Last chance to nominate your fave for a Bright Lights Award!
Final Call – Nominate Your Bright Lights Champion by July 19! Bright Lights Awards 2024 winners The clock is ticking! This is your last chance to recognize the incredible work of your colleagues and teams by nominating them for a Bright Lights Award. While there are multiple categories, we’d like to encourage submissions in these underrepresented […]
Registration Now Open for The Power of Primary Care Conference!
Registration now open for AFHTO’s The Power of Primary Care Conference! Why design for the next four years when we can build the foundation for the next 40? The pace of change in primary care is accelerating. Teams across Ontario are receiving news, some thrilling, some challenging about their future. In this moment of transformation, […]
Bright Lights Awards, Volunteering & Your Say on 2027 Venue!
We know you’re not in it for recognition (but wouldn’t it be nice?) Submit a Bright Lights nomination today! This year, you have even MORE chances to win, with new categories. Awards include: NEW! Bright Lights Individual Impact Awards: Celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in supporting their teams, patients, and communities Bright Lights […]
Spotlight Primary Care Excellence – AFHTO Bright Lights Awards Nominations Now Open!
The AFHTO Bright Lights Awards Are Here and Bigger Than Ever! AFHTO’s Bright Lights Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions that help advance team-based primary care in Ontario. This year, we’ve expanded our awards to recognize MORE of our members. Now is your chance to recognize the individuals and teams who go above and […]
Submitted an abstract? Make sure you received confirmation
Thank you for submitting your abstracts! We received over 125 abstracts for the AFHTO’s The Power of Primary Care Conference. Thank you to all those who applied! A confirmation email has been sent to the contact person for each abstract. If you are part of a group that has prepared a submission, please ensure […]
Year-end message from AFHTO CEO
Dear AFHTO Members, As we approach the close of a year filled with new beginnings, challenges and triumphs, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the dedication you show every day. The work you do in service of the communities you care for is nothing short of inspiring. The holiday […]
Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2024 Award Winners!
On October 24 AFHTO named the winners of our thirteenth Bright Lights Awards at our ceremony at our annual conference. These innovators have improved access to primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators and […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: tips for your arrival, stay and/or participation
It’s now less than one week to the AFHTO 2024 Conference October 24-25! We look forward to seeing you all as we welcome delegates from across the province. Virtual registration deadline A reminder that the virtual registration deadline is today at 12 noon. Remind your colleagues and/or peers to register now! And to ensure a […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: early bird price for fireside chat; Deadline October 11
Since we just announced the fireside chat, Interprofessional Primary Care Teams, A Vision for Primary Care. A conversation with Dr. Sacha Bhatia, we’ve decided to extend the early bird rate. Until Oct. 11, enter the discount codes below on the payment page to get the lower rate: Members- FIREXT Non-members – FCLTD Fees are […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: fireside chat with Dr. Sacha Bhatia; Early bird deadline tomorrow
Fireside Chat Interprofessional Primary Care Teams, A Vision for Primary Care. A conversation with Dr. Sacha Bhatia We are pleased to announce our October 24 fireside chat with Dr. Sacha Bhatia, Senior Vice-President, Population Health & Value Based Health Systems, Ontario Health: Interprofessional Primary Care Teams, A Vision for Primary Care Moderated by Gloria […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: announcing new concurrent sessions; less than one week to early bird deadline
Two new concurrent sessions C4-b – The challenges of managing chronic pain with concurrent mental health and substance use concerns F2 – Implementing Networks in Primary Care: Insight into the Irish Experience If you’ve already registered and haven’t picked your sessions yet, don’t hesitate- do it now before your preferred session is gone! Just follow […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: Bright Lights Hall of Fame; Plus, new session and less than 2 weeks to early bird deadline
2024 Bright Lights Hall of Fame Find out more about the Bright Lights 2024 nominations! Winners will be announced at the Bright Lights Ceremony. Register before the early bird deadline Oct. 2! Updates NEW session – E5-b Making Healthcare More Environmentally Sustainable – Practical Guidance for Primary Care Clinicians Rooms at the Westin for […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: votes are in for livestreamed sessions; less than 3 weeks to early bird deadline
The votes are in! Your picks for livestreamed concurrent session are: A3 – From Dissemination to Implementation of a Digital Health Tool: Shadow Coding to Enhance Performance and Service Delivery Across Family Health Teams B1 – Implementing and Evaluating a Community of Practice for Social Determinants of Health Practitioners in Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: less than 4 weeks to our early bird deadline; Q&A with Ontario Health
Register before Oct. 2! Time to harness that back-to-school energy and register for the conference– there are less than 4 weeks to the early bird deadline! And don’t forget, members get just under 50% off registration. Email us if you haven’t gotten your Member Verification Code. Updates Q&A with Ontario Health for EDs/Admin leads […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: want to come for free?
Want to come for free? We have several openings for program hosts, including one for Oct. 24 only. These volunteers help keep our sessions on track and get complimentary registration in return. See the role description here and email paula.myers@afhto.ca if you’re interested. Deadline Sep. 6, 2024. More volunteer opportunities with discounts for registration […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: announcing our closing plenary speaker
Featuring Dr. Jaky Kueper Closing Plenary- Empowering Primary Care Teams: The AI Advantage This talk will review key milestones that led to today’s “AI Hype”, describe the tasks that AI can currently support in a primary care context, and propose outcomes that effective AI use could enhance. Examples of AI tools ranging from […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: vote for your streaming sessions
It’s time to vote – which concurrent sessions should be livestreamed at the conference? In addition to our plenaries and awards ceremony, we’ll livestream one concurrent session per timeslot (descriptions here) for our virtual attendees, for a total of SIX sessions. But we need you to help us decide! Pick your favourite sessions by […]
Reminder-nominate a partner or healthcare inspiration for an AFHTO Board award; Deadline this Friday, Aug 2
This Friday, August 2 is the deadline to nominate a partner for a Board award. Show your appreciation today! The Board award recognizes an individual (or a group) who is not an AFHTO member but has significantly contributed to the development and growth of team-based primary care within their local community or at the provincial […]
Bright Lights deadline extended – now next Tuesday, July 16, 12 noon
Revised due date to submit a Bright Lights nomination isTuesday, July 16 at 12 noon Nominations are coming in fast and furious but so are the questions. Given the appetite for recognizing your team, colleagues, and partners for the awesome work they do, we’re giving everyone a chance to submit a Bright Lights nomination by […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: Registration now live
Registration now open for the AFHTO 2024 Conference! Primary care teams exist because interprofessional comprehensive care and collaboration combine to make healthier patients and healthier communities. But teams exist within interconnecting systems. At their best, these systems can help achieve these goals. At their worst, they can hinder or actively work against them. Lack […]
Nominate a partner or healthcare inspiration for an AFHTO Board award; Bright Lights education grants confirmed
The AFHTO board invites all members to help them select the recipient of a Board award. The Board award recognizes an individual (or a group) who is not an AFHTO member but has significantly contributed to the development and growth of team-based primary care within their local community or at the provincial level. The winner(s) […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: If you submitted an abstract, make sure you received confirmation
We received over 55 abstracts for the AFHTO 2024 Conference. Thank you to all those who applied! A confirmation email has been sent to the contact person for each abstract. If you are part of a group that has prepared a submission, please ensure your group contact has received the email with the subject: […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: abstract deadline extended
Deadline to submit your abstract now Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. (EDT) Email info@afhto.ca or call 647-234-8605x 1200 if you have any questions. We’re here to help Helpful links: Review submissions guidelines and tips Review conference theme descriptions Download the submission form template to […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: just over ONE week to submit your abstract
Submit your abstract- deadline May 17, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. (EDT) via GIPHY Run, don’t walk to submit your abstract. Your peers, colleagues from other health care sectors, non-profits, and the academic community are eager to hear from YOU. The deadline to submit for an #AFHTO2024 presentation is May 17, 2024. Not sure if […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: wild cards welcome
Wild cards welcome Every year we get abstracts that don’t quite fit the mold. Instead of shoehorning them into another theme, and suffering by comparison, wild cards can now show up as their unique selves. We encourage a variety of presentation topics and styles so feel free to send it in. Tip for submission:We recommend […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: call for abstracts
It’s time to highlight primary care. Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2024 Conference: Better Outcomes Together: Empowering Teams for Patient-Centered Care We’ll be selecting sessions and posters for our 4 core themes and we want to hear from you. This is YOUR opportunity to showcase the great work being done […]
AFHTO 2024 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by April 26
Join a working group You can have an impact by joining a working group today. Come behind the scenes of our 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 […]
Year End Message from AFHTO
Leslie Sorensen, CEO As the new CEO of AFHTO joining in the fall of 2023, I have been truly inspired by the knowledge, compassion, and commitment of AFHTO’s Board of Directors, staff, and members, and am honoured to join such a resolute, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic team. AFHTO’s conference highlighted the remarkable initiatives and tremendous […]
Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2023 Award Winners!
On October 25 AFHTO named the winners of our twelfth Bright Lights Awards at our ceremony at our annual conference. These innovators have improved access to primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: Tips for your arrival, stay and/or participation
It’s now one week to the AFHTO 2023 Conference on October 25! We look forward to seeing you all as we welcome delegates from across the province. Rooms at Hilton Toronto Rooms are still available at Hilton Toronto. Its address is 145 Richmond Street West, a 3-minute walk to Sheraton. Click here to book online. […]
AFHTO’s next CEO assumes office October 23
Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce that Leslie Sorensen will join Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario as the Chief Executive Officer, effective October 23, 2023. Her appointment follows an extensive executive search conducted in recent months. Leslie is currently the Director Corporate Quality, Risk and Privacy at Spectrum Health Care. […]
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It is a day to memorialize the children lost to residential schools, and to honour the survivors, ancestors and communities still impacted by the history of residential schools. The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996, and the effects of that system […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: fireside chat and networking
Fireside Chat- Ontario Primary Care for the next five years We are pleased to announce our pre-conference fireside chat – Ontario Primary Care for the next five years with leaders in Ontario’s healthcare system. Moderated by AFHTO board member and ED Credit Valley FHT, Rakib Mohammed, this session will be an important opportunity to hear […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: Bright Lights Hall of Fame
Register before Oct. 3! Hotel updates An additional block of rooms has been secured at Hilton Toronto, with rooms available Oct. 24 and 25. Its address is 145 Richmond Street West, a 3-minute walk to Sheraton. Book by October 3rd, 2023, to take advantage of the $359 group rate (plus tax, single/double occupancy); after this […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: votes are in for livestreamed concurrent sessions
The votes are in! Your picks for livestreamed concurrent session are: A3 OHT Integrated Patient Care Teams: The How, Who and Impetus Along the Way BC4 -Two Perspectives: Strengthening Mental Health and Addictions Support in your Community & Building your Mental Health and Addictions Clinic Virtual attendees will have a full day with the chance […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: less than 4 weeks to our early bird deadline
Register before Oct. 3! Time to harness that back-to-school energy and register for the conference– there are less than 4 weeks to the early bird deadline! And don’t forget, members get more than 50% off registration. Email us if you haven’t gotten your Member Verification Code. Volunteer opportunities We now have enough program […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: Q&A with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health
Updates Q&A with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health for EDs/Admin leads confirmed. We’re currently confirming speakers for our fireside chat. More details to be announced soon. Posters are now listed on our site Post-conference session “An update on Canada’s Cancer Strategy: The Rise of Head and Neck Cancers and How Primary Care Teams […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: announcing our opening speaker
Featuring Dr. Tara Kiran Opening Plenary- Team-based care for all: Patient and Public Perspectives on the future of primary care In 2022, Dr. Kiran launched OurCare, the largest effort to engage the public on the future of primary care in Canadian history. She will present key findings from the OurCare national survey on patient’s experiences, […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: vote for your streaming sessions
It’s time to vote – which concurrent session should be livestreamed at the conference? This year, in addition to our plenaries and awards ceremony, we’ll livestream one concurrent session per timeslot (descriptions here) for our virtual attendees, for a total of three sessions. But we need you to help us decide! Pick your favourite […]
Bright Lights deadline extended. Now next Monday, July 17, 12 noon.
Revised due date to submit a Bright Lights nomination is Monday, July 17 at 12 noon Nominations are coming in fast and furious but so are the questions. Given the appetite for recognizing your team, colleagues, and partners for the awesome work they do, we’re giving everyone a chance to submit a Bright Lights […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: Registration now live
Registration now open for the AFHTO 2023 Conference! Canadians believe that healthcare is a right- it’s core to our national identity. Despite this core belief, access to healthcare in Ontario, and across other provinces, is inequitable. This inequity in access extends to primary care, the foundation of the healthcare system. The academic literature, along […]
Virtual Care, Digital Health and COVID-19
Originally posted Mar. 17, 2020. Last updated July 7, 2023 On Thursday, March 19 Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a memo Re: Managing Health Worker Illness and Return to Work COVID-19. In the document he makes recommendations related to travel and return to work for health care providers. He also notes: While […]
JUST ONE WEEK LEFT to submit your Bright Lights nomination. Now with education grants for all awards
Are you proud of what your team has accomplished? Do you want your colleagues to be recognized for the amazing work they do? Do you think it would be great to see your initiative spread across the province? If you’ve said yes to any of the above, submit a Bright Lights nomination! Don’t […]
Want more recognition for your team? Submit a Bright Lights nomination!
Nominate your team, partnership, or colleague for a Bright Lights Award and gain your biggest audience ever. The AFHTO 2023 Conference Awards ceremony will be held at lunchtime on October 25, 2023. Taking place with an in-person audience of hundreds and streamed live for even more, you could get more eyes on your program […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: Presentation notifications sent out
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2023 Conference. The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification email has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that submitted an abstract, please ensure your group contact […]
AFHTO Leadership Update
Dear Members, I am writing today to share an update on AFHTO’s leadership. AFHTO’s Board of Directors is appointing Sherry Parsley as Interim CEO, effective June 26, 2023. Sherry has over twenty years of experience in healthcare leadership. She has demonstrated success joining organizations in interim roles, quickly gaining the […]
AFHTO Bright Lights Awards – nominations now open!
Shine a light on your team’s achievements. Nominate an outstanding team or individual for a “Bright Lights” Award by July 14, 2023. AFHTO’s “Bright Lights” Awards recognize AFHTO members’ leadership, outstanding work and the significant progress being made to improve the value interprofessional primary care teams across Ontario deliver. There’s no better time to show […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: If you submitted an abstract, make sure you received confirmation
We received over 65 abstracts for the AFHTO 2023 Conference. Thank you to all those who applied! A confirmation email has been sent to the contact person for each abstract. If you are part of a group that has prepared a submission, please ensure your group contact has received the email with the subject: […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: deadline to submit your abstract extended
Deadline to submit your abstract now Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 5:00 PM (EDT) Email info@afhto.ca or call 647-234-8605 x1200 if you have any questions. We’re here to help. Helpful links: Review submissions guidelines and tips Review conference theme descriptions Download the submission form template to start your draft […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: just over ONE week to submit your abstract
Submit your abstract- deadline May 24, 2023, at 5:00 PM (EDT) via GIPHY Run, don’t walk to submit your abstract. Your peers, colleagues from other health care sectors, non-profits, and the academic community are eager to hear from YOU. The deadline to submit for an #AFHTO2023 presentation is May 24, 2023. Helpful links: […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: just over 2 weeks to submit your abstract
Submit your abstract- deadline May 24, 2023, at 5:00 PM (EDT) Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you. We want your insight on: Partnerships to facilitate population-based health approaches Interprofessional Health Providers and full scope of practice Building Primary Care Networks- success case studies Staff and provider wellness Mental health pathways in […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: call for abstracts
It’s time to highlight primary care. Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2023 Conference: Team-Based Care: Making it a reality for all We’ll be selecting sessions and posters for our 4 core themes and we want to hear from you. This is YOUR opportunity to showcase the great work being done […]
AFHTO 2023 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 2
Join a working group You can have an impact by joining a working group today. Come behind the scenes of our 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 […]
Overview of the 2023 Ontario Government Budget
2023 Ontario Budget – Building a Strong Ontario An overview of the Ontario government’s budget March 24, 2023 Overview Yesterday the government released their 2023 Ontario Budget, Building a Strong Ontario. This budget focuses on five pillars: Building Ontario’s Economy for Today and Tomorrow Building Highways, Transit and Infrastructure Projects Working for Workers Keeping Your […]
Farewell Message from Kavita Mehta, Outgoing CEO of AFHTO
Dear members, colleagues, partners, and friends, It is hard to put down in words just how difficult it was to write this message to an amazing group of people who I have had the pleasure of working with, and learning from, over my many years in primary care. I don’t even really know where to […]
Update on CEO Recruitment Process, Appointment of Interim CEO and Sending Your Best Wishes to Kavita
Message Sent on Behalf of Sara Dalo, Chair of the AFHTO Board of Directors Dear Members, I am pleased to share that the AFHTO Board has appointed Bryn Hamilton to become AFHTO’s interim CEO, effective March 27, 2023. Many of you already know Bryn as AFHTO’s Director of Governance and Integration, supporting our membership through […]
Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care
This email was sent to EDs/Admin leads, board chairs and lead MDs/NPs of AFHTO member teams Dear Triad Members, Today Health Minister Sylvia Jones launched Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, a plan that sets the vision and direction for Ontario’s health system strategy for the next few years. With a strategy […]
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 […]
Association of Family Health Teams ( AFHTO) Announcement
Message being sent on behalf of Sara Dalo, Board Chair and President, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario On behalf of the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO), I am writing to let you know that our CEO Kavita Mehta has made the difficult decision to leave AFHTO to spend more time […]
Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2022 Award Winners!
On October 12 AFHTO named the winners of our eleventh Bright Lights Awards at our ceremony at our annual conference. These innovators have improved access to primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators […]
AFHTO reflects on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Every year, on September 30, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day to honour and commemorate survivors and ancestors who were and continue to be impacted by the tragic and painful history of residential schools. The last residential school closed in 1996 and […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: early bird deadline TODAY
Register for #AFHTO2022 -early bird deadline today, Sep. 28! Register an individual or team for the conference Early-bird registration closes September 28, 2022. Members get more than 50% off registration. Concurrent session speakers and planning committee members are also eligible for additional discounts Find out more about registration fees and discounts Book discounted travel arrangements […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: ONE week to early bird deadline
Register for #AFHTO2022 before Sep. 28! We are pleased to welcome Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to the AFHTO conference this year. She will provide some opening remarks and then stay to help hand out the awards at the Bright Lights Awards Ceremony. Come and celebrate the amazing […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: announcing our closing speaker
Featuring Bee Quammie The Power and Pitfalls of Resilience What if we didn’t need to be so resilient? Bee Quammie takes a new approach to addressing resilience by outlining the ongoing need to do the work for each other so that there are fewer obstacles to face that require such perseverance. While it’s meaningful […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: less than 3 weeks to early bird deadline
Register before Sep. 28! Time to harness that back-to-school energy and register for the conference– there are less than 3 weeks to the early bird deadline! via GIPHY Networking update Social workers can sign up for focus groups by Sep. 9. Details on this and sessions for other groups and interests here. Volunteer opportunities […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: announcing fireside chat speakers
A Fireside Chat with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health – The Role of Primary Care during the Pandemic and Beyond We are pleased to welcome Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Catherine Zahn, and Ontario Health CEO, Matt Anderson, to the AFHTO conference this year at our pre-conference fireside chat on Oct. 11! […]
Government’s 5-point Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery
To EDs/admin leads, board chairs and lead clinicians of AFHTO member teams Dear members, This morning the government released its 5-point Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery. With a plan to focus on protecting hospital capacity and supporting long-term care, we are disappointed that there was no tangible supports for primary care […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: announcing our opening speaker
Featuring Dr. Thomas Bodenheimer Thomas Bodenheimer MD, MPH is a general internist who received his medical degree at Harvard and completed his residency at UCSF. He spent 32 years in full-time primary care practice in San Francisco’s Mission District – 10 years in community health centers and 22 years in private practice. He […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: Registration now live
Registration now open for the AFHTO 2022 Conference! Primary care is the foundation of a high performing health system. This simple truth has been asserted and backed up by evidence again and again. But even self-evident truths can find it hard to gain traction in established systems. Unwieldy ships do not turn easily, even […]
The odds of winning a Bright Lights Award are better than you think
Did you know the odds of winning a Bright Lights award can be better than presenting at the conference? It’s true! via GIPHY A theme may get just 3-4 nominations compared to 8-20 concurrent session abstracts per theme this year. So don’t wait- apply today! Deadline July 15, 2022. Awards will be presented at […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: Presentation notifications sent out; Hotel group rate and other key updates
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2022 Conference. The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification email has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group […]
AFHTO Bright Lights Awards – nominations now open! Plus, join the review committee
Shine a light on your team’s achievements. Nominate an outstanding team or individual for a “Bright Lights” Award by July 15, 2022. AFHTO’s “Bright Lights” Awards recognize AFHTO members’ leadership, outstanding work and the significant progress being made to improve the value interprofessional primary care teams across Ontario deliver. There’s no better time to show […]
Infection Control Resources and Tools
Originally posted Mar 10, 2020. Last updated June 15, 2022 *NEW* We have created a list of infection prevention and control tools and resources. New and updated resources will be added to the top of each list as they become available. IPAC shareables #StoptheSpread campaign communications toolkit | OHA, October 14, 2020 Sharables for the […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: If you have submitted an abstract, please make sure you have received confirmation
We received over 80 abstracts for the AFHTO 2022 Conference. Thank you to all those who applied! A confirmation email has been sent to the contact person for each abstract. If you are part of a group that has prepared a submission, please ensure your group contact has received the email with the subject: […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: deadline to submit your abstract extended
Deadline to submit your abstract now tomorrow May 27, 2022, at 9:00 AM (EDT) Email info@afhto.ca or call 647-234-8605 x1200 if you have any questions. We’re here to help. Helpful links: Review submissions guidelines and tips Review conference theme descriptions Download the submission form template to start […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: just ONE week to submit your abstract
Submit your abstract- deadline May 26, 2022, at 5:00 PM (EDT) via GIPHY Run, don’t walk to submit your abstract. Your peers, colleagues from other health care sectors, non-profits, and the academic community are eager to hear from YOU. The deadline to submit for an #AFHTO2022 presentation is May 26, 2022. Helpful links: […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: just over 2 weeks to submit your abstract
Submit your abstract- deadline May 26, 2022, at 5:00 PM (EDT) Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you. We want your insight on: Reducing sources of friction in community collaboration Developing the Patient Medical Neighbourhood/Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) Internalising lessons learned in EDI and anti-racism journeys Addressing systemic barriers Supporting our own […]
AFHTO’s Response to Ontario’s 2022 Spring Budget
TORONTO, April 29, 2022 /CNW/ – On behalf of the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) members across the province, AFHTO welcomes the investments in home care, mental health care, and health human resources in the 2022 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Plan to Build. The investments will help strengthen the critical areas of home […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: call for abstracts
It’s time to highlight primary care. Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2022 Conference: Reconnect and Reimagine: moving forward together 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 […]
Letter to Minister Elliott – Scheduled lifting of public health measures
April 21, 2022 Hon. Christine Elliott Minister of Health 777 Bay St., College Park, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2J3 Dear Minister Elliott, As associations representing interprofessional primary healthcare teams, we are concerned about the projected impact of what both Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, and our Chief Medical Officer […]
AFHTO 2022 Conference: create YOUR hybrid conference. Sign up by May 3
Join a working group You can make an impact by joining a working group 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 […]
Prescribing Paxlovid, Fourth Doses and Additional Resources
Dear Members, As COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases continue to rise across the province, the reality of this sixth wave of the pandemic is taking hold with this highly transmissible BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron. Ontario approved fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for those eligible and has now made it possible for physicians and Nurse Practitioners […]
Election 2022: 52 days to go!
Hi everyone, 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. To help […]
Advocacy for Equity in Online OHIP Renewal
AFHTO learned in fall 2021 that only people with a valid Ontario driver’s license could renew their OHIP card online. Most people who could not drive needed to go in-person to a ServiceOntario office. This was particularly concerning as many people without a license are not in this position by choice. A disability that prevents some […]
COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies, Vaccination Updates and Other Updates
Dear members, January has been an incredibly difficult month, and we want to thank you and your teams for all that you have done, and continue to do, for your patients. Encouragingly, the latest update on COVID-19 projections from the Science Table indicates that while hospital and ICU admissions continues to be high, Ontario data […]
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 […]
COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centres, ConfusedAboutCOVID.ca and updated guidance documents
Dear Members, With the recent news that Health Canada has authorized PAXLOVID for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 at high risk of developing serious disease, there is some hope that treatment can be made available as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of the start of symptoms. Ontario is […]
A Challenging Start to 2022, More Resources and a Continued Call to Get More Shots in Arms
Dear Members, 2022 has not started off the way we had hoped with the rapid increase in Omicron cases and the shift back to online learning for our kids. As Ontario struggles through what looks to be the most challenging wave of this pandemic, we remain heartened and continually in awe of the dedication of […]
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, […]
Sending warm wishes and cheer| Holiday hours inside
HOLIDAY HOURS The AFHTO office will be open Dec. 20- 23, but with significantly reduced staff. The office will close Dec. 24 at noon, and reopen on Jan. 4, 2022. We will be monitoring the info@afhto.ca inbox for urgent items only during this time. Our very best wishes of the season. Please stay warm and […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: all videos now available for members + 2022 planning committee sign up
NOW AVAILABLE All our 2021 conference videos and slides are now available to members, including the closing plenary MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER: The Power of Resilience with Dr. Mamta Gautam. Also available to members: Posters – a showcase of evidence-based, impactful innovations by your colleagues that be useful to other teams […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: video and posters now available for members
Primary care has risen to the challenge of COVID-19. 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 […]
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 […]
Congratulations to the Bright Lights 2021 Award Winners!
On October 27 AFHTO named the winners of our tenth annual Bright Lights Awards at our virtual ceremony. These innovators have improved access to primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators and […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: early bird deadline today
Register for the AFHTO 2021 Conference before midnight EDT! Register at the early bird rate to save on registration. After today, rates increase for both members and non-members. In previous years we have sometimes extended the deadline, but this is one of the closest to the conference we’ve ever had, so there will […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: less than a week to early bird deadline
There is less than a week to our early bird deadline Oct. 20, 2021 Don’t miss out-register today! Bright Lights Hall of Fame Get a first look at all our deserving nominations from members- so many and so varied! Winners will be announced at the ceremony. Conference Highlights: Special appearance by Deputy Premier and […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: less than 2 weeks to early bird deadline
There is less than two weeks to our early bird deadline Oct. 20, 2021 Don’t miss out-register today! Facts vs. Myth: the realities of equity in Canadian healthcare Oh Canada. Home of hockey, poutine, and public health care. We take pride in our healthcare system but does a country nicknamed the Great White North […]
Truth and Reconciliation Day Statement from the Primary Care Collaborative
On the inaugural National Truth and Reconciliation Day being recognized today across Canada, the Primary Care Collaborative values the opportunity and responsibility to acknowledge some of the actions that can help support better understanding of colonization, the trauma of residential schools for Indigenous people and communities, and the ongoing impacts of systemic racism, […]
AFHTO 2021 Conference: less than a month to early bird deadline
There is less than a month to our early bird deadline Oct. 20, 2021 Don’t miss out-register today! The Information Age started in the 20th century, but the misinformation age exploded with social media. Before COVID, we marvelled at how fast it could connect people across the globe, unite them in common cause and […]