Family Medicine
    • Georgian Bay FHT – Gaynor Edwards, RN, Clinic Director
    • Marathon FHT – Jodi Osborne, Physician Assistant

    Register here.

    Practising Well Community of Practice, Mar. 5, 2021
    A space created by family physicians, for family physicians. Connect in real time with, and learn from, others who are working with patients to address their mental health, substance use disorders and chronic pain. The first session focuses on the challenges for family doctors in managing their own mental health/substance use during the pandemic. Join in on the discussion. Register here.

    OHT evaluation webinars, Feb. 23 recording & Mar. 23 registration
    The recording and slides for Health System Performance Network’s Population Health Management & Applying Population Segmentation from Feb. 23, and OHT Improvement Measures from Health Administrative Data: Where are OHTs Starting From? on Mar. 23 registration are available here.

    BounceBack refresher webinar, Mar. 18 & 25, 2021
    The BounceBack communications and marketing team invites you to a 30-minute refresher presentation on BounceBack, a free CBT skill-building program designed to help individuals 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate anxiety or depression, stress or worry.

  • Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Learnings from primary care: Vaccine roll-out across Ontario
    • Urgent reminder- Supply Ontario needs primary care voices
    • AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want
    • Black Health Matters: Building a primary health care system that works
    • Prescribing nature: PaRx launches in Ontario
    • Updated provincial testing guidance, workflow, COVID-19 educational series x 2 and more
    • Member stories
    • Primary care virtual groups slides and video available
    • Humber College Healthcare Management student placements
    • Upcoming events including engaging caregivers, cybersecurity and more

    Learnings from primary care: Vaccine roll-out across Ontario

    Please join us this Friday, February 26, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. to hear from teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. They will speak to work that is underway; offer guidance and advice; speak to challenges faced and how they are resolving them; and answer questions you may have.
     

    Speakers:

    • Jill Berridge (ED, McMaster FHT)
    • Robin Mackie (ED, Delhi FHT)
    • Teri Arany (ED, Toronto Western FHT) and Camille Lemieux (Lead Physician, Toronto Western FHT)
    • Michèle Lajeunesse (Community Health Promotion Coordinator, Marathon FHT)

    Ministry of Health officials, including Daniel Warshafsky (Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health) and Nadia Surani (Director, Primary Health Care Branch), will be on a portion of the webcast to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. Register now.

    Urgent reminder- Supply Ontario needs primary care voices

    Supply Ontario is a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.

    They need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline now March 9.

    AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want

    It’s the last week of February and we’re starting to plan this year’s conference. We’re going virtual again and although we haven’t set a date yet, the earliest would be some time in October. Now that we’ve tried it once, we’d like to make the next better for you- more streamlined and focused on your needs.

    We need your help. What do you want to hear more about and how would you like it?Tell us in this really quick survey. Deadline now March 9

    Note: Yes, we made a Spice Girls reference. If you’d like a trip down memory lane or a dance break (we hear looking away from your screen occasionally is good for you) click here.

    Black Health Matters: Building a primary health care system that works

    BHM panel 2020

    In recognition of Black History Month, we offer this session from our 2020 conference (video link below). Anti-Black racism was already a pre-COVID pandemic, with its roots in history. What does this mean for primary care? For this session there was:

    • An overall focus on Black people’s experience with healthcare in Ontario
    • Context for this at the system/ policy level- including the ways in which seemingly neutral instruments and tools feed an anti-Black narrative
    • Replicable programs addressing these issues as carried out by Black health leaders
    • What primary care teams can do

    Watch the video

    Prescribing nature: PaRx launches in Ontario

    2 people walking through fall foliage

    Nature prescriptions were named one of the top 8 global wellness trends in 2019. And it’s no surprise—research shows that kids and adults who spend more time in nature are happier and healthier. Starting with a BC launch in November 2020 to significant media attention (The Globe & Mail, CBC), PaRx is breaking ground as Canada’s first national, evidence-based nature prescription program.  
     
    On February 22nd PaRx officially launched in Ontario. Featuring practical resources like quick tips and patient handouts, its goal is to make prescribing time in nature simple, fun and effective.

    As part of the Ontario launch, and out of gratitude to health-care workers, the BC Parks Foundation is offering free remote nature therapy sessions led by certified nature therapy guides to all prescribers in March so they can experience the stress-relieving benefits of nature themselves.
     
    Check out www.parkprescriptions.ca for more information on nature prescriptions and to register to become a prescriber.

    Member stories

    Guelph FHT – 98 doctors write letter encouraging community to get vaccinated

    Markham FHT – AFHTO president and Markham FHT Lead MD Dr. Allan Grill on vaccine rollout to 80+ with CP24 and Global News

    Six Nations of the Grand River FHT- Six Nations band members can soon preregister for COVID-19 vaccine

    Updated provincial testing guidance, workflow, COVID-19 educational series x 2 and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Transitiong to virtual title slide screenshot

    Primary care virtual groups slides and video available

    On Feb. 17 we hosted the webinar Primary Care Virtual Groups – Transitioning a CBT Program & Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program to Virtual with Arnprior and District FHT and Scarborough Academic FHT. Video and slides are now available. 

     

     

    Humber College Healthcare Management student placements

    The Honours Degree, Healthcare Management Bachelor of Commerce program takes the best of business management practices – business law, marketing, microeconomics, financial management, and business research methods- then add the edges: an in-depth study of healthcare issues and systems. Key courses including Population Health, Health Data and Analysis, Health Economics Health Policy and Evaluation and Healthcare Financial Management.    
     
    This program equips third year students with the skills required to contribute to your organization with good understanding of the best management practices through the Healthcare Management lens. Additional key courses include Health Informatics, Healthcare Strategy and Markets, Healthcare Systems and Health Services Organization and Management. See their flyer.

    Engaging and supporting caregivers in primary care teams: working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience, Feb. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Ontario Caregiver Organization, this webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers.

    Register today.

    Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4, 2021
    Cohosted with Saegis, this webinar discusses the top security threats facing your team and explores best practices to decrease the risk of breaches in the clinic setting. Learn more here.

    Atopic dermatitis seminar for healthcare professionals, Mar. 1, 2021

    The Eczema Society of Canada and University of Ottawa is hosting this webinar aimed towards primary care providers.
    Find out more here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.