Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Members Only News

  • Bits & Pieces: federal health minister visits Summerville and more

    Bits & Pieces: federal health minister visits Summerville and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Update on the supply of Infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and more
    • Seeking input for the development of a patient and provider-informed cataract surgery care model
    • Pediatric psychopharmacology: a three-part series
    • Farewell card for Kavita
    • Upcoming events including Making Collaborative Governance Sustainable – A Developmental Life-Cycle Approach and more

     

    Member stories

    Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health and Hon. Kamal Kera, MP, Brampton West sit in front row with Summerville FHT staff sitting beside and standing behind them

    Summerville FHT – Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health and Hon. Kamal Kera, MP, Brampton West visited Summerville FHT Feb. 27 “to discuss the growing importance of family health teams in providing primary care across Ontario.”

    Algonquin FHT– Huntsville Health Care Clinic expanding to general primary care for unattached patients on February 28

    North Simcoe FHT – Funding for local COVID-19, cold, flu clinic to cease in March

    Update on the supply of Infant Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 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.

    Seeking input for the development of a patient and provider-informed cataract surgery care model

    The Prism Eye Institute Research Department at the University of Toronto is conducting a research study aimed at developing a new model of care for cataract surgery in Canada. They believe family physicians’ experience and expertise of in caring for and referring patients for cataract surgery will be invaluable to their research. The study aims to gather information on the barriers that patients with cataracts face when accessing care, as well as any facilitating or limiting factors that affect patient access to care. As there is currently a lack of information on this topic and no standardized method for prioritizing patients for cataract surgery, your input would be greatly appreciated. For more information, here is the informed consent form.

    Pediatric psychopharmacology: a three-part series

    ECHO Ontario CYMH is offering a 3-part Special Interest Series on Pediatric Psychopharmacology in March 2023. Details are still being finalized but they will focus on research and practical advice about using the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications for children and youth.

    Part 1 – Depression and Anxiety – Mar. 15
    Part 2- Autism or Neurodevelopmental Disorders (TBC) – Mar. 22

    They’re also asking for your help to narrow down the topic selection for Part 3. Please click on this link and identify your preferred topic by Friday, March 3, 2023. Register here.

    Farewell card for Kavita
    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 on Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    OHT supports events, Mar. 3-29, 2023

    Hosted by RISE:

    Epilepsy in Children and Youth: Advanced Program, Mar. 6- May 1, 2023
    Hosted by Project ECHO, this program explores a range of complex topics such as drug resistant epilepsy, polypharmacy, genetics, ketogenic diet, and more. This program is intended for clinicians who are seeking to further their competencies in epileptology. 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.

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories and more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx, celebrates two years in Ontario
    • New Long COVID resources from the OCFP and more
    • New resource for social prescribing
    • Project on women and hypertension
    • 2023 OCFP award nominations now open
    • Evidence of value- financial counselling during baby checkups
    • Farewell card for Kavita
    • Upcoming events including Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario and more

    Member stories

    City Of Kawartha Lakes FHT – City Of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team To Receive Almost $110,000 Additional Base Funding For This Year

    “MPP Laurie Scott made the announcement today. Scott says the provincial government is providing $8.1 million in new annualized base funding to enhance access to primary care in key regions of the province. This funding will support various interprofessional primary care organizations, including 18 Family Health Teams (FHTs), 2 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and 2 Nurse Practitioner Led-Clinics (NPLCs), to continue the delivery of high-quality care that Ontarians know and deserve.”

    If your team is receiving new base funding as well and you’re able to share details, please contact us so we can promote it.

    Peterborough FHT – Peterborough Newcomer Health Clinic helps immigrants and refugees transition to Canada’s health care system

    Parx 2022 roundup. Text reads- PaRx was nominated for an Earthshot Prize. Nature prescriptions were officially endorsed by the Canadian Medical Association. 200,000,000+ people learned about nature prescriptions and health

     

    Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx, celebrates two years in Ontario

    Research shows how important nature contact is for health, including reduced rates of anxiety, depression, respiratory and cardiovascular disease. To help connect Canadians to the health benefits of nature, the BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx in 2020, starting in British Columbia, then expanding to every province across the country including Ontario in February 2021. From physiotherapists and physicians to nurses and counsellors, over 10,000 prescribers are registered across the country. Learn more about their progress here.

    You can visit www.parkprescriptions.ca for more information on nature prescriptions and to register to become a prescriber.

     

     

     

    New Long COVID resources from the OCFP 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.

    New resource for social prescribing

    The CEP has launched a new resource for social prescribing, which includes practical tips, talking points and tangible next steps to integrate social prescribing into your practice. It supports primary care clinicians to provide more holistic, patient-centred care and connect those in need to a wide range of non-clinical services in the community, ultimately improving health outcomes. 

    women & high blood pressure eligibility criteria

     

    Project on women and hypertension

    “Management of high blood pressure seems simple in that there is strong evidence of its reduction on hospitalizations and mortality. However, hypertension control is not improving but declining. There is a disconnect between the evidence-based guidelines available and primary care practice. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the barriers and enablers for family physicians, practice nurses/nurse practitioners, and women living with high blood pressure.”

    Hypertension Canada is focusing on the point of care and treatment process when a woman with high blood pressure attends a family physician clinic. They’re seeking:

    • Women who self-identify as over 40yrs old living with high blood pressure.
    • Family physicians, nurse practitioners, or practice nurses working in primary care.

    This would involve a one-time 30-60min interview (virtual or by phone), a small thank you gift will be provided. For more information contact, Dr Kaitlyn Watson, kewatson@ualberta.ca and (780) 492 3454.

    2023 OCFP award nominations now open

    Help shine a spotlight on the outstanding work and accomplishments of family doctors by nominating a colleague for an OCFP Award. Find out more here.

    Evidence of value- financial counselling during baby checkups

    “When you expand the team that’s providing care for families in early childhood, you can make the well-child experience more meaningful. And when people find things more meaningful, they come”. Read ‘How financial counseling at the pediatrician’s office can help families thrive’-NPR.

    Farewell card for Kavita
    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 on Friday, March 10, 2023: https://ellacard.com/sign/6166bcff-87e1-4bd2-bcb6-fdae8226a1a7.

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario, Feb. 22, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive QI and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Long COVID, Feb. 24, 2022
    57th in the series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am, hosted by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

    Sensemaking Population Health Management in Ontario Health Teams: A Diabetes Example, Feb. 28, 2023
    HSPN OHT webinar hosted by Dr. Walter Wodchis, Principal Investigator at HSPN,
    Co-Founder IFIC Canada and Professor at IHPME. 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.

  • Bits & Pieces: interim CEO announced and more

    Bits & Pieces: interim CEO announced and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Interim CEO announced
    • Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory
    • New one-and-done therapy can help curb severe COVID-19 infection and more
    • Open grant: optimizing team-based primary care
    • Updated information about accessing the provincial PPE/testing supplies stockpile
    • Health Connect Ontario is now Health811
    • Seeking older adults with multiple chronic conditions
    • Help address social isolation and loneliness in older adults
    • Upcoming events including Long COVID and more

     

     

    Interim CEO announced

    From President and Board Chair, Sara Dalo:

    “I am pleased to share that the AFHTO Board has appointed Bryn Hamilton to become AFHTO’s interim CEO, effective March 27, 2023. Many of you already know Bryn as AFHTO’s Director of Governance and Integration, supporting our membership through her focus on primary care integration, strengthening Board governance practices and supporting health system integration. Bryn has been with AFHTO since 2014 and is well versed in the needs of the members and the health system transformation currently underway. We invite you to join us in welcoming Bryn in her new role!”

    Visit our site to find out more about the recruitment process and sign Kavita’s farewell e-card.

    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!

    New one-and-done therapy can help curb severe COVID-19 infection 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.

    Open grant: optimizing team-based primary care

    The Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM) has launched an open call for proposals supporting primary care practitioners and teams in augmenting and optimizing interprofessional team-based care in their practices. Funding up to $200,000 CAD is available. Deadline Feb. 20, 2023.

    Updated information about accessing the provincial PPE/testing supplies stockpile

    From the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD):
    “In November 2022, we informed you that the current Remedy ordering platform will be sunset by April 1, 2023, and replaced with a new system. We have now received information on the new system (the centralized PPE Supply Portal), including instructions on how each primary care practice will need to set up an account to access the new system.” This document outlines the steps required to onboard primary care teams to the PPE Supply Portal and a link to the registration form. Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

    Health Connect Ontario is now Health811

    Health Connect Ontario has changed its name to Health811.

    The focus and function is still the same – it remains a resource Ontarians can access 24/7 to receive health advice, speak with a registered nurse, get assistance finding local health supports and to find trusted health information. Health811 can be accessed by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by going online at Ontario.ca/Health811 or Ontario.ca/Sante811. Read the memo (EN and FR) for more information.

    Seeking older adults with multiple chronic conditions

    older adults with multiple chronic conditions recruitment poster linked in the blurb

    A PhD student from Ontario Tech University, Julie Vizza, is looking for participants to take part in a study entitled, “Experiences with medication management in interprofessional care models: A study of older adults with multiple chronic conditions”. It will examine the experiences of older adults who have been prescribed multiple medications to manage multiple chronic conditions and who are followed by a FHT in Ontario.

    Its purpose is to understand the impact of managing multiple medications and how individuals conceptualize their medication management care team. The results will offer important ideas on how care can be improved to better support patients in managing their medications.

    Eligible participants are currently being followed by a FHT in Ontario. See the poster for additional criteria. If you know of any older adults that may be interested in sharing their experiences or to learn more about the study, please contact: julie.vizza@ontariotechu.net.

     

    Help address social isolation and loneliness in older adults
    The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health has begun a new project on Social Isolation and Loneliness. It’s intended to lead in the development and promotion of Canadian guidelines for health and social service providers to identify and address isolation and loneliness among older adults. The survey’s focus is to learn more about the attitudes, experiences, knowledge, and ideas of people working directly with older adults, regarding the topic of social isolation and loneliness. It should take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. Find out more here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario, Feb. 22, 2023
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive QI and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Long COVID, Feb. 24, 2022
    57th in the series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am, hosted by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #126: The Health Equity Questionnaire

    QI in Action eBulletin #126: The Health Equity Questionnaire

    In this Issue:

    • The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs
    • Resources for social determinants of health
    • Food for thought
    • Updated Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams
    • Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario
    • Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    • Virtual Care Guidance Statements Checklist for Clinicians and other resources
    • Upcoming Events

     

    The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs

    The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs. Below are a group of hands in different watercolours reaching upwards

    To provide the most equitable care for our patients we need to know their social determinants of health. Current EMR specifications don’t require that this information is included in the dataset for each patient and EMRs don’t provide a standardized way to enter it.

    The Health Equity Questionnaire (HEQ) has been developed to allow social determinants of health information to be entered into EMRs efficiently and in a standardized way, allowing it to be easily accessed, updated, and searched.

    Questions and data elements from an extensive set of existing tools were collected, prioritized, and distilled into a practical new format designed around provider workflows. Many stakeholders, including several EDI specialists, were consulted.

    At the time of a visit, clicking on the ‘HEQ’ button in the chart will bring up the Questionnaire form. The provider can then enter any information that may be relevant to the patient’s care and save it to the chart. Clicking the button again will bring up a new copy of the form which is pre-populated with any previously entered data and can be updated as needed. The form is designed to display all the information in an “at a glance” view which means that all the information is shown in one window without any clicking or scrolling.

    The questions can also be sent directly to the patient via secure messaging. They can then answer any of the questions that they’re comfortable with and their responses will be automatically entered directly into their charts. If an HEQ form is not already in the chart, then a new one will be created. If there is an existing form in the chart, then it will simply be updated with their responses.

    Care must be taken to ensure that the patient understands why the questions are being asked, that the information will be treated with the same confidentiality as the rest of their medical information, that it will only be used to provide them with the best care possible, and that they only need to provide whatever responses they’re comfortable with.

    A video demonstration of the tool is available here.

    The toolkit can be downloaded from the TELUS Health Practice Solutions Community Portal by navigating in Chatter to Groups, Active Groups and then the East Wellington Family Health Team group. Plans are in progress to migrate the toolkit to the other main EMRs as well.

    Questions and feedback are welcome and can be directed to Dr. Kevin Samson kevin.samson@ewfht.ca.

    Resources for social determinants of health
    Webinars and conference sessions

    Select Resources

    Food for Thought

    Updated Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams
    INSPIRE PHC has posted the updated Primary Care Data Report for all of Ontario. These reports track key primary care health system indicators and guide attachment strategies in Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). The Primary Care Data Working Group produced reports specific to each OHT and are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the attributed population of each OHT. Find out more.

    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario
    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario! We are looking for patients and caregivers in Ontario to take a 15 to 20-minutes survey on the experiences and expectations with virtual care appointments as a patient or caregiver with a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional in a family practice. This study from the University of Toronto and the Bruyére Research Institute is led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft and Dr. Simone Dahrouge.

    To take the survey, please click one of the links below:

    As part of the recruitment efforts, primary care clinics will have the opportunity to receive a customized report based on the template regarding the experiences of their patients with virtual care. In addition, you can view the report last year on virtual care that was shared broadly to key decision makers. Should you be interested in participating or learning more, please contact Simon Lam, research coordinator, at sck.lam@utoronto.ca.

    Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    Ontario Health is conducting an evaluation of the ‘Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care’ developed in collaboration with an Expert Panel. You’re invited to complete this survey to capture your awareness of, access to and adoption of the Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care.   

    You may access the survey here.  

    The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain anonymous. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Mimosa Zhao by email at zhao@theevidencenetwork.com.

     

    Upcoming Events

    Sickle Cell Disease: A New Quality Standard for High-Quality Care in Ontario
    February 22, 2023, 12:00pm
    This session will introduce Ontario Health’s recently released Sickle Cell Disease quality standard and describe how it can drive quality improvement and improve care for Ontarians across the health system. Register here.

    Media Messaging on Equity: How do we do better?
    March 6, 2023, 4:30 pm
    The third-annual Vohra Miller Lectures in Critical Public Health Issues in collaboration with the Institute for Pandemics puts a spotlight on the media’s handling of equity issues, including health equity, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. What are the forces that shape media coverage of equity matters? What does the future of the media landscape hold and, what are the possibilities? Register here.

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #125 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: 2023 pre-budget submission and more

    Bits & Pieces: 2023 pre-budget submission and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • 2023 pre-budget submission and a new Canada Health Transfer agreement
    • Collaboration in team-based primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: study
    • COVID vaccinations and digital supports materials
    • Member stories
    • Coming soon: Updated High Risk OBSP genetic assessment referral criteria and forms
    • Seeking participants for an online survey about improving osteoarthritis care
    • Seeking patients for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
    • Upcoming events including Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities and more

     

    2023 pre-budget submission and a new Canada Health Transfer agreement

    over of AFHTO 2023 prebudget submission titled Primary Care: The Foundation of the Healthcare System. It's an overhead view of five people in blue scrubs and white coats meet around a white table with coffee, paper and laptops.

    On February 6, 2023 AFHTO submitted our recommendations to the government for their 2023 budget. Recommendations 1 and 2 of our 2023 pre-budget submission was done in collaboration with partners in the Primary Care Collaborative and recommendation 3 and 4 are two other recommendations AFHTO is advocating for.

    Our recommendations are broken into four sections:

    1. Make team-based primary care available to more Ontarians through an investment of an additional $75 million per year for 10 years.
    2. Address the health human resource (HHR) crisis in primary care through the creation of a primary care HHR table.
    3. Provide mental health and addictions services and home and community care in coordination with primary care.
    4. Provide resources to support the implementation of primary care networks (PCNs) and recognize PCNs as the organizing model for primary care.

    Read more here.

    And in related news, read the Primary Care Collaborative’s release on today’s meeting between the Prime Minister and premiers here:

    Collaboration in team-based primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: study

    Now published in BMJ Open, “A qualitative study of collaboration in interprofessional primary care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic” is our study with Drs. Rachelle Ashcroft, Catherine Donnelly and others. “Results revealed the importance of collaboration for provider well-being, and the challenges of providing collaborative team-based primary care in the pandemic context. Caution against converting primary care collaboration to predominantly virtual modalities postpandemic is recommended.” Read more here.

    COVID vaccinations and digital supports materials

    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 stories

    Markham FHT – Dr. Allan Grill on how primary care is dealing with demand

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT – Dr. Tara Kiran contributes to The Globe and Mail– “We need bold reform to fix family health care”

    Coming soon: Updated High Risk OBSP genetic assessment referral criteria and forms

    Ontario Health wishes to inform everyone of some upcoming changes to the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). The High Risk OBSP was launched in 2011 to support organized screening of people at high risk for breast cancer. The program now screens approximately 13,000 participants each year with mammography and screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (or screening breast ultrasound if breast MRI is not medically appropriate). Read the full email here.

    Seeking participants for an online survey about improving osteoarthritis care

    With funding from the Arthritis Society, Dr. Anna Gagliardi and University Health Network (UHN) researchers interviewed 27 women with osteoarthritis (OA) and 31 healthcare professionals to identify strategies needed to improve OA care for diverse women, and possibly other disadvantaged groups. They are now seeking women with OA, family physicians, and healthcare researchers to participate in a two-round online survey. They will ask you to complete the Round One online survey (about 20 minutes). A few weeks later, they will send you anonymous results, and ask you to complete the Round Two survey (about 10 minutes).

    ELIGIBLE WOMEN:
    — Have suspected or confirmed osteoarthritis
    — Are aged 40 or older
    — Were born in or have lived in Canada for 10 years or more
    — Can speak and understand English language
    — Represent the following ethno-cultural group(s): Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, African, Caribbean
    ***If you are a woman interested in participating or wish to learn more about the study, please contact: Angelina.abbaticchio@uhn.ca. Women will receive an e-giftcard for their participation.

    ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:
    — Are a family physician practicing in Canada
    — AND/OR are a researcher in the area(s) of health services research on OA or inequities in women’s health
    ***If you are a healthcare professional interested in participating or wish to learn more about the study, please contact: madeline.theodorlis@uhn.ca.

    Seeking patients for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

    The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST), Toronto Memory Program, Retispec and Summerhill Optometry are conducting a study, funded by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. The aim is to enable early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease through increased awareness and assessment in accessible community-based settings. While they have 3 assessment locations in Toronto, they are also open to travel to your location if there is significant interest. Cognitive Assessments are delivered by trained social workers. The completed assessments will be provided to the patient’s primary care provider for interpretation and follow-up. AST will provide services to those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
    The study is open to individuals 65 years and over who are experiencing memory problems, but do not have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia.

    Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

    Inclusion - Adults (≥ 65 years of age); Able and willing to provide informed consent; Have a memory complaint. Exclusion- Prior diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or MCI; Exclusion Criteria for RetiSpec scan Have contraindications to the use of mydriatic (dilation) drops (for RetiSpec imaging procedure only)

    To learn more:

    If you would like to find out more by speaking to someone directly, please contact Sangeeta Semwal at DACstudy@alz.to or 416-708-8423.

    Canadian Health and Well-Being In Developmental Disabilities, Feb. 8, 2023
    Digital conference hosted by Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities, Feb. 9, 2023
    Hosted by Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Register here.

    New Horizons Speaker Series webinar, Feb.10, 2023
    What are the roles of virtual only clinics and technology-enabled care in the future of the health care system? How will these shape the future of primary care in Ontario? Join U of T Department of Family and Community Medicine faculty members for this discussion. Register here.

    Cybersecurity and Canadian Health Care: Where do vulnerabilities lie? Feb. 14, 2023
    Hosted by The Globe and Mail. Register here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

    Strategies to Increase Client and Family Engagement, Feb. 27, 2023
    Hosted by RNAO and presented by Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories, welcome to Taryn and more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories, welcome to Taryn and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Member stories
    • Welcome to Taryn Jacquard
    • OurCare survey results are here
    • Fee code for Long COVID and more
    • New quality standard – sickle cell disease
    • Reports and relevant news – improving access in rural Canada and boosting balance
    • Population Health: Governance (free course), starts Jan. 31, 2023
    • Upcoming events including COVID vaccinations and digital supports and more

     

    A group of people in business clothes sit around a table in a meeting room with a white board behind them.

     

     

    Member stories

    Hamilton FHT– the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health visited Hamilton FHT to discuss their primary care and mental health integrated service model (picture right)

    City of Lakes FHT – OMA research finds virtual care not associated with strain on emergency departments

    Harrow Health Centre and Windsor FHTs – Windsor and Harrow Health Centre FHTs Receive grant for oral health care support

     

     

    Taryn is wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. She's sitting on the floor with her back against a white wall.

    Welcome to Taryn Jacquard

    We’re happy to introduce Taryn Jacquard as our new executive assistant and programs coordinator, ensuring that the CEO, Board, and Director of Governance and Integration are well supported in their roles.  

    She brings with her over ten years of experience working in not for profit, providing support to executives, boards, and national associations.  She has deep family connections to health care and is incredibly passionate about the well-being and availability of care to those in Ontario.

    Prior to joining AFHTO, Taryn ran her own business, offering administrative support to businesses and associations. Welcome to the team!

     

    OurCare survey results are here

    OurCare survey results

    Overall, 77% of people in Canada age 18+ have a family doctor or nurse practitioner (NP) who they see regularly for care. That means:

    More than 6.5 million people in Canada don’t have a regular family doctor or NP – that’s more than 1 in 5 adults. Find out more at data.ourcare.ca. You can also read more about the survey results in a recent Healthy Debate article. 

    Fee code for Long COVID 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.

    New quality standard – sickle cell disease

    Ontario Health has developed a new quality standard that outlines what high-quality care looks like for people with sickle cell disease. The standard can be used to help: 

    • Patients, families, and caregivers know what to ask for in their care  
    • Health care professionals know what care they should be offering  
    • Health care organizations improve the quality of care they provide

    To learn more about how you can use it to improve care for people with sickle cell disease, please register for a webinar on February 22, 12 – 1 p.m. ET. For more information, please contact QualityStandards@OntarioHealth.ca.

    Reports and relevant news – improving access in rural Canada and boosting balance

    Population Health: Governance (free course), starts Jan. 31, 2023
    Offered by Universiteit Leiden via Coursera, this course combines the Population Health perspective with theories of healthcare system governance. Find out more.

    COVID vaccinations and digital supports, Feb. 3, 2023
    56th in the series “Changing the way we work” by UofT and OCFP. Register here.

    Canadian Health and Well-Being In Developmental Disabilities, Feb. 8, 2023
    Digital conference hosted by Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Using Culturally Safe Practices to Build Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous Communities, Feb. 9, 2023
    Hosted by Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Register here.

    New Horizons Speaker Series webinar, Feb.10, 2023
    What are the roles of virtual only clinics and technology-enabled care in the future of the health care system? How will these shape the future of primary care in Ontario? Join U of T Department of Family and Community Medicine faculty members for this discussion. Register here.

    Cybersecurity and Canadian Health Care: Where do vulnerabilities lie? Feb. 14, 2023
    Hosted by The Globe and Mail. Register here.

    OHT Engagement Learning Series – Session 3 of 7: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Feb. 21, 2023
    Hosted by Institute for Better Health and Trillium Health Partners. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: perks to get you through winter and more

    Bits & Pieces: perks to get you through winter and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Perkopolis winter discounts
    • Reminder- is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed
    • ICYMI- mental health and addiction funding letters
    • Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact- deadline Feb. 17
    • Association between virtual primary care and ED use and more
    • Workplace mental health training for health care settings
    • Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey
    • Upcoming events including Collaborative Governance: Towards the Next Level of Integrated Care and more

     

    Text at the top- Get a head start on your March break travel plans. Below, CityPass, Vegas foodie tour and Great Wolf Lodge

     

    Perkopolis winter discounts

    AFHTO members are eligible to sign up for free access to over 5000 perks through Perkopolis, including discounts on winter activities, travel, products, and wellness.

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

     

     

    Reminder- is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed
    AFHTO offers Mainpro+ accreditation for our annual conference for physicians. To ensure we maintain the standards required, we invite a member physician to take part in ONE meeting in February to provide feedback and input on the themes and format for our 2023 event. We’ll provide the appropriate materials beforehand and will be available to answer any questions you might have. Please email paula.myers@afhto.ca ASAP if you’re interested. Deadline Jan. 25.

    ICYMI- mental health and addiction funding letters

    On Jan. 18 we sent an email titled ‘Regarding mental health and addiction funding letters’ to EDs and Admin leads. This can now be found here at the triad level. If you have any questions, please contact Abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact- deadline Feb. 17
    You can shape the public discussion about health. The University of Toronto has a journalism fellowship designed with family physicians in mind and you can attend from anywhere. Learn more / apply / join an open house here. The next open house is Jan. 26 and they’re accepting applications until Feb. 17.

    Association between virtual primary care and ED use 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.

    Workplace mental health training for health care settings

    The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario has launched Your Health Space. This free workplace mental health program provides the training, resources, and tools needed to support health care organizations in addressing the burnout and moral distress affecting their teams.

    Your Health Space offers self-directed modules and live workshops, the latter of which can be tailored to each organization’s unique needs. This programming is delivered through three distinct spaces designed to address the needs of 1) Leaders, 2) Health Care Workers, and 3) Support Staff working within an organization. A fourth space for Connection, invites all staff members across an entire organization to participate in training together. Your Health Space’s team of trainers are based across Ontario and are available to facilitate workshops virtually or in person.

    If you are interested in bringing this free training program to your workplace, please visit: https://yourhealthspace.ca/programs/ or contact yourhealthspace@ontario.cmha.ca.

    Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care evaluation survey

    Ontario Health is conducting an evaluation of the ‘Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care’ developed in collaboration with an Expert Panel. You’re invited to complete this survey to capture your awareness of, access to and adoption of the Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for Primary Care.   

    You may access the survey here.  

    The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain anonymous. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Mimosa Zhao by email at zhao@theevidencenetwork.com.

    Collaborative Governance: Towards the Next Level of Integrated Care, Jan. 24, 2023
    Hosted by HSPN and IFIC Canada. Register here.

    OCFP 2023 Family Medicine Summit, Jan. 27-28, 2023
    Features two livestream days on Jan 27 & 28, plus additional pre-recorded sessions. Find out more here.

    ECHO Ontario Conference 2023, Jan. 27, 2023
    Virtual event, titled Integrated Health Systems and the ECHO Model: Lessons Learned in Ontario. Register here.

    Early Psychosis Intervention Quarterly Webinar, Feb. 9, 2023
    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence’s first quarterly webinar on the development of a provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program. Register here.

    Patient Safety Learning Community of Practice, Feb. 7, 2023
    Learn more about the patient safety narrative question for the 2023/24 QIP submission. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: #AFHTO2022 materials and more

    Bits & Pieces: #AFHTO2022 materials and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • #AFHTO2022 materials now available to all members
    • Is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed
    • Reminder: Lean Sigma Pink Belt for QIDSS
    • GoodLife member benefit- 25% off
    • Member stories
    • Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms, and recommendations and more
    • Seeking physicians for the CANHEART Improving Cholesterol Management Study
    • Seeking physician input on relational engagement in primary care
    • Upcoming events including COVID Therapeutics and more

    #AFHTO2022 materials now available to all members

    All members can now access 2022 conference resources! Find out more about what your peers are up to below.

    Resources

    On-Demand Sessions

    Is there a doctor on board? #AFHTO2023 help needed

    The conversations taking place at the 2022 conference as captured by an artist hired by HIROC

     
    AFHTO offers Mainpro+ accreditation for our annual conference for physicians. To ensure we maintain the standards required, we invite a member physician to take part in ONE meeting in February to provide feedback and input on the themes and format for our 2023 event. We’ll provide the appropriate materials beforehand and will be available to answer any questions you might have. Please email paula.myers@afhto.ca ASAP if you’re interested. Deadline Jan. 25.

    Reminder: Lean Sigma Pink Belt for QIDSS
    As you may be aware, SRA Academy is offering the Digital Lean Sigma Pink Belt program, a 30-hour skills development program that provides tools to analyze problems and formulate solutions using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

    If QIDSS haven’t already registered, please note that the deadline has been extended to Friday, January 20th. Through a generous partnership with the eHealth Centre of Excellence, there is no charge for the program and registration can be completed here: https://forms.office.com/r/sG7zLuBgpp. Please contact us at improve@afhto.ca if you have any questions.

    GoodLife member benefit- 25% off
    We know resolutions aren’t everyone’s thing, but enough people have checked in, so we thought we’d remind you- AFHTO members are eligible for a 25% discount on membership types. To take advantage of discounted rates, you need a membership ID assigned by AFHTO. As of Sep. 1, 2022, member IDs are generated upon request. 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.

    Member stories

    Thames Valley FHT:

    Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms, and recommendations 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.

    Seeking physicians for the CANHEART Improving Cholesterol Management Study

    Researchers at The Knowledge Translation (KT) Program at St. Michael’s Hospital and Women’s College Hospital are collaborating on a study to improve lipid management and cardiovascular health in Ontario.

    The Community Heart Outcomes Improvement and Cholesterol Education Study (CHOICES) is an Ontario research study being conducted in certain health regions in Ontario with higher-than-average rates of cardiovascular disease. The study is being funded as part of Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). CHOICES will involve implementing a ‘toolbox’ for cholesterol management to inform and empower people when it comes to the appropriate management of their cholesterol and cardiovascular health. The tools within this ‘toolbox’ will be widely distributed in the high-risk health regions, to allow people to work with their primary care physician and share in the decision-making process together.

    They’re recruiting physicians to complete a brief 10-minute survey assessing their insights on lipid management practices and the CHOICES materials. Find out more here. If you are interested, please complete the following survey here.

    Seeking physician input on relational engagement in primary care

    “In a 2017 article in the Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, author Henri Zukier writes, “As the distance between physician and patient has grown, so has the empirical evidence for the inherently relational nature of medicine… The interaction between doctor and patient, like the interaction between body and mind, is increasingly recognized as an inextricable process and as a central component of therapeutic intervention” (p. 2).  

    Despite this, little to no research exists in which the relational engagement of primary care physicians has been explored.  Given this gap in knowledge, as well as the current cultural climate in which physicians are often vilified and a general distrust in the medical profession has arisen, it seems both important and timely to better understand – and be able to communicate with others – how and why physicians approach and participate in relationship with patients as they do.  

    The purpose of this study, then, is to better understand how physicians operating in the context of primary health care engage relationally with their patients, as such knowledge may contribute much to not only the medical profession but also cultural attitudes more broadly.”

    Find out more here. If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Smith at aaronsmith@tyndale.ca or 519-774-4747.

    COVID Therapeutics, Jan. 20, 2023
    55th in OCFP and UofT’s series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am. Register here.

    Introduction to CARF Network Standards for OHTs, Jan. 24, 2023
    CARF Canada is hosting a complimentary webinar to describe the relevance of their Network standards for organizations working in partnership for service delivery. Register here.

    OCFP 2023 Family Medicine Summit, Jan. 27-28, 2023
    Features two livestream days on Jan 27 & 28, plus additional pre-recorded sessions. Find out more here.

    ECHO Ontario Conference 2023, Jan. 27, 2023
    Virtual event, titled Integrated Health Systems and the ECHO Model: Lessons Learned in Ontario. Register here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #125: Patient and Family support for pregnancy loss

    In this Issue:

    • Patient with a pregnancy loss? There is support – for you, and for families
    • Primary care clinicians can directly refer frontline health workers to psychological practitioners for MOH-covered psychological treatment
    • Mental Health Resources
    • CMHA Ontario’s Your Health Space
    • The Indigenous Voice | Daadibaajimo
    • Virtual Care Guidance Statements Checklist for Clinicians and other resources
    • Upcoming Events

     

    Patient with a pregnancy loss? There is support – for you, and for families
    Content developed by Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network

    Lisa Marie Buccella stands in front of a group of health care workers and shares tips for engaging with patients experiencing possibly one of the worst events of their lives: losing a baby.

    As a parent who has had a loss, she provides feedback on what wasn’t very helpful: Never start a sentence with “At least you have other children…” or “Just be grateful for…”. The room is clearly engaged and pipe up with questions. Families with an experience of pregnancy and infant loss will also share the importance of being connected with meaningful support, and how validating it feels for a professional to offer information and a referral.  

    Offered by Sunnybrook’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network, the workshop is just one example of a resource for professionals to help support bereaved parents and families during a loss. PAIL Network also offers suggestions for communication with families, memory making, forming bereavement committees, and practical information and handouts for families on issues like lactation after loss and employment leave.

    For families living in Ontario, PAIL Network organizes peer-led group and individual support services at no cost. The supports are comprehensive, including groups for each trimester of loss, and groups focused on infant/neonatal loss, SIDS, termination of pregnancy, pregnancy after loss, partners in grief and grief after abortion. Referring a family for support can be done online by any health care or service professional through a secure form that is sent directly to PAIL Network and ensures that a family will be contacted to be connected with peer support online or over the phone.

    We encourage you to check out their resources and consider signing up for a session as well as ordering handouts to support families. For more information, visit Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network.

    Primary care clinicians can directly refer frontline health workers to psychological practitioners for MOH-covered psychological treatment
    Content below developed by Ontario Psychological Association

    Primary care providers can now refer patients directly to psychologists from their Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) enabling increased access to timely specialized mental health services. The new development is made possible through a partnership between the Ontario Psychological Association and Ontario’s eServices Program which saw the integration of the Ocean and Strata Health e-referral platforms thereby allowing family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other primary care providers to connect with psychologists.
     
    The Covid-19 Psychological Support Program, funded by the Ministry of Health, ensures that frontline health workers can receive up to 12 psychotherapy sessions with a registered psychologist or psychological associate at no cost. Primary care clinicians wishing to learn more can email opa@psych.on.ca or read our e-referral guidelines for more details. For a demo, please click here.

    Mental Health Resources
    Webinars

    Select Resources

    CMHA Ontario’s Your Health Space
    Just a reminder that the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario has launched Your Health Space, a free mental health service for Ontario’s health care organizations. This program provides the training, resources, and tools needed to encourage complex conversations about stress and burnout and promote psychological health and safety in health care workplaces.

    Your Health Space offers self-directed modules and live workshops, the latter of which can be tailored to your organization’s unique needs. This programming is delivered through three distinct spaces designed to address the needs of 1) Leaders, 2) Health Care Workers, and 3) Support Staff working within an organization. Furthermore, Your Health Space has a team of trainers across Ontario that are available to facilitate workshops virtually or in person, at your workplace. Upon completion of the program, primary care teams will receive a digital badge and individuals will receive a digital certificate.

    If you are an organizational leader interested in bringing this free program to your workplace, please visit www.yourhealthspace.ca or contact yourhealthspace@ontario.cmha.ca.

    The Indigenous Voice | Daadibaajimo
    Content developed by IPHCC

    The IPHCC recently launched a public facing newsletter titled: Indigenous Voice | Daadibaajimo to keep the audience informed on how we are improving Indigenous health outcomes and supporting the advancement and evolution of Indigenous primary health care services throughout Ontario. This newsletter is designed for both non-Indigenous and Indigenous audiences as it entails specific content and resources to promote education and awareness about Indigenous Peoples. To learn more about how the IPHCC is shaping Indigenous health care, subscribe to our newsletter here or send an email to communications@iphcc.ca. Click here to view the past issue.

    Virtual Care Guidance Statements Checklist for Clinicians and other resources
    The Virtual Care Guidance Statements Checklist for Clinicians and other support tools for the Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance in Primary Care are now live on the Ontario Health website. They are currently available in English and French. For feedback/questions, email PCP.Gudance@ontariohealth.ca.

    Upcoming Events

    ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health
    Beginning January 19, 2023, 12:00-1:00 pm
    Many Ontarian children and youth live in remote and underserved communities. Eighteen percent of Ontarians live in rural areas, where only 2% of the province’s child psychiatrists live. ECHO Ontario CYMH aims to change diagnostic, prescribing, treatment and referral practices of Primary Care Providers (PCPs) who are caring for children and youth with mental health problems. Register here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #124 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19 and more

    Bits & Pieces: The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19 and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19
    • Member stories
    • Evidence of value- Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes (EPCD) team model
    • Corrected link – Healthcare Excellence Canada Opportunity: Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care
    • Ontario Caregiver Organization 2022 Spotlight Report
    • Updated Post-Covid-19 Condition guidance, vaccination deserts and more
    • Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario
    • Comparison of bleeding risk between Rivaroxaban and Apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation
    • Upcoming events including COVID Therapeutics and more

     

    The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19

    Now published in BMC Primary Care are the results of “The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19: A qualitative study of primary care practice leaders in Ontario, Canada”.

    Seventy-one Executive Directors from across all regions of Ontario were interviewed for the study, representing 37% of the AFHTO member clinics. Four themes were identified in the data: i) Complexities of Virtual Care, ii) Continuation of In-person Care, iii) Supporting Patients at Risk, and iv) Stepping up and into New Roles.

    Thank you to all the EDs and Admin Leads who provided your insights. Read more here.

    Member stories

    Espanola FHT – nurse wins prestigious award

    North Simcoe FHT- New clinic offers help for those with COVID-19, flu symptoms

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT – What the rest of the country can learn from Ontario’s family doctor payment model

    Evidence of value- Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes (EPCD) team model

    Staff clinician group with access to the model found to improve their diabetes care quality, but more research needed- “Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care”, The Annals of Family Medicine, November 2022

    Corrected link – Healthcare Excellence Canada Opportunity: Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care

    The Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care collaborative will support primary care practices, organizations, and multidisciplinary teams from across Canada to determine when and how virtual care should be used in their respective healthcare settings. Participants will receive up to $20,000 in seed funding to develop a framework that supports shared decision-making with patients, ensuring choices around virtual care are based on patient needs and capabilities, their care requirements and clinician capacity. This program runs between January and November 2023 and involves a range of online learning and design activities. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.

    a black man with greying hair places a throw blanket on the shoulders of an older black woman sitting in front of him as they smile at each other

     

     

    Ontario Caregiver Organization 2022 Spotlight Report

    One in four caregivers say their caregiving responsibilities have become more difficult since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

    Each year, the Ontario Caregiver Organization looks at the caregiving experience in Ontario and how family caregivers are coping in their role. Although much has changed since 2021’s report, what hasn’t changed is the impact caregiving is having on caregivers. Read the full report here.

     

     

     

    Updated Post-Covid-19 Condition guidance, vaccination deserts 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.

    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario

    Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario! We are looking for patients and caregivers in Ontario to take a 15 to 20-minutes survey on the experiences and expectations with virtual care appointments as a patient or caregiver with a doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional in a family practice. This study from the University of Toronto and the Bruyére Research Institute is led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft and Dr. Simone Dahrouge.

    To take the survey, please click one of the links below:

    As part of our recruitment efforts, we are offering primary care clinics the opportunity to receive a personalized survey link and provide a custom report on the experiences of your patients. If this opportunity interests you, please contact Simon Lam, research coordinator, at sck.lam@utoronto.ca.

    Comparison of bleeding risk between Rivaroxaban and Apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation

    Dr. Lana Castellucci, Thrombosis Physician and General Internist at The Ottawa Hospital, is leading the COBRRA AF trial (COmparison of Bleeding Risk between Rivaroxaban and Apixaban in patients with Atrial Fibrillation). The aim is to evaluate the safety and bleeding risks of apixaban compared to rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). Current guidelines do not support using one agent over another, but data suggests apixaban has lower bleeding risks. This trial will be the first to directly compare these anticoagulants for bleeding events in AF and to determine the safest treatment.
    We invite you to refer your patients with newly diagnosed AF/AFL to The Ottawa Hospital Thrombosis Unit to be considered for participation. Materials:

    Please note, these documents are meant for staff only, and not for the patients. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

    Primary Care and COVID-19 Support CoP Monthly Call, Jan. to Jul. 2023
    The Community of Practice hosted by Ontario Health to support Primary Care and Covid-19, holds monthly calls, and the new registration link for the first 7 months in 2023 is available. Register here.

    ECHO Programs at UHN, starting Jan 12, 2023

    • Liver Starting Jan. 16
    • Concussion Resumes Jan. 18
    • Chronic Pain/Opioids Starting Jan.12
    • Rheumatology Starting Jan. 14

    Register here.

    COVID Therapeutics, Jan. 20, 2023
    55th in OCFP and UofT’s series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 7:55-9:15 am. Register here.

    Introduction to CARF Network Standards for OHTs, Jan. 24, 2023
    CARF Canada is hosting a complimentary webinar to describe the relevance of their Network standards for organizations working in partnership for service delivery. Register here.

    OCFP 2023 Family Medicine Summit, Jan. 27-28, 2023
    Features two livestream days on Jan 27 & 28, plus additional pre-recorded sessions. Find out more here.

    ECHO Ontario Conference 2023, Jan. 27, 2023
    Virtual event, titled Integrated Health Systems and the ECHO Model: Lessons Learned in Ontario. Register here.