Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Mental Health Care

  • Bits & Pieces: Q & A with CMHA, initial groups getting the COVID vaccine and more

    Bits & Pieces: Q & A with CMHA, initial groups getting the COVID vaccine and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Q& A with CMHA, Dec. 18, 2020
    • COVID-19 vaccine update
    • Hope for Christmas video
    • Perkopolis for AFHTO members
    • Resources for crisis and more
    • Complicated grief and COVID-19: slides and videos
    • Access to clean drinking water to all First Nation and Inuit communities
    • Reminder- IHP experience during COVID study
    • Systems navigator graduate certificate student placement request
    • OTF resilient communities fund- update on eligibility
    • Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network newsletter available
    • SDOH tools from PHO
    • Study: RD beliefs and behaviours on physical activity counselling
    • Upcoming events on coping with the holidays and more

    Q& A with CMHA, Dec. 18, 2020

    At the end of the COVID-19 wellness series: building your team’s psychological PPE, there will be a Q&A session on Dec. 18. This will be a wrap up of the previous sessions and an opportunity for a live Q&A with CMHA staff around resources, supports and questions for staff mental health. Register here.

    You can also still register for the sessions below:

    Mental Health and Telecommuting, Dec 10, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

    Register: Click here

    Isolation and Loneliness, Dec 15, 2020 02:00 PM EDT

    Register: Click here

    Mindfulness at Work, Dec 17, 2020 1:00 PM EDT

    Register: Click here  

    Learn more here.

     

    COVID-19 vaccine update

    As you are aware, yesterday the government released a news release identifying the key groups for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. Aligned with the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, early vaccine doses will go to:

    • Residents, staff, essential caregivers, and other employees of congregate living settings (e.g., long-term care homes and retirement homes) that provide care for seniors as they are at higher risk of infection and serious illness from COVID-19;
    • Health care workers, including hospital employees, other staff who work or study in hospitals, and other health care personnel;
    • Adults in Indigenous communities, including remote communities where risk of transmission is high; and
    • Adult recipients of chronic home health care.

    Our understanding is that the definition of health care workers is very broad and will include primary and community care providers though we continue to seek clarity on this.

    To ensure there is a strong primary care voice to the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force led by General Rick Hillier, AFHTO has been working collaboratively with our primary care partners to advocate and provide solution-focused ideas so that primary care is at the forefront of the community vaccine deployment. The work is rapidly moving and ever changing but in the next few days we will be sharing some of the activities under way. Please stay tuned.

    Hope for Xmas- Dr. Sean Blaine

     

    Hope for Christmas video

    STAR FHT’s Dr. Sean Blaine has released his latest YouTube video There’s Hope for Christmas. With over 3400 views already, you may wish to share this with your patients through your social media channels.

     

     

    Dec perks

    Perkopolis for AFHTO members

    While we certainly encourage you to #shoplocal for your everyday needs and holiday gifts, we would be remiss if we didn’t remind you AFHTO members are eligible to sign up for free access to over 5000 perks through Perkopolis. Get discounts on shopping, attractions and more.

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

     

     

    Resources for crisis and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Complicated grief and COVID-19 slide

    Complicated grief and COVID-19: slides and videos

    Espanola and Area FHT and Powassan and Area FHT organized mental health sessions for teams in the north east. The webinar series presents helpful and practical tools to use when patients are experiencing physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering as they cope with complicated grief. Special attention is directed to ways for health care providers to support themselves and coworkers during this pandemic.

    The presentation decks and recordings available to date are on our site.

    Access to clean drinking water to all First Nation and Inuit communities

    The Alliance for Healthier Communities’ Board of Directors has issued a statement and written a letter to the Prime Minister calling for the government to hold itself accountable to its promise for clean drinking water to all First Nation and Inuit communities.

    If you wish to participate in this call to action, you can use this letter template (in English and French). You can tailor it and use it to send letters to your MPs to urge the government to accelerate the work on this issue and provide clear timelines and funding commitments.

    Reminder- IHP experience during COVID study

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

    Click on the link here to complete the web-based survey.

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

    Systems navigator graduate certificate student placement request

    To be eligible for admission, students must possess a bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma or diploma in health, or social/community or other health-related or human services field.  

    Humber College students are prepared to work across various health/community service systems to guide and assist patients, clients and families through complex health and social care systems. Placement runs from May 3rd – June 11th, 2021 and students are to complete 240 hours (full-time, 8hrs/day for 6 weeks) of unpaid internship. Should you be interested, email Stephanie.Montemarano@humber.ca by no later than Feb 15, 2021.

    OTF resilient communities fund- update on eligibility

    We regret to inform our members that we’ve recently been notified FHTs are in fact not eligible to apply for the OTF Resilient Communities Fund. Although we had originally been informed that our teams could qualify, upon further investigation Section 3.3 of the document states that “subsidization of government mandated positions or activities” is considered ineligible, and it appears that is where they see FHTs fitting.

    There is nothing in the online eligibility criteria list that directly excludes FHTs like it does call out hospitals, municipalities, etc., and we have engaged in lengthy conversations to determine if there is any way to make FHTs eligible but unfortunately, we have not been successful in these discussions. This is obviously very disappointing and frustrating for all of us. We sincerely apologize for acting on bad information and for creating any unnecessary workload for our members. If you have any questions or would like chat further, please contact Bryn.Hamilton@afhto.ca.

    Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network newsletter available

    Every month, Ontario Health’s (Cancer Care Ontario) Provincial Primary Care and Cancer Network (PPCCN) sends out an electronic newsletter to any interested primary care provider in Ontario. The electronic newsletter provides regular prevention and cancer screening updates on topics such as the fecal immunochemical test, upcoming educational opportunities, and regional activities which may be relevant to you or your staff.

    Here is a copy of the most recent newsletter.

    If interested in receiving the monthly newsletter, please contact the Primary Care and Lung Screening team at Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) to subscribe: PrimaryCareInquiries@ontariohealth.ca.

    SDOH tools from PHO

    Study: RD beliefs and behaviours on physical activity counselling
    “Registered dietitians’ beliefs and behaviours related to counselling patients on physical activity and sedentary behaviour from a theory of planned behaviour perspective”- BMC Nutrition article by University of Guelph researchers on Nov. 30

    Coping with the Holidays: A Family Survival Guide, Dec. 14, 2020
    Caregivers of someone living with mental health issues are invited to this webinar held by IAM.
    Click here to learn more

    ECHO Pain, Liver and Rheumatology, Jan. 07 – Dec. 09, 2021
    View the newest ECHO offerings starting in January at UHN.
    Register here.

    Morning Rounds and Lunch & Learns with ECHO Child Youth Mental Health, Jan. 12 – Jan. 14, 2021
    From depression, anxiety and parent-child relationships in toddlers, children or adolescents- join the CHEO as they cover it all in these sessions.
    Learn more here.

    ECHO Ontario Conference, Jan. 29, 2021
    Registration is open for Improving Access and Equity in Healthcare through the ECHO Model. See agenda and details here.

  • Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 vaccine, wellness series for members and more

    Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 vaccine, wellness series for members and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Changing the way we work – COVID-19 vaccine, public health collaboration, and supporting our teams
    • COVID-19 wellness series: building your team’s psychological PPE
    • Members’ stories including 12 days of Christmas
    • Addition of FluMist to the universal influenza immunization program and more
    • Reminder- The CONCEPT study survey
    • 2021 Alliance Conference call for proposals
    • Upcoming events on pediatric asthma and more

    Changing the way we work – COVID-19 vaccine, public health collaboration, and supporting our teams

    The next meeting of the COVID-19 CoP of Ontario Family Physicians on Dec. 11 will focus on the COVID vaccine. Learn more here.

    COVID-19 wellness series: building your team’s psychological PPE

    We recognize that the pandemic has impacted our teams and continues to impact you in many ways. PPE has been critical during the pandemic to help protect teams’ physical wellbeing; however, the “psychological PPE” is crucial to protect teams’ mental well being.

    Coping with the stress in a healthy manner will allow for you to take care of yourself and in return take care of patients. To support your mental well being, AFHTO has partnered with CMHA’s Mental Health Works program to provide 4 workshops to help build your “psychological PPE”.

    Health Anxiety, Dec 7, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

    Register: Click here

    Mental Health and Telecommuting, Dec 10, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

    Register: Click here

    Isolation and Loneliness, Dec 15, 2020 02:00 PM EDT

    Register: Click here

    Mindfulness at Work, Dec 17, 2020 1:00 PM EDT

    Register: Click here  

    Please share the workshop registration information with your team! For more information on the webinar series please click here.

    12 days of Christmas PSFHT

    Members’ stories including 12 days of Christmas

    Cochrane FHT– making Christmas merry for LTC residents

    Parry Sound FHT– since the usual Christmas parties are cancelled, Parry Sound FHT is trying something else – 12 Days of Christmas

    Starting on Dec 9th, Staff/MD participating in the “theme of the day”, are eligible to win prizes. Details will be on posters around the clinic. This staff/MD appreciation initiative is funded by the PSFHT, and two FHOs, and will be supporting 24 local Parry Sound businesses.

    Just a thought if you’d like to celebrate with your teams and foster community spirit as we go into an unusual holiday season.

     

     

     

     

    Addition of FluMist to the universal influenza immunization program and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    The CONCEPT study survey

    Reminder- The CONCEPT study survey

    Coordinating Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Evaluation of Providers’ Perspectives of their Practices

    You are invited to participate in an exciting research endeavour evaluating existing care coordination practices in Ontario and how

    they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CONCEPT study will evaluate providers’ perspectives on current care coordination practices for patients with multiple comorbidities, and modifications made during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
     
    If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a 10-minute survey. You are asked to answer each question based on your opinion of the care coordination provided at your FHT or community-based primary care health centre before and during COVID-19.

    If you have any questions, please contact  Joanne Permaul, Study Coordinator, at jpermaul@msh.on.ca or Dr. Donatus Mutasingwa, Principal Investigator, at dmutasingwa@msh.on.ca.

    2021 Alliance Conference call for proposals

    For the first time ever, the Alliance for Healthier Communities will host their conference online. Join on June 16-17, 2021 for Power in Community.

    The call for workshop proposals is open. Visit their website to review the conference criteria, priority topics, formats and terms and conditions. Deadline for submissions is January 8, 2021.

    CMHO Burnout webinars, Nov. 27-Dec. 4, 2020

    Pediatric Asthma Webinar Series, Dec. 2, 2020
    Register for the final webinar in the series, titled Managing a Child with Severe Chronic Asthma. Click here to register and access the link to past webinar recordings in the series.

    COPD Update 2020: Primary Care Perspective, Dec. 8, 2020

    Discuss COPD management in primary care with Dr. Anthony D’Urzo and the Lung Health Foundation.
    Register here.

    PHO Rounds: COVID-19 and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents
    Understand children’s mental health in a global to local through the pandemic, and the potential impacts that public health measures may lead to. Find out more here.

    ECHO Ontario Mental Health- Winter Programs, Jan. 11 – Mar 30, 2021

    CAMH has released their winter programming schedule. Deadline Dec. 4.
    Learn more here.

  • COVID-19 Wellness Series: Building Your Team’s Psychological PPE

    Dear AFHTO Members,

    We recognize that the pandemic has impacted our teams and continues to impact you many ways. PPE has been critical during the pandemic to help protect teams’ physical wellbeing; however, the “psychological PPE” is crucial to protect teams’ mental well being. Coping with the stress in a healthy manner will allow for you to take care of yourself and in return take care of patients. To support your mental well being, AFHTO has partnered with Mental Health Works to provide 4 workshops to help build your “psychological PPE”.

    Mental Health Works is a nationwide social enterprise of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division. It provides capacity-building workshops, presentations and webinars that are person-centred, evidence based, and solutions-focused.

    Mental Health Works will be offering 4 workshops for all AFHTO members, facilitated by Lawrence Blake, Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Program Manager, Mental Health Works. Below is a brief description of the workshops, dates & times, and links to register.

    Health Anxiety

    This session is all about how a pandemic can cause intense feelings of anxiety regarding our health and the health of our loved ones and friends. Using evidence-based methods, it will impart skills employers and staff can use in the context of business resumption to mitigate anxiety about returning to the workplace in a latent COVID-19 environment.

    When: Dec 7, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

    Length: 1 hour

    Register: Click here

     

    Mental Health and Telecommuting

    With telework becoming more common during the COVID-19 pandemic, this session addresses the unique challenges this brings to caring for and about employee mental health. It will provide a high-level overview on how we can build psychologically healthy and safe workplaces when the place of work is the home.

    When: Dec 10, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

    Length: 1 hour

    Register: Click here

     

    Isolation and Loneliness

    This session provides a high-level overview of how isolation and loneliness affect work, the workplace and our mental health. It focuses specifically on the experience of enforced isolation due to physical distancing measures, and provides concrete tools that can be used to mitigate the stress this causes.

    When: Dec 15, 2020 02:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

    Length: 1 hour

    Register: Click here

     

    Mindfulness at Work

    This session talks about mindfulness, what it is, what we can do to achieve it, and introduces staff to skills that can be used to improve health, wellness and performance. Being more mindful of our thoughts and feelings enables better conversation.

    When: Dec 17, 2020 01:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT

    Length: 1 hour

    Register: Click here  

     

    Q&A with CMHA 

    This session will be a wrap up of all the sessions above and an opportunity for a live Q&A with CMHA staff around resources, supports and questions for staff mental health. 

    When: Dec 18, 2020 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM EDT

    Length: 1 hour

    Register: Click here  

    Please share the workshop registration information with your team! For more information on the webinar series please click here.

    Take care.

    Thanks,
    AFHTO

     

  • Follow-up on ED check-in calls – and additional tools and resources

    Dear triad members,

    We had our regional ED check-in calls on November 17 and 18. This is a follow-up communique with the material promised on the calls, and some additional reminders, tools, and resources.

    Mental health and wellbeing

    • We are pleased to share that the federal government is providing one-time mental health and addictions funding to help alleviate the increase in demand and a backlog of services due to COVID-19. Approximately $3 million will be distributed to interprofessional primary care teams, including AHACs, CHCs, FHTs, and NPLCs, to increase access to mental health and addictions supports for patients in Q4.
      • All FHTs will receive a minimum of $5,000, with a top-up based on roster size, to be used in Q4. Funding distribution is in the final stages of approval, and we expect teams to receive it by end of year. Teams can choose to pool this funding within regions to target areas in greatest need.
    • We continue to post resources on our mental health and wellbeing page. Please check them out and encourage your staff do so as well. These are very challenging times, and we hope these resources give a bit of guidance and support.

    AFHTO’s OHT and KTE supports

    • AFHTO conducted seven polls on the calls to get a sense of work on the ground and where supports are needed or should focus. The results of the polls can be seen here.
    • AFHTO heard loud and clear that a webinar series on OHTs would be helpful! We will organize these now and kick them off in the new year. Please email topic suggestions to Bryn Hamilton.
    • We will also begin organizing KTE webinars based on your poll feedback. The top four areas of interest were patient/caregiver engagement, mental health, digital equity, and social determinants of health. If you have ideas for KTE topics, please send them to Sandeep Gill.

    #PrimaryCareAlwaysThere

    • We are speaking up against the narrative that primary care was or is closed during the pandemic. This includes communicating the benefits of virtual and in-person care – and that virtual care is care.
    • The Twitter campaign is #PrimaryCareAlwaysThere. We encourage you share stories about how your teams supported your patients and communities and use the hashtag. Let us also know so we can share your examples with our ministry and OH colleagues during our discussions.
    • Thank you to all who participated in our summer research about how primary care stepped up. Taking what we learned, we created Crossing Chasms: Primary Care Teams’ Response to COVID-19 to show the great work done by our teams. We also created a video. Please share this widely, and keep letting us know how you are supporting your communities so we can continue to highlight how pivotal primary care is in the pandemic response.

    Microsoft Teams discount

    • AFHTO has been exploring a group purchase of Microsoft Teams for a member discount. We have learned that the summer survey AFHTO conducted has indicated that the number of users was not enough for us to qualify for Microsoft Canada’s affiliate program.
    • Ontario Health, as part of their digital strategy, is in negotiations with Microsoft Canada on an agreement to offer Microsoft 365 (which includes Teams) at a discount to healthcare providers and organizations. The discount will be extended to the broader healthcare sector, and AFHTO has initiated conversations with Ontario Health about offering this discount to AFHTO members. An update will be provided in January.

    QSC patient advisor application

    • AFHTO is recruiting a patient advisor representative for the AFHTO quality steering committee (QSC). Our hope is for the advisor to be a patient of one of our teams!
    • More information is here. Please consider speaking with patients who you think may be interested and circulating this across your team.

    Primary care patient/client and provider virtual care experience surveys

    • In August, we launched the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey for teams to capture the patient experience with virtual care. AFHTO is collecting teams’ aggregate responses to create a narrative of how virtual care could be permanently included in the patient care journey – click here to submit your data!
    • There is also a patient/client survey created by Women’s College Hospital Institute of Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV), who is conducting a third-party evaluation of virtual care in the COVID-19 era on behalf of the ministry. You can provide the survey link to patients.
    • WIHV is also conducting a third-party evaluation of virtual care in the COVID-19 era on behalf of the ministry to measure the provider experience on virtual care. Please share this short 10-15 minute online survey with all providers on your team.
    • Both WIHV surveys include the opportunity to enter a draw to win one of four $50 gift cards to the Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, or Amazon. Your participation will remain anonymous and confidential.
      • If you have any questions or would like to share your current virtual patient/client survey results with WIHV, please email rebecca.liu@wchospital.ca.
      • Please reach out to jamie.fujioka@wchospital.ca if you have any questions or concerns about the provider experience survey.
    • This research is important as the ministry looks at the future of virtual care – please spread the word, and we encourage you to participate!

    Friendly reminders

    • A new agency called Supply Ontario has been created to centralize government procurement, including stabilizing access to PPE for the long term. The goal is to have the inaugural board in place early in the new year. In the meantime, a reminder that primary care can access the provincial stockpile. Even if you have more than 7 days of stock, you can access the pandemic PPE transitional support and send any questions to your regional supply chain lead.
    • The Physiotherapy Clinical Education Team at Queen’s is coordinating clinical placements for 2021. If any teams have a PT in place and would be able to supervise a student, please email Melanie Law at lawm@queensu.ca.
    • Please send your AOP to the ministry as soon as able. While there is no set deadline on it, we encourage teams aim to submit in before the end of the year.

    This was our last round of ED check-in calls for 2020, and we look forward to connecting in the new year.

    We thank and applaud you for your persistence and commitment to delivering the best quality primary care during very trying times. We hope you, your staff, and your friends and families find some down time next month to rest.

    Please reach any time with questions or suggestions on how we can continue to support you.

    Stay well,

    Your AFHTO team 

  • Bits & Pieces: apply for messaging pilots, free registration for legal webinars and more

    Bits & Pieces: apply for messaging pilots, free registration for legal webinars and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Teams can apply for messaging pilots
    • Enter to win free registration to Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams series
    • Mental Health Works modules available from CMHA Ontario
    • Urgent need for physio student placement
    • Quality standard placemats- low back pain and osteoarthritis
    • Recommendations for resuming spirometry, Supply Ontario & PPE, and more
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist job descriptions
    • Upcoming events on increasing older adults’ access to care and more

    Sustaining virtual care-Dr. Ed Brown

    Teams can apply for messaging pilots

    Primary care teams are eligible to apply for funding for tech licenses and fee-for-service messaging as part of Ontario Health’s COVID‐19 funded projects. If you are interested, please contact Vivian Henderson – vhenderson@otn.ca. As a bonus, you can also see Dr. Ed Brown’s recent presentation on sustaining virtual care here.

     

    Enter to win free registration to Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams series

    AFHTO members have the chance to win one (1) free registration to the 2021 Legal Issues for Primary Care Teams series, with Kate Dewhirst and Maria McDonald. Topics include employment law, OHTs, employees as patients and more. The deadline to enter is Nov. 27, 2020. A winner will be randomly drawn and announced Dec. 1, 2020. Enter today!

    Mental Health Works modules available from CMHA Ontario

    Mental Health Works is a nationwide social enterprise of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division. It offers 13 individual ‘essentials’ training modules that provide workplaces tools to foster mental wellness. Topics range from depression and anxiety, to substance use and addictions, to trauma, to psychological health and safety.

    Urgent need for physio student placement –request from Dr. Jane Philpott

    The Physiotherapy Clinical Education Team at Queen’s is in the process of coordinating clinical placements for 2021. Learning opportunities have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 and they are now reaching out for support from clinical partners across the province.

    Does your team have a PT who could supervise a student? Read here to find out what’s required.

    Quality standard placemats- low back pain and osteoarthritis

    In response to feedback from primary care, Ontario Health (Quality) has shared a newly developed tool called the Quality Standard (QS) Placemat. The placemat is a quick-reference tool that concisely summarizes key information from its corresponding quality standard in an at-a-glance format.

    Since acute low back pain and osteoarthritis represent two of the most common clinical conditions in the primary care setting, their first placemats have focused on these. They’re posted on Quorum.

    They also have a list of tools and resources that support the implementation of quality standards related to pain and associated symptoms, including chronic pain, low back pain, and osteoarthritis.

    Recommendations for resuming spirometry, Supply Ontario & PPE, and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Registered Respiratory Therapist job descriptions
    Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario has recently released RRT job descriptions across multiple settings. They are now listed as a resource in our library of organizational policies & procedures page -Staff roles, recruitment and development.

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

    Increasing older adults’ access to care: Lessons learned from the pandemic response, Nov. 25, 2020
    In this webinar hosted by CAMH, Sara Bhatti , Alliance for Healthier Communities and Alvis Choi, Yet Keen Seniors’ Day Centre describe specific responses taken by CHCs to address the needs of older adults during the pandemic. Register here.

    Cultural Safety and Indigenous Partnership, Nov. 27, 2020
    Join the first webinar of this Virtual Learning Exchange in Primary Care series held by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. Learn more here.

    End of Life with ALS and assisted non-invasive ventilation, Dec. 1, 2020
    This webinar is the first of a 3-part webinar series on End-of-Life. Learn more alongside the HPCO and Proresp starting on Dec. 1. Find out more here.

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

     

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

     

    Allan Grill

     

    Address from incoming president Dr. Allan Grill

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

     

     

     

     

     

    #AFHTO2020: following up

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

    Immediate need for case and contact management

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

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

    COVID-19 EMR screening tool

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

    Elliott Lake FHT: ELFHT marks first anniversary of Virtual Clinic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    COVID-19 checklist for primary care and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

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

    Advanced Privacy Officer Training, Nov. 3, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

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

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

    With sessions like:

    There’s so much for them to learn.

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

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo

     

    Electronic Asthma Management System demo slides and video available

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

     

     

    BEACON iCBT provincial program – resources & demonstration Sep. 24

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

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

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

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

    Updated symptoms reference and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Member access to conference recordings

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

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

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

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

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

    Learning and improvement collaboratives for Ontario Health Teams

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

    Learn more about how you can participate.

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

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

    New quality standard for problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

    Matt Anderson

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: panels and on-demand sessions

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Kids In Crisis Town Hall, September 17

    Kids In Crisis Town Hall

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

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

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

    Reminder: COVID-19 ED Surveys end soon

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

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

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

    Flu vaccine guidance and more

    Updates recently released include:

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

    Recently published PHO resources

    Two new quality standards on asthma

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

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

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

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

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

    Digital Health and Virtual Care Day, Oct 1. 2020

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

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

    Governing through COVID-19

    Governing through COVID-19 and beyond slides and video available

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

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

    Additional tools that may be of interest include:

    Minister Christine Elliott

     

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: concurrent sessions and Minister Elliott

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

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

     

    IHP Sessions: last call for leads

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

    but still need volunteers for the following professions:

    • Psychologists
    • Physician assistants
    • Administrative
    • Health promoters

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

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

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

    Updated primary care guidance, sick notes and more

    Updates released within the last week include:

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

    GoodLife reopening- existing rates extended until November 14
    GoodLife rates for AFHTO members were due to increase at the end of May, but because of closures due to COVID, existing – annual (paid in full) rates of $519 and biweekly rates of $24- have been extended until November 14. Those with existing GoodLife memberships should have already received emails from GoodLife. Phasing updates by region are available on their site here.

    To take advantage of discounted rates, you need a membership ID assigned by AFHTO. Automatically assigned to those on the ‘Bits & Pieces’ mailing list, these are sent to GoodLife monthly near the end of the month. To get your ID or be put on the list for one, please email info@afhto.ca.

    As of November 15, annual (paid in full) rates will be $619 and biweekly rates $25.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

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

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

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

    Your Weekly News & Updates

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

    AFHTO 2020 registration open

    Helen Bevan Dr. Jane Philpott

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

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

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

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

    211 webinar

    211 Ontario slides and video available

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

     

     

     

    The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams

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

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

    Ontario releases COVID-19 management plan for schools and more

    Several updates have been released within the last week including:

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

    Engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey

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

    NPs can now sign for medication samples

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

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

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

    Osgoode Professional Development discount for members

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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