Tag: Public health

Bits & Pieces: nursing week, OAB funding materials and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

Happy National Nursing Week
Online appointment booking 2022/23 funding webinar materials available
Election 2022: It Takes a Team
Online OHIP renewal finally updated
June 2- deadline to implement right to disconnect policy
Long COVID: aiming for a consensus and more

GoodLife – chance to win a BBQ when you join
2023 OCFP Family Medicine Summit call for abstracts
Application for ECHO Ontario Mental Health Summer Programming open
Upcoming events including OMA Town Hall on Paxlovid and Evusheld and more

Happy National Nursing Week

Happy #NationalNursingWeek to all nurses-RNs,RPNs & NPs in primary care teams. Thank you for you dedication to your patients, communities, and teams. We appreciate you for everything you do.

Online appointment booking 2022/23 funding webinar materials available

On April 28 Ontario Health provided information and answered questions about the 2022/23 Ministry of Health approved funding for OHTs, in development teams and other health care organizations to enable more patients to schedule an online appointment with their primary care provider or other community care provider. Slides and video are now available on our site.

Election 2022: It Takes a Team

Candidates have started campaigning in earnest for the provincial election on June 2. Healthcare is a top issue for all parties AND the public, so use all the resources available to make your voice heard.

Share successes, pictures from candidate meetings, or pictures of patients with a voter card on social media. Broadcast what you do to deliver the best primary care in Ontario where It Takes a Team.

AFHTO is tweeting regularly. We ask you tag @afhto when you tweet, and we’ll also retweet you! Don’t forget to use our campaign slogan #ItTakesATeam

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

Online OHIP renewal finally updated

The change has finally been made! OHIP cards can now be renewed online by anyone with a driver’s license OR an Ontario Photo Card. Advocacy for a fairer system was heard. Patients can renew here.

June 2- deadline to implement right to disconnect policy

A reminder that employers, who as of January 1, 2022, had 25+ employees, must implement a right to disconnect policy by June 2, 2022. The policy’s content is up to employers. Resources available from Maria McDonald of McDonald HR Law are:

Long COVID: aiming for a consensus and more

Recent updates include:

Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines: Recommended Doses– MOH, updated May 2, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations– MOH, updated May 2, 2022
Long COVID: aiming for a consensus – The Lancet, May 4, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

GoodLife – chance to win a BBQ when you join
You have a chance to win 1 of 5 Napoleon Rogue 365 BBQs when you enroll in the Corporate Membership Program before June 30, 2022. Find out more here.

Right now, annual (paid in full) rates are $619 and biweekly rates $25. Effective May 30, 2022, AFHTO members will be eligible for a 25% discount on membership types.

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.

2023 OCFP Family Medicine Summit call for abstracts

In 2023, FMS will be presented virtually, including live-stream days on January 27 and 28. Find out more about the application process on their site. Deadline June 12, 2022.

Application for ECHO Ontario Mental Health Summer Programming open
The program includes ECHO Ontario Integrated Mental and Physical Health (12 sessions – Fridays from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. EST, June 3 – August 26, 2022). Apply here.

Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar May 19

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.

OMA Town Hall on Paxlovid and Evusheld, May 10, 2022
The OMA will host an online COVID-19 town hall on Paxlovid and Evusheld on Tuesday, May 10th from 7:30-9:00 p.m. The session will address considerations for prescribing Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19 and will provide an overview of Evusheld, a new prophylactic treatment for immunocompromised patients. Register here.

Back to the Office: Redefining Workplace Wellness in the Post-Covid World, May 17, 2022
Virtual panel presented by Canadian Club Toronto with OASW CEO Dr. Deepy Sur. Find out more here.

Demystifying Insurance: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Protect their Operations, May 19, 2022
Free webinar presented by HUB International in partnership with CharityVillage. Register here.

3rd Annual McMaster University Review Course in Psychiatry, May 26-27, 2022
Virtual CPD Conference. Find out more here.

May 10, 2022

Bits & Pieces: Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar May 19
ONCA webinar materials available
Financial management training series materials available
Reminder – deadline to join #AFHTO22 working group today
Seeking input on the structure of social work practice in primary care
Memo regarding tools for identifying high-risk patients eligible for Paxlovid and more

Interview on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents
Survey for a national framework for diabetes in Canada
FAQ: MOH “Axe the Fax” survey. Deadline May 4
PHO Primary Care IPAC Community of Practice
Upcoming events including antibiotic prescribing and your CPSO QI Requirements and more

Practical technologies that can enable ageing in place webinar May 19

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:

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

ONCA webinar materials available

Kathy O’Brien and Simmie Palter from INQ Law reviewed the new tools and Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)’s impact on FHTs on Tuesday, April 26. Slides and video are now available on our site.

Financial management training series materials available

Hosted by AFHTO, a two-part series on financial reporting and forecasting was held with Dr. Silvie MacLean, Executive Strategic Performance and Finance Educational Leader. Materials are now available.

Reminder – deadline to join #AFHTO22 working group today

The deadline to join a working group and/or Bright Lights review committee is today. Come behind the scenes of our first hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee.

Seeking input on the structure of social work practice in primary care

Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft, an Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, is the lead investigator for this research study titled The Structure of Social Work Practice in Ontario Family Health Teams: A Mixed-Methods Study. It involves a provincial-wide survey and semi-structured focus groups with discussions focused on examining the daily practice of social workers in FHTs during the pandemic. Participants will be social workers working in primary care teams located across Ontario.

Participants will be asked to complete a survey asking about the role of social work, the current and optimal state of practice, and social work leadership. At the end, participants can express their interest in taking part of a focus group. Each focus group will last 60 minutes and consist of social workers working in various team-based, primary care settings. Should you have any questions, please contact Rachelle Ashcroft at rachelle.ashcroft@utoronto.ca.

Memo regarding tools for identifying high-risk patients eligible for Paxlovid and more

Recent updates include:

COVID-19 Vaccine Administration– MOH, updated April 29, 2022
Memo regarding tools for identifying high-risk patients eligible for Paxlovid – OH, Apr. 29, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Interview on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents

Graduate students are researching the perspectives of community-based primary care providers in Toronto on the diagnosis and management of concussion in adolescents. They’re interested in connecting with a few family physicians, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners working in Toronto for a half-hour interview to participate in their capstone project.

If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please send them an email at concussion.trp@utoronto.ca. Deadline June 3.

Survey for a national framework for diabetes in Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is undertaking a virtual engagement process to support Bill C-237 – An Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes, which received Royal Assent in June 2021.

As part of this process, they invite you to provide your input via an online survey platform- EN and FR. Deadline May 9.

FAQ: MOH “Axe the Fax” survey. Deadline May 4
The Ministry of Health has initiated an analysis of the current state and drivers of fax use to identify potential options for phasing out fax use in Ontario’s health system. As part of their first phase, there is an assessment survey with a purpose to obtain input from a variety of stakeholders about their use of traditional paper-based fax and electronic fax. Only one survey needs to be submitted from each organization. For more information, an FAQ and the survey link, click here.

PHO Primary Care IPAC Community of Practice

Public Health Ontario is hosting a community of practice series that will review key concepts and support resources for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) in Primary Care settings. Intended for those who oversee or implement IPAC in Primary Care settings, the series will be held over four sessions starting late May. Find your regions and more here.

Choosing Wisely in Primary Care Series: Antibiotic Prescribing and your CPSO QI Requirements, May 4, 2022
First in OCFP series “Choosing Wisely in Primary Care” on Wednesday, May 4, at 8:00-9:00am. Register here.

Mental Health Week, May 2-8, 2022
This year’s CMHA Mental Health Week is all about empathy! You can download the toolkit here

New Horizons: Navigating towards the future of family medicine, starting May 6, 2022
Speaker series hosted by Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine. The first session is a conversation with epidemiologist Dr. Sandro Galea. Find out more here.

3rd Annual McMaster University Review Course in Psychiatry, May 26-27, 2022
Virtual CPD Conference. Find out more here.

Feeding Children – Success is in the Details, starting May 18, 2022
Hosted by Nutrition Connection at the Ontario Public Health Association and Ellyn Satter Institute. Find out more here.

Action Now! Building Equitable Futures Together, June 8-9, 2022
Alliance for Healthier Communities conference. Register here.

May 3, 2022

Bits & Pieces: #AFHTO2022 call for abstracts and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue
AFHTO 2022 Conference: call for abstracts Reminder- online appointment booking funding webinar tomorrow Election 2022: It Takes a Team – on social media! Happy Health Administration Day Doctors’ Day is May 1 Paxlovid prescription forms, masking requirements continue and more	MOH “Axe the Fax” survey MOH, CMOH & OH updates including memos on hepatitis in children and OHTs Upcoming events including understanding your health webinars and more

AFHTO 2022 Conference: call for abstracts

It’s time to highlight primary care. We’ll be selecting sessions and posters for our 4 core themes and we need your help. We want your insight, from system and policy-level discussions to patient-focused inquiries into the ways teams can better serve their communities now as we reconnect and reimagine, moving forward together.

Find out more here.

And don’t forget, the deadline to join a working group and/or Bright Lights review committee is next Tuesday, May 3. Come behind the scenes of our first hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee.

Reminder- online appointment booking funding webinar tomorrow

The Ministry of Health has approved funding for Ontario Health Teams (OHT) in development teams and other health care organizations to enable more patients to schedule an online appointment with their primary care provider or other community care provider.

This funding is intended to support transforming how care is delivered and assisting OHTs and the broader health sector to build their digital health maturity. This funding is also available to primary care and teams that are interested in implementing OAB in their clinics.

To learn more about this opportunity, register for our webinar tomorrow with Ontario Health, April 28 from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.

Election 2022: It Takes a Team – on social media!

Teams are doing fantastic local advocacy as we head into an election where health care is a top issue for all parties.

Social media – especially Twitter – is a good tool to reach a political audience, and we encourage you use it lots this next month! Check out our social media animations and graphics here, and share successes, pictures from candidate meetings, or pictures of patients with a voter card. Broadcast what you do to deliver the best primary care in Ontario where It Takes a Team.

AFHTO will be tweeting regularly. We ask you tag @afhto when you tweet, and we will also retweet you!

Please use our campaign slogan #ItTakesATeam

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

Happy Health Administration Day
For all the appointment bookings, checking patients in at the front desk and making things just run better- to all the professionals who keep their teams going- we know it’s like herding cats, but we literally wouldn’t be able to do it without you. Happy Health Administration Day!

Doctors’ Day is May 1
Sunday, May 1, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and health care organizations across the province will be recognizing contributions made by Ontario’s doctors. Ontarians can participate by saying thank you with colour here.

You can also join the conversation with hashtag #DoctorsDay.

A special thank you to all the family doctors working with our teams for the great care you provide to your patients and your communities each and every day.

Paxlovid prescription forms, masking requirements continue and more

Recent updates include:

Paxlovid prescription forms for PS Suite, Oscar and Accuro- Partnering For Quality and the eHealth Centre of Excellence, April 2022
Updated Paxlovid content including context around the expansion on the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (SAT) guidance as to which patients to consider for Paxlovid – CEP, Apr. 21, 2022
Masking Requirements Continue in Select Indoor Settings– MOH, Apr. 22, 2022
- Letter to Minister Elliott – Scheduled lifting of public health measures– AFHTO, IPHCC and the Alliance, Apr. 21, 2022
CMOH directives in effect until June 11 – MOH, Apr. 22, 2022
Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario – MOH, Apr. 19, 2022
Confused about COVID updates re vaccine recommendations– Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, April 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

MOH “Axe the Fax” survey
The Ministry of Health has initiated an analysis of the current state and drivers of fax use to identify potential options for phasing out fax use in Ontario’s health system. As part of their first phase, there is an assessment survey with a purpose to obtain input from a variety of stakeholders about their use of traditional paper-based fax and electronic fax. Only one survey needs to be submitted from each organization. For more information and the survey link, click here.

MOH, CMOH & OH updates including memos on hepatitis in children and OHTs

Memo regarding severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children – CMOH, Apr. 26, 2022
OHT Year End Update – MOH, Apr. 19, 2022
Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence update – OH, Apr. 21, 2022
Health Connect Ontario replacing Telehealth Ontario – MOH, Apr. 22, 2022

Understanding your health webinars
Resources for patients and providers from Living Healthy Champlain. Learn more here

Mental Health Week, May 2-8, 2022
CMHA toolkit available here

3rd Annual McMaster University Review Course in Psychiatry, May 26-27, 2022
Virtual CPD Conference. Find out more here.

Feeding Children – Success is in the Details, starting May 18, 2022
Hosted by Nutrition Connection at the Ontario Public Health Association and Ellyn Satter Institute. Find out more here.

Action Now! Building Equitable Futures Together, June 8-9, 2022
Alliance for Healthier Communities conference. Early bird deadline Apr. 29. 2022. Register here.

April 27, 2022

Bits & Pieces: funding for online appointment booking 2022/23 and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue
Online appointment booking funding webinar Apr. 28 AFHTO 2022 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 3 IPAC strategies webinar materials available	Member stories Memo on optimizing care and more Upcoming events including improving transitions from youth to adult health care and more

Online appointment booking funding webinar Apr. 28

This funding is intended to support transforming how care is delivered and assisting OHTs and the broader health sector to build their digital health maturity.

To learn more about this opportunity, register for our webinar on Thursday, April 28 from 12:00 to 12:30pm.

AFHTO 2022 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 3

Come behind the scenes of our first hybrid conference and be the first to learn about new developments in the field, influence conference programming and discover the latest innovators in areas directly relevant to your work. Working group members also receive a discount off their registration fee. Deadline May 3.

IPAC strategies webinar materials available

On Apr. 14, in partnership with the members of the Primary Care Collaborative, Public Health Ontario (PHO) provided infection prevention and control (IPAC) information to those working in clinical office settings. Materials are now available.

Member stories
Huron Shores FHT- “For the younger doctors, I think having a health team is very attractive compared to what we have here now, a model of the old-fashioned doc who works on his own, runs his office, runs his staff, works all night at the hospital, works the next day at the clinic.”

“NSHN … will support a joint business case between the East Algoma Primary Care Work Team and the Huron Shores Family Health Team to incorporate Thessalon, Bruce Mines and Richards Landing into the current Huron Shores Family Health Team.”

Read the full article here.

Memo on optimizing care and more

Recent updates include:

Wave 6 – COVID-19: Optimizing Care – Operational Direction– Ontario Health, Apr. 14, 2022
Update on Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan – ADM memo to PCC and OMA- MOH, Apr. 14, 2022
Prescribing Paxlovid, Fourth Doses and Additional Resources– AFHTO, Apr. 13, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

IPAC Central West: IPAC Primary Care CoP, Apr. 20, 2022
Hosted by Public Health Ontario, IPAC Implementation and Support Team. Register here.

ECHO Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 22- Jul. 15, 2022
A free pilot telementoring program for primary health-care providers. Find out more here.

Quadruple Aim Measures for Ontario Health Teams, Apr. 26, 2022
HSPN’s next OHT webinar. Register here. Past webinar materials here.

Changing the Story: Improving Transitions from Youth to Adult Health Care, Apr. 27, 2022
Ontario Health webinar in partnership with the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health. Register here.

April 19, 2022

Bits & Pieces: Apr. 14 IPAC webinar and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

Reminder – IPAC strategies to ensure a safe environment in primary care clinics Apr. 14
Election advocacy webinar slides and video available
Ontario expanding access to COVID-19 antivirals & PCR testing and more
Study to investigate barriers in the diagnosis and management of dementia in primary care – recruiting family physicians

NPAO Patient Choice Award
Harm Reduction Fundamentals: A Toolkit
Wellness Together Canada- mental health and substance use resources
Upcoming events including curbing unnecessary CT scans for concussions and more

Reminder- IPAC strategies to ensure a safe environment in primary care clinics Apr. 14

In partnership with the members of the Primary Care Collaborative, Public Health Ontario (PHO) will provide infection prevention and control (IPAC) information to those working in clinical office settings.

In this webinar, practical IPAC strategies for ensuring a safe environment for patients, clinicians, and staff will be reviewed and evidence-based resources will be introduced to support the ongoing development of a complete IPAC program for this practice setting.

The information presented in this webinar will be of interest to clinicians as well as those designated to lead IPAC activities in the clinical office setting.

Election advocacy webinar slides and video available

It’s exciting to be speaking with teams about their current advocacy and the work being planned for the coming two months as we head towards the June 2 provincial election! The election is expected to start on May 4. As you all know, though, parties are in full election mode now.

AFHTO held an advocacy webinar with our government relations firm, Enterprise Canada, last week to discuss advocacy and the tools we’ve developed to support you. Read more here.

Remember to also keep us in loop about your advocacy activities and if you need any support contact us at advocacy@afhto.ca.

Ontario expanding access to COVID-19 antivirals & PCR testing and more

Recent updates include:

Ontario expanding access to COVID-19 antivirals & PCR testing– MOH, Apr. 11, 2022
COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance– MOH, updated Apr. 11, 2022
Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario– MOH, updated Apr. 11, 2022
Strategies for an equitable recovery and the latest on 4th doses, immunity and more materials – OCFP and University of Toronto’s COVID CoP, April 8, 2022.
COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose and Booster Recommendations – MOH, updated Apr. 6, 2022
How to sign up to automatically receive MOH Situation Reports:
- Click here
- There is a drop-down menu near the bottom of the form to opt into different automatic reports (Situation Reports, Cyber Security Updates, etc.)
- If your organization is NOT in the drop-down menu, you can still fill out the form and apply.
- Access to the report is not instant as each application is manually reviewed and added to the system.

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Study to investigate barriers in the diagnosis and management of dementia in primary care – recruiting family physicians

The purpose of this online study is to improve our understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the management of patients with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer Disease (AD) by primary care physicians. The study is conducted by NeuroEconSolutions, a company that designs online studies to better understand patients’ and doctors’ preferences regarding specific diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments. Dr. Marie-Chantal Ménard is the Principal Investigator of this study.

If you have any questions regarding the research study itself, please feel free to contact Dr. Marie-Chantal Ménard at ADinPCP@gmail.com. Recruitment is rolling and needs to be completed before the end of May 2022. An Amazon gift card of $150 will be provided to all those that complete the study.

NPAO Patient Choice Award

Nominations for the Patient Choice Award are submitted by patients, based on their description of their nurse practitioner’s professional qualities, approach to patient care and specific stories of dedication and how the nurse practitioner has made a difference in their lives or the lives of others. Here’s a poster to promote the award in your clinics. Deadline is June 17, 2022.

Harm Reduction Fundamentals: A Toolkit
CATIE has launched Harm Reduction Fundamentals: A Toolkit for Service Providers a bilingual educational resource that includes a collection of interactive multimedia resources on foundational harm reduction knowledge. Here is more information on the Toolkit and an FAQ.

Wellness Together Canada- mental health and substance use resources

Wellness Together Canada is Canada’s first and only online platform offering immediate mental health and substance use support for people of all ages, in every province and territory, and in both official languages. Access free educational resources, e-courses and live counselling via phone, text, and video 24/7 and at no cost ever.

They have developed a custom toolkit for primary care providers. It contains sample social media graphics, two posters with QR codes linking to resources, and an infographic to easily explain resources. Get it here.

Curbing Unnecessary CT scans for Concussions, Apr. 13, 2022
Join Choosing Wisely Talks for a discussion on reducing CT scans for concussions. Register here.

IPAC Central West: IPAC Primary Care CoP, Apr. 20, 2022
Hosted by Public Health Ontario, IPAC Implementation and Support Team. Register here.

ECHO Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Apr. 22- Jul. 15, 2022
A free pilot telementoring program for primary health-care providers. Find out more here.

Quadruple Aim Measures for Ontario Health Teams, Apr. 26, 2022
HSPN’s next OHT webinar. Register here. Past webinar materials here.

April 12, 2022

Bits & Pieces: IPAC & advocacy webinars and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

IPAC strategies to ensure a safe environment in primary care clinics Apr. 14
We need you. Provincial election campaign training with Enterprise Canada, tomorrow, Apr. 6, 2022
Welcome to Raveen Bahniwal
Member stories
Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS slides and video available

Strategies for an equitable recovery and the latest on 4th doses, immunity and more
Change to Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)’s guidelines
Upcoming events including diabetes care and more

IPAC strategies to ensure a safe environment in primary care clinics Apr. 14

The information presented in this webinar will be of interest to clinicians as well as those designated to lead IPAC activities in the clinical office setting.

We need you. Provincial election campaign training with Enterprise Canada, tomorrow, Apr. 6, 2022

The provincial election is just over two months away. Now is the time for local candidates to hear from you. Anyone on the team can join and we highly encourage you to do so! It’s going to take all of us to make an impact across Ontario.

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

Welcome to Raveen Bahniwal
We’re happy to introduce Raveen Bahniwal, our new Quality and Knowledge Translation Specialist.

Ravninder (Raveen) completed her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at McMaster University where she has experience in quantitative research, mainly running randomized controlled trials with the Exercise Metabolism Research Group. She received her master’s in public health from Western University where she worked on a research project within the Department of Family Medicine investigating the connection between artificial intelligence and primary care challenges.

During the pandemic, Ravninder has been working as a Community Health Ambassador to provide wraparound COVID-19 supports to high-risk neighbourhoods and support community members in getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Welcome to the team!

Member stories

Parry Sound FHT– ‘It’s unbelievable’: Parry Sound FHT uses virtual reality to help seniors to explore the world

Peninsula FHT– Physician buy-in a prescription for high vaccination rates

Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS slides and video available

On Friday, April 1 we had an update and conversation with Ontario Health on its role in supporting primary care, the work being led through the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence (MHA CoE), and the vision for OH’s Healthcare Navigation Service (HCNS). Slides and video are now available.

Strategies for an equitable recovery and the latest on 4th doses, immunity and more

Recent updates include:

Strategies for an equitable recovery and the latest on 4th doses, immunity and more – Next in OCFP and University of Toronto’s COVID CoP on April 8. Panelists:
- Dr. Frances Garwe, Chief Executive Officer, Carea Community Health Centre, Ajax, ON
- Dr. Isaac Bogoch, Infectious Diseases Specialist and General Internist, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON
- Dr. David Kaplan, Family Physician, North York Family Health Team and Vice President, Quality, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON
Clinical Practice Guideline Summary: Recommended Drugs and Biologics in Adult Patients with COVID-19– Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, updated Apr. 1, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Change to Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)’s guidelines

There will be a change to Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)’s Guidelines, specifically pertaining to recommendations for repeating cytology after an abnormal result. 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. Ontario Health is now formalizing the change to their screening recommendations. Please see the fulsome screening recommendation summary that can be found here. For evidence to support this recommendation, please see here.

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.

The 3R’s – Relief, Recovery & Renewal: A Prescription for Self-Care, Apr. 6, 2022

Hosted by Instincts at Work.Find out more here.

Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Apr. 8, 2022
Hosted by Ontario Health and moderated by Dr. David Kaplan. Find out more here.

ECHO Care of the Elderly: Long-Term Care, starting Apr. 12, 2022
Hosted by Baycrest, in collaboration with North East Specialized Geriatric Centre and the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI), this free series runs on Tuesdays from April 12 – July 12, 2022. Apply here.

QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 12, 2022
Free conference hosted by Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP). Learn more here.

IPAC Central West: IPAC Primary Care CoP, Apr. 20, 2022
Hosted by Public Health Ontario, IPAC Implementation and Support Team. Register here.

April 5, 2022

Bits & Pieces: This Friday- Ontario Health and Primary Care and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

This Friday- Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS
Member stories
Reminder- Your Voice is Important: Election Campaign Training with Enterprise Canada, Apr. 6, 2022
Guidance documents including the new Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine and more

Ontario Health Primary Care and COVID-19 Support CoP
BORN Ontario Call for Interest: Indigenous Representation, Maternal Newborn Outcomes Committee
Upcoming events including OHT Year End Update and more

This Friday- Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1

AFHTO has arranged for an update and conversation with Ontario Health on its role in supporting primary care, the work being led through the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence (MHA CoE), and the vision for OH’s Healthcare Navigation Service (HCNS). Register here to hear from senior decision makers at OH talk about how they are planning to support primary care through the pandemic recovery.

Member stories

Bancroft Community and Prince Edward FHTs– Public Health recognizes community partners as COVID-19 clinics wind down

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority– Ontario expanding mental health services for Indian Residential School survivors

Reminder- 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.

Guidance documents including the new Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine and more

Recent updates include:

COVID-19 Guidance documents have been updated to include content on the new Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine on Mar. 24, 2022:
COVID -19 Vaccine Screening Form– MOH, updated Mar. 25, 2022
COVID Recovery video, slides, and resources– OCFP CoP for Family Physicians, Mar. 25, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Ontario Health Primary Care and COVID-19 Support CoP

Ontario Health has a monthly series that will run every second Wednesday April to December. Its objectives are:

Provide updates on new guidance and initiatives affecting primary care.
View presentations and ask questions related to COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives within primary care.
Learn from and connect with your peers.

BORN Ontario Call for Interest: Indigenous Representation, Maternal Newborn Outcomes Committee

The Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario is looking for an Indigenous Health Professional interested in becoming a member of its Maternal Newborn Outcomes Committee (MNOC) to help inform and guide opportunities for BORN’s involvement in Indigenous health and related data governance. Apply by April 12.

If you have questions, please email jbrownlee@bornontario.ca.

COVID-19 and indoor air quality – how community spaces can reduce transmission using ventilation, filtration, and ultra-violet disinfection

Hosted by the Alliance and IPHCC, this April 5 webinar features two experts in indoor air quality from the University of Toronto. Want to get started now? Dr. Siegel and Dr. Li have shared five great things you can do to improve air quality and reduce airborne transmission of COVID-19.

Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Apr. 8, 2022
Hosted by Ontario Health and moderated by Dr. David Kaplan. Find out more here.

OHT Year End Update, Apr. 8, 2022
A special OHT Virtual Engagement Series to reflect on Ontario Health Teams’ (OHTs’) collective achievements to date and preview what’s ahead. Register here.

QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 12, 2022
Free conference hosted by Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP). Learn more here.

IPAC Central West: IPAC Primary Care CoP, Apr. 20, 2022
Hosted by Public Health Ontario, IPAC Implementation and Support Team. Register here.

March 29, 2022

Bits & Pieces: member stories, farewell to Sandeep and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue
Member stories Farewell to Sandeep Gill Seeking Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations- deadline Mar. 25 Reminder – Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1	Reminder- Your Voice is Important: Election Campaign Training with Enterprise Canada, Apr. 6, 2022 The second anniversary and more Ontario government seeking input on Anti-Racism Strategic Plan Launch of QIP Navigator for 2022/23- drop-in sessions available Upcoming events regarding COVID Recovery and more

Member stories

City of Lakes FHT– has developed a new Strategic Plan for 2022-25- EN and FR

Lakehead NPLC– Lakehead Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic plans to take on 1,600 more patients

Haldimand FHT– Haldimand FHT receives over $900k from province. Press release here.

These last two are part of the Ontario government investment of $6.2 million across 32 primary care teams. Further details are coming, but if you are one of these teams, please send us any press releases, articles, etc. so we can spread the good news.

Farewell to Sandeep Gill

It is with genuinely mixed feelings we announce that Sandeep Gill will be leaving AFHTO for a new role in the acute sector.

Sandeep has been with AFHTO for nearly three years, most recently as Manager, Quality and Knowledge Translation. So many have you had the pleasure of working with her or attended the webinars she has organized over the last few years. She has also helped AFHTO grow its research portfolio by securing several research opportunities which have also led to a few publications.

We’re going to miss Sandeep but know she will bring so much to her new team. Please join us in giving her our sincerest best wishes. Her last day with AFHTO will be Friday, April 8th – any questions related to her work can be directed to info@afhto.ca.

If anyone is interested in joining our team in a similar role, you can find details here. Deadline April 1, 2022.

Seeking Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations- deadline Mar. 25

We’re growing! The Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations will monitor and respond to relevant government activity, analyze government legislation and regulations that impacts primary care, health system restructuring and team-based care ensuring that AFHTO and its member voices are considered in the development and implementation of policy and advocacy by aligning with AFHTO’s strategic directions and delivering messaging that is consistent with AFHTO and the primary care sector’s public policy agenda, by positioning comprehensive team-based primary care as the foundation of the health care system.

Learn more and apply by Mar. 25, 2022, for this two year position.

Reminder – Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1

Reminder- 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.

The second anniversary and more

Recent updates include:

COVID-19 school and child care screening– MOH, updated Mar. 21, 2022
The Hope Issue and The 2nd Anniversary Issue– latest newsletters from infectious diseases specialist Dr. Andrew Morris
Blood Collection Product Supply Constraints memo– MOH and Ontario Health, Mar. 21, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Ontario government seeking input on Anti-Racism Strategic Plan

The Ontario government is seeking input as it launches a review of the province’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan. You can find more details and submit feedback here (FR). Deadline May 4, 2022.

Launch of QIP Navigator for 2022/23- drop-in sessions available

The Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) online submission platform, QIP Navigator, has opened for 2022/23 QIP submissions. It will remain open until June 30, 2022. To support the process, Ontario Health will be hosting drop-in sessions on Zoom. Register here.

If you have any questions, please contact QIP@ontariohealth.ca.

COVID Recovery, Mar. 25, 2022

41st in the series ‘Changing the way we work’ for OCFP’s COVID-19 CoP for Family Physicians. Register here.

COVID-19 and indoor air quality – how community spaces can reduce transmission using ventilation, filtration, and ultra-violet disinfection

Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Apr. 8, 2022
Hosted by Ontario Health and moderated by Dr. David Kaplan. Find out more here.

Cannabis and Older Adults
Free, asynchronous, accredited eLearning modules by Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH) (English version) are now available. The French modules will be available Spring 2022. Find out more here.

QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 12, 2022
Free conference hosted by Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP). Learn more here.

March 23, 2022

Bits & Pieces: Happy Nutrition Month and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue
Happy Nutrition Month Where do we go from here? Understanding the impact of preventive screening backlogs video Implications for primary care with the lifting of COVID measures and more	Transitions from youth to adult health care services quality standard OCFP Awards – call for nominations extended to Mar. 20 Upcoming events including Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, and more

Happy Nutrition Month

March is Nutrition Month, and today is Dietitian’s Day. We appreciate our teams’ registered dietitians, their ongoing commitment to teamwork and helping patients create a healthier future. #YourFutureIsHealthy

Where do we go from here? Understanding the impact of preventive screening backlogs video

On March 9 Choosing Wisely hosted a talk focused on the impact of screening delays in primary care related to the pandemic as part of their monthly conversation series. You can watch the recording with Drs. David Kaplan and Guylène Thériault here.

Implications for primary care with the lifting of COVID measures and more

Recent updates include:

The Lifting of COVID Measures in Ontario: Implications for Primary Care– OCFP, Mar. 15, 2022
Living with and Managing COVID-19, Updated Guidance and Events & Webinars – AFHTO, Mar 11, 2022
COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations – MOH, updated Mar 9, 2022
COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge– MOH, updated Mar 9, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccine Children/ Youth (Age 5-17) Consent Form (now available in 26 languages)- MOH, updated Mar 9, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

Transitions from youth to adult health care services quality standard

Ontario Health (Quality) has released the Transitions From Youth to Adult Health Care Services Quality Standard, developed in partnership with the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH). If you have any questions, please contact qualitystandards@ontariohealth.ca.

OCFP Awards – call for nominations extended to Mar. 20
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 now Mar. 20, 2022.

Vaccine Hesitancy for People who are Pregnant, Lactating or Planning to Become Pregnant, Mar. 17, 2022

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with the Canadian Vaccination Evidence Resource and Exchange Centre (CANVax) for this webinar. Register here.

COVID Recovery, Mar. 25, 2022

41st in the series ‘Changing the way we work’ for OCFP’s COVID-19 CoP for Family Physicians. Register here.

Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1

COVID-19 and indoor air quality – how community spaces can reduce transmission using ventilation, filtration, and ultra-violet disinfection

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.

Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Apr. 8, 2022
Hosted by Ontario Health and moderated by Dr. David Kaplan. Find out more here.

March 16, 2022

Bits & Pieces: Ontario Health and Primary Care and more

Your Weekly News & Updates

In This Issue

Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1
Social Work Week
Revocation of directive #6 and more
2022/23 Annual Memo – Quality Improvement Plan
Ministry and Ontario Health updates, including coverage for continuous glucose monitors

Call for expressions of interest for hospital & pediatric models of care working groups
Upcoming events including COVID-19 and indoor air quality, and more

Ontario Health and Primary Care, MHA CoE, and HCNS, April 1

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

This session is open to all members of the teams so please share.

Social Work Week

It’s Social Work Week in Ontario, and we’d like to thank our teams’ social workers, who have worked tirelessly to support their patients and communities through COVID. We’re tired of living through historic times, but we’re glad you’re here to help. You can show your appreciation too, with resources from OASW.

Revocation of directive #6 and more

Recent updates include:

Revocation of Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #6 Memo – MOH, Mar 9, 2022
Living and Managing COVID-19 Technical Presser – MOH, Mar 9, 2022 (more information to follow on this as it is shared)
Vaccine Implementation Primary Care Update– MOH, Mar. 1, 2022
Guidance for Primary Care Providers – Access to outpatient therapies for COVID-19 (sotrovimab and Paxlovid) – EN and FR with an updated Memo in EN and FR – Ontario Health, March 2, 2022
From pandemic to endemic? What’s next with COVID video, slide deck and resources – OCFP CoP, Mar. 4, 2022

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

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates– the original page, with news and Ministry situation reports (please note that the Ministry Situation Reports on COVID-19 are posted daily so review them to better understand the provincial response)
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario
COVID-19 information for Patients, Caregivers and the Public
Infection control resources and tools for primary care
Management and operations, human resources and COVID-19
Mental health and wellness during COVID-19
Providing Comprehensive Care During COVID-19
Resources for Re-opening
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19

2022/23 Annual Memo – Quality Improvement Plan

On behalf of Fernando Tavares, A/ Program Manager Primary Health Care Branch

In follow up to the distribution from Ontario Health (EN and FR) regarding the submission of this year’s Quality Improvement Plans, the Ministry wrote to teams yesterday to confirm that they are 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.

The Ministry continues 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.

Ministry and Ontario Health updates, including coverage for continuous glucose monitors

Assistive Devices Program– Starting March 14, 2022, eligible Ontarians with type 1 diabetes can receive Assistive Devices Program funding for a continuous glucose monitor and the related supplies.

Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence – latest newsletter, Mar. 1, 2022

Ontario Health’s Technology Advisory Committee– seeking volunteers. Deadline Mar. 14, 2022.

Call for expressions of interest for hospital & pediatric models of care working groups

Ontario Palliative Care Network is establishing two working groups to create two distinct models of care:

Once completed, this work will build upon and complement the framework for Focus Area 1: Adults Receiving Care in Community Settings, completed in 2019.

Applications are due to info@ontariopalliativecarenetwork.ca by Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

COVID-19 and indoor air quality – how community spaces can reduce transmission using ventilation, filtration, and ultra-violet disinfection

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.

Diabetes Care: Tools and Resources to Support Mental Health Needs, Apr. 8, 2022
Hosted by Ontario Health and moderated by Dr. David Kaplan. Find out more here.

QI Innovations: Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Apr. 12, 2022
Free conference hosted by Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP). Learn more here.

March 9, 2022