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Tag: Members Only News

  • Year End Message from AFHTO’s President and Board Chair

    Year End Message from AFHTO’s President and Board Chair

    Sara Dalo smiling. Wearing snakeskin blouse.

    Normally I take the month of December for reflection on the past year, but this year was different. Interestingly, I spent the majority of the year overthinking my purpose and goals and brainstorming restorative ways to help my team recover and look ahead.

    Over the year, I have been humbled with personal reflections shared by friends and colleagues; their experiences and reflections helped me get through the challenges that accompanied the recovery phase of the pandemic.

    The AFHTO conference is always a reminder of the exceptional efforts that our members are capable of. All work showcased through concurrent and poster presentations, along with the remarkable initiatives recognized through the Bright Lights, are only a glimpse of the work on the ground, so thank you for all the initiatives you take to help our primary care teams evolve to better serve our communities.

    Examples of the impressive work included, but is not limited to redesigning roles, partnering to offer needed services, and measuring success to demonstrate effectiveness. These examples are strategies that are being leveraged to address identified gaps, while demonstrating value. Congratulations on continuously demonstrating the importance and value of primary care.

    My transition from acute care to a team-based primary care environment 10 years ago was enlightening and it continues to be. Since then, I’ve been promoting team-based care as an effective model for continuous and comprehensive patient-centred care. I need to thank all team members, from administration to front line staff, for helping people see the value in team-based care through their interprofessional collaboration and leadership!

    Let’s continue to demonstrate our value, so that our political decision makers can appreciate the importance of investing in team-based primary care! In addition to presenting at conferences, other opportunities to promote team-based primary care include op-eds, articles, interviews and participating in research studies.

    As we continue to work through the HHR challenges, let’s remain positive through focusing on what is in our immediate control. Identifying strategies through seeking guidance and advice from our team members and OHTs can help us overcome these challenges. We are fortunate to have a strong association that continues to support us through trying times as well as our accomplishments. The advocacy, strong governance and communication shared through AFHTO is invaluable and continues to serve us well as we navigate through life’s unprecedented challenges.

    I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the tremendous amount of work put in by the AFHTO team to support its members throughout the year. The bittersweet news of Kavita’s departure is saddening, but I am sure I speak on behalf of the membership when I commend her for her exceptional leadership and dedication to quality and integrity as she advanced the primary team-based care platform over the last seven years at AFHTO. We wish you all the best in your new venture of this next chapter!

    I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Beth MacKinnon as she also has decided it is time for her to pursue a new chapter in her life. Beth has spearheaded our advocacy work by helping decision makers appreciate our primary care goals at both the provincial and federal level. Thank you for your dedication over the years, Beth. You will be missed!

    Finally, I’d like to thank Raveen for contributions in the short time she has been with us. Raveen has been accepted into medical school and has decided to pursue that dream. Congratulations Raveen, we hope to see you practice in team-based care in the near future!

    While I appreciate these departures are a lot to digest, we must view these as opportunities to adapt ourselves to the changes that await us. Here’s to our future. Let’s do what we do best- support one another as we navigate the road ahead.

    Thank you again to you all. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and joyous Holiday Season and a most prosperous and healthy New Year! Enjoy this special time with your loved ones.

    Respectfully,

    Sara's signature

     

     

     

     

    Sara Dalo,

    President and Board Chair
    Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

  • QI in Action eBulletin #124: Celebrating the Resilience of Teams in 2022, QIPs 2023-2024

    In this Issue:

    • Thank You to our Wonderful Teams
    • Celebrating Teams: Collaborating to Improve Palliative Care
    • Celebrating Teams: Filling Gaps in the Community
    • Healthcare Excellence Canada: Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care
    • Physician Consultations on PHIPA Changes
    • Support Tools for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance in Primary Care
    • Quality Improvement Plans (QIPS) 2023/24
    • Farewell and Thank You from Raveen Bahniwal
    • Upcoming Events

     

    Thank You to our Wonderful Teams
    2022 has been a difficult year for primary care and we want to thank our teams for their resilience and capacity to adapt to the constant challenges that came their way. You have all continued to support not only your patients but non-rostered patients in your communities, collaborated with partners to advance your programs and continued to advocate for the ongoing expansion of team-based care. We aren’t able to highlight all the wonderful work for teams in 2022 in this short newsletter, but we encourage you all to read our Annual Report and explore our Bright Lights Nominees and Award Winners.

    Celebrating Teams: Collaborating to Improve Palliative Care

    Care for Palliative End of Life Patients with Bancroft FHT

    Content developed by Bancroft FHT
    In April 2022 the Bancroft Community Family Health Team formed a partnership and collaboration with North Hastings Hospice in Bancroft Ontario to provide an alternative level of care to their palliative end of life patients and residents of the community.

    Through the System Navigation Program, patients can be referred directly from physicians, nurse practitioners, Home and Community Care Services, Hospitals, and other community support agencies. The Palliative System Navigator RN will complete the initial intake process by meeting with the patient to discuss their end-of-life care and wishes. The nurse will then make the appropriate arrangements for the patient, coordinating in home services or admission to Hospice House in collaboration with one of the BCFHT FHO physicians.

    The goal is to provide effective, quality, compassionate, and coordinated care to palliative end of life patients and community residents in an appropriate setting while at the same time reducing hospital admissions. For any questions, please email mkelly@bancroftfht.com.

    Couchiching FHT Streamlines Access to Palliative Care Resources

    Couchiching FHT has provided leadership and resources to the Couchiching Palliative Care Working Group for several years. With the creation of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT), this working group was able to leverage the strong collaboration within the COHT to make incredible strides towards accomplishing their goals.

    This group of service providers and system users has created a central referral system which went live in February 2022. There is one referral form to access all palliative care services in the sub-region and a list of primary care practitioners who will accept non-rostered palliative patients, so no palliative patient in Couchiching is going without primary care. In addition, they have streamlined and coordinated resources to reduce duplication and make it easier for patients and their caregivers to find the right resources at the right time. For more information, please email a.munday@cfht.ca.

    Celebrating Teams: Filling Gaps in the Community

    Community Newborn Program at the Belleville NPLC

    Content provided by Belleville NPLC
    The purpose of the Community Newborn program is to provide follow up care to newborns who do not have a primary care provider in the community. Infants are seen by the program staff within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital. The Community Newborn Program consists of a Nurse Practitioner-Paediatrics, a Registered Nurse, and an Admin Support who each work 20 hours per week to support patients in this program. The NP and RN provide routine follow up care and non-emergent assessments for the infants up until 6 months of age. They also provide routine vaccinations for siblings of their infant patients who also do not have a primary care provider. For any inquiries about this program, please email admin@bnplc.ca.

    Prenatal and Well Baby Program at Barrie and Community FHT

    The Prenatal and Well Baby (PNWB) Program provides prenatal and well-baby care for women and children (up to the age of 6) without a family physician in the Barrie and surrounding area. The program has nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and lactation consultants that provide care, education and referrals into community supports. The program also performs tongue tie releases and has a paediatrician available for consultation.

    Throughout the pandemic, the PNWB Program and Breastfeeding Services continued to see patients daily for essential care. During the pandemic, the Barrie area has seen an influx of new residents. Many of these new community members do not have a family doctor close to home, and the PNWB clinic is a place they can receive this essential service in the community they live. For more information, please click here and for any questions, please email jthomas@bcfht.ca.

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

    Physician Consultations on PHIPA Changes
    The Ministry of Health is seeking physicians interested in participating in a focus group to talk about their experiences with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). This work is part of the Ministry’s Dialogue on Data engagement strategy. Your knowledge and experience will inform the development of a data strategy report to the Ontario Health Data Council that will be seen by the Minister of Health, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and many other important stakeholders. Click here to learn more. Focus groups will take place January 17 to 19, from 12-1 pm and we are looking for 20 physician volunteers spread over the three days. If you are interested in participating, please email info@afhto.ca.

    Support Tools for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance in Primary Care
    The two patient-facing support tools for the Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance in Primary Care are now live on the Ontario Health website. The patient-facing tools, ‘Learning about Virtual Care Options’ and ‘Checklist for Use of Virtual Care’, are currently available in English and French. There is work underway to translate the patient-facing tools into additional languages. This will be made available on the Ontario Health website when ready. For feedback/questions, email PCP.Gudance@ontariohealth.ca.

    Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) 2023/24
    Ontario Health announced the start of the Quality Improvement (QIP) program cycle for 2023/24. This year’s QIPs will continue to focus on a small number of quality issues that are important to the health care system, such as issues that have been particularly impacted by COVID-19 and need our attention to help support health system recovery.

    Priority indicators have been developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, and other teams across Ontario Health; however, organizations may also choose to focus on local issues that are important to their communities. Ontario Health encourages organizations to work on improving equity and supporting cultural safety and responsiveness. Organizations can choose to add custom indicators aimed at improving equitable access to care and/or share goals in the Narrative section.

    QIP Navigator, the online QIP development and submission platform, has been updated for this year’s submission and is now open for 2023/24 QIP submissions. Organizations can download pre-populated templates and current performance will be pre-populated with administrative data in January where available. Ontario Health will be hosting drop-in sessions on Zoom which are optional and will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about the QIP program, QIP Navigator and learn about available quality improvement resources. QIPs must be submitted by March 31, 2023. Please email QIP@ontariohealth.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

    Planning Resources:

    Farewell and Thank You
    To end this ebulletin with some bittersweet news, I will be leaving AFHTO at the end of December to begin medical school in January. Thank you to all our members and partners for sharing your stories and initiatives with me. It was a pleasure for me to bring you these monthly ebulletins and KTE webinars. I will truly miss this community but hope our paths cross again someday. Stay tuned to the next ebulletin in January and have a wonderful holiday season. –Raveen Bahniwal, Quality Improvement and Knowledge Translation Specialist

    Upcoming Events

    HSPN: IFIC Canada and Health System Performance Network Virtual Community

    Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 12-1:30 pm
    Integration is the lever to enable population health and well-being. A key component of integration is the role of partnering with the volunteer sector to improve outcomes for our patients, caregivers, and our population. In this session, we will take a deep dive to learn firsthand about the role of engaging the volunteer sector from the perspectives of policymakers, researchers, and a person with lived experience. This session will discuss the available evidence, the volunteer sector’s role in policy, and share approaches and practical examples of local work that engages with the volunteer sector. Register here.

    ADVANCE Special Topic Series- Balancing Task and Process in Leading Integrated Care Systems
    Monday, January 9, 2023, 12-1 pm
    Developing integrated care systems often requires newly constituted intersectoral teams to form and rapidly engage in mutually reinforcing activities of integration, while attending, in parallel, with the processes by which these new teams engage in collaborative leadership, decision-making and/or system improvement. Professor Robin Miller, based at the University of Birmingham, will discuss the promise and pitfalls of collaborative leadership within integrated care systems and how attending to process can support inter-sectoral teams to achieve the aim of collaborative governance. To register, click here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #123 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: improving IHP networking and more

    Bits & Pieces: improving IHP networking and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO’s IHP Directory: Improving IHP networking and communication
    • Farewell to Raveen Bahniwal
    • Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing webinar materials available
    • Consultations with physicians on PHIPA changes
    • Community Services Recovery Fund
    • IMPaCT survey
    • Updated recommendations on the use of Paxlovid and Evusheld
    • Reminder- join AFHTO’s Executive Director Mentorship Program!
    • CareCanvas: Better Care, Made Easier
    • OH updates- early psychosis intervention and Provincial Primary Care Lead, Cancer Screening
    • Upcoming events including Virtual Care and Pandemic Reflections and more

    AFHTO’s IHP Directory: Improving IHP networking and communication

    IHPs in AFHTO member teams are encouraged to sign up to AFHTO’s IHP Directory! This directory will help improve AFHTO’s communication to IHPs, and it will support IHP networking, information sharing, and collaboration.

    After you sign up, you will be emailed a link to a spreadsheet with the names, professions, team names, and work emails of all IHPs who have signed up for open communication. You may sort by profession to see the names of those in the same discipline as you.

    AFHTO will be checking the directory and emailing links to new registrants every 1-2 weeks. We look forward to improved communication from AFHTO to IHPs, and across IHPs in AFHTO-member teams!

    ravninder bahniwal headshot

    Farewell to Raveen Bahniwal

    We must announce that Raveen Bahniwal will be leaving AFHTO for a literal dream come true- we hate to see her go, but we’re happy say it’s for a great opportunity as she has been accepted to medical school.

    Raveen has only been with AFHTO for a short time as our Quality and Knowledge Translation Specialist, but so many of you had the pleasure of working with her, attended the webinars she has organized or the QIDSS session at the conference. She has also helped AFHTO with our growing research portfolio.

    We’re going to miss Raveen but know she will bring so much to her future endeavours, and we look forward to her return to Ontario as Dr. Bahniwal. Please join us in giving her our sincerest best wishes. Her last day with AFHTO will be Friday, December 30 – any questions related to her work can be directed to info@afhto.ca.

     

     

    video screenshot- 100 doses equivalent to a 290 km car journey

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing webinar materials available

    On Dec. 8. CASCADES and the Primary Care Collaborative hosted a webinar exploring the carbon footprint of healthcare systems and how inhalers contribute to it, and imagining practice change that results in “high value, low carbon care”. Slides and video are now available.

     

     

    Consultations with physicians on PHIPA changes

    The Ministry of Health is seeking physicians interested in participating in a focus group to talk about their experiences with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). This work is part of the Ministry’s Dialogue on Data engagement strategy. Your knowledge and experience will inform the development of a data strategy report to the Ontario Health Data Council that will be seen by the Minister of Health, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and many other important stakeholders. Learn more here.

    Focus groups will take place January 17 to 19, from 12-1 pm and we are looking for 20 physician volunteers spread over the three days. If you are interested in participating, please email info@afhto.ca. Please share this opportunity with physicians on your team.
     
    NOTE: at the moment they are only interested in talking to physicians affiliated with Family Health Teams

    Community Services Recovery Fund
    Members and/or their partners may be eligible for this fund, which is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support nonprofits and charities as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery. Find resources here or sign up for January webinar here.

    IMPaCT survey

    IMproving performance in Primary Care Teams (IMPaCT) Survey is a survey of primary care physicians working in Ontario to understand what influences how physicians interact with data about their patients and their practice. You can find the survey and additional details about the study here. If you have any questions, please contact, Braeden Terpeu (braeden.terpou@thp.ca).

    Updated recommendations on the use of Paxlovid and Evusheld

    Recent updates include:

    • Updated recommendation on the use of Evusheld-EN and FR– OH, Dec. 12, 2022
    • Updated recommendation on the use of Paxlovid- EN and FR – OH, Dec. 8, 2022

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Reminder- join AFHTO’s Executive Director Mentorship Program!

    Are you a leader with 3+ years of experience in team-based primary care? Are you interested in supporting new EDs as they develop in their role? If YES, AFHTO is looking for executive directors to join our ED Mentorship Program, and we want to hear from you!

    Please fill out this brief survey, and we will be in touch.

    More information about the program is here.

    CareCanvas: Better Care, Made Easier

    The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and the POPLAR network have launched a new tool to support practice improvement.

    CareCanvas is an interactive online dashboard that that summarizes clinical information from a physician’s practice EMR to make it easier to care for patients. Three types of dashboards are available: one for physicians, one for clinics, and one for Ontario Health Teams.

    CareCanvas summarizes more than 15 quality of care measures including information on diabetes, hypertension, prescribing, and immunizations. You can see trends in your practice over time and can compare your practice to that of your peers. For some measures, you can see differences in care by age, gender, and neighbourhood income.

    CareCanvas is available to existing UTOPIAN contributors, with plans to expand the program to all of POPLAR in early 2023. Register here to access the dashboard. Sign up before December 31, 2022 to receive a dashboard with the next release.

    OH updates- early psychosis intervention and Provincial Primary Care Lead, Cancer Screening

    Virtual Care and Pandemic Reflections, Dec. 16, 2022
    54th in OCFP and UofT’s series “Changing the way we work” on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 7:55-9:15 am. Register here.

    ADVANCE Special Topics series – Balancing Task and Process in Leading Integrated Care Systems, Jan. 9, 2023

    Hosted by RISE. Professor Robin Miller, University of Birmingham in the UK, will discuss the promise and pitfalls of collaborative leadership within integrated care systems and how attending to process can support inter-sectoral teams to achieve the aim of collaborative governance. Register here.

    Healthcare Decision-Making in Ontario, Jan. 10-31, 2023
    Four-part webinar series hosted by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Facilitated by Jane Meadus, the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE), you can join to learn what you need to know about consent, capacity and healthcare decision making in Ontario. Register here.

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

  • Bits & Pieces: market salary review underway and more

    Bits & Pieces: market salary review underway and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Market salary review underway
    • Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8
    • Member stories
    • Supporting Caregivers webinar materials available
    • Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care materials available  
    • The latest on COVID, Influenza and Respiratory Viruses materials and more
    • New guidance for OHTs
    • Upcoming events including Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Data and Digital Initiative Webinar and more

     

    Market salary review underway

    The Community Health Compensation Working Group – representing ten provincial associations – has retained Eckler Ltd. consulting services to conduct a community health market salary review for Ontario. The review will include interprofessional primary care, community support services, community mental health, and long-term care.

    The final report will give us greater insight into wage disparities for 78 positions across primary and community care sectors. It is estimated that this work will be completed in spring 2023, and final recommendations will be presented to the government to support discussions on reasonable and fair compensation.

    For additional information, please visit AFHTO’s website. We will keep you updated as the work progresses.

    If you have questions, please reach out to Abisola at: abisola.otepola@afhto.ca.

    Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change. Register here.

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC – Belleville NPLC provides care for unattached newborns
     
    Minto- Mapleton FHT – OPINION: nurse practitioners uniquely positioned to fill gaps in ailing health care system

    Screenshot of learning objectives

    Supporting Caregivers webinar materials available
    On Nov. 24 The Ontario Caregiver Organization and Primary Care Collaborative hosted a webinar ‘Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout’. This included insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Slides and video are now available.

     

    ON science table webinar title slide screenshot

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care materials available 
    On November 30 we held a webinar on the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table’s final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief shared some of the most significant findings and implications. Slides and video are now available.

     

    The latest on COVID, Influenza and Respiratory Viruses materials and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    New guidance for OHTs

    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Data and Digital Initiative Webinar, Dec. 12, 2022
    Part of a quarterly series designed to share regular updates and gather feedback on the initiative. Register here.

    IFIC Canada and Health System Performance Network Virtual Community, Dec. 20, 2022
    A key component of integration is the role of partnering with the volunteer sector to improve outcomes for our patients, caregivers, and our population. Take a deep dive to learn firsthand about the role of engaging the volunteer sector. Register here.

    ADVANCE Special Topics series – Balancing Task and Process in Leading Integrated Care Systems, Jan. 9, 2023

    Hosted by RISE. Professor Robin Miller, University of Birmingham in the UK, will discuss the promise and pitfalls of collaborative leadership within integrated care systems and how attending to process can support inter-sectoral teams to achieve the aim of collaborative governance. Register here.

    Healthcare Decision-Making in Ontario, Jan. 10-31, 2023
    Four-part webinar series hosted by Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Facilitated by Jane Meadus, the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE), you can join to learn what you need to know about consent, capacity and healthcare decision making in Ontario. Register here.

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

  • Bits & Pieces: join the ED mentorship program and more

    Bits & Pieces: join the ED mentorship program and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Join AFHTO’s Executive Director Mentorship Program!
    • Farewell to Beth MacKinnon
    • Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8
    • Member stories
    • Radon- the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
    • Guidance for clinical assessment centres and more
    • BORN Health Equity Advisory Group – call for interest
    • Get Mainpro+® credits for reading quality standards
    • Upcoming events including Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care and more

    Join AFHTO’s Executive Director Mentorship Program!

    Are you a leader with 3+ years of experience in team-based primary care? Are you interested in supporting new EDs as they develop in their role? If YES, AFHTO is looking for executive directors to join our ED Mentorship Program, and we want to hear from you!

    Please fill out this brief survey, and we will be in touch.

    More information about the program is here.

    Beth MacKinnon Oct 2022

     

    Farewell to Beth MacKinnon

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

    Beth has been with AFHTO for nearly 5 years, most recently as Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy. Many have you had the pleasure of working with her as she has supported the Governance and Leadership program and our advocacy efforts.

    We’re going to miss Beth but know she will bring so much to her future endeavours. Please join us in giving her our sincerest best wishes. Her last day with AFHTO will be Friday, December 30 – any questions related to her work can be directed to info@afhto.ca.

     

     

     

    Reminder- Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change.

    Register here.

    Member stories

    Belleville NPLC – Rotary honours NPLC board member

    Wawa FHT – Dr. Anjali Oberai recognized with the 2022 Ontario Family Physician of the Year award

    Radon- the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
    Across Canada, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. In persons who do smoke, the risks of developing lung cancer when exposed to radon are further compounded. Learn how and why you should speak to your patients about radon in machealth’s free and certified online program.

    Guidance for clinical assessment centres and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    BORN Health Equity Advisory Group – call for interest

    The Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario is looking for community members to join their Health Equity Advisory Group (HEAG). To learn more, please see the terms of reference.
    If you have questions, please email Alana Esty and Danna Hull, Health Equity Advisory Group Co-Chairs at equity@bornontario.ca.

    Get Mainpro+® credits for reading quality standards

    Attention, family physicians! Do you need additional CME credits for end-of-year? Through Ontario Health’s no-cost Understanding Quality Standards in Primary Care Program, you can earn Mainpro+® credits for the quality standards you read. Just read a quality standard, complete a simple self-reflection exercise, and submit for your credits. This one-credit-per-hour Self-Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 54.5 credits. Learn more here.

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30, 2022

    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. Register here.

    The latest on COVID, Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, Dec. 2, 2022
    53rd in the series “Changing the way we work” by OCFP and UofT. Register here.

    NEW Patient Safety Learning Community of Practice, Dec. 6, 2022

    The Quality and Patient Safety Team at Ontario Health kicks off the new community of practice focused on developing robust processes to track, prevent and learn from patient safety incidents. Register here.

    Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Data and Digital Initiative Webinar, Dec. 12, 2022
    Part of a quarterly series designed to share regular updates and gather feedback on the initiative. Register here.

    Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams, starting Jan 2023
    Tenth annual ‘Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams’ series will launch in January 2023, by Kate Dewhirst and Maria McDonald. Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: update on the Ministry request memo and more

    Bits & Pieces: update on the Ministry request memo and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Update on the Ministry request memo and more
    • Refer frontline health workers to psychological practitioners for MOH-covered treatment
    • Reminder- Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24
    • Recruiting for study on healthcare providers and sex trafficking
    • Strategies to improve antibiotic use in primary care
    • TechSoup courses- disaster planning and cybersecurity
    • Have thoughts on how social work practice is organized and supported in primary care?
    • Exceptions to the Prescription Drug List- deadline Nov. 29
    • Upcoming events including Routine childhood vaccination: How to address lapses during COVID-19 and more

     

    Update on the Ministry request memo and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Refer frontline health workers to psychological practitioners for MOH-covered treatment

    Primary care providers can now refer patients directly to psychologists from their EMR enabling increased access to timely specialized mental health services. This is possible through a partnership between the Ontario Psychological Association and Ontario’s eServices Program, which saw the integration of the Ocean and Strata Health e-referral platforms thereby allowing family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other primary care providers to connect with psychologists.
     
    The Covid-19 Psychological Support Program, funded by the Ministry of Health, ensures that frontline health workers can receive up to 12 psychotherapy sessions with a registered psychologist or psychological associate at no cost. To learn more email opa@psych.on.ca or read their e-referral guidelines for more details.
     
    This builds on a prior collaboration between AFHTO, NPAO, OCFP, NPLCA, OMA’s section of General & Family Practice, and the Alliance for Healthier Communities.

    Reminder- Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24

    Co-hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Primary Care Collaborative, this webinar will include insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Register here.

    Are you a healthcare provider wanting to improve services and supports for sex trafficking survivors?

    Recruiting for study on healthcare providers and sex trafficking
    Women’s College Research Institute seeks social workers, nurses and physicians who live and work in Ontario to discuss their thoughts and experiences regarding the domestic sex trafficking of adolescents and adults in Canada.   
     
    “In Canada, there has been limited research on sex trafficking, especially in adult populations and from a healthcare perspective. By attending to healthcare providers’ thoughts and experiences as professionals regarding domestic sex trafficking of adolescents and adults in Ontario, Canada, we can build an understanding of the gaps in care for this population and areas in which care can be improved.”   

    For further information please contact frances.recknor@wchospital.ca.

     

    Strategies to improve antibiotic use in primary care
    Nov. 18-24 is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. To help promote this year’s campaign and to reinforce their commitment to the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), PHO has published new fact sheets, Strategies to Improve Antibiotic Use in Primary Care.

    TechSoup courses- disaster planning and cybersecurity

    Have thoughts on how social work practice is organized and supported in primary care?

    This study from the University of Toronto is looking to host one more focus group for social workers who haven’t had the chance to share their experience and perspectives on how social work practice has shifted during the pandemic. Participants will take part in a 60-minute focus group with other social workers in primary care.
     
    Led by Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, Associate Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, it’s supported by AFHTO and OASW.
     
    If you’re interested in participating, please send an email to Simon at sck.lam@utoronto.ca and include the clinic you work in.

    Exceptions to the Prescription Drug List- deadline Nov. 29

    Health Canada’s initial consultation on exceptions to the Prescription Drug List will close on Tuesday, November 29.
    You can participate in this consultation and provide feedback about which existing exceptions are still needed and why on their site. For more information, you can watch this recorded webinar.

    Routine childhood vaccination: How to address lapses during COVID-19, Nov. 24, 2022

    Accredited webinar offered by the Canadian pediatric Society and co-developed with Public Health Agency of Canada. Register here.

    Trauma Informed Care for Primary Care Providers: A Four-Part Series, Nov. 24- Dec. 15, 2022

    Free special series by ECHO Ontario Child and Youth Mental Health. Register here.

    Collaborative Health Governance in a Time of Deep Uncertainty, Nov. 25, 2022

    In this View From the Top session, held by McMaster University, guest speakers, Helen Bevan, Jodeme Goldhar and Stacey Daub will discuss why radical collaboration and collaborative governance make a difference for population health, healthcare, and wellbeing. Register here.

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30, 2022

    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. Register here.

    NEW Patient Safety Learning Community of Practice, Dec. 6, 2022

    The Quality and Patient Safety Team at Ontario Health kicks off the new community of practice focused on developing robust processes to track, prevent and learn from patient safety incidents. Register here.

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change.

    Register here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #123: HFHT Green Initiative, Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidelines

    In this Issue:

    • The HFHT Green Initiative
    • Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care- Guidance for Primary Care
    • Primary care clinicians can how directly refer frontline health workers to psychological practitioners for MOH-covered psychological treatment
    • Evidence2Practice Ontario Program
    • Upcoming Events

    The HFHT Green Initiative
    Content below developed by Hamilton FHT

    The HFHT Green Initiative is an interprofessional team developing practical solutions to improve patient healthcare outcomes while simultaneously reducing climate change. The initiative provides a free and evidence-based program which includes an action-based checklist, poster orders (1148 so far delivered), a monthly newsletter (17 sent so far), a CFPC Mainpro+ accredited webinar series (212 attendees thus far), an infographic series (31 different topics), 2 waiting room videos, 2 EMR-embedded prescription templates, patient-facing group education, resource kits, and project support.

    Since its launch in 2019, this project has supported environmental efforts in 19 different Ontario Family Health Teams as well as additional primary care teams across Ontario and Canada and has helped direct the efforts of our local OHT as well as national sustainable health care initiatives such as CASCADES. For more information, please contact the HFHT Green Team at green.team@hamiltonfht.ca.

    The Hamilton FHT’s Green Initiative recently presented a disease prevention webinar highlighting practical tools that will make cancer screening and smoking cessation easier in both the clinical setting and for QI projects. Please watch this 20 min webinar recording to hear family physician and project lead Dr. Meghan Davis speak about:

    • Understanding how cancer screening/smoking cessation is good for our patients and the environment
    • Accessing a cancer screening dashboard for teams and individual practices  
    • The Screening Activity Report
    • Finding patients who were lost to follow-up after screening positive
    • A new digital patient communication pathway for ordering FITs
    • Managing colonoscopy results
    • Providing paps: Pathway for interprofessional health care training & updated guidelines
    • Guidelines for mammograms post-COVID-19 vaccine
    • Videos for your waiting room
    • Helping patients to quit smoking

    Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care- Guidance for Primary Care
    Ontario Health recently released new virtual care guidance materials for primary care clinicians. The “Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance for Primary Care” aims to help primary care clinicians feel supported in the decisions they make related to the planning and delivery of virtual care. This is ‘phase one’ of the virtual care guidance for primary care. More detailed virtual care guidance will be released in the future, including materials focused on other specialties and areas of care. The virtual care guidance materials can be accessed here in English and French. Click here to watch the Ontario Health Community of Practice recording from November 9 where Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Bordman speak about the guidance document.

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

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

    Evidence2Practice Ontario Program
    Content below developed by Centre for Effective Practice

    CEP is proud to lead the launch of Evidence2Practice Ontario (E2P) and its first set of digital tools and supports for heart failure. Co-led with the eHealth Centre of Excellence and North York General Hospital, E2P is a province-wide initiative developed to strengthen and support the delivery of evidence-based care and best practice in primary and acute care settings. The first E2P tool, developed in the Telus PSS EMR, focuses on enhancing care of patients with suspected or diagnosed heart failure.

    CEP’s renowned academic detailing service and accompanying clinical tools on heart failure are available to further support primary care providers. Tools and supports in additional EMRs (e.g., Oscar and Accuro QHR) will follow in 2023, focused on supporting adult patients living with major depression, anxiety disorders and type 2 diabetes. Click here to learn more.

     

    Upcoming Events

    Evidence2Practice Ontario
    Friday, November 18, 2022, 12-1 pm
    Evidence2Practice Ontario is co-hosting a webinar with Ontario Health: Dr. David Kaplan, Vice President, Quality at Ontario Health, and Young Lee, Vice President, Corporate Performance and Digital Health Innovation at North York General Hospital will provide an overview of how this key initiative is embedding quality standards into health information systems to support clinician adoption. Register here.

    CCHL Webinar: Leading Climate Resilient and Low Carbon, Sustainable Health Systems
    Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 12-1 pm
    Climate and environmental change pose accelerating and complex threats for 21st century health systems- and these modern health systems are a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. Increasingly, the executive boards, and healthcare staff leading Canada’s health systems are recognizing the need to address these challenges. New Leadership and Governance standards include explicit requirements to consider environmental stewardship, with implications for patient engagement, enterprise risk management plans, capital investment plans, talent management and acquisition, procurement policies and practices and budgeting. Click here to register.

    Infection Prevention and Control in Primary Care “Spread Prevention- Not Infection”
    Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 12:30-2 pm
    The Hamilton Family Health Team’s Patient and Provider Safety committee has planned a virtual IPAC information session with their partners from Public Health Ontario and Hamilton Public Health Services. The content shared will be focused on increasing the learner’s knowledge of current IPAC trends as well as providing practical strategies for primary care providers to enhance IPAC practices in their clinical setting. Click here to register.

    Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout
    Thursday, November 24, 2022, 12-1 pm
    Primary care providers can play a key role in preventing burnout and enhancing caregiver well-being by initiating early interventions and connecting caregivers to support. Co-hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Primary Care Collaborative, this webinar will include insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Click here to register.

    Highlights and Implications of the Ontario Science Table’s Brief on Primary Care
    Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 7:45-8:45 am
    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. To register, click here.

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing
    Thursday, December 8, 2022, 12-1 pm
    This webinar will explore the carbon footprint of healthcare systems and how inhalers contribute to it, examine two problems related to inhaler prescribing and imagine practice change that results in an immediate reduction in emissions: “high value, low carbon care”. To register, click here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #122 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: virtual care guidance and more

    Bits & Pieces: virtual care guidance and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Clinically appropriate use of virtual care guidance for primary care
    • Resources addressing children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen shortage
    • Nurse Practitioner Week
    • Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement
    • Member stories
    • Reminder – Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30
    • Updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance and more
    • Reminder – seeking input on how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis care
    • Hospice Palliative Care Ontario call for abstracts
    • Public Health 2023 call for submissions
    • Upcoming events including The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout and more

    Clinically appropriate use of virtual care guidance for primary care

    Today Ontario Health released the much anticipated ‘Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care Guidance for Primary Care’- EN FR.  The materials are intended to support primary care clinicians to make deliberate and purposeful decisions in the planning and delivery of virtual care.

    This is ‘phase one’ of the virtual care guidance for primary care –more detailed virtual care guidance will be released in the future, including materials focused on other specialties and areas of care.

    You can also watch Drs Kaplan and Bordman speak about the guidance document during the November 9th OH Community of Practice. Click here for the recording.

    Resources addressing children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen shortage

    NPAO Celebrating Nurse Practitioner Week NPAO.ORG. Text beside picture of a smiling woman in mask and cap

     

    Nurse Practitioner Week

    Thank you to all the NPs working in primary care teams for your passion, your dedication, and your ongoing commitment to excellent patient-centred care! Happy Nurse Practitioner Week!

     

     

     

     

     

    Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement
    On Monday, the Minister of Finance tabled Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement (FES) entitled Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update.

    In the last few years, FES has been used as a “mini budget” with new investments. This year, it returned to being what it is called: an economic statement. It repeated campaign commitments and noted the number of new healthcare workers, acute care beds, and long-term care homes under development. There was nothing new about health care and no mention of mental health and addiction.

    AFHTO and partners will continue advocacy to hopefully see meaningful commitments in the spring budget. For a synopsis of the FES, please read Enterprise Canada’s highlights.

    Member stories

    Minto-Mapleton FHT– Filling the Gaps in Access to Rural Mental Healthcare– featuring their NP and counsellor

    Peterborough FHT – The front door to health care is broken

    Reminder-Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30

    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. Register here.

    Updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario call for abstracts

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) is accepting submissions for presentations at their 2023 Annual Conference, Now is the Time, on June 11-13, 2023. More details here. Deadline Dec. 5, 2022.

    Public Health 2023 call for submissions

    Canadian Public Health Association is accepting submissions for Public Health 2023, taking place virtually June 20-22, 2023. For more details, please visit their site. Deadline Jan. 12, 2023.

    Reminder – seeking input on how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis care

    Per UHN:
    “Dr. Anna Gagliardi at University Health Network (UHN) is recruiting healthcare professionals for a one-time 20-minute phone interview for a research study about how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis (OA) care. During the interview, we will ask you for your perspectives, experiences, and recommendations regarding strategies to improve care for immigrant women affected by osteoarthritis.

    You are eligible for this study if you:
    — Are a family physician, nurse practitioner, or community pharmacist who works with patients with osteoarthritis
    OR
    — Are a healthcare executive, healthcare manager, or policymaker who oversees osteoarthritis services

    For more information or to express interest in participating, please contact the study coordinator, Madeline Theodorlis, by email: madeline.theodorlis@uhn.ca. Please note that information sent by email may be accessible by external parties and therefore not entirely secure. Many thanks for your consideration.”

    Infection Prevention & Control in Primary Care, Nov. 23, 2022
    Hosted by Hamilton FHT and Public Health Ontario. Find out more here.

    Evaluating program planning using an equity framework, Nov. 23, 2022
    To plan for an expansion of healthcare services in newly developed neighbourhoods, a planning initiative was conducted to better understand the needs of the population. Ensuring equity of care was identified as a priority for this initiative.

    CCHL Forum webinar featuring speakers from Ontario Health, North York FHT and Queen Square FHT. Register here.

    Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24

    Co-hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Primary Care Collaborative, this webinar will include insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Register here.

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change.

    Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: memo to primary care from OH and more

    Bits & Pieces: memo to primary care from OH and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Memos to primary care, on operational direction and more
    • Health ministers’ meeting in Vancouver
    • Reminder- Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24
    • Virtual concussion occupational therapy services for teams
    • Moving towards an integrated health data ecosystem & QIP update
    • OLTCA convention call for content
    • Nominate high performing early career family physicians
    • IPHCC & PHAC seeking participants for short videos
    • Upcoming events including Evaluating program planning using an equity framework and more

     

    Memos to primary care, on operational direction and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

    Health ministers’ meeting in Vancouver

    screenshot of AFHTO news release

    “Mr. Duclos … added the federal government is also prepared to make bilateral agreements with provinces and territories on issues of shared priorities, such as increased access to family health teams and mental-health services.” Full article here.

    As the provincial and territorial health ministers gather in Vancouver to meet with the federal Minister of Health, the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, AFHTO remains hopeful that all parties share his priority of increasing access to primary care teams and that we will see much needed funding flow to the province through the Canada Health Transfer.

    Please read AFHTO’s statement here. 

    OCO webinar flyer

     

     

    Reminder – Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24

    Primary care providers can play a key role in preventing burnout and enhancing caregiver well-being by initiating early interventions and connecting caregivers to support.

    Co-hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Primary Care Collaborative, this webinar will include insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Register here.

     

     

    Virtual concussion occupational therapy services for teams

    The Neurology Centre of Toronto (NCT) has developed a concussion rehabilitation program that has been implemented and proven successful with an existing FHT in Ontario. The program provides patients with access to virtual concussion occupational therapy services and has been running successfully since March 2022.

    The patients in this program wouldn’t have access to this care otherwise, and the program has generated very positive feedback and results. Specifically, when surveyed after completing this program:

    • 33% of patients demonstrated an improvement in daily activity tolerance
    • 67% of patients demonstrated an improvement in their symptom scores, and
    • 83% reported satisfaction with the program.

    NCT would like to extend this service to other teams (including NPLCs and CHCs) in need of concussion rehabilitation services to support their patients. Please contact Jenni Diamond, Occupational Therapist and Program Director, to discuss the details and how it may fit within your team: jenni.diamond@numinus.com.

    Moving towards an integrated health data ecosystem & QIP update

    OLTCA convention call for content

    Taking place March 27-29, the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) in partnership with the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) are hosting the Together We Care 2023 Convention in person. The TWC Call for Content is now accepting abstracts. For a full list of program streams and to submit an abstract, please visit their site. Deadline November 21, 2022, at 4:00 pm EST.

    Nominate high performing early career family physicians

    Dr. Monica Aggarwal at the University of Toronto is conducting a study that will identify the key capabilities and competencies of high-performing family medicine graduates. This will help inform how learning, teaching and assessment can be improved in family medicine residency programs in Canada.

    She’s looking for nominations for high-performing early-career family physicians (based on the criteria identified here). If you have a nominee, please contact monica.aggarwal@utoronto.ca.

    IPHCC & PHAC seeking participants for short videos

    The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council is looking for both health care staff as well as general population participants for the creation of short videos.

    Created in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the videos aim to increase knowledge about the importance of vaccination, build vaccine confidence, and address barriers to accessing vaccination services. An honorarium will be provided. Please see the flyer for more information.

    ONCA A Year Later: the 100 Most Asked Questions, Nov. 10, 2022
    Hosted by Community Legal Education Ontario, who have compiled the most frequently asked questions into a database and want to share what they have learned. Register here.

    Infection Prevention & Control in Primary Care, Nov. 23, 2022
    Hosted by Hamilton FHT and Public Health Ontario. Find out more here.

    Evaluating program planning using an equity framework, Nov. 23, 2022
    To plan for an expansion of healthcare services in newly developed neighbourhoods, a planning initiative was conducted to better understand the needs of the population. Ensuring equity of care was identified as a priority for this initiative.

    CCHL Forum webinar featuring speakers from Ontario Health, North York FHT and Queen Square FHT. Register here.

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30

    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. Register here.

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change.

    Register here.

  • Bits & Pieces: preventing caregiver burnout and more

    Bits & Pieces: preventing caregiver burnout and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24
    • Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8
    • MOH booster communications toolkit and more
    • TUTOR-PHC call for applications
    • Seeking input on how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis care
    • Upcoming events including ONCA A Year Later: the 100 Most Asked Questions and more

    Supporting Caregivers Supports Patients- The Critical Role of Primary Care in Preventing Caregiver Burnout, Nov. 24
    Primary care providers can play a key role in preventing burnout and enhancing caregiver well-being by initiating early interventions and connecting caregivers to support.

    Co-hosted by The Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Primary Care Collaborative, this webinar will include insights from a caregiver with lived experience, as well as examples of primary care initiatives across Ontario that are connecting caregivers to support. Register here.

    Climate Conscious Inhaler Prescribing, Dec. 8

    Metered dose inhalers produce significant carbon emissions. Ironically, these contribute to changes to the climate that can exacerbate respiratory conditions. Simple practice changes can help disrupt this cycle and lessen the health sector’s contributions to climate change.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Explore the carbon footprint of healthcare systems and how inhalers contribute to it
    • Examine two problems related to inhaler prescribing
    • Imagine practice change that results in immediate reduction in emissions: “high value, low carbon care”

    Register here.

    Graphic of purple vaccine vial, with another transparent vial behind it on a light blue background. below, text says

     

    MOH booster communications toolkit and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and updates. You can find links to related pages here as well.

     

    TUTOR-PHC call for applications

    Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC), is a one-year, pan-Canadian interdisciplinary research capacity building program that has been training primary and integrated health care researchers, clinicians and decision-makers from family medicine, nursing, psychology, epidemiology, social work, occupational therapy, education, policy, and many other disciplines since 2003.  The deadline to apply is December 5, 2022.

    For more information, please go to the website or email the TUTOR-PHC Project Coordinator at tutor@uwo.ca.

    Seeking input on how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis care

    Per UHN:
    “Dr. Anna Gagliardi at University Health Network (UHN) is recruiting healthcare professionals for a one-time 20-minute phone interview for a research study about how to improve person-centred osteoarthritis (OA) care. During the interview, we will ask you for your perspectives, experiences, and recommendations regarding strategies to improve care for immigrant women affected by osteoarthritis.

    You are eligible for this study if you:
    — Are a family physician, nurse practitioner, or community pharmacist who works with patients with osteoarthritis
    OR
    — Are a healthcare executive, healthcare manager, or policymaker who oversees osteoarthritis services

    For more information or to express interest in participating, please contact the study coordinator, Madeline Theodorlis, by email: madeline.theodorlis@uhn.ca. Please note that information sent by email may be accessible by external parties and therefore not entirely secure. Many thanks for your consideration.”

    Hamilton FHT Green Initiative’s Cancer Screening, Nov. 2 or 10, 2022

    Led by Dr. Meghan Davis, Ontario Health’s Regional Primary Care Lead (Cancer Screening). Find out more here.

    ONCA A Year Later: the 100 Most Asked Questions, Nov. 10, 2022
    Hosted by Community Legal Education Ontario, who have compiled the most frequently asked questions into a database and want to share what they have learned. Register here.

    Highlights and implications of the Ontario Science Table’s brief on primary care, Nov. 30

    On October 3, 2022, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (OST) released its final brief, a 3-part exploration of how primary care responded to and was affected by the pandemic, and implications for ongoing health system planning and policy. In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of primary healthcare experts who contributed to that brief, as they share some of the most significant findings and implications. Register here.

    MyPractice: Primary Care Report: Using Data for Improvement – a focus on using the opioid prescribing indicators to drive improvements in patient care, Nov. 10, 2022
    Ontario Health is hosting a webinar for primary care providers on using the opioid prescribing indicators in the MyPractice: Primary Care report to drive improvements in patient care. This 1-credit-per-hour Group Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 1.0 Mainpro+Ⓡ credits. The program is part of a series that has been certified for up to 4 Mainpro+ credits. Register here.

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario’s online learning portal for person centred decision making
    The Modules are intended for Clinician Competency Training on Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning, and Goals of Care conversations. Learners will move beyond advancing their knowledge and attitudes to develop clinical skills. Learn more here.