Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: Patient Engagement

  • Bits & Pieces: tomorrow #AFHTO2022 early bird deadline and more

    Bits & Pieces: tomorrow #AFHTO2022 early bird deadline and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Tomorrow is the #AFHTO2022 early bird deadline
    • AFHTO annual report featuring your stories
    • OurCare national survey launched
    • School immunization programs
    • Wellness check: dealing with transitions and managing stress materials
    • Bill 7 implementation memo and more
    • Reminder- UpToDate price changes coming in October
    • Next B&P after #AFHTO2022
    • Feedback requested on new quality standards – surgical site infections and eating disorder
    • Upcoming events including IPAC and more

     

    Tomorrow is the #AFHTO2022 early bird deadline

    AFHTO 2022 Conference logo- background is multicoloured streaks going towards an abstract event horizon

     

    After tomorrow, registration fees increase for both in-person and virtual.

    2021-2022 annual report with afhto logo. Title is reconnect & reimagine: moving forward together. The background colour is a yellow gradient and there are member submitted pictures.

     

     

    AFHTO annual report featuring your stories

    We released our 2022 annual report in the notice for our annual general meeting sent to the triad yesterday. Read for a reflection on the ways primary care teams have continued to rise to current challenges and lead the way in future health and social care delivery.

     

     

     

     

    OurCare national survey launched

    Dr. Tara Kiran, a researcher from MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Unity Health Toronto), and St. Michael’s Hospital Academic FHT physician, is leading an important project on the future of primary care. As part of the project, she is conducting a research survey to hear from people across Canada about their experiences and priorities. Study findings will be shared with policymakers and used to shape a blueprint for the future of primary care in Canada.

    Help the study team hear from as many people as possible. Use these materials to encourage patients and the public to take the 15-minute research survey.

    School immunization programs

    Due to the pandemic, there have been disruptions to school-based vaccine programs in Ontario. The Ministry of Health put out a guidance document to communicate the extended eligibility for publicly funded vaccines for school-based programs and there are informational webinars coming up to learn more about the issue.

    Click here to register for upcoming events and to view resources regarding vaccines for school-aged children.

    Wellness check: dealing with transitions and managing stress materials

    We cohosted this webinar with CMHA on Sep. 15. Due to the sensitive and interactive nature, no recording is available, but you can access the worksheet and other resources here.

    Bill 7 implementation memo and more

    Recent updates include:

    • RE: Bill 7 Implementation to Support Ontario’s Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery- EN and FR– MLTC, MOH and OH, Sep. 14, 2022
    • Appendix: Summary of ALC Regulation Changes- EN and FR– Sep. 14, 2022
    • LTCH Admissions for ALC Patients Field Guidance for Placement Co-ordinators – EN and FR– Sep. 14, 2022

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

    Reminder- UpToDate price changes coming in October

    AFHTO members are able to save on an individual subscription to UpToDate® and optional add-on products. (*Savings on annual and longer subscriptions only and based on subscription type).

    WoltersKluwer has informed us a price increase will go into effect October 1 for members, so now would be a good time to subscribe.

    EDs and Admin leads, if you need additional information to access these discounts, please email info@afhto.ca.

    Next B&P after #AFHTO2022

    Staff will be busy preparing to welcome you to the conference next week, so the next newsletter will be sent Oct. 18-19, the week after the conference.

    Feedback requested on new quality standards – surgical site infections and eating disorder

    AFHTO 2022 Conference, Oct. 12, 2022

    Join your peers from across Ontario and beyond as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together.

    Members get more than 50% off registration. Register with your verification code here.

    Community of Practice: Infection Prevention and Control in Primary Care, Oct. 4- 31, 2022

    Quarterly (CoP) meetings hosted by Public Health Ontario to support Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) programs in Primary Care settings.  

    Sessions will be held on several dates and times for different regions. Find out more here.

    Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day, Oct. 14, 2022

    In-person at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Find out more here.

    Social Prescribing Conference: Current Practices & Community Conversations, Oct. 20, 2022
    Virtual conference hosted by the Alliance. Find out more here.

    Practical Evidence for Informed Practice, Oct. 21-22, 2022
    Family medicine rapid fire conference. Find out more here.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #118: Cancer Screening Program Updates and Team Initiatives

    In this Issue:

    • Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Changes
    • Ontario Cervical Screening Program Recommendations
    • Screening Activity Report
    • Continuing Professional Development Modules
    • Cancer Screening Initiatives in Teams
    • Upcoming Webinar

     

    Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Changes
    Content below developed by Ontario Health

    The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) and the Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) are pleased about amendments to Regulation 543 under the Healing Arts Radiation and Protection Act and Regulation 107/96 under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, which will allow nurse practitioners (NPs) to order computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans as of July 1, 2022.
     
    As of July 1, 2022, NPs will be able to:

    • Refer individuals to the High Risk OBSP. The updated referral form will be available on July 1st and can be found here.
    • Manage unattached OBSP participants with abnormal results.
    • Authorize OBSP sites to arrange all assessment tests required for OBSP participants.  
    • Refer individuals to the OLSP. The updated referral form can be found here.

     
    NPs are still able to provide colonoscopy referrals for the ColonCancerCheck program. Ontario Health helps people with an abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result who don’t have a primary care provider find a provider to refer them for a follow up colonoscopy. If an NP would like to put their name on the Ontario Health list to support unattached patients with abnormal FIT results, they can complete the CCC Attachment form found here.  
     
    Further information about the OBSP can be found here in English and French.
    Further information about the OLSP can be found here in English and French.

    Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP) Recommendations
    Content below developed by Ontario Health

    The OCSP now formally recommends that people with the following cervical screening results repeat their cytology test in 12 months instead of in 6 months:

    • A first time low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) result
    • An LSIL or ASCUS result followed by a normal result

     
    The OCSP originally released these evidence-based recommendations to support the gradual resumption of cervical screening services during COVID-19. We are now formalizing the change to our screening recommendations. Please see the fulsome screening recommendation summary that can be found here. For evidence to support this recommendation, please see: www.cancercareontario.ca/repeatcytologyinterval
     
    Ontario Health is working with Ontario labs that provide cervical screening testing to update the relevant cytology result reports, so they reflect this recommendation change. Please reach out to cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca if you have any questions.

    Screening Activity Report
    Content below developed by Ontario Health

    The Screening Activity Report (SAR) is an electronic audit and feedback tool for patient enrolment model (PEM) physicians. The SAR supports PEM physicians with improving screening participation and follow-up rates for Ontario’s three organized screening programs:

    • Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)
    • Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)
    • ColonCancerCheck (CCC)

    Information and tools to support using the SAR can be found on: cancercareontario.ca/SAR

    Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Modules
    Content below developed by Ontario Health

    The following cancer screening Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules are available for providers:

    • Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): A Non-Invasive Test for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening
    • Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Follow-Up and Surveillance
    • Lung Cancer Screening for People at High Risk (for applicable providers)

     
    Each module has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for 1 Mainpro+ Group Learning credit. If you are interested in a presentation of these new modules, please contact your Regional Cancer Program or your Regional Primary Care Lead.  Information about the Regional Cancer Programs can be found here.

    Cancer Screening Initiatives in Teams

    Preventative Care Text Reminders at Marathon Family Health Team
    Content below developed by Marathon Family Health Team

    Text reminders have been used for over 2 years at Marathon FHT to remind consenting patients the day before a scheduled clinic appointment. Aside from a small percentage of cell phone numbers being no longer valid when reminders are sent, the process has been going smoothly and reduced the administrative time needed to make reminder calls.  

    Given the success with general appointment reminders, in 2021 the team looked to expand the text reminder system to preventative care recall. In the fall of 2021, it was used first to notify patients aged 65+ of flu shot clinics.  Then in December 2021, the first set of text reminders was sent out to 31 patients due or overdue for Pap testing.  While the uptake from flu shot reminders has not been tracked, 7 (22.6%) of the patients receiving Pap reminders contacted the clinic within 2 weeks to book a Pap. Text reminders have also been successful in encouraging patients due for mammograms to book appointments with the Screen for Life Coach; last spring the booking staff for the coach confirmed that several patients called for appointments following the text reminder notifications of upcoming visits of the coach to our rural northern community.

    In all cases, the reminders are short and offer the option to opt out of preventative care reminders while retaining the usual clinic appointment reminders. Staff ensure that patient cell phone numbers are recorded in the cell phone field in the EMR (OSCAR) and consent for reminders is recorded in a previously unused demographic field now named “SMS consent”.  Patients opting out of specific preventative care reminders have that recorded under the specific prevention as “never remind”.

    Sample messages are as follows:
    MFHT Pap reminder: Email appointments@mfht.org or call 807-229-3243 to book a Pap. To opt out of Pap reminders CALL the clinic 807-229-3243
    MFHT reminder: Screen for Life Coach in Marathon June/Sep call 1-800-461-7031 to book a mammogram.  To opt out of mammogram reminders CALL the clinic 807-229-3243

    To learn more about this initiative please contact Margaret Cousins at mcousins@mfht.ca.

    Portal Messages at West Carleton Family Health Team
    Content below developed by West Carleton Family Health Team

    West Carleton FHT utilizes population health methods, namely EMR reminders, the newsletter and portal messages (note that 72% of patients at this FHT are registered on the portal) to inform patients that they are (or may be) (over)due and how to book/request the test. For the portal specifically, the health promoter runs a search to pull the list of eligible patients that are due then sends a mass portal message. Here is the response rate by cancer screening program:

    • For the FIT, over the last 2 times the portal messages were sent, 20.7% of the patients receiving those messages requested the test (370 requests out of 1,791 messages).
    • For Paps, the portal messages are staggered until the pap clinic slots are filled. During the latest pap clinic, 20.8% of the patients that received a message booked an appointment on the portal (49 appointments booked online out of 236 messages).
    • For mammography, over the last 2 times the portal messages were sent, the rate of messages read was 78.7% after 3 weeks and 52.4% after 2 weeks respectively (708 and 418 messages sent respectively).

    To learn more about this initiative please contact Charles Bruntz at charles.bruntz@esfam.ca.

    Email Communications to Engage Patients
    Content below developed by Southlake Academic Family Health Team

    Southlake Academic Family Health Team has made tremendous strides in the digital era produced by COVID-19. They have seen that email communication has been a very effective strategy to engage patients and provide them with important updates related to their health. Adapting successes from their vaccination clinics, the team is emailing education materials and newsletters to patients who are overdue for cervical cancer screening using resources from CognisantMD Ocean portal, AFHTO, Cancer Care Ontario, clinicians, and peers. These emails include a direct link to book appointments online with their providers for a Pap test. Based on past experiences, the team expects about 50% engagement from the email campaign, with 10-30% of these patients self-initiating an appointment with the team.

    To learn more about this initiative please contact Peter Nguyen at pnguyen@southlakeregional.org.  

    Content below developed by New Vision Family Health Team

    New Vision Family Health Team is actively emailing patients who have email addresses that they are due and providing them a link to book online with the NP during NP clinics. During Pap visits the team ensures that patients due for mammograms or FIT/colonoscopies are being provided requisitions or requisitions are being sent at that time. The team is actively tracking these conversations within the Pap stamp and utilizing the patient newsletter to remind patients of these screenings, letting them know they will receive a letter in the mail and need to contact the clinic to set up their appointment.

    To learn more about this initiative please contact Desirée DeMelo at desiree@newvisionhealth.ca.  

    Cancer Screening Queries
    To assist teams in pulling a list of up-to-date screening-eligible patients, the QI in PC Council members have put together a few queries. Please note, these queries are designed as a starter point to be customized according to your team’s EMR and needs. They can be found here.

    Upcoming Webinar

    Advancing Equity in Cancer Screening for Gender-Diverse Clients
    June 17 from 12:30-1:30 pm
    New, gender-affirming cancer screening guidelines have been developed to support the health and wellbeing of Transgender and Non-Binary clients. Research shows that these populations have lower than average screening rates because outreach efforts often miss eligible clients; screening practices that can trigger gender dysphoria; and many clinicians experience confusion about who is eligible for cervical and breast screening. Join us on Friday, June 17, from 12:30-1:30pm for a special lunch ‘n’ learn webinar with guests from Ontario Health and Alliance member organizations to learn about the new guidelines and how the Alliance is helping to update data standards. Register here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #117 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • QI in Action eBulletin #117: Caregiver Well-Being and Supporting Older Adults

    QI in Action eBulletin #117: Caregiver Well-Being and Supporting Older Adults

    In this Issue:

    • Caregiver Well-Being and Achieving Better Health Outcomes
    • Engaging and Supporting Caregivers in Primary Care Teams
    • Transforming Primary Care for Older Canadians Living with Frailty
    • Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative
    • Upcoming Events

     

    Caregiver Well-Being and Achieving Better Health Outcomes

    Content below developed by the Ontario Caregiver Organization

    Four million caregivers across Ontario provide an estimated 75% of the care in the system, caring for family, friends, and neighbours. Caregivers are critical to our healthcare system. Reducing the risk of caregiver burn-out and supporting caregiver well-being is crucial now, more than ever. In Ontario, Covid-19 has increased caregiver burn-out, and 61% of caregivers find caregiving stressful overall, up from 49% the year before1.

    As Ontario Health Teams strive to transform health care in the province, it is critical that plans for enhanced care delivery include strategies to ensure that caregivers are recognized, included and supported in care delivery.

    There is growing evidence that caregiver well-being is an important factor in achieving the Quadruple Aim of better healthcare outcomes, better patient/caregiver experience, better staff/provider experience, and improved value/efficiencies. Well-supported caregivers are more likely to provider better care.2 Evidence shows that caregiver distress can impact patient clinical and mental health outcomes and that caregiver burnout can lead to patients requiring greater hospital usage.3

    Caregiver distress impacts the health outcomes of caregivers themselves, with evidence pointing to higher rates of stress and depression among caregivers, greater loneliness and caregivers being 16% more likely than non-caregivers to live with 2 or more long-term health conditions.4,5 Organizations and front-line providers are well positioned to engage and partner with caregivers and connect them to support for their own well-being.
    For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on caregivers in Ontario, read the OCO’s Spotlight Report
    ________
    1 Spotlight Report – The Impact of Covid-19 on Caregivers, Ontario Caregiver Organization, November 2021. https://ontariocaregiver.ca/publications/oco-spotlight-report/  
    2 Canada, a Caring Society: Action Table on Family Caregivers Informed dialogue, leading to concrete action for all Canadians NOV 2013 http://www.ccanceraction.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Family-Caregivers-Meeting-Report.pdf   
    3 Shin, J. Y., & Choi, S. W. (2020). Online interventions geared toward increasing resilience and reducing distress in family caregivers. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 14(1), 60–66. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000481
    4 Claire K. Ankuda MD, MPH,Donovan T. Maust MD, MS,Mohammed U. Kabeto MS,Ryan J. McCammon MA,Kenneth M. Langa MD, PhD,Deborah A. Levine MD, MPH (August 2017). Association Between Spousal Caregiver Well-Being and Care Recipient Healthcare Expenditures. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15039    
    5 Public Health England. (March 2021) Caring as a social determinant of health Findings from a rapid review of reviews and analysis of the GP Patient Survey. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/971115/Caring_as_a_social_determinant_report.pdf

     

    Engaging and Supporting Caregivers in Primary Care Teams

    Screenshot of title slide

    Last February we cohosted a webinar with OCO, “Engaging and Supporting Caregivers in Primary Care Teams: Working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience”. Visit our site for the video and slide deck.

     

     

     

    Transforming Primary Care for Older Canadians Living with Frailty

    Content below developed by the Geriatric Health Systems Research Group

    Members of the Geriatric Health Systems Research Group (University of Waterloo) collaborated with investigators across Canada to submit a grant to the Canadian Frailty Network. The grant focused on supporting primary care through the implementation of tools to enhance risk screening, shared decision-making, and care coordination for older adults. Situated as the patient’s medical ‘Home’, and supporting older adults throughout the whole care journey, primary care is well positioned to address frailty in a proactive, preventive, coordinated and integrated manner, reaching the most people, as early as possible.

    A key output of this grant is an implementation guide, which supports interested primary care practices with implementation at their site. See here for more information, and the step-by-step implementation guide.

    Correspondence to Dr Paul Stolee: stolee@uwaterloo.ca

    Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative

    Content below developed by the Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative

    The Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative is a diverse group of health and social service practitioners and clinicians from across Ontario who come together to share information, analyze trends, and respond collectively to the need for change and innovation in fall prevention among older adults.

    In Ontario, fall prevention initiatives for older adults vary in their scope, approach, implementation, and measurement of outcomes. The heterogeneous, fragmented nature of fall prevention efforts make it difficult to ascertain what interventions are working, how interventions can be improved and where a greater investment of resources or an increased level of co-ordination and collaboration between key stakeholders is required to maximize impact (Dr. Brian Hyndman, 2018).

    The Collaborative advances excellence in fall prevention practice by carrying out applied research and practice development activities that individual practitioners do not have the time/ capacity to address on their own. The work of the Collaborative aligns with the vision for health care in Ontario by prioritizing fall prevention among older adults and emphasizing integrated approaches.

    Current Work:
    The Collaborative completed the second phase of its work by contributing to a prioritized list of falls indicators led by Public Health Ontario as well as a review of clinical practice guidelines for falls risk screening and assessment including recommendations for action in 2022-2023. This report should be coming in the next few weeks and will be posted on the Public Health Ontario website.

    See here for Environmental Scan of Older Adult Fall Prevention Indicators.
    See here for Screening and Assessment Tools for Falls in Older Adults in Ontario.

     

    Upcoming Events
    Practical Technologies that can Enable Ageing in Place
    May 19 from 9:00-10:00 am

    Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health, and University Health Network (UHN) and Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) will be presenting on Practical Technologies that can Enable Ageing in Place on May 19, from 9:00 – 10:00am EDT. This webinar is presented by Sinai Health, in partnership with the NIA, UHN, and the Primary Care Collaborative.

    The webinar will aim to give health care professionals a better understanding of:

    1. The risks and impacts of at-home medical emergencies
    2. Why older Canadians want to age in place, now more than ever
    3. Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place

    This program has been accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) for 1 Mainpro+ credit for those who are interested.
    Register here.

    Transforming Primary Care for Older Adults Living with Frailty
    June 1 from 12:00-1:00 pm

    Investigators from the CFN funded study, “Transforming primary care for older adults living with frailty”, will share key highlights, reflections and developed resources from their implementation work in team-based primary care sites. This national project aimed to improve care for at-risk older adults across Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. The project was designed to address the following areas: consistent risk screening and assessment; care coordination and system navigation; and patient/caregiver engagement and shared decision making.
    Register here.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #116 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Help shape final recommendations for the next FHT contract! Sign up for a discussion group

    This email was sent to EDs/Admin Leads, lead clinicians and board chairs of AFHTO member teams.

    Dear triad members,
     
    Since last fall, AFHTO has been working with members and consultant Dale McMurchy to develop recommendations for the next FHT contract. The current contract expires in March 2023, and AFHTO will be providing recommended changes to the Ministry of Health this fall on behalf of our membership. Our input can influence the next stage in the evolution of interprofessional primary care.
     
    As part of the process, we have consulted with our FHT Contract Working Group (seven EDs in various models) since the beginning. We’ve held multiple consultations where we heard from well over 100 members, and we presented draft recommendations to our board in March. We have also received feedback from the ministry and kept the OMA involved in the conversations.
     
    Next, we’d like you to consider joining one of the three working groups we’re forming based on the top areas for advancement that have been identified and where further discussion is needed:
     
    Accountability and Performance Discussion Group

    • The goal is to work towards aligning current reporting and performance measures, standardizing expectations related to performance and accountability, and to have initial discussions towards laying the groundwork for developing a provincial primary care performance framework.
    • Key considerations will be the nature and timing of reporting, applicability, and level of evidence of performance measures, as well as the feasibility, effort, and resources needed.

     
    FHT/Physician Affiliation Discussion Group

    • The goal is to clarify and strengthen FHT/physician partnerships (with affiliated and possibly unaffiliated physicians) by exploring requirements for a shared agreement/MOU.
    • Key considerations for the agreement/MOU template content will include guiding principles and goals; expectations related to roles, responsibilities and outcomes; team collaboration and shared care; and use of resources.

     
    Governance Discussion Group

    • The goal is to revisit the current governance models from a lens of ensuring the boards have a diversity of skills, experience and backgrounds representative of the community served, and are responsive to health equity, community/patient needs, and patient experience.
    • Key considerations will include the minimum standards for the Governance and Compliance attestation; how Boards are held accountable for performing their fiduciary, strategic, and generative duties; the requirement for board education and training; and any additional considerations for blended salary and academic models.

     
    We would like each working group to have 8-10 members, with a mix of EDs, physicians, and board members. We also hope to include 1-2 QIDSS on the Accountability and Performance Discussion Group.
     
    These groups will review the materials developed to date and help us finalise our recommendations to the ministry. We anticipate 3 to 4 meetings for each discussion group between June and September, with the first meeting planned for early June. Timing and frequency will be determined during the first meeting, and we will work to minimize the burden.
     
    We would like to emphasise that the recommendations we develop will be submitted to and discussed with the ministry, who will make the final decisions.
     
    If you’re interested in joining one discussion group, please complete this quick survey by Friday, May 13.
     
    Any questions, please contact Bryn Hamilton at bryn.hamilton@afhto.ca.
     
    Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to these discussions.
     
    Sincerely,
    AFHTO

     

  • QI in Action eBulletin #116: Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution, QIPs 2022-2023

    In this Issue:

    • Understanding the Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution
    • Quality Improvement Plans 2022/23
    • COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Test Requisition Form
    • Did You Agree to Be Listed On Online Appointment Booking Platform Bleen?
    • Quality Standard on Transitions from Youth to Adult Health Care Services
    • Recognizing World Delirium Awareness Day
    • Developing A Practice Tool for Prescribing Cascades in Primary Care
    • Upcoming Webinars

     

    The Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution – Currently recruiting MDs and IHPs!

    AFHTO has partnered with Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft on a study focused on understanding how and in what ways primary care contributes to vaccine distribution, challenges experienced by primary care in the transition of vaccine distribution, as well as generating recommendations about primary care’s ongoing and future roles in vaccine distribution, including COVID-19 boosters.

    This study will be in the format of focus groups with EDs, MDs, NPs, nurses, QIDSS and IHPs.

    • We are actively recruiting MDs. If you are a physician interested in participating, please complete this poll.
    • We are also currently recruiting IHPs. If you are an IHP interested in participating, please complete this poll.

    For any questions, please connect with Sandeep Gill: sandeep.gill@afhto.ca.

    Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) 2022/23
    Content below developed by Ontario Health (Health Quality Ontario)

    For the past two years, Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) submissions have been on pause while organizations did the necessary work to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities and regions. It has been a difficult time. While we know focused commitment to quality is vital, we also know that our system is facing unprecedented health human resource challenges and instability related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, we want to clearly convey to you our expectations regarding your Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) for 2022/23: This year submission of your QIP to Ontario Health will be considered voluntary.  Please e-mail QIP@OntarioHealth.ca if you have any questions.  As always, the team is here to support you.

    This year’s QIPs will focus on a small number of quality issues that are important to the health care system—issues that have been particularly impacted by COVID-19 and need our attention to help support health system recovery. The small number of priority indicators in this year’s QIPs have been developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, other teams across Ontario Health, and organizational leaders like yourselves. Organizations may also choose to integrate other local issues that are of importance to their communities.  

    Priority indicators by sector are provided in the Appendix below. Supporting documents, including a QIP guidance document, technical specifications for the indicators, and a snapshot of quality priorities in brief for 2022/23, are also available. QIP Navigator, our online QIP development and submission platform, has been updated in preparation for voluntary submission. As usual, organizations can download pre-populated templates from QIP Navigator to support their QIP development process.  

    Individual organizations who choose to submit their QIPs to Ontario Health are encouraged to do so by April 1, 2022. However, in consideration of the current pressures on the health care system, there will be flexibility with timing of submissions and QIP Navigator will be kept open until June 30, 2022.  

    This is the first year that organizations that are part of an OHT will work to submit their organizational-level QIP while also contributing to their OHT’s cQIP. For that reason, and because organizations are continuing to respond to COVID-19, we have limited the number of focus areas for both the cQIP and the organizational-level QIP. Organizations that wish to reflect their cQIP work in their QIP may also include the cQIP indicators in their organizational QIP.

    Annual Planning Materials:

    Please see below for further clarifications by the Ministry of Health, on behalf of Fernando Tavares, A/ Program Manager Primary Health Care Branch

    In follow up to the enclosed distribution from Ontario Health regarding the submission of this year’s Quality Improvement Plans.  We wanted to confirm that the Ministry is supportive of Ontario Health’s plan to make this year’s submission voluntary and confirm that teams are not contractually required to submit this report for 2022-23.

    We continue to encourage all organizations who choose to complete this work to develop and post your 2022/23 QIP on your website and share it with your administrative staff, clinicians, and patients/residents and their family members.

    Further Supports:

    COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Test Requisition Form
    Please find the Public Health Ontario COVID-19 and Respiratory Form Virus Test Requisition Form adapted to Telus PSS and OSCAR EMRs here.

    If your team has this form implemented within Accuro, please reach out to Sandeep Gill: Sandeep.gill@afhto.ca.

    Did You Agree to Be Listed on Online Appointment Booking Platform Bleen?
    Recently it has come to our attention that many AFHTO member organizations are listed as clinics for patients to book an appointment online on the Bleen platform. We strongly advise you to review the list of clinics here to see if your team is on the list, as this solution is not aligned to the service standard.

    For any associated privacy concerns, please reach out to the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC). If your team did not agree to be listed on this website and would like to be removed, please directly reach out to Bleen via phone: 1-866-943-9480 and via an online form here. We have brought this issue to Ontario Health’s attention, and they are working with OntarioMD and the Ministry to bring a resolution to the issue.

    We also encourage you to take this opportunity for patient education if you receive any appointment requests through this platform and advise patients on approved appointment booking practices for your team. If you are interested in exploring funding opportunities for online booking, please click here. For any questions, please connect with Sandeep Gill: sandeep.gill@afhto.ca.

    Content below developed by Ontario Health (Health Quality Ontario)

    New! Quality Standard on Transitions From Youth to Adult Health Care Services
    In February 2022, Ontario Health released the Transitions From Youth to Adult Health Care Services quality standard, developed in partnership with the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health.
    When young people transition from youth to adult health care, they are at increased risk for negative health outcomes as they adapt to new services, people, and processes.

    The quality standard is an evidence-based resource that outlines what high-quality care looks like during this critical time. It can be used to help young people, families, and caregivers know what to ask for in their care; to help health care professionals know what care they should be offering; and to help health care organizations measure, assess, and improve their performance in caring for patients.   

    Please share this quality standard within your network and stay tuned for information on an upcoming webinar on this topic. For more information, contact qualitystandards@ontariohealth.ca.

    Recognizing World Delirium Awareness Day
    Delirium is often a complication of respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, in older adults. It is a sudden change in how someone thinks, acts, or understands what’s happening to them. See the quality standard addressing what quality care looks like for delirium and accompanied patient guide, from Ontario Health and Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario and more resources here.

    Developing A Practice Tool for Prescribing Cascades in Primary Care

    Are you an Ontario physician, nurse practitioner or pharmacist who provides primary care as part of an interprofessional team?

    Are you interested in reducing medication-related harm?

    A University of Toronto research team wants to learn from clinicians working in interprofessional teams about your experiences and thoughts on interventions that may help to address prescribing cascades.

    What is a prescribing cascade?
    Prescribing cascades occur when a new medication is prescribed to treat the side effects of another medication. These often arise when prescribers attribute patients’ new signs or symptoms to a medical condition rather than a medication side effect. Prescribing cascades are important sources of potentially unnecessary medication use.

    What is being asked of me?
    –    Complete a brief questionnaire (< 10 minutes) and then participate in a up to 1.5-hour discussion group or interview to share your perspectives. You will be invited to participate in a second discussion group or interview (also up to 1.5-hours) if interested.
    –    A $100 gift card will be provided for each discussion group or interview that is attended.

    Do you have questions or want to get involved?
    Please email the team at rx.cascades@utoronto.ca or contact them at (416) 978-4838. This study has been reviewed by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board (#42135).

    Upcoming Webinars

    Stories from the Ivory Tower, Mar 22, 2022, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
    Register here

    In March 2022, HSPN is presenting stories from the ivory tower of university-based evaluation of Ontario Health Teams (OHTs). Evaluators from the HSPN have spent the better part of the past year observing the development of OHTs with an aim to understand:

    1. What factors contribute to the successful implementation and sustainability of OHTs?
    2. What adaptations are OHTs making to improve function/performance/outcomes?
    3. What are the barriers to OHTs’ successful implementation?

    MyPractice: Primary Care Report: Using Data for Improvement – a focus on using the cancer screening indicators to drive improvements in patient care, Thursday March 31st, 2022, 12–1 p.m.

    Ontario Health is hosting a webinar for primary care providers on using the cancer screening indicators in the MyPractice: Primary Care report to drive improvements in patient care. This is the third of an ongoing accredited series that will focus on using data from the MyPractice: Primary Care report for quality improvement. 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

    AFHTO Webinar – Ontario Health And Primary Care, MHA CoE And HCNS
    Friday, April 1, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM
    Register here

    AFHTO has arranged a members’ update and conversation on primary care with Ontario Health, the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence (MHA CoE), and Healthcare Navigation Service (HCNS). Five speakers will be joining us on Friday, April 1, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

    We will be joined by the following speakers:

    • Sacha Bhatia, Population Health and Value Based Health Systems Executive, Ontario Health
    • Zahra Ismail, Senior Director, Primary Care and Social Determinants, Ontario Health
    • Danyal Martin, Director, Clinical Programs, Mental Health & Addictions Centre of Excellence, Ontario Health
    • Graham Woodward, VP, Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence, Ontario Health
    • Mala Shastri, Lead, Co-Design, Patient Populations and Discovery, Ontario Health

    Members are encouraged to join the webinar and are welcome to submit questions by March 21. However, the floor will also be open for Q&As with all speakers, and any we do not get to during the webinar will be followed up on.

    This webinar is open to all members.

    Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Friday April 8, 2022, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
    Ontario Health is hosting a webinar for endocrinologists, primary care providers, and diabetes educators on screening for mental health needs among people with diabetes, and new, provincially-funded resources available to support them. This is the first of an ongoing series that will highlight Ontario Health’s three diabetes quality standards. Register here.

    Moderator: Dr. David Kaplan

    Panelists:  

    • Marcia Ross, Lived Experience Advisor
    •  Nina Hoyt, Nurse Practitioner, Health Sciences North
    • Dr. Geetha Mukerji, Endocrinologist, Women’s College Hospital
    • Leslie Johnson, Regional Director Mental Health and Addictions, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

    The links to the diabetes quality standards can be accessed here: Type 1 Diabetes, Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes, and Diabetes in Pregnancy.

     

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #115 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

  • Bits & Pieces: resilient communities fund and more

    Bits & Pieces: resilient communities fund and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • OTF Resilient Communities Fund deadline April 6
    • Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month
    • Recommended drugs for adults with COVID-19 and more
    • Cannabis and older adults – coming soon
    • OCFP Awards – call for nominations
    • Benefits wayfinder
    • Upcoming events including “From pandemic to endemic? What’s next with COVID”, and more

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund deadline April 6

    While AFHTO members may not be solely eligible, they can work with community partners to apply for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund. The fund supports the recovery efforts of organizations impacted by COVID-19 and helps them respond with immediate, medium, and longer-term recovery projects.

    • Applicants can apply for a minimum of $10,000, and up to $200,000, with a maximum of $100,000 per year.
    • Application period is from March 9 until April 6, 2022, at 5 PM ET.

    You can find out more and register for overview webinars here.

    (NOTE: as per the OTF – they do not fund organizations that receive the majority of their funding through the public purse but they would welcome applications through the Collaborative Applicants Policy).

    Pharmacist in glasses, mask, hijab and gloves injects masked female patient in her right arm

     

    Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month

    March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month, so we’d like to thank all our teams’ pharmacists for stepping up, during the pandemic, before, and beyond. Happy Pharmacist appreciation month!

     

    Recommended drugs for adults with COVID-19 and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Cannabis and older adults asynchronous learning- 11 individually accredited modules

    Cannabis and older adults – coming soon

    Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health has been developing several eLearning modules on Cannabis and Older Adults. The English version will be ready for launch very soon. Geared specifically to physicians, nurse practitioners, other healthcare providers and healthcare students, information on how to register will be made available when the modules officially launch. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest developments. 

    OCFP Awards – call for nominations

    Nominate your colleagues for an OCFP award. Multiple categories ae open, including regional Family Physician of the Year. New for 2022 – Ontario family physicians can self nominate in any OCFP Award category. Deadline Mar. 13, 2022.

    Benefits wayfinder
    Benefits wayfinder is an online tool that simplifies the search for government benefits for people seeking ways to boost their incomes and/or reduce their expenses. Created by Prosper Canada, primary care providers can do a free online course to help them support patients here. If you have questions, please email benefitswayfinder@prospercanada.org. 

    Supporting caregiver well-being within Ontario Health Teams: Building caregiver resilience and reducing the risk of caregiver burnout, Mar. 2, 2022
    Hosted by Ontario Caregiver Organization. Register here

    From pandemic to endemic? What’s next with COVID, Mar. 4, 2022

    Join the 40th in OCFP CoP’s series ‘Changing the way we work’. Register here.

    Your Voice is Important: Election Campaign Training with Enterprise Canada, Apr. 6, 2022

    The provincial election is just over three months away. Now is the time for local candidates to hear from you!

    If you have any questions or need support, please email advocacy@afhto.ca.

    Safe Administration of Oxytocin, Mar. 7, 2022
    Relaunched report, developed by the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health available here. You can register for the webinar here.

    Primary Care COVID-19 Support CoP, Mar. 9, 2022
    Hosted by Ontario Health, with a special focus on COVID@Home monitoring and Post COVID-19 Clinical Guidance for primary care. Register here.

    Winter/Spring 2022 Continuing Professional Development, until June 2022
    Some changes have been made to session dates for Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences’ Continuing Professional Development program to allow them to host many programs in-person. View options here.

  • Bits & Pieces: vaccine consent and information for youth, physiotherapy month and more

    Bits & Pieces: vaccine consent and information for youth, physiotherapy month and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Vaccine consent and information for youth and more updates
    • National Physiotherapy Month
    • Member stories
    • Ontario is creating a roadmap to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030
    • Important information about AstraZeneca second doses and more
    • MindWell for Healthcare Workers
    • Support reminder- BounceBack
    • Call for applications for FASD support groups-deadline May 26
    • Public Health 2021– call for submissions
    • DYK- board postings on AFHTO site
    • NPAO Patient Choice Award
    • Upcoming events including virtual wellness workshop series for patients and more

    Vaccine consent and information for youth and more updates

    There were so many updates in Friday’s situation report from the Ministry, this had to be separate from our COVID-19 section below. Documents include:

    Three COVID-19 vaccine documents have been developed for youth and/or parents/legal guardians:

    Two COVID-19 vaccine documents have been updated:

    The following documents have been updated and are available on the Ministry’s website:

    These documents and links will be updated on our site shortly.

    National Physiotherapy Month
    Primary care takes care of patients for a lifetime, which is why physiotherapists are an integral part of the team. For National Physiotherapy Month, we’d like to say THANK YOU to the amazing PTs in primary care teams.

    Member stories
    Northumberland FHT – radio interview on facilitating vaccinations

    Rideau FHT – Vaccines on wheels: organizing a drive-through vaccination clinic in your practice

    Text= We're building Ontario's roadmap to eliminate hepatitis C. Background= illustration of the profiles of people of different colours with different hairstyles and head coverings

     

    Ontario is creating a roadmap to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030

    Ontario is creating a roadmap to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. Over 110,000 Ontarians are living with hepatitis C. With a diagnosis that is simple, an effective cure, and proven prevention strategies, eliminating hepatitis C is within our reach. Building upon a 2019 national strategy, multiple stakeholders are coming together to chart the path to elimination in Ontario.

    AFHTO is an advisor on this project. To find out more, visit the Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap website.

     

    Important information about AstraZeneca second doses and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    MindWell for Healthcare Workers
    MindWell for Healthcare Workers is designed for healthcare workers by healthcare workers to give you the tools you need to feel confident and capable, remain calm amidst chaos and build overall resilience and well-being so you can perform at your best no matter what is happening around you.
     
    Short, simple, and effective lessons are provided in 4 weekly modules designed to give you maximum results in the least amount of time.  Sign up today to see positive change.
     
    MindWell for Healthcare Workers is a 4-week self-paced online learning experience accessible from any device. Each week includes approximately 10-15 minutes of learning content plus one 50-minute live session offered several times a week to fit most schedules.

    I miss my friends. I miss my social life. I'm lonely. Superimposed over a man's downcast face.

    Support reminder- BounceBack

    Bounceback’s latest campaign targets different demographic groups and highlights the struggles their coaches and clinicians have been hearing about from program participants during the pandemic. This includes concerns from middle-aged moms, men, parents of young children, people working from home, front-line workers, and students.

    If you’re interested, please feel free to share on your social channels and broadly with your networks.

    Call for applications for FASD support groups-deadline May 26
    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a neuro-developmental, permanent disability that affects 4% of the population in Ontario. Support groups for individuals with FASD or their parents/caregivers provide information, support, and reduce isolation and loneliness.

    Health Nexus has launched its application process for FASD Support Groups. Apply to receive up to $4,500 to run a virtual support group for individuals with FASD or their caregivers (and in person when COVID-19 permits). Candidates will be able to reapply for projects annually. To learn more, visit their site.

    Public Health 2021– call for submissions
    The Canadian Public Health Association is now accepting submissions for presentation at Public Health 2021. Submissions will be accepted for oral and poster abstracts, didactic symposiums or interactive workshops that are focused on one of their conference keywords. Deadline June 3, 2021.

    DYK- board postings on AFHTO site
    You know the AFHTO careers section as the best place to advertise job openings for staff, but did you know you can also post volunteer board positions there as well? Now you do. Feel free to post here.  And for any of your partners, as non-members they can post for a nominal fee.

    NPAO Patient Choice Award
    The NPAO NP Patient Choice Award is presented at the NPAO annual conference in September. Please share with your patients, colleagues and friends. How has your NP made a difference in your life or that of your family or friend? Deadline June 18, 2021.

    COVID-19 Education with Daniel Warshafsky, Office of CMOH, June 9

    This session with Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, Senior Medical Consultant at the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health will cover key questions, including variants of concern, AstraZeneca and potential mixing of vaccine, breakthrough cases and emerging evidence around vaccination for children 12-17 years old. Nicole Blackman, Provincial Director at the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council will talk about why Indigenous people are prioritized to receive vaccines. Register here.

    The Path to an Effective Vaccine – Lessons Learned in Real Time, June 2, 2021
    Free panel by Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Register here.

    Virtual wellness workshop series for patients, starting June 1, 2021
    New Vision FHT is opening their upcoming Anxiety during COVID and Emotional First Aid virtual workshop series to non-FHT patients and would like to invite you to share this with your team/patients to register. Registration is limited, so please encourage patients to register as soon as they can. Find out more.

    Child & Youth Eating Disorders: Information for Primary Care, June 1 – 15, 2021
    This special interest ECHO session series will cover:

    • Understanding Medical Implications and Monitoring for Children and Youth with Eating Disorders, June 1, 2021
    • Supporting a Young Person with an Eating Disorder in Primary Care – Tips and Tricks for the Primary Care Provider, June 15, 2021

    For more information, click here.

    Project ECHO: Ontario Bariatric Network, Starting June 2, 2021
    Join these OBN Project ECHO Series held by Guelph General Hospital BCOE & The Ottawa Hospital BCOE.
    Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: mental health week, updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization and more

    Bits & Pieces: mental health week, updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Mental Health Week
    • Member stories
    • Updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization, supporting patients with IDD and more
    • Reminder- EMR/EHR Auditing Obligations, May 7, 2021
    • Free seated desk yoga, May 12
    • Mask removal rules for the lunchroom
    • Seeking input on an occupational medicine mentoring program curriculum
    • Patients and caregivers needed for primary health care team policy discussion
    • Upcoming events including NACI recommendations on extended dose intervals and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and more

    CMHA Name it, don't numb it. Child crying with the word 'sad'.

    Mental Health Week

    Mental Health Week is being observed May 3-9, 2021. The theme of this year is understanding our emotions, key during COVID-19 when 40% of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. You can take part and access toolkits at https://mentalhealthweek.ca/.

     

    Staff at Arnprior drive through vaccine clinic processing a patient

     

    Member stories

    Arnprior & District FHT– Arnprior & District FHT, VTAC and COVID-19 vaccination drive through clinics

    Madawaska Valley FHT – Madawaska Valley FHT NPs start their own practice

    You can share your own stories with our member initiative webform. If you have any questions, please email us at info@afhto.ca.

     

     

     

     

     

    Updated Directive #2 Q&A, phase 2 prioritization, supporting patients with IDD and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Reminder- EMR/EHR Auditing Obligations, May 7, 2021

    Join Kate Dewhirst Law 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to better understand the obligations to audit EMR and EHRs.  To be discussed:

    • Why do you have to audit?
    • What’s new in the 2020 changes to PHIPA about audits of electronic systems
    • Contractual obligations when signed onto Connecting Ontario platforms or sharing systems with OHT partners or other agencies in your geographic region
    • How often should you audit?
    • What do you have to audit?
    • How do you audit?
    • What tools to use to document your auditing practices

    Register here.

    GoodLife yoga flyer may

     

    Free seated desk yoga, May 12

    On May 12 at 12 noon, GoodLife is offering a free 45-minute virtual seated desk yoga class for healthcare workers. Click on the link in the poster to join. Space is limited so arrive early.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Mask removal rules for the lunchroom
    Per Maria McDonald, McDonald HR law:

    On April 23, 2021, the Government of Ontario introduced new rules about removing masks to eat or drink at work (Regulation 82/20 see section 2 (5.1)).

    Specifically, a person responsible for an organization which is opened shall ensure workers who remove their mask or face covering to eat or drink, are separated from all other people by:
    (a)  a distance of at least two metres; or
    (b)  plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.

    Please take this into consideration as it relates to your clinics.

    Seeking input on an occupational medicine mentoring program curriculum

    How confident do you feel about identifying a work-related illness, completing a WSIB Form 8, or doing a functional abilities assessment with injured patients?  You can get support on these topics and more through the new Project ECHO Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) for Ontario healthcare providers. Help tailor the program curriculum by completing a short needs assessment before May 10th. It takes less than 10 minutes, and you could win a $50 gift card. The (free) ECHO OEM program launches this fall.  Take the short survey.

    Patients and caregivers needed for primary health care team policy discussion

    Researchers including Drs. Sharon Johnston (Bruyere/University of Ottawa) and Catherine Donnelly (Queen’s University) are inviting interested patients, family members and caregivers to participate in an online discussion about patient and caregiver involvement in building policies on primary health care teams and applying them.

    This is part of a larger study led by Dr. Nelly Oelke (Nursing, UBC, Okanagan) in four provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, to explore Canada’s approaches to improving health system integration. Participants will receive an honorarium for their participation and should RSVP by Wednesday, May 12th, 2021.  Learn more here.

    Recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on Extended Dose Intervals and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines, May 5, 2021
    Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Webinar for Health Care Providers. Register here.

    Project ECHO: Ontario Bariatric Network, Starting May 6 & June 2, 2021
    Join these OBN Project ECHO Series held by Guelph General Hospital BCOE & The Ottawa Hospital BCOE.
    Find out more here.

    OCFP COVID CoP: Variants, the J&J vaccine, VIIT, and more, May 7, 2021
    Learn more about variants of concern, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine & helping patients weigh the risk and benefits of viral vector vaccines in light of Vaccine Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia.
    Register here.

    Choosing Wisely Canada’s Virtual National Meeting, May 12 – 13, 2021
    Remember to register for Choosing Wisely’s 2-day national meeting, in collaboration with the CMA.
    Learn more here.

    Child & Youth Eating Disorders: Information for Primary Care, May 18 – Jun. 15, 2021
    This special interest ECHO session series will cover:

    • Understanding Eating Disorders and Assessment of Children and Youth with Eating Disorders, May 18, 2021
    • Understanding Medical Implications and Monitoring for Children and Youth with Eating Disorders, June 1, 2021
    • Supporting a Young Person with an Eating Disorder in Primary Care – Tips and Tricks for the Primary Care Provider, June 15, 2021

    For more information, click here.

    CFPC Pivots: May & June 2021

    • The Art And Science Of Medication Optimization For Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, May 18, 2021
    • At A Loss For Weight Loss? Scaling Down The Evidence For Primary Care, June 8, 2021

    To access the webinar links, click here.

  • Bits & Pieces: oxygen saturation monitors for COVID@Home, Primary Care Collaborative and more

    Bits & Pieces: oxygen saturation monitors for COVID@Home, Primary Care Collaborative and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Oxygen saturation of COVID home monitoring
    • Announcing the Primary Care Collaborative
    • Your role in improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Member stories
    • Joint letter on vaccine dose intervals for indigenous populations
    • Patient-facing document updates, Gen. Hillier memo and more
    • Supporting older persons at home slides and video
    • Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee
    • AMS Healthcare research fellowships: provider mental health and wellbeing
    • Upcoming events including Building a Resilient Nonprofit Organization through Proactive Risk Management and more

    Oxygen saturation of COVID home monitoring

    COVID-19 pandemic has led to unexpected surges in demand on the provincial healthcare system, and healthcare settings across the province face patient capacity constraints, potentially affecting care for all patients. To help ease these constraints, Ontario Health is providing tools and resources for COVID@Home to help primary care providers who wish to remotely monitor people who have mild to moderate COVID-19 in the community.

    Oxygen saturation monitors are now available to be ordered by primary care physician offices and interprofessional primary care team offices through the provincial pandemic stockpile. Find out more about the initiative and how to order here.

    Announcing the Primary Care Collaborative

    COVID-19 shows the vital roles primary care providers play every day for community health and wellbeing and health system cooperation in Ontario.

    On March 29 we announced the launch of the Primary Care Collaborative with five other partners, including Alliance for Healthier Communities, IPHCC, NPLCA, OCFP and SGFP. Visit our site for the full release.

    Working more collaboratively together, we hope a unified primary care sector can help advance the important role that primary care will play towards recovery from this pandemic.

    Your role in improving the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications

    Co-hosted with Wounds Canada, this interactive webinar on April 15 will provide an overview of your role to improve the population health of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications across the full continuum of care settings to improve patient experience, outcomes and costs.

    By the end of the webinar participants will:

    • Discuss prevention and management approaches based on risk stratification of people at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Explore ways to leverage telehealth / virtual care assessments to support patients at risk or living with diabetic foot complications
    • Leverage Wounds Canada resources to optimize your practice

    Register here.

    Member stories
    Bancroft FHT– Bancroft FHT vaccinates over 1000 people from COVID-19

    Central Lambton and Rapids FHTs – Family doctors join vaccine rollout in Sarnia-Lambton

    Georgian Bay FHT– video tour of the Collingwood and Wasaga drive-thru vaccine clinics

    Queen Square FHT– Ontario family physicians seek clarity on when they can administer COVID-19 vaccines in office

    Joint letter on vaccine dose intervals for indigenous populations
    On March 26 we sent a joint letter to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott on changes to the vaccine dosing schedule for Indigenous populations.

    “We are standing in solidarity with the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council and asking that, at bare minimum, those Indigenous people living in urban areas who’ve already received their first doses of vaccines be grandfathered in, and permitted to receive their second doses within 21-28 days. This allows for continuity of care, and confidence in this process and the vaccine itself.”

    Read the full letter on our site.

    Patient-facing document updates, Gen. Hillier memo and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Supporting older persons at home title screenshot

    Supporting older persons at home slides and video

    On Mar. 25 Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario discussed how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slides and video are now available.

     

     

    Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee
    Canada’s Volunteer Awards (CVA) will be accepting applications for the CVA National Advisory Committee (NAC) until April 8. Members of the National Advisory Committee play a leading role in the selection of Canada’s Volunteer Awards recipients by reviewing nominations and making recommendations to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. They will also support the promotion of the program throughout their term. To apply visit their site.

    AMS Healthcare research fellowships: provider mental health and wellbeing

    AMS Healthcare is offering one-year fellowships of up to $75,000 to early and mid-career academic researchers and scholars and academically trained regulated health care professionals to study and develop expertise/competence in the impact of digital technology/artificial intelligence on compassionate care. Some projects will have an additional focus on the wellbeing and mental health of healthcare providers, patients and caregivers to address the challenges of living and working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter of intent due Apr. 7. Visit their site for details.

    Foundations to QI (IDEAS) Program e-Learning Course, Mar. 31 & Apr. 1, 2021
    E-QIP is holding this comprehensive introductory QI course designed for the community mental health sector. You’ll be well versed in a common language and approach to QI with the aim of improving client care, experience and outcomes after this course.
    Find out more here.

    ECHO Managing COVID-19 in Primary Care, Starting Apr. 13, 2021
    UHN’s ECHO series is back- now with 12 parts. Join other primary care providers in this interactive online program.
    Find out more here.

    Building a Resilient Nonprofit Organization through Proactive Risk Management, Apr. 22, 2021
    Charity Village webinar with Risk Management Consultants Lilli Chiu and Isaac Monson from HUB International and insights on how to navigate uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected. Register here.

    Excellence through Quality Improvement (E-QIP) Conference, Apr. 13, 2021
    Hosted by CMHA Ontario, this one-day virtual conference is being offered for FREE.
    Visit their site.

  • Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Bits & Pieces: vaccine learnings webinar, 2021 conference and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Supporting older persons at home webinar March 25
    • Reminder – Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4
    • Reminder – AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want
    • Happy Social Work Week
    • Learnings from primary care: vaccine roll-out slides and video
    • Engaging and supporting caregivers slides and video
    • Video profile of Akausivik Inuit FHT COVID rollout, OECD report and more
    • Supply Ontario appoints first CEO and needs primary care voices
    • OpenNotes study seeking clinician participants- tomorrow deadline to respond
    • Study invitation – characterizing the impact of primary care pharmacists’ consultation notes on health care decisions
    • Healthy Professional Worker study
    • RISE updates
    • Upcoming events including COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Providers, Practising Well CoP and more

    Supporting older persons at home webinar March 25

    Supporting Older Persons at Home – Learning and Collaboration During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
     

    COVID-19 highlighted numerous barriers and challenges to providing integrated care for older persons living in the community. Join Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario in a discussion on how to better support older persons in the community using lessons learned during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    We will discuss needs in primary care – focusing on the role of interprofessional teams – and offer some resources and tools to better support team-based care for older persons. We will also discuss how specialized geriatric service programs in your area can provide support to primary care clinicians.

    Reminder – Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021, Mar. 4

    Cohosted with Saegis, this webinar:

    • Discusses the top 5 cybersecurity threats facing your clinic
    • Lists the 10 questions to ask before engaging an IT consultant for your clinic, and questions to ask about your clinics network security
    • Describes how and where to report clinic cyberattacks and privacy breaches.

    Learn more here.

    Reminder- AFHTO 2021 Conference: tell us what YOU want, what you really, really want

    We’re going virtual again for this year’s conference and although we haven’t set a date yet, the earliest would be some time in October. Now that we’ve tried it once, we’d like to make the next better for you- more streamlined and focused on your needs.

    We need your help. What do you want to hear more about and how would you like it?Tell us in this really quick survey. Deadline now March 9

    Recognizing social workers. Social Work Week 2021. #YouAreNotAlone. OASW

    Happy Social Work Week

    The first week of March marks the beginning of Social Work Week in Ontario (#SWW2021). The current environment we find ourselves in is truly unlike any other. Please consider this year’s Social Work Week theme, “You are Not Alone” and explore the resources being shared as part of Social Work Week, at: www.oasw.org/socialworkweek. 

    Join us as we recognize our fellow social work colleagues by celebrating Social Work Week and their many contributions to teams and their patients.

    learnings from pc vaccine webinar

    Learnings from primary care: Vaccine roll-out across Ontario

    Last Friday, February 26 we heard from teams who have stepped up to provide leadership for vaccine distribution in their communities. Ministry of Health officials, including Daniel Warshafsky (Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health) was also there to provide an update on vaccine roll-out and to take questions. Slides and video are now on our site.

     

    Engaging and supporting caregivers slides and video

    OCO Webinar Title Slide

    On Feb. 25, the Ontario Caregiver Organization highlighted resources and opportunities for primary care teams to support and engage caregivers. Attendees learned about:

    • The Ontario Caregiver Organization and their key programs, services, and resources
    • Three key caregiver-related strategies that can positively impact health outcomes and the patient/family/caregiver experience
    • Resources, programs, and actions that primary care teams can take to help advance these strategies

    Slides and video are now available.

    Video profile of Akausivik Inuit FHT COVID rollout, OECD report and more

    Recent updates include:

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

    Supply Ontario appoints first CEO and needs primary care voices

    Supply Ontario is a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services. The agency has appointed Frank Rochon as their first CEO, effective March 1, 2021.

    They need your input to help identify opportunities to improve the value they can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline now March 9.

    OpenNotes study seeking clinician participants- tomorrow deadline to respond

    Researchers at CAMH are looking to recruit mental health care providers across Ontario who document patient notes within an electronic health record, to participate in the “The OpeN Study”. This study is looking to understand and explore the needs of clinicians who are providing patients and their family members access to their clinical notes.

    The study is recruiting participants to take part in a 60–90-minute interview to share their experiences. More information about the project can be found in this poster.

    If you are interested in participating in this study, please email Strudwick.research@camh.ca by Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021.

    Study invitation – characterizing the impact of primary care pharmacists’ consultation notes on health care decisions

    Dr. Nicole Domanski is a clinical pharmacist at the UBC Pharmacists Clinic. Her research project is designed to characterize the impact of pharmacists’ consultation notes on healthcare decisions made by prescribers. As a physician or nurse practitioner working in FHTs, you have likely received a consultation note written by a primary care pharmacist.

    She invites you to complete the following anonymous survey: to share your perspectives on pharmacist consultation notes. The survey consists of ranking and multiple-choice questions that should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

    Click here complete survey.

    Healthy Professional Worker study

    An interdisciplinary, multi-university research team led by Dr. Bourgeault at the University of Ottawa is exploring the mental health experiences of professional workers, and how these experiences are affected by their personal, work and family life. They are particularly interested in the role that gender has on these experiences. There will also be some questions about how COVID-19 has impacted these experiences.

    If you are interested in taking part in this study, please follow this link to the online survey in English or in French. The survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. If you would prefer to participate in an interview, please contact the study project coordinator, Audrey Kruisselbrink, at HPW@uottawa.ca. The interview will take 40-60 minutes, for which there will be a $20 honorarium.

    To learn more, you can see the flyer.

    RISE updates

    You can also sign up for their monthly newsletter here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

    COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Providers webinar, Mar. 4, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with speakers:

    • Moderator: David Kaplan, Chief Clinical Quality, Clinical Institutes and Quality Programs, Ontario Health
    • Dr. Dee Mangin and Dr. Cathy Risdon, McMaster University Department of Family Medicine
    • Georgian Bay FHT – Gaynor Edwards, RN, Clinic Director
    • Marathon FHT – Jodi Osborne, Physician Assistant

    Register here.

    Practising Well Community of Practice, Mar. 5, 2021
    A space created by family physicians, for family physicians. Connect in real time with, and learn from, others who are working with patients to address their mental health, substance use disorders and chronic pain. The first session focuses on the challenges for family doctors in managing their own mental health/substance use during the pandemic. Join in on the discussion. Register here.

    OHT evaluation webinars, Feb. 23 recording & Mar. 23 registration
    The recording and slides for Health System Performance Network’s Population Health Management & Applying Population Segmentation from Feb. 23, and OHT Improvement Measures from Health Administrative Data: Where are OHTs Starting From? on Mar. 23 registration are available here.

    BounceBack refresher webinar, Mar. 18 & 25, 2021
    The BounceBack communications and marketing team invites you to a 30-minute refresher presentation on BounceBack, a free CBT skill-building program designed to help individuals 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate anxiety or depression, stress or worry.