NEW AFHTO Board of Directors and Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
Dear AFHTO members and collaborators, I want to personally thank our members in attendance at our annual conference Oct 23 – 25 for a warm welcome in my first week as AFHTO’s new CEO. I deeply appreciate the honesty and openness from which you shared your experience and perspectives. I am grateful to have had […]
Bits & Pieces: teams’ experiences and perspectives in COVID-19 vaccination distribution
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Primary care teams’ experiences and perspectives in COVID-19 vaccination distribution Reminder – member renewal deadline is June 30 Member stories Climate change video and materials available News and updates including Health Equity Across the AI Lifecycle Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory Summer travel […]
Bits & Pieces: team expansion materials and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Expanding and enhancing interprofessional primary care teams EOI – new resources Member stories News and updates – OMA’s call for more team-based care, FAO health sector budget review and more Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory Evidence of value- the impact of continuity of […]
Chronic noncancer pain management: Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care
Chronic noncancer pain management Integration of a nurse-led program in primary care Research article published in Canadian Family Physician March 2023, 69 (3) e52-e60 Abstract Problem addressed Chronic noncancer pain is often excessively managed with medications (most notably opioids) instead of nonpharmacologic options or multidisciplinary care—the gold standards. Objective of program To offer an effective alternative […]
Bits & Pieces: member stories and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Member stories Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx, celebrates two years in Ontario New Long COVID resources from the OCFP and more New resource for social prescribing Project on women and hypertension 2023 OCFP award nominations now open Evidence of value- financial counselling during baby checkups […]
Bits & Pieces: The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19 and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19 Member stories Evidence of value- Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes (EPCD) team model Corrected link – Healthcare Excellence Canada Opportunity: Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care Ontario Caregiver Organization 2022 Spotlight Report Updated Post-Covid-19 Condition guidance, […]
Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care
Research article published in The Annals of Family Medicine November 2022, 20 (6) 505-511 Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care Abstract PURPOSE Primary care practices manage most patients with diabetes and face considerable operational, regulatory, and reimbursement pressures to improve the quality of this care. The Enhanced Primary Care […]
The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19
Research article published in BMC Primary Care 23, 294 (2022) The experience of primary care teams during the early phase of COVID-19: A qualitative study of primary care practice leaders in Ontario, Canada Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rapid shift to virtual care in primary care practices around the globe. There has […]
Impact of Team-Based Care on Emergency Department Use
Research article published in The Annals of Family Medicine January 2022, 20 (1) 24-31 Impact of Team-Based Care on Emergency Department Use Abstract PURPOSE We sought to assess the impact of team-based care on emergency department (ED) use in the context of physicians transitioning from fee-for-service payment to capitation payment in Ontario, Canada. METHODS We […]
Patients, clinicians benefit from team-based care model: Stanford study
Research article published in Annals of Family Medicine September 2021, 19 (5) 411-418 Primary Care 2.0: A Prospective Evaluation of a Novel Model of Advanced Team Care With Expanded Medical Assistant Support Abstract PURPOSE Assess effectiveness of Primary Care 2.0: a team-based model that incorporates increased medical assistant (MA) to primary care physician (PCP) ratio, […]
Delivery of Patient Care in Ontario’s FHTs during the First Wave of COVID-19
The Delivery of Patient Care in Ontario’s Family Health Teams during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, HEALTHCARE POLICY, Vol.17 No.2, 2021 Abstract Objective: The objective of this paper was to identify continuations and changes in care delivery methods in primary care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: The study used a cross-sectional, web-based […]
Bits & Pieces: AI podcast episodes, 5-11 yr old webinar materials and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue AI podcast episodes COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years old slides and video available The Delivery of Patient Care in Ontario’s Family Health Teams during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine admin update, CoP resources and more The BETTER Program: building on existing tools […]
Annual Report 2021 (Post-Pandemic Primary Care: Respond, Recover, Rebuild)
It has been a challenging 20 months, and primary care teams have been leaders. Throughout this pandemic, teams adjusted to new circumstances and continued to provide comprehensive care while extending reach to support their communities. They were leaders in organizing assessment centres, conducting tests, and administering COVID-19 vaccines. They collaborated with their partners to help keep communities safe, while keeping their doors open […]
Bits & Pieces: virtual CBT for insomnia, call for abstracts and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia via virtual platform, July 21 AFHTO 2021 Conference: call for poster abstracts Reminder – PTSD, Relationships & Accessible Support, July 14, 2021 IPAC/PPE FAQ, updates to vaccine product monographs and more Evidence of value: Primary care teams’ experiences of […]
Patient perspectives on quality of care for depression and anxiety in primary health care teams: Study
Research paper published in Health Expectations. 2021 Abstract Background: Widespread policy reforms in Canada, the United States and elsewhere over the last two decades strengthened team models of primary care by bringing together family physicians and nurse practitioners with a range of mental health and other interdisciplinary providers. Understanding how patients with depression and anxiety […]
Team-based primary care improved health behaviors among patients with multimorbidity
Scaling Up Patient-Centered Interdisciplinary Care for Multimorbidity: A Pragmatic Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial, The Annals of Family Medicine March 2021, 19 (2) 126-134 Abstract PURPOSE To measure the effectiveness of a 4-month interdisciplinary multifaceted intervention based on a change in care delivery for patients with multimorbidity in primary care practices. METHODS A pragmatic randomized controlled […]
Bits & Pieces: leaving no story untold, IHPs and outcomes in diabetes care, and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Don’t leave your team’s stories untold Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month Members’ stories Saegis Cybersecurity Clinic Update 2021 slides and video AFHTO 2021 Conference survey deadline today How IHPs affect outcomes in diabetes care- input needed Patient and staff on the vaccine, guidance updates, armpit lumps and […]
How primary health care helps health systems adapt during the COVID 19 pandemic: OECD report
OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Strengthening the frontline: How primary health care helps health systems adapt during the COVID 19 pandemic Feb. 10, 2021 Abstract Health systems continue to adapt to cope with the COVID‑19 pandemic. Much focus has been placed on the scaling-up of hospital capacities. However, the pandemic is also deeply affecting […]
Hybrid model of pharmacist services in a large multisite family health team
Research paper published in The Canadian Pharmacists Journal September/October 2020 Introduction The pharmacist role, especially in team-based primary care, has evolved tremendously over the past several years. The North York Family Health Team (NYFHT) is an urban family health team serving patients in the northern part of Toronto and surrounding areas. Since its inception […]
Bits & Pieces: your COVID-19 survey results at Trillium Research Day & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Trillium Research Day – AFHTO posters and presentation Primary care patient/client virtual care experience survey #StopTheSpread communications toolkit Provider virtual care experience survey IHP experience during COVID-19 Fecal immunochemical test kit update and reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening Top ten flu Q & A […]
High and Sustained Participation in a Multi-year Voluntary Performance Measurement Initiative Among Primary Care Teams
Research paper published in the International Journal of Health Policy and Management Abstract Background: The province of Ontario, Canada has made major investments in interdisciplinary primary care teams. There is interest in both demonstrating and improving the quality of care they provide. Challenges include lack of consensus on the definition of quality and evidence that […]
The Role of Social Workers in Interprofessional Primary Healthcare Teams: Study
Research paper published in HEALTHCARE POLICY Vol.16 No.1, 2020 Abstract Background: In Ontario, Canada, social workers are employed in a number of primary healthcare (PHC) settings such as Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Family Health Teams (FHTs). However, many aspects of social work practice within PHC settings are unknown. Objectives: The objectives of our study […]
Examining Interprofessional Teams Structures and Processes in the Implementation of Primary Care Intervention (Health TAPESTRY) for Older Adults using Normalization Process Theory
Available in BMC Family Practice, published April 15, 2020 Authors: Ruta Valaitis – McMaster University Laura Cleghorn – McMaster FHT Lisa Dolovich – McMaster FHT Gina Agarwal – McMaster FHT Jessica Gaber – McMaster FHT Derelie Mangin – McMaster FHT Doug Oliver – McMaster FHT Fiona Parascandalo – McMaster FHT Jenny Ploeg McMaster University […]
Alternate payment model is saving province millions at two Alberta clinics
Excerpt from CBC News, published December 10, 2019 By Jennifer Lee A new report by the Health Quality Council of Alberta reveals two Alberta primary care clinics — using an alternative funding model for doctors — are saving the health-care system millions of dollars a year. HQCA studied 10 years’ worth of data from […]
Bits & Pieces: offering patients a medical home, 2020 conference feedback & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Offering patients a medical home – not a hallway We need your feedback for the 2020 conference Governance and leadership tools, resources and supports Members’ stories Reminder – Mental health and addiction QI collaborative webinar The Change Foundation launches Future Innovator Awards Ontario Health CEO starts […]
Care plans reduce risk of ending up in hospital for patients with severe mental illness: study
The chances of a patient with a serious mental illness ending up in hospital because of their condition are reduced by almost 40 per cent if they have a care plan, according to the research. The study, which tracked 20,000 patients with a severe mental illness through the healthcare system, also found that seeing the […]
Bits & Pieces: NP-led opioid prescribing, alcohol use disorder tool & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In this Issue: NP-led opioid prescribing Alcohol use disorder tool Opioids clinical primer update Reminder- ED OHT mentorship program Free online course on radon Quality care for diabetic foot ulcers Upcoming events on psychosis, sustainable eating and more NP-led opioid prescribing Mount Sinai Academic FHT has published “Improving Family […]
Balancing patient priorities for technical and interactional aspects of care in a measure of primary care quality
Balancing patient priorities for technical and interactional aspects of care in a measure of primary care quality Cambridge University Press article published on January 1, 2019 Authors: Carol Mulder, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario, Queen’s University Nadiya Sunderji, Waypoint Center for Mental Health Care, University of Toronto Abstract Aim: This study attempts to […]
Bits & Pieces: member news, aging at home, palliative care & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In this Issue: Member news Evidence of value- Healthcare Quarterly articles Bright Lights confirmations sent Primary care virtual community – 10 high impact actions Strategies for managing chronic pain: moving beyond opioids Call for Abstracts – Traumatic Brain Injury Conference, Feb. 7, 2020 Upcoming events including Considerations for Primary […]
Innovation in Ontario’s Family Health Teams: How Palliative and Coordinated Care Programs are Filling Service Gaps and Keeping Patients at Home
Innovation in Ontario’s Family Health Teams: How Palliative and Coordinated Care Programs are Filling Service Gaps and Keeping Patients at Home Article published in Healthcare Quarterly Today on June 25, 2019 Authors: Monica Aggarwal, University of Toronto; Helen Cluett, Prince Edward FHT; Heather Campbell, Prince Edward FHT; Debbie Korzeniowski, Prince Edward FHT Cindy Jones, Prince Edward […]
Aging at Home: A Portrait of Home-Based Primary Care across Canada
Aging at Home: A Portrait of Home-Based Primary Care across Canada Article published in Healthcare Quarterly in April 2019 Authors: Sabrina Akhtar, University of Toronto Mayura Loganathan, Mount Sinai FHT Mark Nowaczynski,University of Toronto Samir Sinha,University of Toronto, UHN Amanda Condon, ACCESS River East Vivian Ewa, University of Calgary John C. Kirk, Southlake Academic FHT Thuy-Nga […]