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Tag: Members Only News

  • Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 memo, changes to mental health system, AI fellowship & more

    Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 memo, changes to mental health system, AI fellowship & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • COVID-19 updates including memo and tools
    • Members’ stories
    • Ontario Health Teams and privacy: a legal perspective
    • Ontario government announces changes to mental health and addictions system
    • Fellowship in compassion and artificial intelligence
    • Integrating mental health services in primary care- deadline March 23
    • Spring registration for ECHO Ontario mental health programming now open
    • Deadline to join Prenatal Screening Ontario Advisory Committee extended
    • Insomnia focus groups invitation
    • Upcoming events including The Art of Doing More with Less

    COVID-19 updates including memo and tools

    For EDs, Lead Clinicians and Board Chairs:
    We understand you have quite a lot on your plate; however, the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health (Shared Services) have emphasised the importance of completing this short survey, to assist in tracking provider preparedness. Please do so as soon as possible. This is a direct link to the spreadsheet, with no need to log in.

    Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), including memos from the Deputy Minister dated Mar. 6 and Mar. 9. If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    New resource page: we now also have a new infection control resource page, with screening tools and more, including educational resources and tools from Public Health Ontario A reminder to please share any resources you have developed by sending them to info@afhto.ca.

    Ministry updates now twice a day: Every weekday at 10:30 a.m. the Ministry has been updating its dedicated web page with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario, including: the number of cases currently under investigation; and the number of confirmed positive, negative and resolved cases.

    They will now update this page twice daily (10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST), seven days a week. It will also now include general information on each new confirmed case of COVID-19, including gender, age, public health unit, hospital (if applicable), where acquired and status.

    Members’ stories

    South East Toronto FHT: opening a COVID-19 screening and assessment centre

    Ontario Health Teams and privacy: a legal perspective
    On Feb. 28, BLG published their article Ontario Health Teams: Personal Health Information Sharing, Client Privacy and PHIPA Compliance. Read on to get their perspective.

    Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario's Mental Health and Addictions System

    Ontario government announces changes to mental health and addictions system
    Last week the Ontario government launched their Roadmap to Wellness: A Plan to Build Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions System. The new Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence within Ontario Health will serve as the plan’s foundation. The plan’s four pillars include:

    1. Improving quality;
    2. Expanding existing services;
    3. Implementing innovative solutions; and
    4. Improving access.

    You can read the report here, visit the Ministry’s site to get the full plan in English or French, and you can also read H+K’s memo here.

    If you have questions or comments about the Roadmap, you can send an email to Roadmaptowellness@ontario.ca.

    Fellowship in compassion and artificial intelligence
    AMS Healthcare is offering up to eight (8) one-year fellowships of up to $75,000 to early and mid-career academic researchers and regulated health care professionals to study and develop expertise/ competence in the impact of DT/AI on compassionate care. An information call will be held on Monday, March 16. Find out more here.

    Integrating mental health services in primary care- deadline March 23

    Are you doing something innovative to integrate mental health services and supports in primary care delivery?

    The College of Family Physicians of Canada is partnering with the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Psychological Association to highlight innovative practices among family physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists that address common challenges and barriers to integrating mental health services in primary care across Canada and how best to influence patient, provider and system outcomes.

    They have extended the deadline for publication in the Innovation in Primary Care (IPC) series to Mar. 23. Find out more here.

    Project ECHO CAMH

    Spring registration for ECHO Ontario mental health programming now open

    ECHO Ontario Mental Health is a virtual training and capacity building model that supports primary and community care providers in delivering high quality, evidence-based mental health and addictions care in their local communities.

    It links expert interdisciplinary teams with front line care providers in order to share best practices, jointly discuss practical recommendations for complex client care, and build sustainable communities of practice. The program is offered at no cost, thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health. CME Credits are available for participants.

    BORN EOI Jan 2020

     

    Deadline to join Prenatal Screening Ontario Advisory Committee extended

    BORN Ontario is seeking family physicians with a special interest in prenatal care for the Prenatal Screening Ontario Advisory Committee.

    For more information email PSO@BORNOntario.ca. Deadline Mar.27, 2020. See poster pdf.

     

     

    Insomnia focus groups invitation
    Participate in a virtual focus group about system-level challenges and enablers to adopting the care outlined in Ontario Health’s Insomnia Disorder Quality Standard being developed by the Quality business unit at Ontario Health, formerly Health Quality Ontario. Your feedback will inform the recommendations for adoption to support the uptake of this quality standard.

    The Insomnia Disorder Quality Standard focus groups will be held on the following dates:

    1. Monday March 23, 2020 (12:00 – 1:00PM EST) – follow this link to register via Eventbrite  
    2. Friday March 27, 2020 (12:00 – 1:00PM EST) – follow this link to register via Eventbrite

    If you have any questions, please contact Mandy Lee, Quality Improvement Specialist at mandy.lee@hqontario.ca.

    The Art of Doing More with Less, March 18, 2020
    The final webinar in AFHTO and Grant Thornton’s Financial webinar series is next week! Join Christy McClelland and Sanjay Desai as we explore how non-profits can improve performance with financial sensibility. Register today!

    Electronic Asthma Management System (EAMS) – OSCAR Tool Demonstration, March 24, 2020
    Join this webinar for an hour-long demonstration to learn more about EAMS. Register here!

    Understanding Bronchiectasis Webinar, April 21, 2020
    Learn more about this neglected pulmonary disease. By the end of this webinar, you will be able to help patients self-manage the disease and avoid the acquisition of nontuberculosis mycobacteria. Find out more here

    RNAO Nurse Executive Leadership Academy, October 20-23, 2020
    Save the date for this 3-night knowledge exchange in Niagara Falls. Learn more today.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #96: Lung Health in Primary Care

    In this Issue:

     

    • Primary Care Lung Health Programs
    • Electronic Asthma Management System Tool for Oscar Users
    • Understanding Bronchiectasis
    • Vaping
    • Upcoming Webinars

    Primary Care Lung Health Programs
    In 2015, there were 60, 530 new Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diagnoses for people in Ontario ages 35 and older and 883,400 Ontarians were living with a COPD diagnosis . 61, 580 Ontarians ages 1 and older were newly diagnosed with asthma in 2015, with 1.9 million living with an asthma diagnosis1. COPD and asthma are only 2 of the 5 major chronic respiratory diseases also including lung cancer, tuberculosis (TB) and cystic fibrosis. Primary care provides care for these lung health conditions and many more in team-based care settings; this document highlights some of the lung health programs within primary care.

    eAMS Tool for OSCAR Users – Webinar
    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.

    WHAT DOES THE eAMS DO?

    The eAMS was designed to help providers to bridge the main evidence-to-practice gaps that have been identified across care settings and are believed to be the major cause of poor disease control and healthcare utilization in patients with asthma.

    WHO IS THE eAMS FOR?

    The eAMS was designed by primary care providers, for primary care providers. The tool was designed to assist clinicians in busy real-world primary care settings. The system can be used by any health care provider but because the system makes prescription recommendations, the most common users are physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Other team members could also use the system and receive signoff from a prescriber for any required medication changes. The system is available for all asthma patients aged 16 years and older.

    Join the OSCAR CoP Webinar and Dr. Samir Gupta, to learn more about this tool!

    Understanding Bronchiectasis

    Bronchiectasis is not rare, but it is currently a neglected pulmonary disease which poses a significant burden to the health care system. Learning how to counsel patients regarding the modifiable factors can affect prognosis and improve the patients’ quality of life. Self-management support plays an important role in the patient’s ability to make lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms, prevent recurrent lung infections, prevent emergency department visits, hospital admission and decrease mortality.

    We’re pleased to be hosting a webinar with Bruyère Academic FHT, so that our teams can learn more about bronchiectasis. At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

    • Verbalize their understanding of bronchiectasis and how to help patients self-manage this disease  
    • Learn how to avoid the acquisition of nontuberculosis mycobacteria.
    • Understand the bronchiectasis self-management plan

    Learn more at an upcoming webinar- sign up here!

    Vaping
    The Heart & Stroke Foundation, in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Pipe, hosted a webinar on the impact of vaping on the health of Canadians. The youth vaping trend and the concept of nicotine as a gateway along with challenges of vaping for cardiovascular disease prevention were discussed within this webinar.

    To address some of the dangers of vaping in youth, on Feb. 28 Minister Elliott announced proposed regulatory changes that, if approved, would limit where flavoured and high nicotine vapour products are sold at retail. At the same time, the province intends to expand prevention initiatives and services to quit vaping.

    To better understand the impact of vaping, please listen to the webinar by Dr. Pipe with learning objectives that included:

    1. Examine and explain the controversies surrounding vaping and the importance of influencing healthy public policy.
    2. Describe the risks associated with vaping and the impact on cardiovascular disease prevention.
    3. Discuss how to engage in meaningful discussion about vaping and smoking cessation with individuals.
    4. Recognize the advantages and shortcomings of nicotine replacement therapy.

    Listen to this webinar here.

    Upcoming Webinars:

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #95 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: Updated COVID-19 case definitions, RISE update, member renewal & more

    Bits & Pieces: Updated COVID-19 case definitions, RISE update, member renewal & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • COVID-19 updates including updated case definitions
    • RISE update
    • Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine – newsletter updates
    • Home and community care modernization
    • Member renewal emails
    • March is Pharmacist Awareness Month
    • Social Work Week
    • Nutrition Month
    • New webinars in LeaderShift Applied Leadership E-Learning Series – How to Build Resiliency During Times of Change
    • Upcoming events including The Art of Doing More with Less

    COVID-19 updates including updated case definitions
    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), including the latest situation reports, updated case definitions, self-isolation fact sheets, and more. If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    The Ministry has also implemented a number of governance structures to respond to the specifics of COVID-19, which may also include engaging our members at the five regional planning tables in the province.

    Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.

    RISE update
    The latest update from Rapid-Improvement Support and Exchange (RISE) is now available. It includes reflections on the Ontario Health Teams (OHT) Provincial Learning and Improvement Collaborative Forum that occurred on Feb. 18 and 19, upcoming webinars on priority topics, and our latest resources:

    Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine – newsletter updates
    The Premier’s Council has provided an update on their work as well as an overview of what to expect from the Council this year with the release of their February newsletter. Highlights from the past year include the release of two reports:

    Home and community care modernization
    Last week the Minister announced changes to the delivery of home and community care. More details on how this modernization impacts our members will be shared once we read through the legislation and regulations.

    Member renewal emails
    Last week we sent out member renewal emails to lead physicians/NPs, EDs/Administrative leads and board chairs of all current AFHTO members. We look forward to your renewal!

    If you didn’t receive an email, please contact us at info@afhto.ca.

    http://www.ontarioprimarycareteampharmacists.ca/

    March is Pharmacist Awareness Month

    Family Health Teams, Nurse-Practitioner-Led Clinics and Community Health Centres include different healthcare professionals to help address many kinds of healthcare needs.

    Celebrate with primary care team pharmacists this month as we recognize the expertise and services they offer interprofessional primary care teams and patients! Thank you for all you do to support patients, families and the team!

    Learn more about how primary care team pharmacists embedded in primary care teams work to ensure medications are necessary, safe and effective by visiting visiting their site.

    Social Work Week

    Social Work Week

    It’s also Social Work Week. We recognise the valuable contributions social workers make with programs like our 2019 conference presentations:

    Their role was also explored in “The Emerging Role of Social Work in Primary Health Care: A Survey of Social Workers in Ontario Family Health Teams”, published in 2018.

    You can celebrate with OASW too. Digital posters and social media images can be downloaded here.

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

    New webinars in LeaderShift Applied Leadership E-Learning Series – How to Build Resiliency During Times of Change

    There are new webinars being offered through LeaderShift’s Applied Leadership E-Learning Series. The next topic, How to Build Resiliency During Times of Change, is now open for registration.

    Organizational change—resulting from both internal and external factors—is no longer an “event”. We all know that change has become an ever-present reality in our organizations that has defined our new normal. Now that our work environments are always in flux, teams are experiencing what is called change resistance and change fatigue. The research tells us that part of the solution to these challenges is to bring an adaptive (vs. technical) leadership approach to managing change. It through adaptive leadership that we will find the role and importance of resiliency. Multiple timeslots are available in March.

    To learn more, register for free or view previous recordings in this series, visit their website today.

    Optimizing Your EMR For Safer Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management (Part 1), March 5, 2020
    This webinar is targeted towards family physicians and nurse practitioners in northern Ontario. Hosted by Ontario Health Quality and Ontario Pain Management Resource Partners. Learn more here.

    The Art of Doing More with Less, March 18, 2020
    This is the final webinar in AFHTO and Grant Thorton’s Financial webinar series! Join Danzel Pinto as we explore how non-profits can improve performance with financial sensibility.
    Register today!

    Rainbow Health Ontario Conference, April 21-23, 2020
    Register for Canada’s forum for LGBT2SQ health, being held in Niagara Falls this year. For more information, click here.

    ECHO Liver, March 12, 2020
    For 2020, ECHO Liver will be offering a quarterly evening series. The first is Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach to Liver Enzymes. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: New PPE survey deadline, Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day & more

    Bits & Pieces: New PPE survey deadline, Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • New PPE survey deadline and other novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
    • Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day
    • Minister announces changes to home and community care
    • Members’ stories
    • Improving cancer screening rates slides and video
    • Psychology Month
    • Public Health Infection Prevention and Control resources
    • Hypertension focus groups invitation
    • Upcoming events including The Art of Doing More with Less

    New PPE survey deadline and other novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

    For EDs, Lead Clinicians and Board Chairs: The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health (Shared Services) have extended the deadline to complete this short survey to end of day Thursday, February 27, to assist in tracking provider preparedness. Only 34% have responded and they have emphasized the importance of filling this out.
    While we have few cases in Canada, it may be declared a worldwide pandemic soon and this will help them identify where support is needed. They will work with suppliers to distribute resources accordingly.

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus. “Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.”

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance Queen’s Park Day

    OCDPA partners, including AFHTO's Beth MacKinnon, with Speaker Ted Arnott

    On Feb. 24, the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance held an Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park to call on the province to prevent hospitalizations and reduce health care costs through initiatives to prevent chronic conditions. Priorities include:

    1. Setting measurable goals for prevention to increase Ontario’s access to data on this health care issue
    2. Introducing prevention into primary care such as access to professional services, screening and tools for healthy lifestyles
    3. Incorporate prevention into Mental Health Strategy
    4. Take measure to restrict youth access to vaping products.

    Minister announces changes to home and community care
    Today the Minister announced changes to the delivery of home and community care. AFHTO will be working with our partners to better understand how this affects our members.

    Members’ stories
    North Simcoe FHT – North Simcoe FHT to anchor new medical centre in Midland – “We are expanding the family health team programming, which is why we needed more space,” said executive director Andrew Shantz. “There are quite a few health-care partners coming along with us. We are creating a medical centre that will provide a variety of different services.”

    Improving cancer screening rates SDOH

    Improving cancer screening rates slides and video

    On Feb. 20 Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran shared practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Slides, video and a link to the toolkit referenced are now available.

    For another way to learn, you can also view Dr. Kiran’s tweet thread here.

     

    Dr. Judith Davidson, Bright Lights 2014

    Psychology Month

    It’s Psychology Month. Thank you to all the psychologists who work with primary care teams to offer innovative programs like:

     

    Public Health Infection Prevention and Control resources
    Public Health Ontario has provided links to several Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) resources to help build capacity in primary care:

    Hypertension focus groups invitation
    Participate in a virtual focus group about system-level challenges and enablers to adopting the care outlined the Hypertension Quality Standard being developed by the Quality business unit at Ontario Health, formerly Health Quality Ontario. Your feedback will inform the recommendations for adoption to support the uptake of this quality standard.

    The Hypertension Quality Standard focus groups will be held on the following dates:

    1. Tuesday March 3, 2020 (4:00 – 5:00PM EST)- Follow this link to register via Eventbrite.
    2. Thursday March 5, 2020 (12:00 – 1:00PM EST) – Follow this link to register via Eventbrite.

    If you have any questions, please contact Tanveer Singh at tanveer.singh@hqontario.ca.

    Optimizing Your EMR For Safer Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management (Part 1), March 5, 2020
    This webinar is targeted towards family physicians and nurse practitioners in northern Ontario. Hosted by Ontario Health Quality and Ontario Pain Management Resource Partners. Learn more here.

    The Art of Doing More with Less, March 18, 2020
    This is the final webinar in AFHTO and Grant Thorton’s Financial webinar series! Join Danzel Pinto as we explore how non-profits can improve performance with financial sensibility.
    Register today!

    Rainbow Health Ontario Conference, April 21-23, 2020
    Register for Canada’s forum for LGBT2SQ health, being held in Niagara Falls this year. For more information, click here.

    ECHO Liver, March 12, 2020
    For 2020, ECHO Liver will be offering a quarterly evening series. The first is Liver Disease in Primary Care: Approach to Liver Enzymes. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: meeting the Minister, working together for change tools & resources & more

    Bits & Pieces: meeting the Minister, working together for change tools & resources & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Meeting the Minister to discuss pre budget recommendations
    • Working together for change
    • Members’ stories
    • Managing urinary incontinence in women: clinical tool
    • Novel coronavirus updates
    • Northern opioid learning community webinars, Mar. 5 & 26
    • Seeking volunteers for Early Chronic Kidney Disease priority panel
    • OASW call for proposals
    • Upcoming events including improving cancer screening and more
    AFHTO Board Executive Committee and CEO met with Minister Elliott on Feb. 13
    AFHTO Board Executive Committee and CEO met with Minister Elliott on Feb. 13

     

    Meeting the Minister to discuss pre budget recommendations

    On Feb. 13, our Board executive committee and CEO met with the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, the Hon. Christine Elliott, to talk about our pre budget recommendations with a focus on integrated care foundationally based in team based primary care and the importance of clinical leadership.

     

     

     

    Working together for change
    Connecting physicians regionally is a powerful way to spark change, to improve the delivery of comprehensive patient services, and to influence health service decision making. For those who wish to consider how they might best work together to strengthen the primary care sector – or for those who have already started! – check out Primary Care Physicians: Working Together For Change, Primary Care: Local Change Ideas, and other tools and resources on our website. This repository will be updated regularly!

    Members’ stories
    Elliott Lake FHT – budget committee approves funding for video medical clinic which was set up on a trial basis last year

    Managing urinary incontinence in women: clinical tool

    The Centre for Effective Practice has launched a new clinical tool: Managing Urinary Incontinence in Women.

    Many women feel ashamed when they experience urinary incontinence, which may prevent them from speaking to their doctors about it. If left untreated, the condition can lead more needed care later. This tool is designed to help primary care providers manage care for adult women (18+) who experience involuntary loss of urine.

    Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus. “Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.”

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Northern opioid learning community webinars, Mar. 5 & 26
    Join the Ontario Pain Management Resources Partners as they explore how to optimize your EMR to support safer pain management and opioid prescribing. Including Sandeep Gill, AFHTO Clinical KTE Specialist and members, Drs. Sarah Newbery and Ryan Patchett-Marble, Marathon FHT, and Dr.Kevin Samson, East Wellington FHT.

    Target audience: Family physicians and nurse practitioners in northern Ontario who endeavour to access relevant data to support safer opioid prescribing and pain management, including primary care clinicians and support staff

    Register for:

    Seeking volunteers for Early Chronic Kidney Disease priority panel

    The Ontario Renal Network, part of Ontario Health, is recruiting primary care providers for the Early Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Priority Panel. Its purpose is to provide strategic direction for current and future initiatives related to early CKD, including supporting primary care providers in identifying and managing patients with CKD.

    The panel will meet on a regular basis about 6 times per year and will to have representation from various groups (e.g., administrators, allied health, physicians, patient advisors). If you’re interested in learning more or joining, please email daphne.sniekers@cancercare.on.ca by February 29, 2020.

    OASW call for proposals
    The Ontario Association of Social Workers has announced a Call for Proposals for the 2020 Social Work Provincial Conference, “Innovative Approaches to Complex Needs:  Social Workers Influencing the Future of Care”, on November 13 and 14, 2020.

    They encourage submissions from students, practitioners, policy makers, researchers and academics alike. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2020. Find out more.

    Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    On Feb. 20 join Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran as they share practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Register here.

    Is your work making you wheeze? Feb. 25, 2020
    Attend this webinar suitable for healthcare providers and other employees, hosted by the Lung Association. View all Lung Associations’ upcoming events here.

    Black Physician Association Ontario Annual Health Symposium, Feb. 29, 2020
    Keynote speaker will be the inspiring Dr. Lisa Robinson, Associate Dean of Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Toronto. Learn more here.

    Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Tools for Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care, March 12, 2020
    In the third webinar in the HPCO Winter webinar series, our Board Director Dr. Kevin Samson, along with Justin Wolting from the eHealth Centre of Excellence, will be presenting to assist health care professionals and support staff.
    Learn more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #95: Made-In Ontario High Impact Actions in Primary Care

    In this issue

    • Primary Care Virtual Community
    • High Impact Action Items
    • Local Change Ideas
    • Upcoming Webinars

    Primary Care Virtual Community:

    The primary care virtual community is Ontario’s novel collaborative designed to unleash the power of primary care in health system change. As a community, they have co-defined a list of High Impact Actions that are felt to spark meaningful improvements in primary care, building on lessons learned from the UK’s own transformation efforts. The community has also shared insight on the actions they feel are within their control, in addition to where support is needed. As a community they continue to work collaboratively to refine the list of High Impact Action Items for Ontario. Here is the latest list of 10:

    High Impact Action Items:

    1. Navigate & Coordinate

    • Promote patient navigator role that can enable easier patient/caregiver access to resources including those that go beyond health care resources. This could include linking home care coordination to primary care.

    2. Integrate EMRs

    • Either single or intra-operable EMR/EHR systems that can both push and pull required information. Integration of EMRs can enhance quality of care provided and practice efficiency by promoting easier and better communication.

    3. Access to Mental Health and Addictions

    • Provide mental health and addictions supports in the community, embedding these supports in primary care.

    4. Organizing Primary Care

    • Come together at the local level to organize primary care and move towards more team-based care for more Ontarians, opening up the FHO model for primary care delivery.

    5. Practice Facilitation & Change Management

    • Provide dedicated resources to enable peer -to -peer coaching and uptake by providers. A QI-enabled, evidence-driven health care system, in turn, enables best practices.

    6. Build the Extended Team

    • Identify and provide support to the extended team that wraps around the patient/ family/caregivers and provide supports to enable the team to be high performing.

    7. Streamline & Reduce Administrative Burden

    • Reduce bureaucracy and administrative burden.

    8. Recognize and Support Primary Care Continuity

    • Promote the patient/caregiver and provider relationship, ensuring that the care is provided according to the principles of comprehensiveness and continuity.

    9. Build Connections to Address the Social Determinants of Health

    • Recognize the social determinants of health as factors that influence health and well being outside of access to healthcare services, adopting practices like social prescribing.

    10. Patients as Partners

    • Empower patients to take greater control and ownership over their health.

    Local Change Ideas:

    The Primary Care Virtual Community has given communities the opportunity to identify what’s meaningful to them. What are their pain points, headaches or areas that can be improved? And more importantly what changes can be made at the local level to support providers, their clinical practices and the delivery of patient care. Building on the change ideas identified in the primary care high impact actions for Ontario, this document highlights local challenges and solutions to improve clinical practices and care delivery in your own communities. This document is only the beginning of creating a repository of change ideas. Please complete this survey to provide local change ideas within your community!

    The February 13th and the November 21st Virtual Community focused on Organizing Primary Care – the community learned from a number of primary care leaders about how they are mobilizing the primary care community to self-organize and identify what their needs are. We’re pleased to share their lessons and advice with the release of Primary Care Physicians: Working Together for Change primer which highlights strategies that can be employed for organizing primary care at the local level.

    Resources:

    Upcoming Webinars:

    • Improving cancer screening rates in your practice and reducing related disparities – Feb 20, 2020 – Sign up here

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #94 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Winter Highlights 2020: AFHTO Leadership Council

    The Leadership Council Members met on February 5, 2020. Below are the highlights from the winter 2020 Leadership Council Meeting.

    Supporting AFHTO through reallocation funding

    • Members are asked to consider supporting AFHTO’s governance and leadership program through in-year reallocation funding if year-end surpluses are available.
    • The ministry recently clarified the additional information needed for reallocation requests to support OHT implementation and/or AFHTO projects. The requirements are posted here.

    Organizing primary care and supporting OHT development

    • AFHTO continues to develop supports and tools for OHT development.
    • In partnership with OCFP and SGFP, AFHTO has been facilitating regional physician information sessions in communities. Sessions focus on providing clinicians with information on OHTs and supporting the development of regional physician networks.
    • Physician engagement sessions are encouraged to help ensure OHTs are anchored in primary care and to identify local opportunities for change. If interested, please contact Bryn Hamilton.
    • AFHTO will be releasing two documents – “Primary Care Physicians: Working Together for Change” and “Primary Care: Local Change Ideas” shortly!
    • Tools and webcasts continue to be developed with our partners on collaborative governance strategies and OHT governance structures.
    • The Primary Care Virtual Community continues to bring together leaders in health system integration, with a focus on 10 high-impact action items to strengthen primary care. Register now!

    Advocating for team-based primary care in health system transformation

    • The 2020 pre-budget submission was submitted in January to the Ministry of Finance. AFHTO will be meeting with Minister Elliott, MPP France Gelinas (NDP health critic), and Minister Tibollo’s staff in February to discuss the recommendations. A meeting already occurred earlier this year with staff in the premier’s office to provide them with an introduction to AFHTO and team-based primary care.
    • AFHTO is working with associations who represent health care providers in team-based care to develop an advocacy platform on what we agree is needed from a primary care perspective for OHTs to be successful. We are still looking for patient quotes or short success stories about the impact of team-based care. Please contact Beth MacKinnon if you have one to share.

    Quality improvement work continues

    • The Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council has partnered with the eHealth Centre for Excellence to work on an environmental scan on post-hospital discharge.
    • AFHTO is collaborating with partners through the Primary Care and Mental Health and Addiction Table on two projects: an OHT guidebook with innovative mental health and addiction models highlighted, as well as digital health and streamlining referral forms.
    • Knowledge translation webinars continue, focusing on virtual care and online booking, as well as QI success in mental health and addiction. Please contact Sandeep Gill if there are any KTE webinars you would recommend.

    Staying on top of coronavirus preparedness

    Ministry update on OHT development

    • An update on OHT development was provided by Allison Costello (Director, Integrated Care Branch) and Phil Graham (Executive Lead, Ontario Health Teams) from the Ministry of Health.
    • There is a focus on setting a policy framework on large items like funding, accountability, and performance indicators, so it can be clear to teams on what to expect. However, this framework is still in development and not ready to be shared.
    • OHT candidates that have been approved are being brought together on February 19 and 20 to discuss policy barriers and to work with support partners through RISE. OHTs are asking for some rules and parameters, and ones that teams would consider helpful will be discussed during this two-day session. This will include those for shared decision-making and home care.
    • The budget setting process for the next fiscal is underway, and officials are looking at what can be done regarding supports. Clinical engagement is a priority and resources to support this are being considered. However, no commitments can be made at this time.

    Calling all members!

    • Would two EDs, two board chairs, and two physicians or nurse practitioners consider serving on a committee for external requests? Requests are frequent from stakeholders, and AFHTO is looking for feedback on suggested webinar topics, training tools, etc. regarding what would be of most value.
    • Input would be requested once a month. It’s not expected to take much time.
    • We’re still looking for one board chair and one physician or nurse practitioner for this committee. If you’re interested, please contact Bryn Hamilton.
  • Bits & Pieces: prescriptions are for more than just drugs, new location & more

    Bits & Pieces: prescriptions are for more than just drugs, new location & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Prescriptions are for more than just drugs
    • Our new location
    • Novel coronavirus updates including Q & A on personal protective equipment supply
    • Reminder- Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    • Lung cancer screening for people at high risk
    • The Promise of Virtual Care slides and video
    • Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto online education modules
    • Lung health needs assessment
    • Upcoming events including the Primary Care Virtual Community and more

    Prescriptions are for more than just drugs

    Ontario Health Teams should use ‘social prescribing’ to improve our health and wellbeing.

    Healthy Debate opinion piece by Kate Mulligan, Director of Policy and Communications at the Alliance for Healthier Communities and Kavita Mehta, CEO, AFHTO

    Most of the conversation about ending hallway health care in Ontario has focused on the back door of the hospital – moving people out of hospital and back into communities. But what if we could focus on the front door and prevent hospitalization in the first place? And what if we could do this by strengthening partnerships between health and social services, which are known to impact determinants of health?

    Read the full article here.

    AFHTO will be working with the Alliance on spreading social prescribing in team-based primary care and is looking forward to working collaboratively together on this important work.

    AFHTO new location lunchroom view

    Our new location

    We’re happy to announce we have officially moved into office space subleased from the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

    We’re now sharing space with OCFP and Centre for Effective Practice staff in the heart of downtown Toronto. Phone extensions will be updated today but our main line is working. All email addresses remain the same.

    “Co-locating provides AFHTO an opportunity to strengthen our partnerships and align opportunities for joint advocacy, policy and resource development. By moving downtown, we are also closer to our Ministry, Ontario Health and political contacts which helps with strengthening our relationships”, explains Kavita Mehta, CEO, AFHTO.

    Novel coronavirus updates including Q & A on personal protective equipment supply

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus, including with the latest situation reports and Q & A on personal protective equipment supply. “Health care providers facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.”

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    Reminder- Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    Primary care plays a central role in cancer screening, but screening efforts don’t reach everyone. St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT worked with patients living with low income to understand barriers to screening and co-design solutions. On Feb. 20 join Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran as they share practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities.

    Register here.

    UHN Lung cancer screening

    Lung cancer screening for people at high risk

    Ontario’s Lung Cancer Screening for People at High Risk programming is now available at the University Health Network. Teams can support patients in pursuing low-dose CT screening either through providing a referral or inviting them to self-present by calling 416-340-4154.  

    The following is the entry criteria:

    • Current or former smoker age 55 to 74
    • Have smoked cigarettes daily for at least 20 years in their lifetime (not necessarily 20 years in a row).

    For eligible self-presenters, screening staff will contact the primary care provider for a mandatory physician referral to authorize LDCT for screening. For more information, please visit their site.

    HQO virtual care

    The Promise of Virtual Care slides and video

    Ontario Health (Quality) has posted Quality Rounds Ontario on the topic of The Promise of Virtual Care recorded session and the slide deck on their website. Questions and answers will be posted on Quorum in the coming weeks. One of the most common questions was where viewers could find a copy of the OTN Primary Care eVisit evaluation; click here to access that evaluation.

     

     

    Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto online education modules
    Co-developed with geriatric clinical experts from Ontario, 2 new educational modules in the sfCare Learning Series have been launched for clinicians, which build on the knowledge from the introductory modules on the topics of delirium and urinary incontinence:

    Lung health needs assessment
    The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) and the Ontario Lung Association (OLA) are seeking feedback from family physicians, primary care nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers who treat patients with respiratory conditions about their clinical education needs relating to lung health. Respond to the survey here.

    Primary Care Virtual Community, Feb 13, 2020
    The Primary Care Virtual Community brings together leaders in primary care interested in enabling meaningful system change. The virtual community is a collaboration developed by the OCFP and AFHTO and convened by The Change Foundation. This session’s focus is organizing primary care – learn from 9 communities across Ontario who are strengthening primary care by bringing the sector together.

    Register today!

    Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    On Feb. 20 join Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran as they share practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Register here.

    Advance Care Planning Lead Trainer Program, Feb. 11 & 13, 2020 (and more)
    Are you a health service provider who has the support to build and sustain a team of volunteer facilitators? Hospice Palliative Care Ontario invites you to participate in this interactive training program that will guide you in training your volunteers to facilitate community Advance Care Planning presentations to the general public. Find out more here.

    Is your work making you wheeze? Feb. 25, 2020
    Attend this webinar suitable for healthcare providers and other employees, hosted by the Lung Association. View all Lung Associations’ upcoming events here.

    Black Physician Association Ontario Annual Health Symposium, Feb. 29, 2020
    Keynote speaker will be the inspiring Dr. Lisa Robinson, Associate Dean of Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Toronto. Learn more here.

    Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Tools for Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care, March 12, 2020
    In the third webinar in the HPCO Winter webinar series, our Board Director Dr. Kevin Samson, along with Justin Wolting from the eHealth Centre of Excellence, will be presenting to assist health care professionals and support staff.
    Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: practising equity-focused health care, improving cancer screening rates & more

    Bits & Pieces: practising equity-focused health care, improving cancer screening rates & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Practising equity-focused health care
    • Novel coronavirus updates including OMA summary guidance
    • Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    • Reminder- shortening the diagnostic odyssey: rare disease in primary care, Feb. 12
    • Members’ stories
    • Spotlight on organizing primary care, Feb. 13
    • Two new quality standards – anxiety disorders and OCD
    • Call for participation-toxicity management models of care working group
    • Upcoming events on Advance Care Planning Lead Training and more

    St. Michael's Hospital Academic FHT SDOH booklet

     

    Practising equity-focused health care

    Over the years St. Michael’s Academic FHT has won a Bright Light Award for, and presented at the conference on, their work addressing the social determinants of health. They have a website focused on their continuing efforts, including tools, income security health promotion, and integrating SDOH into QI programs.

    They also have a comprehensive brochure. Feel free to review for ideas for your own team.

     

     

     

     

     

    Novel coronavirus updates including OMA summary guidance

    We continue to update the relevant page on the Novel Coronavirus, including with the latest situation reports. The Ministry of Health has updated guidelines for primary care, along with posters and a website for healthcare providers. The latest update is a summary guidance document from the OMA.

    The OCFP has also put together Tips for Screening for 2019-nCoV which includes clinic preparedness that you may find helpful. If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    For EDs, Lead Clinicians and Board Chairs:
    The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health (Shared Services) are requesting you complete this short survey by end of day tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5, to assist in tracking provider preparedness. This will help them identify where support is needed, and they will work with suppliers to distribute resources accordingly.

    Improving cancer screening rates and reducing related disparities, Feb. 20
    Primary care plays a central role in cancer screening, but screening efforts don’t reach everyone.

    St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT worked with patients living with low income to understand barriers to screening and co-design solutions. On Feb. 20 join Drs. Aisha Lofters and Tara Kiran as they share practical, evidence-based ways to improve cancer screening rates and reduce income-related disparities. Register here.

    Reminder- Shortening the diagnostic odyssey: rare disease in primary care, Feb. 12

    On Feb. 12 Sanofi Genzyme’s rare disease education webinar will increase your awareness about two rare inherited disorders – Fabry disease and Pompe disease and will highlight why primary care is essential in reducing the long and cumbersome diagnostic delays these patients experience. You may also leave with the realization that these rare diseases are not as rare as you think. Register here.

    Members’ stories
    Akausivik Inuit FHT- Canada honours Qapik Attagutsiak, 99, wartime Inuit bone collector. As a midwife, she helped deliver hundreds of babies and helped set up Akausivik Inuit FHT.

    Spotlight on organizing primary care, Feb. 13

    Join us for our next Primary Care Virtual Community session on February 13th 8:00am-9:30am, Ontario’s innovative collaborative designed to unleash the power of primary care in health system change. More than 1,000 people have now connected through this virtual community, a collaboration developed by the OCFP and AFHTO and convened by The Change Foundation.

    As a community, we have co-defined a list of High Impact Actions that are felt to spark meaningful improvements in primary care. Building on the momentum from our most recent Primary Care Virtual Community held in November 2019, we will be continuing to shine a spotlight on the high impact action of organizing primary care.

    In our upcoming session, the community will engage with those in primary care from across Ontario on the emergent ways in which primary care is self-organizing and building meaningful connections locally.

    We will be hearing nine primary care clinicians as they share their experiences and learnings on how they, in partnership with others, have been able to enable and accelerate the local organization of primary care. Register today!

    Two new quality standards – anxiety disorders and OCD
    Ontario Health (Quality) has released two new quality standards:

    They come with patient conversation guides and recommendations for system adoption too. Questions? Contact QualityStandards@HQOntario.ca.

    Call for participation-toxicity management models of care working group

    Cancer Care Ontario is seeking GPO, GP and Nursing representation for a Models of Care Working Group to improve the delivery of toxicity management for adult cancer patients currently undergoing systemic and radiation treatment. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Ada Payne, Lead, Models of Care at ada.payne@cancercare.on.ca by February 15, 2020.

    Quality Rounds Ontario: The Promise of Virtual Care, Feb. 6, 2020
    With opening remarks by Bill Hatanaka, Board Chair, and Matthew Anderson and Incoming President and CEO, Ontario Health. Register today.

    Advance Care Planning Lead Trainer Program, Feb. 11 & 13, 2020 (and more)
    Are you a health service provider who has the support to build and sustain a team of volunteer facilitators? Hospice Palliative Care Ontario invites you to participate in this interactive training program that will guide you in training your volunteers to facilitate community Advance Care Planning presentations to the general public. Find out more here.

    Primary Care Virtual Community, Feb 13, 2020
    The Primary Care Virtual Community brings together leaders in primary care interested in enabling meaningful system change. The virtual community is a collaboration developed by the OCFP and AFHTO and convened by The Change Foundation.

    Register today!

    Shifting the feeding and eating conversation – An introduction to Satter Feeding Dynamics and Eating, Feb 28, 2020

    Hosted by Nutrition Connections, this workshop will provide a deeper understanding of the Satter Feeding Dynamics Model (fdSatter) and the Satter Eating Competence Model (ecSatter), along with strategies for application. Learn more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: novel coronavirus updates, pre-budget submission & more

    Bits & Pieces: novel coronavirus updates, pre-budget submission & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Novel coronavirus updates
    • AFHTO’s 2020 pre-budget submission
    • We’re on the move
    • Members’ stories
    • Shortening the diagnostic odyssey: rare disease in primary care, Feb. 12
    • Managing proton pump inhibitor use in older adults: tool
    • Eliminating red and white cards posters
    • Upcoming events on Advance Care Planning and more

    Novel coronavirus updates
    We have a page on our site that will provide updates on the Novel Coronavirus as they become available, including the latest situation reports. The Ministry of Health is currently working on guidelines for primary care, along with posters and a website for healthcare providers which we will share once we receive the information. At this point, you can also access information for the public on their site.

    We’ll email the primary care guidelines as soon as they become available.

    The OCFP has also put together Tips for Screening for 2019-nCoV which includes clinic preparedness that you may find helpful.  

    If you have any questions, you can also email EOCOperations.moh@ontario.ca.

    AFHTO’s 2020 pre-budget submission
    AFHTO submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance as part of the 2020 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations in early January. The submission, “It Takes a Team: Interprofessional Primary Care as the Foundation of Health System Transformation” included the following recommendations are:

    1. Increase access to interprofessional team-based primary care for Ontarians who need it.
    2. Invest in clinical leadership to ensure successful roll-out of Ontario Health Teams.
    3. Embed mental health and addictions support in primary care.
    4. Help end hallway health care by embedding home and community care coordination with primary care.
    5. Support digital health options in primary care
    woman with box

    AFHTO is on the move.

    As of tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 23, AFHTO staff will be working offsite in preparation for a move to a new location.

    We will each be checking our voicemail periodically but if the matter is urgent, please email the relevant staff member directly.

    Further details including our new location will be announced by early February. We appreciate your patience as we transition to our new space. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@afhto.ca.

    Members’ stories
    Belleville NPLC: Belleville NPLC requests funding for 2 more NPs & a second clinic in the Quinte-Hastings area

    Essex County NPLC: Essex County NPLC expands its services into Amherstburg

    Shortening the diagnostic odyssey: rare disease in primary care, Feb. 12
    You can easily recognize a patient with hypertension, but do you know how to recognize a rare disease? Roughly 1 in 12 Canadians, are affected by a rare disorder. As each disease affects only a small number of individuals, clinician understanding and expertise may be limited and fragmented. This results in unnecessary diagnostic delays, frequent misdiagnoses, and missed opportunities to treat these patients earlier.

    On Feb. 12 Sanofi Genzyme’s rare disease education webinar will increase your awareness about two rare inherited disorders – Fabry disease and Pompe disease and will highlight why primary care is essential in reducing the long and cumbersome diagnostic delays these patients experience. You may also leave with the realization that these rare diseases are not as rare as you think. Register here.

    Eliminating red and white cards posters

    The Ministry has provided English and French posters that can be placed in your clinics and offices on the elimination of red and white OHIP cards as of July 1, 2020.

    Managing proton pump inhibitor use in older adults: tool
    The Centre for Effective Practice has released their latest clinical tool: Managing Proton Pump Inhibitor Use in Older Adults.

    When the ongoing reason for using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is unclear, there may be more risks than benefits to the patient. This tool helps guide discussions and assessments with patients aged 65+ about the potential harms and benefits of PPIs. Download the tool here.

    Quality Rounds Ontario: The Promise of Virtual Care, Feb. 6, 2020
    With opening remarks by Bill Hatanaka, Board Chair, and Matthew Anderson and Incoming President and CEO, Ontario Health. Register today.

    Navigating the World of Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care Conversations, Feb. 18, 2020
    The second webinar in Hospice Palliative Care Ontario’s Winter 2020 Series, presented by Dr. Leah Steinberg. Register now.

    Primary Care Virtual Community, Feb 13, 2020
    The Primary Care Virtual Community brings together leaders in primary care interested in enabling meaningful system change. The virtual community is a collaboration developed by the OCFP and AFHTO and convened by The Change Foundation.

    Join the Community to access past webinar recordings and plan to attend the next webinar on February 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Registration link coming soon!

    Your Patients Are Using Cannabis: Here’s What You Need To Know Conference, Feb 28, 2020
    NPAO’s conference held for primary care providers will help you gain a better understanding of medicinal cannabis. Learn more here.

    Capstone Summit, May 4-5, 2020
    Conference hosted by the Change Foundation to showcase their work with caregivers and formally introduce their new strategic focus. Find out more here.

    Meeting Social Needs in an Integrated Health System: A Role for Social Prescribing, March 25, 2020
    Hosted by the Alliance for Healthier Communities and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, join James Sanderson, Interim CEO, UK National Academy for Social Prescribing and Director of Personalised Care, National Health Service England as he speaks about how the practice of social prescribing has spread and sustained in the UK. Click here to learn more and to register.