Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Members Only News

  • Bits & Pieces: your COVID-19 survey results at Trillium Research Day & more

    Bits & Pieces: your COVID-19 survey results at Trillium Research Day & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Trillium Research Day – AFHTO posters and presentation
    • Primary care patient/client virtual care experience survey
    • #StopTheSpread communications toolkit
    • Provider virtual care experience survey
    • IHP experience during COVID-19
    • Fecal immunochemical test kit update and reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening
    • Top ten flu Q & A and more
    • HPCO 2021 conference call for abstracts
    • CEP type 2 diabetes tools and academic detailing
    • Upcoming events regarding processing trauma experiences and more

     

    Responding to COVID- primary care teams

    Trillium Research Day – AFHTO posters and presentation

    On Friday, Oct. 23, AFHTO along with our research partners presented at Trillium Research Day demonstrating the value of primary care teams’ response to COVID-19 and patients’ experience with virtual care. Posters and presentations are now on our site. A special thank you to our teams to participating in this very important work!

     

    Primary care patient/client virtual care experience survey

    In August, we launched the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey, for teams to implement. As a reminder, we will be collecting aggregate responses from your team to this survey the week of November 1st, here.
    Another option of patient experience data collection is to provide the survey link created by Women’s College Hospital Institute of Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV). WIHV is conducting a third-party evaluation of virtual care in the COVID-19 era on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Health.

    NOTE: Participation in this survey should only take 10-15 minutes and includes the option to enter a draw for one of four $50 gift cards to Amazon, the Bay or Shoppers Drug Mart. This data will go directly with WIHV and you will not have access to the data.  

    This research will be important as the Ministry looks at the future of virtual care – please spread the word and encourage your patients to participate!

    #StopTheSpread

    #StopTheSpread communications toolkit

    The Ontario Hospital Association launched a social media campaign that we encourage members participate in. The #StopTheSpread of COVID-19 campaign is targeting three audience groups: (1) ages 20-30, (2) broad audience 40s+, and (3) health care workers. Find a communications toolkit on our site.

     

    Provider virtual care experience survey

    Women’s College Hospital Institute of Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV) is conducting a third-party evaluation of virtual care in the COVID-19 era on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Health. The objectives are to provide the Ontario Ministry of Health anonymous feedback on:

    • Healthcare Provider experiences with and preferences for virtual care during the pandemic;
    • The types and features of virtual services which provide the most value for healthcare providers;  
    • The clinical utility and appropriate uses of virtual services in Primary Care; and
    • Policy recommendations related to virtual care services in Primary Care for the provincial government.  

    You can participate in providing feedback by filling this short 10-15 mins online survey, which includes the opportunity to enter a draw to win one of four $50 electronic gift cares to the Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart or Amazon. Your participation will remain completely anonymous and confidential. Feel free to reach out to Jamie Fujioka (Jamie.fujioka@wchospital.ca) if you have any questions or concerns.

    This research will be important as the Ministry looks at the future of virtual care – please spread the word and we really encourage you to participate!

    IHP experience during COVID-19

    We are now six months since the initial restrictions of COVID-19 and Queen’s University researchers are interested in hearing about your experiences working in Family Health Teams during this time. You are invited to participate in a brief web-based survey to understand the evolving experiences of interprofessional health care providers in Family Health Teams in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the link here to complete the web-based survey.

    And here’s the earlier survey results for your review as well.

    Fecal immunochemical test kit update and reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening

    As of October 20, 2020, primary care providers can expand screening with the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to all eligible people at average risk for colorectal cancer.  

    Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions and potential delays in FIT kit mailing, people may experience delays in receiving a FIT kit. To avoid longer wait times, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) asks that primary care providers do not batch fax requisitions.

    Reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening
    Ontario Health (CCO) is recommending that routine breast and cervical screening tests be resumed in a gradual manner. As a reminder, primary care providers are encouraged to consider initiating cervical screening at age 25, which is aligned to best evidence.

    If you have any questions about resuming cancer screening, please contact cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

    Top ten flu Q & A and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    HPCO 2021 conference call for abstracts

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario is now accepting submissions for workshop, poster, and oral paper presentations for their virtual conference, April 18-20, 2021. The 2021 conference theme is The New Normal of Hospice Palliative Care in a Pandemic World. For complete details and to submit visit their site. Deadline Dec. 4.

    CEP type 2 diabetes tools and academic detailing
    CEP has just launched clinical tools and opportunity for one-on-one clinical education (academic detailing) visits on type 2 diabetes: non-insulin pharmacotherapy and providing care during COVID-19.

    Processing Trauma Experiences With Palliative Care Clients And Their Families, Nov. 4 – Dec. 2, 2020

    Join the HPCO in this 5-part series intended for all sectors of hospice palliative care. Focuses for sessions include work with veterans, refugees and first nations.
    Learn more here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Nov. 5 – 26, 2020

    Caregivers providing support to someone living with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness are invited to this 4-session family education group.
    More details can be found here.

    Health Promotion Ontario conference, Nov. 5- 26, 2020
    The Annual Health Promotion Ontario conference will be a free virtual experience this year. There will be a four-part webinar series on Health Promotion in a Global Pandemic in November. Find out more here.

    Diabetes Care and Management for Ontario, Nov. 12, 2020

    This HeathcareRounds virtual event will be a discussion with leaders devoted to the health and care of those living with diabetes to discuss next steps and action items.
    Find out more here.

    Race, Racism, And COVID-19: The Institute For Pandemics Inaugural Lecture, Nov. 24, 2020
    This panel will explore evidence and examine the implications for using policy and other strategies to dismantle structural racism.
    Learn more here.

    Osgoode Professional Development, Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021
    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

  • Bits & Pieces: address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill, COVID checklist for primary care & more

    Bits & Pieces: address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill, COVID checklist for primary care & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill
    • #AFHTO2020: following up
    • Immediate need for case and contact management
    • Member stories- COVID-19 EMR screening, virtual clinic and SDOH
    • New BounceBack client resources available
    • OMA’s OHT white paper
    • Togetherall social media content and mini videos
    • COVID-19 checklist for primary care and more
    • Upcoming events regarding processing trauma experiences and more

     

    Allan Grill

     

    Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill

    Our new president and chair Dr. Allan Grill shares his perspective as he starts his new term after our annual conference. Find out about his goals here.

     

     

     

     

     

    #AFHTO2020: following up

    Now that the conference is over, we’re in the process of editing the recordings and compiling the materials. We hope to make these available soon. If you were a presenter and you haven’t sent in your slides or poster, please email them to conference@afhto.ca.

    Immediate need for case and contact management

    On Oct. 19 we sent an email on behalf of the Ministry of Health to EDs and Admin Leads regarding the immediate need for case and contact management. Read it here, along with a new FAQ (available at the triad level only).

    Member stories- COVID-19 EMR screening, virtual clinic and SDOH

    COVID-19 EMR screening tool

    City of Lakes FHT: case study on efficiently screening for COVID 19 in Northern Ontario

    Elliott Lake FHT: ELFHT marks first anniversary of Virtual Clinic

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT: how the pandemic inspired a primary care model for addressing social needs

    New BounceBack client resources available
    To help your patients manage their heightened anxiety, stress and worry related to the pandemic or other long-term stressors, the BounceBack team has developed some new resources, available in English and French.

    This includes handouts for: new parents, youth 15-18, caregivers, and individuals experiencing chronic pain. You can also download their tip sheet for managing your mental health during COVID-19.

    You can find all the resources on the Care Providers section of their website.

    As a reminder, you can now easily refer your clients to BounceBack in three ways, including directly on the website using the online referral form, through your EMR, or by sending an eReferral in your EMR through the Ocean eReferral Network.

    And finally, to ensure that the BounceBack program is meeting your needs and the needs of your patients, they invite you to take their survey. The survey should only take 5 minutes, and your responses are completely anonymous.

    Please reach out to the BounceBack marketing and communications team if you have any questions.

    OMA’s OHT white paper
    The Ontario Medical Association has just released its Ontario Health Teams White Paper: Early Learnings and Recommendations for the Evolution of OHTs. Read it here.

    Togetherall social media content and mini videos
    This month’s themes include staying connected, combating seasonal changes and balancing your thinking (they have a free course on this topic):

    COVID-19 checklist for primary care and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Choosing Wisely Webinars, Oct. 22, 2020
    Choose from 3 webinars that will explore how you can choose wisely when using antibiotics
    More details can be found here.

    Advanced Privacy Officer Training, Nov. 3, 2020

    Get your privacy officer certificate in health law using this training module offered by Kate Dewhirst Health Law. Find out more here.

    Processing Trauma Experiences With Palliative Care Clients And Their Families, Nov. 4 – Dec. 2, 2020

    Join the HPCO in this 5-part series intended for all sectors of hospice palliative care. Focuses for sessions include work with veterans, refugees and first nations.
    Learn more here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Nov. 5 – 26, 2020

    Caregivers providing support to someone living with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness are invited to this 4-session family education group.
    More details can be found here.

    Physician Leadership and the Future of Community Care, Nov. 5, 2020
    Join the Ivey Academy’s panel discussion around the challenges, learnings, and adaptations to the pandemic for primary care providers. Find out more here.

    Osgoode Professional Development, Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021
    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

  • Bits & Pieces: check your junk mail, how to get up to $150,000& more

    Bits & Pieces: check your junk mail, how to get up to $150,000& more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • How to get up to $150K to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID
    • #AFHTO2020: yes, we’re asking you to check your junk mail
    • Virtual mental health tools demonstration & video testimonial for Mental Health Awareness Day

     
    • Dr. Elizabeth Muggah now President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • COVID-19 screening tool for children in school and childcare and more
    • Upcoming events regarding Arts on Prescription and more

    How to get up to $150K to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID

    Resilient Communities Fund webinar

    The Ontario government is investing $83 million to provide grants through the Resilient Communities Fund to help eligible non-profit organizations, including family health teams and primary care organizations, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities. All teams are eligible to apply for this financial support!

    On September 29, we hosted a webinar about how teams can tap into these funds. The submission deadline is December 2. Slides and video now available.

    #AFHTO2020: yes, we’re asking you to check your junk mail

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

    If you registered for the conference by Oct. 2, your login information was sent by in an email titled “AFHTO 2020 Conference login Information and tips for your conference experience” by Sunday, Oct. 4. Please check your junk mail if you haven’t seen this email.

    If you did not receive the email please contact regAFHTO@mosaicevents.ca.
    And if you haven’t registered yet, you still can- join your peers from Ontario and beyond!

    Virtual mental health tools demonstration

    Virtual mental health tools demonstration & video testimonial for Mental Health Awareness Day

    On Sep. 24 we hosted a demonstration of Togetherall, BounceBack and Beacon, all provided free of charge.

    Slides and video available

    Togetherall also has video testimonial and graphics to be released on Mental Health Awareness Day Oct 10. Find materials here.

    Dr. Elizabeth Muggah now President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians

    Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Muggah of Bruyère Academic FHT, who has been installed as the OCFP president.

    COVID-19 screening tool for children in school and childcare and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Arts on Prescription: Improving health and wellbeing through arts participation, Oct. 6, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    You can still register for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Find out more here.

    COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians, October 16, 2020

    Join the OCFP and Department of Family and Community Medicine at UofT for their 10th CoP meeting in their series ‘Changing the way we work”, focusing on rising case counts, respiratory assessment centres, flue shots and more during COVID-19.
    Learn more here.

    Respiratory Health Forum, Oct. 21, 2020.

    This year’s forum will be held virtually and is completely free! Learn more about lung health alongside other primary care professionals.
    Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: member stories in AFHTO annual report, call for stricter measures to address COVID-19 & more

    Bits & Pieces: member stories in AFHTO annual report, call for stricter measures to address COVID-19 & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO annual report featuring your stories
    • Letter to the Premier for stricter measures to address COVID-19
    • Two days to the #AFHTO2020 early bird deadline
    • Indigenous relationship and cultural safety (IRCS) courses
    • COVID-19 testing guidance update and more
    • Survey of IHPs in FHTs during the COVID-19 pandemic
    • OMA flu vaccination administration survey
    • Guelph FHT annual report
    • Reminder- research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study
    • Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    • Upcoming events regarding Arts on Prescription and more

    2020 annual report

     

    AFHTO annual report featuring your stories

    We released our 2020 annual report in the notice for our annual general meeting sent to the triad yesterday. Read for a reflection on a tumultuous year, including ways primary care teams have risen to the challenge.

     

     

    Letter to the Premier for stricter measures to address COVID-19

    “The measures announced on September 25th are not sufficient. Protecting the most vulnerable in the province and conserving the limited health care resources we have should be our number one priority.”

    Today AFHTO, NPAO and OCFP sent a letter to the Premier calling for stricter measures to address escalating numbers of COVID-19 cases before the situation becomes unmanageable. Read the full letter here.

    Two days to the #AFHTO2020 early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

    We’re connecting with our speakers including Helen Bevan, editing the Bright Lights video, and preparing for a memorable conference next week. Don’t forget to do your part and register by this Thursday, Oct. 1 for the early bird discount. Group discount now available!

    In previous years we have sometimes extended the deadline, but this is the closest to the conference we’ve ever had, so there will be no extension this year.

    Indigenous relationship and cultural safety (IRCS) courses
    Primary care can pick from 13 e-learning courses on Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety by Cancer Care Ontario and earn certified credits. Find out more here.

    COVID-19 testing guidance update and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Survey of IHPs in FHTs during the COVID-19 pandemic

    We are now six months since the initial restrictions of COVID-19 and Queen’s University researchers are interested in hearing about your experiences working in FHTs during this time. You’re invited to participate in a brief web-based survey to understand the evolving experiences of interprofessional health care providers in Family Health Teams in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This research is being led by Drs. Catherine Donnelly (Associate Professor, Queen’s University) and Jordan Miller (Assistant Professor, Queen’s University). If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Catherine Donnelly by email at catherine.donnelly@queensu.ca.

    OMA flu vaccination administration survey

    Many primary care providers will have difficulty conducting their usual flu vaccine clinics due to limits on physical space, PPE supply and office cleaning requirements, among other challenges. OMA has developed a survey to find out the barriers you’re anticipating, what supports might be helpful and the innovative ideas you are leading or participating in as you prepare for flu vaccine administration. They would greatly value your input through this five-to-seven-minute survey. Please respond by Oct. 7.

    If the survey is being done as a group, please note as such and do not complete the survey more than once.

    Guelph FHT annual report

    The Guelph Family Health Team 2019-2020 Annual Report is available to read online. Learn about the work they do to provide patient-guided quality focused care.

    Reminder- research participant recruitment – concussion telerehabilitation study

    Researchers in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto are currently recruiting youth with concussion to participate in a study exploring the use of telerehabilitation for concussion management. Youth will participate in a 6-week rehabilitation program consisting of education, support and low-intensity exercise delivered by a kinesiologist or occupational therapist through weekly videoconferencing appointments.

    Who can participate?

    • Youth (ages 13-18 years) experiencing concussion symptoms
    • At least 2 weeks post-concussion

    For more information click here. To help with participant recruitment, please contact the research team at oaktelerehab@utoronto.ca or 416-946-3273.

    Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey. Updated deadline Oct. 30.

    Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease diagnosis and management: An overview for general practitioners, Sept. 30, 2020

    Recognize clinical factors and learn to treat NTM pulmonary disease.
    Learn more here.

    Arts on Prescription: Improving health and wellbeing through arts participation, Oct. 6, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

    Respiratory Health Forum, Oct. 21, 2020.

    This year’s forum will be held virtually and is completely free! Learn more about lung health alongside other primary care professionals.
    Learn more here.

    COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians, October 16, 2020

    Join the OCFP and Department of Family and Community Medicine at UofT for their 10th CoP meeting in their series ‘Changing the way we work”, focusing on rising case counts, respiratory assessment centres, flue shots and more during COVID-19.
    Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: OHT partners & #AFHTO2020, updated symptom reference & more

    Bits & Pieces: OHT partners & #AFHTO2020, updated symptom reference & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Just over 2 wks to the conference- invite your OHT partners
    • Electronic Asthma Management System demo slides and video available
    • BEACON iCBT provincial program – resources & demonstration Sep. 24
    • Updated symptoms reference and more
    • Member access to conference recordings
    • Learning and improvement collaboratives for Ontario Health Teams
    • Ontario Health survey on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
    • New quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder
    • Submit a nomination for 2020 Canada’s volunteer awards
    • Upcoming events regarding the OTF Resilient Communities Fund and more

    Just over 2 wks to the conference- invite your OHT partners

    The AFHTO 2020 conference is an invaluable opportunity for all OHT partners to gain greater insight into your contributions to healthcare, so invite them to take part.

    With sessions like:

    There’s so much for them to learn.

     Don’t forget to register before Oct.1-use the member access code to get your discounted rate (sent to your team’s leadership)!

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo

     

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo slides and video available

    On Sep. 15 we held a live demonstration of the Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) tool. Video and slides for that demonstration are now available.

     

     

    BEACON iCBT provincial program – resources & demonstration Sep. 24

    BEACON is accessible and effective online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, guided by a registered Mental Health professional, and now funded by the Government of Ontario during COVID-19. Over 80% of participants have experienced symptom reduction and two-thirds have experienced clinically significant improvement.

    If you have any questions about BEACON, please feel free to contact colin.andersen@mindbeacon.com

    We will have a demonstration of BEACON, along with Togetherall and Bounceback Sep. 24.

    Togetherall (previously known as Big White Wall) is endorsed and paid for by the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Health. Bounceback is an evidence-based, skill-building program grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association and is FREE to all Ontarians aged 15+.Register here.

    Updated symptoms reference and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Member access to conference recordings

    After our in-person conference, available presentation slides are typically posted for members. This year, to help cover associated costs, we’re taking a somewhat different approach.

    Members will get access to individual session recordings and/or slides for a nominal fee of $15 compared to non-members for $25.

    In addition, all AFHTO members will get free access to recordings of keynote sessions, previously unavailable with our in-person event. Free member access includes:

    • Helen Bevan
    • Matt Anderson
    • Minister Elliott
    • Dr. Jane Philpott
    • And poster pdfs

    Presenters who decline to participate need to do so by contacting conference@afhto.ca by this Friday, Sep. 25.

    Learning and improvement collaboratives for Ontario Health Teams

    RISE & OH(Q) have created chat rooms/CoPs per priority population, patients & caregivers and digital health. Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) learning and improvement collaboratives bring together those actively participating in the development of OHTs with experts drawn from across the province, including system leaders, people with lived experience, and researchers.

    Learn more about how you can participate.

    Ontario Health survey on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
    With a lens towards health equity, OH has also initiated a project to complete an equity assessment and develop an action plan to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to address anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. Although FHT and NPLC contracts are currently not managed by OH, we encourage members to fill in the Survey on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism for Health Service Providers.

    This will help advance the vision of a more integrated health system that eliminates health disparities, addresses the social determinants of health, and delivers excellent and equitable access, experience, and outcomes for all Ontarians.

    New quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder

    Ontario Health (Quality) has released a new quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder.

    For more information contact OH-HQO_QualityStandards@ontariohealth.ca.

    Submit a nomination for 2020 Canada’s volunteer awards
    Nominate a not-for-profit organization, an individual, a group of volunteers, a social enterprise or a business that is making a difference in your community. Deadline Sep. 30.

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund Webinar with Optimus, Sep. 29, 2020
    Learn more about the supports your team can receive to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 through the Ontario Trillium Fund. Hosted by AFHTO.
    Register today!

    Youth and Cannabis Use Speaker Series: Part 2: Panel Discussion: Cannabis use amongst Diverse Youth, Sept. 29, 2020

    Explore considerations from experts working with diverse youth on considerations for health and service providers.
    Learn more here.

    BETTER Prevention Practitioner Training, Oct. 1-2, 2020
    Healthcare professionals can learn how to better prevent and screen chronic diseases in primary care through this 2-day workshop held by the Better Program (Women’s College Hospital).
    More details can be found here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

    Special Interest Two-Part Series Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health In Primary Care, Oct. 14 & 21, 2020

    Attend this 2-part series covering infant and early child mental health case studies, held by CHEO (CAMH).
    Find out more here.

    Annual Toronto Geriatrics Update Virtual Course, Oct. 30, 2020
    The UHN’s annual geriatrics CPD course is now being offered online. Join this one day course for lectures and breakout sessions on geriatric issues and syndromes during the pandemic.
    Learn more here.

    Hearing Your Voices: A Virtual Conference on Compassion and Technology for Patients, Family and Caregivers, Nov. 3 and 4, 2020
    Listen to the experiences of patients, families and caregivers during COVID-19 and make recommendations for a more compassionate healthcare system.
    Find out more here

  • Bits & Pieces: conference panels and on-demand sessions, Kids In Crisis Town Hall & more

    Bits & Pieces: conference panels and on-demand sessions, Kids In Crisis Town Hall & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO 2020 Conference: panels and on-demand sessions
    • Kids In Crisis Town Hall, September 17
    • Reminder: COVID-19 ED Surveys end soon
    • Virtual mental health tools – Togetherall and Bounceback demonstrations, Sep. 24
    • Flu vaccine guidance and more
    • Recently published PHO resources
    • Two new quality standards on asthma
    • Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    • Upcoming events regarding the OTF Resilient Communities Fund and more

    Matt Anderson

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: panels and on-demand sessions

    On both days we’ll launch concurrent session panels  to kick off each theme.

    We’re also happy to announce we’ll release an on-demand webcast Q&A with Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, Ontario Health as part of our free Thursday morning programming.  

    Matt will speak to his vision for primary care and how interprofessional primary care teams fit in Ontario Health’s mandate.

    And we have even more on-demand sessions for you to enjoy, available to anyone who has registered for that day!*

     Register before Oct.1-use the member access code to get your discounted rate (sent to your team’s leadership)!

    *Does not apply to those who have solely registered for the free programming on Thursday morning.

    Kids In Crisis Town Hall, September 17

    Kids In Crisis Town Hall

    The Children’s Health Coalition, a growing collective of Ontario’s children’s health organizations, including AFHTO are sounding the alarm on the crisis facing children’s health care. We are warning the Ontario government that a generation of lives is at stake if we don’t act now.
     
    On behalf of the Children’s Health Coalition, we’d like to invite you to attend the Kids In Crisis Town Hall on September 17, 2020, at 7 p.m. ET. The telephone town hall will provide a forum for mental health professionals, pediatric physicians, front line providers and families to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on our already strained children’s health care sector.

    Even before the pandemic began, 28,000 children in Ontario were on waiting lists for mental health services, 80,000 children are currently on a waitlist for rehabilitation services and over 30,000 pediatric procedures and appointments at children’s hospitals have been cancelled. The challenges brought on by COVID-19 have made a difficult situation even worse.  
     
    We are calling on the Ontario government immediately make substantive investments in children’s health care to alleviate the suffering of more than 160,000 children and families who are desperately waiting for mental health treatment, hospital surgeries and procedures, child development and rehabilitation services, and pediatric home care services.   

    Register today, and help us spread the word on Twitter and Facebook. We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

    Reminder: COVID-19 ED Surveys end soon

    AFHTO, in partnership with the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, wants to understand the initiatives your team has taken on to continue to provide comprehensive primary care during this pandemic. Surveys will end Sept 19th.
    Please fill out the survey here.

    Virtual mental health tools – Togetherall and Bounceback demonstrations, Sep. 24

    Togetherall (previously known as Big White Wall) is endorsed and paid for by the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Health. Bounceback is an evidence-based, skill-building program grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association and is FREE to all Ontarians aged 15+. Register here.

    Flu vaccine guidance and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Recently published PHO resources

    Two new quality standards on asthma

    Ontario Health (Quality) has released two new quality standards:

    For more information contact OH-HQO_QualityStandards@ontariohealth.ca.

    Reminder-engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey

    A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey. Deadline today, Sep. 15.

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund Webinar with Optimus, Sep. 29, 2020
    Learn more about the supports your team can receive to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 through the Ontario Trillium Fund. Hosted by AFHTO.
    Register today!

    Digital Health and Virtual Care Day, Oct 1. 2020

    Join OMD’s virtual care day for providers and administrative staff. Experience the same educational experience as their EMR: Every Step conference. Learn more here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

    Paediatric Advance Care Planning and the Uniqueness of Paediatric Palliative Care, Oct. 7 & 14, 2020

    This two-part webinar series is hosted by the HPCO and intended for healthcare providers.
    Learn more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #100- Rx: Social Prescribing

    QI in Action eBulletin #100- Rx: Social Prescribing

    In collaboration with the Alliance for Healthier Communities

    In this Issue:

    • What is Social Prescribing?
    • What does Social Prescribing look like in practice?
    • Social prescribing: tools for equitable healthcare
    • Reminders
    • Upcoming Virtual Events

    What is Social Prescribing?

    Social prescribing is an evidence-based plan to address the social determinants of health, with focus on social isolation and loneliness. Importantly, social prescribing reduces reliance on expensive and inappropriate medical interventions and gives patients the confidence to manage their own health.

    Social Prescribing is:

    • A structured means of referring people who visit their doctor or nurse practitioner to a range of local, non-clinical services that seek to address people’s needs in a holistic way.
    • An asset-based approach that goes beyond treating illnesses, recognizing clients as people with a range of talents and non-medical needs.
    • A way to support individuals in taking greater control of their own health and enable them to engage with and contribute back to the community.
    		 A survey conducted with providers from the Alliance for Healthier Communities (n=31), identified 42% of participating providers report social prescribing has decreased the number of repeat visits by patients, and 84% of believe social prescriptions have improved their patient’s health.

    What does Social Prescribing look like in practice?

    Throughout the pandemic, many teams stayed open to meet the ongoing healthcare and social needs of their communities and clients. From your interviews and surveys (still open until Sept 18th!) we heard that the majority of teams reached out to vulnerable patients and made proactive check-in calls to screen for and support health and social needs. Humber River FHT conducted telephone outreach to assess social determinants of health and domestic safety. Central Lambton and Delhi FHTs worked directly with migrant workers to deliver trusted health and social care.
    Social prescribing is a way to capture, formalize and continue this work. It looks different in different communities, depending on local needs and capacity, but generally includes these 5 components:

    Social prescribing components

    How are you using Social Prescribing in your team – let us know! Interested in learning more and implementing in your team? Join us at the AFHTO conference or drop us a line at improve@afhto.ca.

    Social prescribing: tools for equitable healthcare:

    Reminders:
    Responding to COVID-19: Understanding How Primary Care Teams Stepped up to Help Support Their Communities and Patients
    AFHTO in collaboration with Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft and Dr. Catherine Donnelly are conducting a research study to capture the efforts of all our members to ensure no story is left untold. This information will help influence and shape how teams will continue to adapt virtual care after the pandemic, as well as to meet patient needs.

    September 18th, 2020 is the last day to participate in a survey, don’t miss your chance to participate! Please click here to share your team’s story.

    Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey
    The Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey was created to help fill informational gaps to inform future planning and further support the implementation of virtual care in primary care. We also highly recommend you report back to AFHTO to support AFHTO’s Provincial Initiative. To further support practices in expanding and solidifying virtual care in primary health at a provincial-level, AFHTO will be collecting the practice-level aggregate responses to the survey.

    Upcoming Events

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – Tool Demonstration Webinar
    Tuesday September 15, 2020 – 12:00 – 1:00 pm EDT
    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Learn more about the tool by registering here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world
    Thursday, October 8, 2020 – Friday, October 9, 2020
    Before 2020, anyone with experience in Ontario’s healthcare system thought they knew what change meant. Now such changes seem almost a lifetime ago. COVID-19 has shifted our priorities with a focus on how to support our patients and our teams in new ways of delivering care. Primary care has risen to the challenge, but the ground is still shifting, and the future is uncertain. In short, we need to rebuild primary care for this new world.

    Register an individual or team for the conference here. Early-bird registration closes October 1, 2020.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #99 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

     

  • Bits & Pieces: Updated primary care guidance, governing through COVID-19 & more

    Bits & Pieces: Updated primary care guidance, governing through COVID-19 & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Governing through COVID-19 and beyond slides and video available
    • AFHTO 2020 Conference: concurrent sessions and Minister Elliott
    • IHP Sessions: last call for leads
    • In a time of need: a grassroots initiative in response to PPE shortage in the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Updated primary care guidance, sick notes and more
    • GoodLife reopening- existing rates extended until November 14
    • Upcoming events regarding the Electronic Asthma Management System tool and more

    Governing through COVID-19

    Governing through COVID-19 and beyond slides and video available

    On August 25, we held a webinar on “Governing through COVID-19 and Beyond” to discuss governance at this time of uncertainty and change. It included guidance and advice to board members on resumption of services; what governors should know about OHTs; and where we can go from here to continue to strengthen organizational governance practices and prioritise board efforts.

    Slides and video are now available in our members only section. Please share with your board members.

    Additional tools that may be of interest include:

    Minister Christine Elliott

     

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: concurrent sessions and Minister Elliott

    Concurrent session descriptions are now available– we have diverse topics all relevant to Ontario primary care.

    We’re also happy to announce Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Hon. Christine Elliott will join us Thursday afternoon to provide remarks to our members and speak about the role of primary care in the pandemic response.  Register before Oct.1-use the member access code to get your discounted rate (sent to your team’s leadership)!

     

    IHP Sessions: last call for leads

    We now have leads for most of the popular break-out sessions at the AFHTO 2020 Conference

    but still need volunteers for the following professions:

    • Psychologists
    • Physician assistants
    • Administrative
    • Health promoters

     If you’re interested, please contact Beth MacKinnon today. The lead will receive a $20 discount on their conference fee.

    In a time of need: a grassroots initiative in response to PPE shortage in the COVID-19 pandemic

    Article in the July edition of Healthcare Quarterly about the initiative to address a critical shortage of personal protective equipment in the London–Middlesex region. It involved the London–Middlesex Primary Care Alliance, volunteer administrators, Thames Valley FHT and medical students. Read more here (log in needed for full article).

    Updated primary care guidance, sick notes and more

    Updates released within the last week include:

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

    GoodLife reopening- existing rates extended until November 14
    GoodLife rates for AFHTO members were due to increase at the end of May, but because of closures due to COVID, existing – annual (paid in full) rates of $519 and biweekly rates of $24- have been extended until November 14. 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 November 15, annual (paid in full) rates will be $619 and biweekly rates $25.

    Treatable Rare Diseases In The Generalists Clinic, Sep. 10 & 17, 2020
    Join Sanofi Genzyme for this webinar on rare diseases such as Pompe disease and hATTR. Two dates are offered for your convenience. Find out more here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund Webinar with Optimus, Sep. 29, 2020
    Learn more about the supports your team can receive to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 through the Ontario Trillium Fund. Hosted by AFHTO.
    Register today!

    Keeping Pace: A Virtual Conference on Cyber Security in the Public Sector, Oct 1. 2020

    The Ontario Government is hosting its first-ever, full-day cyber-security conference. You will explore current and future cyber risks to Ontario’s broader public sector and more.
    Learn more here.

    Osgoode Professional Development, Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021

    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar, cancer screening & more

    Bits & Pieces: OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar, cancer screening & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar Sep 29
    • Reminder- Electronic Asthma Management System tool demonstration, Sep. 15
    • IHP Sessions: six leads still needed
    • Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and FIT requisition update
    • OMA pocket journal for contact tracing and more
    • Upcoming events including Care Of The Elderly and more

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar Sep 29

    Grants available to help teams rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19:
    Join us September 29, 12:00-12:30 p.m. to find out how your team can tap into these funds.

    The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to provide grants through this Resilient Communities Fund to help eligible non-profit organizations, including family health teams and primary care organizations, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities.

    In this webinar, Andrea Spencer and Jason Huehn from Optimus SBR will provide an overview of the Resilient Communities Fund application process and requirements, discuss how your organization can benefit from the fund, and provide strategic advice on how to maximize your probability of success in securing funding. The next submission deadline is December 2. Register here.

    Reminder- Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    Significant gaps persist in asthma care across Ontario. The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.

    IHP Sessions: six leads still needed

    We still need volunteers to lead the popular break-out sessions at the AFHTO 2020 Conference for the following professions:

    • Health promoters
    • Nurse practitioners
    • Physiotherapists
    • Psychologists
    • Nurses (RN/RPN)
    • Administrative
    • Physician assistants

     If you’re interested, please contact Beth MacKinnon today. The lead will receive a $20 discount on their conference fee.

    Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and FIT requisition update

    Summary Guidance for Primary Care Providers Resuming Cancer Screening_2020-08-25

    As of August 25, 2020, LifeLabs will start accepting new fecal immunochemical test (FIT) requisitions for groups at higher risk of colorectal cancer:

    • Average risk people over age 60 who have never been screened for colorectal cancer
    • Average risk people with previous unsatisfactory FIT results
    • Eligible average risk people awaiting organ transplant

    LifeLabs will continue to send out a limited number of FIT kits per day to allow for a gradual resumption of services across the healthcare system. As such, primary care providers can begin sending in new FIT requisitions when seeing patients in one of the higher risk groups identified above.  

    To ensure a coordinated resumption of services, Ontario Health strongly encourages Regional Cancer Programs, primary care providers and endoscopists to work together to ensure appropriate follow-up of patients with abnormal FIT results.

    Reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening
    Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is recommending that routine breast and cervical screening tests be resumed in a gradual manner. For reference, a summary of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)’s guidance for resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening is here.  

    Detailed tip sheets have been developed for healthcare providers to guide the resumption of these services, please email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca if you would like a copy.

    If you have any questions about resuming cancer screening, please contact cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

    OMA pocket journal for contact tracing and more

    Updates released within the last week include:

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

    Approaches to Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning & Goals of Care Conversations, August 27- September 17, 2020

    Four-part webinar series from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for front line workers, health care/service providers and first responders. Find out more and register here.

    ECHO Care Of The Elderly, Sep. 9 to Dec 16, 2020
    Join CAMH on Wednesdays to brush up on your capacity to care for the frail and complex aging individuals.
    Apply here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Sept. 10- Oct. 1, 2020

    Share this webinar series by IAmMentalHealth with any caregivers to those with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness. Learn more here.

    Osgoode Professional Development, Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021

    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: Helen Bevan and Jane Philpott at the conference & more

    Bits & Pieces: Helen Bevan and Jane Philpott at the conference & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO 2020 registration open
    • 211 Ontario slides and video available
    • The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams
    • Ontario releases COVID-19 management plan for schools and more
    • Engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    • NPs can now sign for medication samples
    • Osgoode Professional Development discount for members
    • Upcoming events including Approaches to Health Care Consent and more

    AFHTO 2020 registration open

    Helen Bevan Dr. Jane Philpott

    Registration has opened for the AFHTO 2020 Conference, featuring sessions with Helen Bevan and Dr. Jane Philpott. There’s also a free morning with the Bright Lights Awards ceremony!

    We sent member access codes to the leadership of all teams whose renewal fees have been received so far, so you can register today!

    The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification email has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact has received an email including the words “AFHTO 2020 Conference” in the subject between August 21 to 23. (Please have them check their junk mail as well.)

    If your contact person has NOT received this notification, please contact info@afhto.ca today.

    211 webinar

    211 Ontario slides and video available

    Slides and video for our Aug. 20 webinar, 211 Ontario – Connecting Patients to Community Programs and Services are now available. Visit our site to access these resources.

     

     

     

    The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams

    Published in Healthcare Policy, this study seeks to determine the amount of social work services provided in CHCs and FHTs, identify the types of services that social workers provide in CHCs and FHTs and ascertain the methods social workers use to deliver services in CHCs and FHTs.

    Authors include Vela Tadic, Bruyère Academic FHT and Rachelle Ashcroft, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Ontario releases COVID-19 management plan for schools and more

    Several updates have been released within the last week including:

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

    Engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey

    A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey.

    NPs can now sign for medication samples

    Q: Pharmaceutical representatives often leave medication samples at the clinic where I work as a nurse. Can I provide a medication sample to patients?

    A: Under federal law, nurse practitioners can accept and distribute medication samples to patients.

    To find out more visit the College of Nurses of Ontario site.

    Osgoode Professional Development discount for members

    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development from Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021. Topics include among others AI in healthcare, consent and capacity and elder law. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

    Approaches to Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning & Goals of Care Conversations, August 27- September 17, 2020

    Four-part webinar series from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for front line workers, health care/service providers and first responders. Find out more and register here.

    Ask me Anything About Health Privacy, September 2, 2020
    Join Kate Dewhirst’s final webinar and ask questions around Health Privacy. Register here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Sept. 10- Oct. 1, 2020

    Share this webinar series by IAmMentalHealth with any caregivers to those with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness. Learn more here.

    COVID-19 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Ethics, September 1, 2020

    Join this final webinar in this COVID-19 and IDD series hosted by the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. They will address ethical questions and issues that have emerged in health care and support of people with IDD.
    Learn more here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.