AFHTO Bright Lights Awards: just one week left to nominate your team or colleague!
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! They’ve started to […]
META-PHI program helping more patients with opioid addiction thanks to to ARTIC
More Ontarians are filling opioid prescriptions now than ever before according to a recent report by Health Quality Ontario. Nearly two out of every 1,000 Ontarians visited an emergency department within a week of being dispensed an opioid and the death rate from opioid overdoses has nearly quadrupled in Ontario in the last 25 years. […]
Kirkland District FHT Awarded Grant for Care Planning
Northern News article published on July 6, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Northern News Staff. Northern News KIRKLAND LAKE – The Kirkland District Family Health Team has received a grant of over $70 thousand from Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. that will assist with funding a position to assist patients with care planning. The Kirkland District Family […]
AFHTO office closed Friday, June 30 – Monday, July 3, 2017
The AFHTO office will be closed from Friday, June 30 to Monday, July 3, 2017 for the Canada Day long weekend. We will reopen on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. If you have any questions, please email info@afhto.ca and we will be happy to reply upon our return. Have a great long weekend!
Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in a Primary Care Setting:Study
Published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, May 2017 Abstract Objective/Background: Primary care is where many patients with insomnia first ask for professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia. Although CBT-I’s efficacy is well established, its effectiveness in real-life primary care has seldom been investigated. We examined the effectiveness of […]
Expression of Interest to establish Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams
On May 25, 2016, the Government of Ontario launched the Ontario First Nations Health Action Plan (OFNHAP), a multi-year initiative to improve health care for Indigenous peoples in Ontario. A key part of this Plan is the creation or expansion of new primary care teams; community-based models of primary health care that are designed based […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: Registration now live
Registration now open for the AFHTO 2017 Conference! Improving Primary Care Together October 25 & 26, 2017 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario Every day, it seems, brings new developments in the transformation of Ontario’s health system. Each shift has the potential for far-reaching implications. For the benefit of all Ontarians, primary care needs to […]
Workplace Health and Safety
Mandatory Postings: Government of Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act Under the Ontario Health and Safety Act, employers are required to post the Act and any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry, which includes the following posters: “Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here” available in English, French and other languages. “Employment Standards“ “In Case […]
Alliston FHT Physician wins Award for Excellence and Dedication
Barrie Today article published May 29, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Barrie Today Staff. Barrie Today NEW TECUMSETH – Dr. Matt Myatt, chief of emergency medicine and Dr. Mohammad Keshoofy, general surgeon at Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH), have received the Dr. Alexander MacIntyre Award for Excellence and Dedication in the Community and Medical Field […]
Marathon FHT ED named Executive of the Year for Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards
Influential Women of Northern Ontario profile published in 2017. Profile in full pasted below. By Influential Women of Northern Ontario Executive of the Year – Marathon Joanne Berube In Marathon, groupthink is a good thing. Team-based decisions that set the daily direction to deliver the best primary care possible to North Shore residents are the […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: Presentation notifications sent out
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2017 Conference. The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification e-mail has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: Deadline to submit abstracts extended to tomorrow, May 9 at 9 AM!
Revised due date to submit abstracts for concurrent sessions and posters is tomorrow, May 9 at 9:00 AM These past few weeks have been a busy period for AFHTO members and primary care as a whole. Given the demands on your time, we’ve responded by extending the deadline to submit abstracts for the AFHTO 2017 […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: ONE WEEK LEFT to submit your abstract. Your insight & experience are needed now more than ever.
Improving Primary Care Together Last week’s announcement by the Ontario government was welcome news but it also highlights how much the healthcare landscape continues to change. Help your peers navigate these changes by sharing your insight & experience with them. Colleagues from other healthcare sectors, non-profits, and the academic community will also be there, all […]
Ontario government makes new commitment to strengthening interprofessional primary care
Today, the Ontario government announced new investments in interprofessional primary care. In the 2017 Ontario Budget, the Wynne government committed $145 million in addition to the $85 million announced last year. The government is “investing an additional $145 million over the next 3 years to effectively recruit and retain nurses, nurse […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: help available for abstract submission
Interested in submitting a poster or concurrent session abstract for the AFHTO 2017 Conference but not sure how to proceed? Help is available! Over the years, with feedback from our conference working groups and attendees, we’ve learned what makes an abstract stand out from the crowd. Below is a list of resources to help you, […]
Mental health coaches, first of their kind in Canada, available to help rural & remote areas| Toronto Star
Toronto Star article published April 7, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Isabel Teotonio, Toronto Star Each day, Antonio was slipping deeper into depression. His parents were ill, he feared being laid off from work and he was unhappy in his relationship, which he had moved to Toronto for. But when he started thinking about suicide […]
Implementing Choosing Wisely Canada Recommendations in Ontario to Improve Quality of Care: HQO Report
Ontario clinicians deliver quality care by reducing unnecessary care: new report When it comes to medical tests and procedures, less can sometimes be better. According to a new report released this week, Ontario health care providers are successfully working to provide and improve quality care by reducing unnecessary care to patients across Ontario. Released by […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: Call for presentation & poster abstracts
Present your ideas and initiatives at the AFHTO 2017 Conference: “Improving Primary Care Together” Ontario’s health system continues to undergo transition with far-reaching implications. For the benefit of all Ontarians, primary care needs to be at the centre of this transformation. AFHTO’s 2017 Conference will show how we can all improve primary care together. We’ll […]
AFHTO 2017 Conference: Join to shape the conference program by April 7
Announcing the theme for the AFHTO 2017 Conference Improving Primary Care Together You can play a vital role in shaping the conference by joining a working group today. Through your participation you’ll be among the first to learn about exciting developments in the field, influence the development of conference programming and discover the thought leaders […]
Metabolic syndrome may be reversed through team-based lifestyle intervention program: Study
Published in CMAJ Open, click here for the full article. Abstract: Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a medical condition with major complications and health care costs. Previous research has shown that diet and exercise can improve and reverse this condition. The goal of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the […]
Peterborough FHT launches Trans Care Clinic
Peterborough This Week article published March 8, 2017. Article in full pasted below. This Week PETERBOROUGH — Primary care services in Peterborough are expanding as the Family Health Team launches the Trans Care Clinic. The Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) announced the launch on Wednesday (March 8), noting the nurse practitioner-led clinic will operate once a […]
D2D 4.1: Starting to move beyond measurement
Today’s release of Data to Decisions (D2D) 4.1 contains early signals that variation in performance between teams is decreasing. Reducing variation is an important goal in quality improvement. So the observed change is an early and encouraging signal that the needle on performance is starting to move in response to measurement. In the meantime, data from D2D […]
Volunteers for Ontario’s Patient and Family Advisory Council Needed
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) is inviting patients, families, and caregivers to apply to be a member of the new provincial Patient and Family Advisory Council. No experience is necessary — you simply need to be 18 years of age or older and live in Ontario. Over the course of 18 months, […]
Memory Clinics Coming to 17 More Sites Thanks to ARTIC
The Primary Care Memory Clinic initiative will expand to 17 more clinics across rural, remote, and underserviced communities in Ontario, including multiple AFHTO members, through the support of the Adopting Research to Improve Care (ARTIC) Program. Dr. Linda Lee of Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team established the first primary care memory clinic in […]
AFHTO’s 2017 Pre-Budget Submission
AFHTO submitted its recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the 2017 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations on Jan. 20, 2017. In this upcoming provincial budget, we call on the government to strengthen primary care so that it can deliver on its commitments outlined in the Patients First Act and ensure […]
2017 Compensation Campaign: Getting to the 2012 Rates
2017 COMPENSATION CAMPAIGN “Investing in Interprofessional Primary Care Teams” We continue to call on the Ontario government to support primary health care interprofessional teams by investing an additional $130 million annually to bring our team members to the 2012 recommended wage rates. This figure is in addition to the current investments of $31.7 million annualized, […]
North Perth & STAR FHTs Ready to Start Changing CARE
On January 18, 2017, The Change Foundation announced their Changing CARE partnerships, the result of a search launched in summer 2016 for Ontario health care delivery or service organizations willing to create new and innovative partnerships with family caregivers to improve their experience in Ontario’s health and community care systems. This was the next phase […]
Mount Forest FHT & partners providing free youth workshops this winter
Mount Forest Confederate article published January 11, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Mike Wilson, Mount Forest Confederate MOUNT FOREST – Three free workshops are being offered at New Growth Family Centre this winter for area youth looking to broaden their skills in a variety of a activities. Tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 11) youth can attend Aww, […]
Niagara-on-the-Lake FHT & partners present intergenerational cooking classes
Niagara-On-The-Lake Town Crier article published Jan. 11, 2017. Article pasted below Four-week session to begin on Jan. 19 Things are heating up in the Community Centre kitchen as youth and older adults team up for two hours of cooking on Thursday afternoons. The “Let’s Cook Together” program, which began last October and will run through […]
Women’s College Academic FHT physician outlines her ‘6 big ideas’ for Canadian healthcare
CTVNews.ca article published January 11, 2017. Article in full pasted below. CTVNews.ca Staff A doctor who was praised for her calm defence of universal healthcare when she spoke before a powerful group of U.S. politicians in 2014 has written a new book outlining her vision for improving the quality of Canada’s health care system. Nearly three […]
Timmins FHT ED named North East LHIN Healthy Change Champion
Timmins Today article published January 5, 2017. Article in full pasted below. TimminsToday Staff NEWS RELEASE NORTH EAST LHIN ************************* The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) has named Jennifer McLeod, Executive Director of the Timmins Family Health Team, a Healthy Change Champion. McLeod has worked in many areas of health care for more […]
Sharing patient discharge info helps Windsor FHT keep patients out of hospital
Windsor Star article published January 5, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Brian Cross, Windsor Star Windsor Regional Hospital’s two emergencies are getting fewer patients with sore throats and other minor ailments, an encouraging trend that started once the hospital began sharing patient discharge information with the Windsor Family Health Team. The health team — which provides primary care (family doctoring) to 6,400 patients in Windsor, not including […]
AFHTO Requests a Return to Federal-Provincial-Territorial Health Funding Negotiations
Toronto, Jan. 6, 2017 – The Association of Family of Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) is strongly urging a return to the table between the federal and provincial governments to negotiate a health agreement that will ensure we have a long-term sustainable health system today and for future generations. The proposed offer by the federal […]
Hamilton FHT looks to expand lessons of Dundas Hub pilot project across city
Dundas Star News article published January 4, 2017. Article in full pasted below. Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Dundas Hub creating new model for integration The new year is expected to bring a significant transition in the way health care is provided in Hamilton. A pilot project by the Hamilton Family Health Team in Dundas is […]
Season’s Greetings from AFHTO | Holiday Hours Inside
Kavita Mehta takes over today as AFHTO’s new CEO
Kavita Mehta, AFHTO CEO Angie Heydon, outgoing AFHTO CEO I am so honoured to join AFHTO today as your new CEO, following in the very big shoes of our inaugural CEO Angie Heydon. After working as an ED for 9 years in a Family Health Team, I am eager to bring my operational and strategic […]
Review of Ontario’s digital health strategy. Highlights of AFHTO’s contribution
Minister Eric Hoskins and eHealth Ontario have now received Ed Clark’s review of Ontario’s Digital Health Assets, which confirms the significant and ongoing value of digital health infrastructure, and have accepted all of his recommendations in principle. In October the provincial government requested the Premier’s Business Advisor, Mr. Ed Clark, assess the value of ehealth […]
North York FHT screening for poverty using postal codes
CBC News article published November 22, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Shanifa Nasser, CBC News Diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and trauma — at first glance, these conditions might not appear to have much in common, but a Toronto doctor says one key trait often lies beneath them: poverty. Dr. Kimberly Wintemute, a physician with […]
AFHTO’s recommendations re Bill 41, Patients First
“Moving care coordinators from CCACs to LHINs does not remove barriers, it just moves them from one bureaucracy to another. If primary care providers were supported to coordinate care, it would make a significant difference for the health of patients and their experience of care.” With this and other comments, AFHTO presented to the Standing […]
Patients not attached to new primary care practices receive lower quality care, research suggests
Article published in Annals of Family Medicine on November 14, 2016 The accompanying news release and abstract are shown below. One in six patients in Ontario does not belong to an organized primary care practice, new research suggests. These patients receive lower quality care and are more likely to be poor, urban and new immigrants, […]
Manitoulin Central FHT Physician named Regional Physician of the Year
The Manitoulin Expositor article published November 9, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Expositor Staff, The Manitoulin Expositor MINDEMOYA—Dr. Maurianne Reade, a physician at the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team in Mindemoya, is this year’s Northeast and Northwest Ontario 2016 Regional Physician of the Year as awarded by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) Awards. The […]
Queen’s FHT & Belleville NPLC join community partners in prescribing exercise
Inside Belleville article published October 28, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Erin Stewart, Quinte West News Prescription to exercise, doctor’s orders A new health care prescription has made its way to the Quinte region; it’s not actual medicine, but a 60-day pass to the YMCA to get people moving. The Quinte West and Belleville YMCA have launched […]
Powassan and Area FHT wins Poster of Distinction award at HQT
Congratulations to Anna Gibson-Olajos and Meghan Peters, who were awarded Poster of Distinction at Health Quality Ontario’s Health Quality Transformation conference on October 20, 2016. Their poster Because You Care: Using Your EMR Data to Save Lives tells the story of how D2D helped the Powassan and Area Family Health Team (PAAFHT) identify a serious issue in their […]
AFHTO Members on the 2016 Minister’s Medals Honour Roll
Several AFHTO member teams were honoured as honour roll applicants for the 2016 Minister’s Medals in Health Quality and Safety , announced at today’s Health Quality Transformation conference. About the Minister’s Medals and the Honour Roll The 2016 Minister’s Medal is a competitive, annual program designed to recognize the excellent work that health care providers do every day. The […]
Announcing the AFHTO 2016 Bright Lights Award Winners!
AFHTO has named eight innovators as winners of the organization’s annual Bright Lights Awards for their work in making meaningful improvements in patient health, how patients experience their care, and how efficiently healthcare resources are used. The awards recognize individuals for their leadership and for the work being conducted to improve the value of services […]
Minister Hoskins has signed compensation funding letters
Today the Minister’s Office confirmed that funding letters regarding the compensation increases promised in the 2016 provincial budget are signed and will be going out within the next week. Click here to read the Minister’s announcement. Dates for web briefings with Ministry staff are being arranged. We expect to have further information out to you shortly. […]
FREE Primary Care Day October 19 – Limited space still available
HQO’s Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Forum is a special Primary Care Quality Improvement event focused on opportunities to support Practice Improvement in primary care and connect with other primary care practitioners. Date: October 19, 2016 Time: 8:15am – 4:30pm Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre This event will feature breakout sessions where practitioners can network and discuss practice-based improvement approaches. […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Tips for your arrival and stay
Planning your Conference Experience Sharing your Conference Experience Hotel Registration & Directions See below for important information about Toronto Blue Jays home games happening at the same time as the conference. It’s now less than one week to the AFHTO 2016 Conference on October 17 & 18! We look forward to seeing you all as […]
Central Lambton FHT: Expanding access to mental health services for youth
Petrolia Topic article published on October 4, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Melissa Schlilz, Postmedia Network Family Health Team working to expand mental health services for youth Breaking down walls surrounding mental health can be difficult anywhere, but in rural areas like Lambton County, there can be different barriers that present themselves in comparison to […]
2016 Annual Report | Equity, Integration and Access: Shaping a Population-Focused Health System
AFHTO’s vision is that all Ontarians will have timely access to high-quality and comprehensive primary care – care that is informed by the social determinants of health, delivered by collaborative teams, and anchored in an integrated, equitable and sustainable health system. Our 2016 Annual Report, Equity, Integration and Access: Shaping a Population-Focused Health System chronicles the […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: registration still open. Pick your sessions.
Presenters putting the final touches on their slides, chefs prepping their menus, and your peers printing their posters – we’re gearing up for the AFHTO 2016 Conference and all we need is you. There is still time for you and your team to register for energizing discussions, forward-looking plenaries, and networking with your colleagues. If […]
AFHTO’s next CEO assumes office November 30
On behalf of the AFHTO board of directors, I’m pleased to announce that Ms. Kavita Mehta has accepted the offer to become AFHTO’s next CEO, effective November 30, 2016. As a past president of AFHTO, current Executive Director of the South East Toronto Family Health Team, and Executive Sponsor for the East Toronto Health Link, […]
FHT study: Team approach improves quality of life for COPD patients
UPDATE – 05 October, 2016: Another story about this award-winning research project was published in the Amherstburg River Town Times. Windsor Star article published on September 7, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Brian Cross, Windsor Star *Note: The study cited in this article was conducted across a partnership of 6 FHTs in the Erie St. Clair […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Early-bird registration closes Sep 19. Additional speakers confirmed.
Ontario’s healthcare system is undergoing significant transformation and primary care providers – interprofessional staff, physicians, board members and more – need to understand its impact as well as their own potential role. Help your team navigate these changes by registering them for the AFHTO 2016 Conference. Registration and room rates increase after Sep. 19. Join […]
Introducing our new Strategic Plan!
AFHTO is pleased to share its 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. This plan builds on our experience which shows that team-based comprehensive primary care is delivering better health and better value to patients. In the last few years AFHTO and its members have worked hard in supporting, measuring, and promoting the value of well-integrated interprofessional primary care, and advocating for […]
Volunteers needed for Health Quality Standards Advisory Committees
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is seeking volunteers interested in joining one of three Quality Standards Advisory Committees. Quality standards are concise sets of evidence-based recommendations designed to drive positive change within a particular area of health care. HQO has begun work on a number of new quality standards and are looking for members that will provide […]
Primary care recruitment and retention strategy for Ontario
Evidence from around the world, and Ontario, demonstrates that the introduction of primary care teams is providing patients with better care, at the best value. But one of interprofessional primary care’s biggest barriers is to attract and keep skilled providers. The key issue? Inability to offer competitive compensation to the non-physician health professionals and administrative […]
AFHTO President’s column on tentative physician services agreement published
New deal serves doctors and patients alike Waterloo Region Record article published on Aug. 8, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Dr. Sean Blaine, Waterloo Region Record My patients are living with increasingly complex chronic medical conditions. It’s for the 2,400 patients in my family practice, and for patients across Ontario, that I add my voice in […]
Health Promotion Resource Centre (HPRC) Survey
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Education currently funds Health Promotion Resource Centres (HPRCs)* in Ontario to provide training, resources and supports to health intermediaries working in community agencies and public health units to implement best practice programs and […]
Canadian Pharmacists Association honours AFHTO members at annual conference
At this year’s Canadian Pharmacists Conference, Suzanne Singh and Tejal Patel were both awarded Patient Care Achievement Awards. Congratulations to Suzanne and Tejal for their important achievements! Suzanne Singh Honoured with the CPhA Patient Care Achievement Award for Innovation, Suzanne Singh is a pharmacist at the Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team. The Brown-Bag Medication […]
Patients’ experiences receiving home-based primary care (HBPC) in Ontario: Study
Article published in Health & Social Care in the Community on June 10, 2016 Abstract The lack of effective systems to appropriately manage the health and social care of frail older adults – especially among those who become homebound – is becoming all the more apparent. Home-based primary care (HBPC) is increasingly being promoted as […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Registration now live
Registration now open for the AFHTO 2016 Conference! Leading primary care to strengthen a population-focuses health system October 17 & 18, 2016 – Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario Ontario’s health system is on the cusp of a profound shift. Patients First has set a direction for primary care and organizing the health system to focus […]
Apply now for the 2016 Minister’s Medal – Deadline to apply July 15
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (ministry) has announced the launch of the fourth annual Minister’s Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety. This annual recognition program aims to honour exceptional work across the health system and showcase successes in cross-sector collaboration of health system partners to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across the […]
AFHTO “Bright Lights” Awards – Deadline to apply July 12
Calling all AFHTO Members to shine a light on your team’s accomplishments. Nominate an outstanding team or individual for a “Bright Lights” Award by July 12, 2016 The “Bright Lights” Awards recognize leadership, outstanding work and significant progress being made to improve the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams across Ontario. This year, ALL […]
AFHTO CEO to step down toward year end; Search for next CEO is launched
To the leaders of AFHTO’s member organizations: As AFHTO’s President, I’m writing to let you know our board of directors is launching the search for its next CEO. With a combination of sadness and support for her decision, the board received notice from Angie Heydon, AFHTO’s first ED/CEO, that she would like to retire from […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Presentation notifications sent out
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2016 Conference. The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification e-mail has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact […]
Processes of patient-centred care in Family Health Teams: a qualitative study
Authors: Judith Belle Brown, PhD, Bridget L. Ryan, PhD, Cathy Thorpe, MA Published in CMAJ Open, click here for the full article. Abstract: Background: Patient-centred care, access to care, and continuity of and coordination of care are core processes in primary health care delivery. Our objective was to evaluate how these processes are enacted by […]
Patients First Act: Opportunity to strengthen primary care
Government has taken a key step to move forward with its proposal for health care – the Patients First Act has been tabled in the legislature today. This legislation brings together all of the key health system players at a local level to focus on the unique health needs of people in communities across the […]
Case Study: Embedding Care Coordinators in your team
AFHTO, in partnership with the Osborne Group, has prepared a case study for AFHTO members which looks at how five Family Health Teams (Mount Forest FHT, Sunnybrook Academic FHT, City of Lakes FHT, Guelph FHT,* and South East Toronto FHT) have effectively embedded the Care Coordinator role within primary care. Their advice to other primary care teams, and the lessons they […]
Care coordination in primary care: new HQO report and AFHTO case study
“Coordinating patient care is a fundamental role of primary care, which is the foundation of Ontario’s complex health system… However, patients do not always move through the system as smoothly as they could.” Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) new report Connecting the Dots for Patients: Family Doctors’ Views on Coordinating Patient Care in Ontario’s Health System, […]
Primary care must lead care coordination
We assert the role of primary care providers to lead care coordination. The Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) endorses and embraces this position statement adopted with our colleagues in the Ontario Primary Care Council in November 2015. Primary care providers work to ensure access to interprofessional care for patients and identify a single […]
Interested in serving on the AFHTO Board of Directors? Apply by July 5, 2016
Dear AFHTO members: Primary care is evolving in our province; government’s Patients First proposal is pointing to significant change. It is a VERY interesting time to be serving on the AFHTO board of directors! To maintain balanced representation on the board, priority consideration will be given to candidates who are: Physicians (Executive Directors and Interprofessional […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Thank you to all those who submitted abstracts!
Over 170 submissions were received for concurrent session and poster presentations at the AFHTO 2016 Conference. Thank you to all those who applied! A confirmation email has been sent to the contact person for each abstract submission. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact has received […]
Kincardine Family Health Team partnership secures two new programs through Westover Treatment Centre
Kincardine News article published on Apr. 18, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Troy Patterson, Kincardine News The Kincardine Family Health Team has announced the development of a strategic partnership with Westover Treatment Centre for the provision of two new programs. The Recovery Support (formerly referred to as, ‘Aftercare’) and A New Beginning: Women’s Program are scheduled […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: abstracts due May 5th
Present your ideas and innovations at the AFHTO 2016 Conference: “Leading primary care to strengthen a population-focused health system” Patients First has set a direction for primary care and the health system to focus on population health and integrating care at the local level to meet the needs of our communities. At this year’s AFHTO conference, […]
Diabetes prevention program back in Owen Sound
Owen Sound Sun Times article published on Apr. 6, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Denis Langlois, Owen Sound Sun Times Dr. Bruce Stanners says a diabetes prevention program in Owen Sound has helped to improve many lives since its start five years ago. “The outcomes have been excellent,” the local family physician, who serves as medical […]
Geriatric clinic part of possible regional electronic health records hub
Trent Hills Independent article published on Apr. 5, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Sue Dickens, Trent Hills Independent Campbellford – Campbellford Memorial Hospital could become a regional electronic health records (EHR) hub. That is the vision of President and CEO Brad Hilker, who updated hospital board officials at their last meeting on the progress being […]
New ‘Health Check’ toolkit can improve primary healthcare for people with developmental disabilities |Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette article published on Apr. 1, 2016. Article in full pasted below. CNW News Release, Montreal Gazette Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have more health issues than other adults, but they are less likely to receive preventative care. A new toolkit, developed by Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Program (H-CARDD), will help […]
Health care initiative aims to ease wait times for Syrian refugees |The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail article published on Mar. 28, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Mahnoor Yawar, The Globe and Mail At a clinic for Syrian refugees at Toronto’s Women’s College Hospital last month, a team of doctors met their first challenge: A family of 10, including eight restless, hungry children, stepped in for their first check-up. […]
Ontario Primary Care Council submits response to Patients First proposal
Ontario Primary Care Council Submits Response to Patients First proposal Dear Minister Hoskins, On behalf of the member associations of the Ontario Primary Care Council (OPCC), we again congratulate you on Patients First: A proposal to strengthen patient-centred health care in Ontario. OPCC has worked together over the past several weeks to develop advice on […]
Sherbourne Health Centre to expand trans care |Daily Xtra
Daily Xtra article published on Mar. 22, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Arshy Mann, Daily Xtra Sherbourne Health Centre is expanding the way it will deliver care to trans patients. The health care provider will be creating a comprehensive trans care hub that will add four beds to their 10-bed recovery suite. “This expansion will allow us […]
Decade celebrated by Algonquin Family Health Team in Huntsville | Huntsville Forester
Huntsville Forester article published on Mar. 16, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Alison Brownlee, Huntsville Forester A smile spread across Lynn Sharer’s face. “Happy Birthday, everyone,” said the executive director of the Algonquin Family Health Team to a room of more than 20 health-care professionals at the organization’s Huntsville offices off Frank Miller Drive on March […]
Central Lambton FHT Expanding Mental Health Services in Petrolia
BlackburnNews.com article published on Mar. 16, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Stephanie Chaves, BlackburnNews.com Local Mental Health Services Expanding A new walk-in site in Petrolia will provide mental health services to local youth. St. Clair Child and Youth Services has teamed up with the Central Lambton Family Health Team to provide the clinic at the Englehart […]
Keeping healthy requires a whole team |Cochrane Times Post
Cochrane Times Post article published on March 8, 2016. Article pasted in full below. Gone are the days that family doctors show up at your door and heals all possible ailments both mental and physical. Now there is a whole team of people to offer help in what ails you. According to Cochrane Family Health […]
AFHTO 2016 Conference: Join a working group to shape conference program by March 25
Announcing the theme for the AFHTO 2016 Conference Leading primary care to strengthen a population-focused health system You can play an important role in shaping the conference by joining a working group today. Through your participation you will be among the first to learn about exciting developments in the field, influence the development of conference […]
Sunset Country Family Health Team opens clinic to treat those with dementia problems
Kenora Daily Miner and News article published on March 9, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Kenora is home-base to the first memory clinic in Northwestern Ontario. The Sunset Country Family Health Team became the 78th clinic in Ontario and the first in the Northwest when it opened in February 2016 under the guidance of […]
AFHTO’s response to Patients First Discussion Paper
Click here to read AFHTO’s overall response to the ministry’s Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario discussion paper, approved by the AFHTO board and submitted on March 3rd, 2016. An initial response was issued with a statement from Dr. Sean Blaine, AFHTO President and Clinical Lead, STAR Family Health Team […]
Couchiching FHT & community partners come together for new geriatric clinic
Couchiching FHT is integrating its geriatric outreach program into a first of its kind geriatric clinic opening next month in Orillia. Led by local geriatrician Dr. Kevin Young, apart from its occupational therapists, administrator and nurse, the clinic will host Alzheimer Society staff, rehabilitation therapists, a dietitian and other health-care professionals providing seniors-focused programming. With […]
Thamesview FHT & partners providing cancer support programs open to public
Thamesview FHT has partnered with Windsor Regional Hospital to provide support programs for cancer patients and their family and friends within the Chatham area. “Sexuality and Cancer” and “A Life After Cancer Educational Series” are also available via video conference using the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). Cancer patients often have to leave Chatham-Kent to receive […]
Embedded Clinician Researcher Salary Award (CIHR) – deadline March 3, 2016
New Funding Opportunity for Clinician Researchers To enable health care innovation, clinical leaders need support, particularly those leaders with a vision for innovative change, the collaborative skills to facilitate implementation, and the research capacity to develop a programmatic approach to scientific investigation. To this end, the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) […]
D2D 3.0: Progress in meaningful measurement for primary care
Today’s release of Data to Decisions (D2D) 3.0 demonstrates significant progress by family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics to advance manageable and meaningful measurement for improved patient care. AFHTO members are guided by the Starfield Principles – focusing on the relationship with patients and the primary care team’s ability to deliver the care patients […]
Op-ed: Family Health Team poised to play larger role in primary care
Guelph Mercury article published on January 27, 2016. Article in full pasted below. Ross Kirckconnell, Guelph Mercury A discussion paper released in December by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care proposes a significant overhaul of the primary care model to deliver “more effective integration of services and greater equity … timely access to […]
Couchiching FHT to be named 2016 LEADing Practice
Congratulations to the Couchiching Family Health Team for being named a 2016 LEADing Practice Initiative. The FHT is being recognized for exemplary use of digital tools to strengthen clinical practice and provider experience. Couchiching FHT’s project integrated a tablet-based system into their EMR to screen patients at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This […]
Primary Care’s united response to Minister’s Patients First proposal
In a letter to Minister Eric Hoskins six associations of the Ontario Primary Care Council (OPCC) have provided initial feedback on the Province’s plans to strengthen our health care system. The Council recommends that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term set out clear principles for planning aligned with OPCC’s Framework for Primary Care in Ontario, develop […]
Budget Talks 2016: ask the Ontario government to address recruitment and retention
The Ontario government has opened Budget Talks 2016, an online portal for Ontarians to offer feedback to the government on 2016/17 budget planning, which provides another opportunity to raise awareness of the need for sufficient funding for recruitment and retention. Use this opportunity to continue the call to support recruitment and retention in primary care […]
Season’s Greetings | Holiday Hours Inside
For help with questions regarding data submissions for D2D during this period, please contact Greg Mitchell, greg.mitchell@afhto.ca.
AFHTO’s initial response to Patients First Discussion Paper
On December 17, 2015, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released its discussion paper Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario. On its release, AFHTO issued the statement below from Dr. Sean Blaine, AFHTO President and Clinical Lead, STAR Family Health Team in Stratford ON. This was published in various newspapers including […]
Ministry releases Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario
On December 17, 2015, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released its discussion paper – Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario. The paper addresses four components: More effective integration of services and greater equity Timely access to primary care and seamless links between primary care and other services More […]
HQO & ICES Report on Quality of Mental Health Services in Ontario
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) released Taking Stock: A report on the quality of mental health and addictions services in Ontario. The report finds variation both in access to and quality of mental health services across the province. Key Findings Visits to physicians’ offices for mental illness or […]
AFHTO releases two statements: care coordination/population-based primary care
December 7, 2015 – Today the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario released two new statements as part of members’ ongoing work to improve access and integration of care in a sustainable health system. These two statements respond to and build on recent reports: AFHTO response to the Expert Advisory Committee’s recommendations on population-based […]