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Report from quarterly meeting with MOHLTC FHT unit – September 18, 2013

FHT Directors representing AFHTO and AOHC members met with the FHT Unit on Wednesday. To access the full report, please click here. The main focus of the meeting was the discussion on budget flexibility and accountability. The FHTs presented the position proposed by the Executive Director Advisory Council at their meeting of August 28, which […]

EDAC Update: background on 2013/14 budget reduction and input on future budget flexibility

AFHTO’s Executive Director Advisory Council (EDAC) met on August 26 with the main purpose of preparing for the quarterly meeting with the FHT unit later in September. At the same meeting, EDAC invited Phil Graham, (manager, Family Health Teams & Related Programs, Primary Health Care Branch) and Fernando Tavares (program manager) to clarify the context […]

FHTS to receive QIP feedback in next week (+ other support to come from HQO)

AFHTO is working on a number of fronts to support members in their work to improve quality. Last week we reported on support available to help members implement the QIDSS partnership agreements and recruitment/orientation for these new positions, and the sessions available at the AFHTO Annual Conference to help FHTs in streams such as Leadership […]

QIDS Program: Links to information from Aug.21 “Town Hall”

Yesterday’s interactive QIDS Program “Town Hall” was an opportunity to share information and gather input.  Participants raised questions concerning sharing of QIDS Specialist positions, costs, and lines of accountability among other issues.  These questions and others are posted on a “Frequently Asked Questions” document that will be updated from time to time as new information […]

Invitation to participate in a QIDS program town hall meeting for members

Please join AFHTO for an interactive, online “members town hall” on the QIDS program. When: Wednesday, August 21, 2013, 12:00pm to 12:45pm The town hall is open to all members and will provide an opportunity for you to: Hear about work your colleagues are doing to develop QIDS partnerships and QIDS Specialists recruitment Learn more […]

FHTs are moving forward with QIDS partnership agreements and Specialist Recruitment

Family Health Teams have now received their 2013/14 funding packages. AFHTO is very pleased that funding for 34 full time equivalent Quality Improvement Decision Support (QIDS) Specialist positions has been confirmed for 33 “Host” FHTs.  Up to 110 additional FHTs will have access to QIDS Specialist support and expertise through partnership agreements with Host FHTs. […]

Request for feedback: the 2012-2013 influenza season and influenza planning

Message forwarded on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Public Health Division. **************************** With the release of the 2013 Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP), the ministry is turning its attention to seasonal influenza planning and the scoping the Ontario Influenza Response Plan.  To inform these plans, we are […]

ED Advisory Council to develop recommendations for greater budget flexibility and appropriate accountability

AFHTO’s Executive Director Advisory Council (EDAC) met on July 25 with the main purpose of preparing to respond to the Ministry’s interest in extending greater flexibility for budgets with corresponding improvements in the accountability reporting process.  EDAC’s mandate is to advise the AFHTO board and staff on matters affecting the operations of our member organizations.  […]

AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO’s present compensation recommendations to MOHLTC

Yesterday the Executive Directors of AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO reviewed their joint report – Compensation Structure for Ontario’s Interprofessional Primary Care Organizations with key members of MOHLTC’s staff – ADMs Susan Fitzpatrick and Suzanne McGurn, Provincial Chief Nursing Officer Debra Bournes, Melissa Farrell (Director, Primary Health Care Branch), Phil Graham (Manager, Family Health Teams Unit), […]

Quality Improvement Decision Support Program Update-2013-07-24

While FHTs await their 2013-14 funding letters (latest estimate is they’ll be out in 7-10 days), AFHTO has been working with a number of members to help FHTs prepare for implementation of the new Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) positions. A provincial lead has been recruited – Tim Burns joined the AFHTO team on […]

Aug.16 deadline to participate in proposals for expanding IHP services in community

AFHTO members may be interested in supporting applications from PEM physician groups that are NOT affiliated with FHTs to apply for Ministry funding to integrate IHPs into their primary care service delivery. August 16 is the deadline for these applications. Please see details in the July 19 OMA e-mail below. AFHTO has followed up with […]

Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care settings: Applications Due by July 23, 2013

The following information was released on June 27, 2013 via e-mail to FHTs, CHCs, AHACs & NPLCs from the Ministry: On April 18, 2013, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care announced that Ontario will be integrating physiotherapists into Primary Health Care (PHC) settings, beginning in the 2013/14 fiscal year. The initial focus of […]

Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care settings: Call for Applications will launch in last week of June

To assist primary care organizations in preparing proposals to integrate physiotherapists, the Ontario Physiotherapists Association (OPA) has share the following resource document defining the role of physiotherapists in primary care settings: Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care The call for applications to integrate physiotherapists into primary care settings should be sent next week directly to all […]

Update on employment of Physician Assistants

AFHTO members may be interested in the time-limited funding to be made available by MOHLTC in the “Physician Assistant Career Start” program and other news related to the employment of PAs.  Click here to read the memo from Suzanne McGurn, ADM, Health Human Resources Strategy Division, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. ——————————————————————— In case […]

Letter to AFHTO Members: Nominations to the AFHTO Board open until August 1

Dear fellow AFHTO members: Are you interested in serving on the AFHTO board of directors? The Governance Committee of AFHTO’s board invites anyone who works within an AFHTO member’s team to apply. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AFHTOBoardNomination2013 to fill in the nominations form. Then e-mail your CV to sombo.saviye@afhto.ca. Application deadline is Thursday, August 1st, 2013. FOUR […]

Report from quarterly meeting with MOHLTC FHT Unit, June 3, 2013

FHT Executive Directors representing AFHTO and AOHC members met with the FHT Unit on Monday.  Topics covered included: QIDSS implementation: how the allocations have been made and what to expect in their implementation Physiotherapy in FHTs: timing and process to apply for positions Health Links: staffing implications for FHTs that are coordinating and/or taking on […]

Advancing use of data and measurement in FHTs

This is an update for AFHTO members on activities to advance use of data and measurement in FHTs (scroll below for more information): Dr. Rick Glazier, Lead Scientist in ICES Primary Care and Population Health Program, joins AFHTO board AFHTO recruitment is underway for a QIDSS Project Manager AFHTO to establish QIDSS Steering Committee Status of […]

PSS Users: Update from the AFHTO-PSS Working Group

AFHTO and the Practice Solutions Suite team at TELUS remain committed to working together to resolve common problems faced by the FHTs using PSS.  This is an update on progress to date. Background: AFHTO’s March 2012 survey of FHT EMR satisfaction revealed that about one-half of FHTs use PSS. While it scored relatively well on […]

Issues discussed at inaugural meeting of AFHTO’s ED Advisory Council

The ED Advisory Council provides a mechanism to surface operational issues, be a sounding board on operational matters, and give advice to the AFHTO board and staff as needed on these matters. The AFHTO board announced its creation in March. Please click here to view terms of reference.The inaugural meeting of April 29 enabled the […]

Strategic direction for AFHTO is renewed; 2013-14 plan is approved

AFHTO has a renewed vision, mission and strategic priorities to guide our work on behalf of our members over the next 2 – 3 years. The AFHTO board is pleased to present the Strategic Direction document, and thanks the many members who provided input through webinars and a survey. To move the organization along this […]

HQO webinars now available online & QIP deadline extended to April 2 at noon

As you know, Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Family Health Teams (FHTs) and Nurse Practitioner Led Clinics (NPLCs) are required to submit a QIP to Health Quality Ontario (HQO). To support primary care organizations in the development of QIPs, HQO recently hosted a webinar series. You can find each of the […]

AFHTO is setting up an ED Advisory Council

The ED Advisory Council is being established to provide a mechanism to surface operational issues, provide a sounding board on operational matters, and give advice to the AFHTO board and staff as needed on these matters. As the key link between their teams and the Ministry’s FHT Unit, EDs are in the unique position to […]

QIPs – NEW resources and general update

Reminder:  QIPs are due to HQO on April 1, 2013 Templates and guidelines to complete QIPs: In English – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/ecfa/legislation/qi_primary.aspx En Franҫais – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/fr/pro/programs/ecfa/legislation/qi_primary.aspx For questions about completing the QIP templates, e-mail qip@hqontario.ca NEW — Cancer Screening – Quality Improvement Toolkit available: For FHTs interested in including cancer screening in your QIP, Cancer Care Ontario […]

Primary Care Metrics now available on the Health Data Branch Portal

Please see the message below from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding primary care data to support development of your Quality Improvement Plans: The Ministry has provided data for several primary care metrics. This data will support development and planning for Quality Improvement Plans and other quality initiatives. Important information on how […]

Ontario Government agenda outlined in today’s Speech from the Throne

A new session opened in the Ontario Legislature today. The Hon. David Onley, Lt. Governor of Ontario, set out the new premier’s agenda for the upcoming legislative session in the Speech From the Throne.  The components of the Government’s plan are:  a Steady Hand and a Bold Vision focusing on economic growth and increased employment; […]

QIDSS: Further advice on preparing your proposals

AFHTO’s Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role were finalized after last night’s close of the membership feedback period. This morning AFHTO ED Angie Heydon and Senior Project Lead Clarys Tirel met with FHT Unit Manager Phil Graham and Program Manager Richard Yampolsky to discuss these recommendations. The […]

Quality update and new resources from AFHTO

This notice to members sums up all the recent quality-related initiatives to make sure you have all the information, and to introduce new resources available through AFHTO to support your FHT’s quality journey. Quality Improvement Plans to be submitted to HQO by April 1: The Ministry’s templates and guidance materials are found at: In English […]

PSS Users: AFHTO-MDPS Working Group is being established

AFHTO has developed an agreement with MD Practice Software LP (MDPS), vendor of the Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) EMR, to engage in regular meetings of a joint Working Group to resolve common problems faced by FHTs using PSS, in a mutually-agreed priority order. Click here for the terms of reference for the AFHTO-MDPS Working Group. […]

Governing for Quality in Primary Care, a free one-day training program

Registration for Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care is now closed. Click here to go to the waiting list. The site also lists the objectives and full agenda for the day-long program.  The program has been approved for 3.25 credits for certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members. A corresponding application for CME credits […]

FHT Annual Operating Plans / AFHTO help will be available in January

Executive Directors: You have received your Family Health Team 2013/14 Annual Operating Plan Submission Package at some point today.  Plans must be submitted to the Ministry by February 20. To support FHTs in this submission process, AFHTO will re-launch a Peer-to-Peer discussion forum in early January.  This facility will help you seek and share advice […]

Family Health Teams play a prominent role in Ontario’s Health Links

The first 19 Health Links were announced today by Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews. Health Links bring together health care providers in a community to better and more quickly coordinate care for high-need patients. Seven of the 19 Health Links announced today will be coordinated by family health teams: Barrie and Community […]

Tentative 2012 Physician Services Agreement: A Family Health Team Perspective

AFHTO congratulates the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Ontario Medical Association on reaching a Tentative 2012 Physician Services Agreement.  AFHTO’s Executive Committee has reviewed the agreement to assess what it may mean for family health teams. Overall, the tentative agreement contains a number of provisions that are aligned with the vision for FHTs […]

Update on Ministry initiatives to promote and support quality in primary care

“Faster access and a stronger link to family health care” is one of three key planks in Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care. To do this, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has intensified focus on improving quality in this sector. Here is an overview and update on Ministry and related initiatives to promote […]

AFHTO 2012 Conference – Improving the Patient’s Experience of Care

The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Seniors Serving Seniors – Using Focus Groups to Inform Programming Respecting our Patients and Each Other – a Customer Service Approach Champagne Club – Assessing Excellence in Customer Service at an Academic Family Health Team Evaluating the impact of two different forms of diabetes […]

AFHTO 2012 Conference – The Triple Aim in FHTs – Better Care, Better Health, Better Value

The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Improving Processes Together: Co-design with Seniors, Caregivers, and Clinicians Building a House Calls Practice: The Key Features and Processes of an Integrated Home-Based Primary Care Model Implementation of the Asthma Action Plan to improve asthma control, quality of life and reduce hospital visits Medical […]

AFHTO 2012 Conference – Access and Capacity

The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Do inter-professional practices have a higher capacity to care for patients? The effect of panel size on quality of care across primary care models How do FHTs compare? Characterizing family health teams and their performance in Ontario Capacity of Care in the Family Health […]

AFHTO 2012 Conference – Meeting Needs of Special Populations

The following presentations were made at the conference under this theme: Caring for patients with severe physical challenges “Speak Freely”: Counselling Drop in Clinic for Teens Developing a Patient-centred Primary Care Model for Vulnerable Older Adults How can Family Health Teams promote the health of people with developmental disabilities?: Practical steps that Teams can implement […]

Potential impact of proposed wage restraint legislation on FHTs

DRAFT legislation – the Protecting Public Service Act, 2012 – has been released for public consultation. It is very important to note that this proposed legislation has NOT YET been tabled for first reading. Government has not yet indicated how long it will hold open this consultation phase, but for comparison, the consultation period for the […]

Report from quarterly meeting with MOHLTC FHT Unit, September 20, 2012

Representatives from AFHTO’s Operational Issues Working Group and the AOHC’s CFHT Executive met with the MOHLTC FHT Unit on September 20.The main objectives were to receive updates from the FHT Unit on budgets and other operational matters and to highlight “good news” from FHTs.  The following is a summary of the discussions. a) Recovery of […]

Letter to AFHTO members: Nominations for election to AFHTO Board

Dear fellow AFHTO members: Are you interested in serving on the AFHTO board of directors? The Governance Committee of AFHTO’s board invites anyone associated with an AFHTO-member FHT to apply. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BDHBQRF to fill in the form. Then e-mail your CV to info@afhto.ca . Application deadline is Monday, August 20. The Governance Committee of […]

FHT Practice Solutions EMR User Group Priorities – June 2012 survey results

The purpose of this survey was to identify priority issues common to all FHTs using Practice Solutions (PSS). The survey was distributed to all FHTs that had reported through a previous AFHTO survey that they use PSS in their clinics (n=57 FHTs). There were 3 elements to the survey: Identify common issues across FHTs Prioritize […]

Priority issues identified by PSS users in Family Health Teams

Click here to access the PSS User Group report on FHT PSS Priorities. It presents a list of the 10 most common issues experienced by PSS Users in terms of frequency of the problem and its detrimental impact on FHT operations. Following from these, the PSS Users identified the following four items as the priorities […]

Article in June 9 National Post

On June 9, 2012, the National Post ran a full-page spread on page A6 under the large headline “Unhealthy conflicts” and smaller headline – “Numerous irregularities found at Ontario’s Family Health Teams.” The online version is at — http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/06/08/ontario-government-faces-lawsuits-over-troubled-family-health-teams/ In response, AFHTO has sent the following letter to the editor: Family Health Teams are all […]

Letter from AFHTO board re MOHLTC-OMA negotiations

FYI — The letter below from the AFHTO  Board of Directors was sent this morning, Friday, May 18, 2012, to Susan Fitzpatrick, Assistant Deputy Minister of MOHLTC’s Negotiations and Accountability Management Division, and to Dr. Doug Weir, President, Ontario Medical Association. ………………………………………………………. May 17, 2012 Ms. Susan Fitzpatrick Assistant Deputy Minister Negotiations and Accountability Management […]

AFHTO’s EMR survey – March 2012 survey results

The EMR survey was completed by 160 respondents from 121 FHTs (65% of all 186) in the period April 10 – 30, 2012. Thank you to all who took the time to respond. Click on the links below to find: A description of respondents and overall EMR usage A comparison of aggregate EMR ratings Findings […]

First time release of data from 5-year FHT evaluation study

  The first set of data from the Ministry-sponsored five-year FHT evaluation study was released last week to 118 FHTs. These FHTs had participated in at least one of three 2009 surveys – facility, patient, and provider – conducted by the Conference Board of Canada evaluation team. In 2009, the 134 FHTs in waves 1 […]

2012 Ontario Budget: Highlights for FHTs

The central goal of the 2012 Ontario Budget is captured in the title of its news release: “A Plan to Balance the Budget, Create Jobs, Protect Education and Health Care.” The key sections for FHTs are “Transforming Health Care” and “A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR PUBLIC-SECTOR COMPENSATION”.  FHTs may also be affected by the push for more […]

Updates from meeting with MOHLTC Primary Health Care Branch

AFHTO’s Operational Issues Working Group met yesterday (March 6) with Mary Fleming, Director of Primary Health Care Branch; Richard Yampolsky, Program Manager, FHT Implementation; Gayle Barr, Senior Program Consultant; and Erin Weinkauf, Program Analyst. Flexibility in Operating Plans and Budgets The need for greater flexibility, consistency and transparency in budgets was the central theme throughout […]

Updates on AFHTO support for members

Advancing a Performance-Oriented Model for Primary Care One of AFHTO’s strategic directions is to build evidence of FHT performance and value to patient health is. Key to this is the capacity of FHTs to make the IT/IM investments needed to capture and report data consistently and reliably, and to use it for improvement.   Consistent with […]

Advancing a Performance-Oriented Model for Primary Care

Advancing a Performance-Oriented Model for Primary Care One of AFHTO’s strategic directions is to build evidence of FHT performance and value to patient health is. Key to this is the capacity of FHTs to make the IT/IM investments needed to capture and report data consistently and reliably, and to use it for improvement.   Consistent with […]

Outcome of Meeting with ADM on Primary Care Recruitment & Retention

Outcome of AFHTO-AOHC-NPAO meeting with ADM on primary care recruitment & retention This morning representatives of our three associations met with senior Ministry staff to review the findings and recommendations of our joint report – Toward a primary care recruitment & retention strategy for Ontario. (See details below).  Ministry attendees included three members of MOHLTC’s […]

Toward a Primary Care Recruitment & Retention Strategy for Ontario

The Association of Family Health Teams (AFHTO), the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) and the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO) are pleased to share our joint report with our members. Toward a Primary Care Recruitment & Retention Strategy for Ontario (PDF 1.3MB) It has been a challenge for primary care organizations to recruit […]

Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care: Highlights for primary care

The Minister made two presentations today, an early-morning prelude for a healthcare audience and the lunchtime launch of Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care hosted by the Board of Trade.  Below you’ll find links to the full plan and related communications pieces, as well as a bullet-point summary of the Action Plan. The general direction […]

Responding to staff about media speculation on public sector salaries

Media reports on public sector salaries may be stirring up concerns among staff at your FHT.  To help you respond, this e-mail gives you a brief summary of what’s being reported, and what AFHTO is doing about concerns over inequity in compensation. Headlines on the Toronto Star and National Post websites this evening (Jan. 24, […]

AFHTO sets up Operational Issues table with MOHLTC’s FHT Unit

FHTs want to deliver optimal interprofessional care to their patients and communities, and face many day-to-day challenges along the way.  Some of the operational issues we deal with require collaboration with or assistance from the MOHLTC’s FHT Unit. To help FHTs become much more effective in raising and resolving these operational issues, AFHTO has established […]

Leading For Change

AFHTO 2011 Conference Presentation Steven Lewis, well-respected Canadian health policy consultant, opened the Leadership Program with his thoughts on the future of family health teams in Ontario.  To access his presentation slides, please click here. Steven Lewis’ knowledge and analysis of health integration issues across Canada make him a valuable resource for Ontario’s Change Foundation […]

Using IT to Solve Process Problems

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dave Sellers, Director of Operations; Dr. Mark Fraser, Lead Physician FHT/ORG: West Carleton FHT ABSTRACT: This presentation will describe how innovative approaches within the FHT IT infrastructure have been used to solve process issues and improve efficiencies and data quality. The quality of the data in your EMR has […]

Realizing Patient Goals

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Andrea Petroff, BA Honours. Psych, M.I.R. (Masters of Industrial Relations), Executive Director; Claudia Mariano, NP-PHC, MSc Primary Health FHT/ORG: West Durham FHT ABSTRACT: Our commitment to our patients, our community, and to ourselves, to provide the best possible care for chronically ill patients, meant that we needed to take […]

Using Spirometry in Clinical Practice

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Angie Shaw, RRT,CRE Respiratory Educator; Amy Massie, RRT, CRE Respiratory Educator FHT/ORG: New Vision FHT ABSTRACT: This workshop will assist Family Health Team members in utilizing spirometry as a valuable tool in various clinical settings. Case studies will be presented, worked and reviewed. There will be a brief review […]

Self Management for Chronic Pain Patients

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Shellie Buckley, RN FHT/ORG: Stratford FHT ABSTRACT: Self management is a fairly new, vogue term used in healthcare but does it really work for patients with chronic pain? The data collected at the Stratford Family Health Team over the past two  years shows chronic pain patients will attend six […]

FHTs in the Intelligent Community

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Tim Iredale, Stratford Family Health Team; Paul West, Rhyzome Networks FHT/ORG: Stratford FHT ABSTRACT: The Stratford FHT is located in a city that is one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2011.  The Stratford FHT has partnered with Rhyzome Networks to improve its IT infrastructure which has resulted […]

Coaching Health Self-Management

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Durhane Wong-Rieger, PhD FHT/ORG: Institute for Optimizing Health Outcomes ABSTRACT: This workshop provides an introduction to Health Coaching for Patient Self-Management.  Case studies and brief demonstrations/role plays will be used. After participating in this program, participants will be able to: Define the role of self-management in promoting treatment adherence […]

Summerville Arthritis Program

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Lucy Bonanno, Executive Director;  Nadya Zukowski, Health Promotion Specialist FHT/ORG: Summerville FHT ABSTRACT: The Summerville Arthritis Program is a novel, collaborative approach to community Osteoarthritis care. Our interdisciplinary team partnered with The Arthritis Society and Pfizer to map out the delivery of a comprehensive yet flexible program. The program […]

Advancing the RN role in Chronic Disease Management

2011 AFHTO conference presentation TITLE: Advancing the RN role in Chronic Disease Management and Prevention in Primary Care PRESENTER (S): Sylvia Scott, Clinical Manager FHT/ORG: Guelph FHT ABSTRACT: Health care systems continue to be challenged to respond effectively to the increasing impact of chronic diseases on population health and health care resources. Using the Ontario […]

Chronic Respiratory Disease Management in the Community

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Maria Savelle, RN, Certified Respiratory Educator, Nurse Educator FHT/ORG: Stratford FHT ABSTRACT: The Stratford Family Health Team Respiratory Clinic began as a pilot project in June 2009 after it was identified there was a need to assess and provide education regarding patient self-management of chronic respiratory conditions (COPD and […]

Preparing for Electronic Labs

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Katharine De Caire, RN (EC), MN; Katalin Ivanyi, MD, CCFP, FCFP FHT/ORG: McMaster FHT, Stonechurch Site ABSTRACT: Laboratory information systems are an important component of an electronic health record. The ability to electronically access laboratory test information assists health care providers to make faster, better patient care decisions, enables […]

Practitioner Experience of an Interprofessional Integrated Primary Care-Based Programs For Seniors

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dr. Ainsley Moore, MSc, MD CCFP; Joy White, RN-EC, MSN; Kalpana Nair, MSc, PhD; Maria Chacon, MD FHT/ORG: McMaster FHT & Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University ABSTRACT: Background: Multidisciplinary, integrated primary care-based programs involving multiple practitioners are recommended for frail seniors with complex concurrent conditions. This study sought […]

New Innovations and Best Practices in a FHT

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Karen Y. Brooks, RN, BScN, CRE, CDM Nurse Educator; Dr. Margaret Tromp, MD, CCFP, FCFP FHT/ORG: Prince Edward FHT ABSTRACT: “Left undiagnosed or untreated, chronic disease may also exact serious health and economic consequences from patients, families, and communities” (Every, 2007, p. 70). A FHT Family Physician and CDM […]

iPrep: Illness Prevention and Rehabilitation Program

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dr. Lori Teeple FHT/ORG: Bluewater Area FHT ABSTRACT: To assist participants to transform their lifestyle into one of healthy eating and exercise so as to achieve and maintain a healthier body weight and waist circumference to prevent or remit disease such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.  Target […]

Central Intake Triage

2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dr. Kathleen Brooks, M.D., FRCP (C); Mary Jane McDowell, MSW FHT/ORG: Prince Edward FHT ABSTRACT: Within the services offered by the Prince Edward Family Team nowhere is critical decision making more important than at the point of entry to our mental health system. At a time when demand for […]

Tools to make your voice heard in the provincial election

The upcoming provincial election gives each Family Health Team the perfect opportunity to build awareness about the value we deliver to our communities.  People running for office need to know (and want to know) how well their constituents are being served through their tax dollars. Why is this important? To make sure all candidates running […]

Supporting FHTs through strengthened relationships with Ministry and key associations

In the past few days AFHTO has had meetings with the Ministry’s FHT Unit, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC). In all cases primary care is recognized as key to improving quality of care for patients and sustainability of the health system.  FHTs […]

FHT Funding Agreements: MOHLTC to distribute revised documents this week

AFHTO has been working with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) to address concerns regarding the new FHT Funding Agreement templates. FHT Leads should be receiving from the Ministry, prior to the April 29 sign-back date, a revised agreement that addresses our key concerns with these templates. For […]

FHT Funding Agreements: deadline extended to April 29, 2011

Ministry staff are distributing today (April 15) a memo from Phil Graham announcing the sign-back deadline is extended to April 29, 2011.   The memo reads:   I would like to thank all those Family Health Teams who have reviewed the new FA and articulated their issues and concerns to the ministry and those who have […]

FHT Funding Agreements: update on the “employee requirement”

AFHTO has learned the Ministry is working on a framework for granting exceptions to the “employee requirement” that appears in all Funding Agreements. They expect the draft to be completed in the next few weeks. AFHTO was told that, at minimum, we would get advance notice of the content of this framework. AFHTO continues to […]

FHT Funding Agreements: update on Ministry’s new deadline

AFHTO has learned that all FHTs who requested an extended deadline to sign their Funding Agreement have received it. For some FHTs the new deadline is Friday, April 8, and others have until Friday, April 15. The FHT Unit has told AFHTO it will work with each FHT individually to resolve the issues the FHT […]

FHT Funding Agreements: OMA’s legal review / up dates

AFHTO has just received a copy of a review by OMA legal counsel of the FHT Funding Agreement – Physician Sponsored template.  This is posted on the OMA’s members-only website or click here to view. Some comments in the review apply to the Mixed Governance and Community Sponsored templates as well, and so this is […]

Provincial budget stays the course for FHT funding for 2011-12

This is a review of the what the Ontario provincial budget means for FHTs, prepared for the benefit of AFHTO members. The good news for FHTs is government’s commitment to “protect education and health care”. In documenting its record in office, creation of 200 FHTs are once again mentioned as one of the key achievements […]

FHT Funding Agreements: recommendations for your FHT’s consideration

The Ministry template for FHT Funding Agreements has serious implications for FHTs, therefore this message is being sent to all FHT leaders, AFHTO members and non-members alike.  This message follows up on an e-mail sent to all AFHTO members on March 25 and a related message sent to non-members on March 26. The AFHTO board […]

NP-SERT implementation

Click here to access AFHTO’s notes on the questions and answers discussed during the two teleconferences on NP-SERT hosted by MOHLTC on March 11, 2011. Click here to to access the Q&A document e-mailed by MOHLTC on February 1, 2011.

How FHT Leaders Interact With One Another – January 2011 survey results

AFHTO’s membership is our strength, and so we have been seeking input from FHT leaders to help determine AFHTO’s path for the next 2-3 years to ensure that it captured and reflected the key priorities shared by FHTs across Ontario. As a first step, we asked FHT leaders to fill out a survey to find […]

2010-11-23 MOHLTC’s Health Care Options campaign to raise awareness of FHTs

As mentioned in the 2010-11-09 Members Only update,  “Health Care Options” ads  are now running on TV and radio, following up from Premier’s Nov.1 announcement.  The ministry has launched a public education campaign to raise awareness of the many health care options available to Ontarians. Their research has shown there are low levels of awareness […]

Creating Good Governance in FHTs – Survey Results

Creating Good Governance in FHTs – Survey Results In the spring of 2010, AFHTO and QIIP collaborated to find out how FHTs were progressing in developing their governance structures and their understanding of the different roles and responsibilities of individuals that have been charged with the leadership of their FHTs.  Governing boards of health care […]

The Virtual Ward

This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference describes the Virtual Ward – a method of providing the support of a hospital ward but in the patient’s home environment. It provides care to the most medically and socially complex patients in their home setting along with multidisciplinary case management. The SETFHT Virtual Ward is for […]

Successfully Integrating Spirometry Into Primary Care

This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference is for FHT health care providers and administrators interested in integrating spirometry into their clinical practice. The session will review New Vision’s successes in integrating spirometry and discuss strategies for other FHTs to implement spirometry including resources available in Ontario. This workshop includes powerpoint presentation and group […]

Store Forward Dermatology Program Improves Access

This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference demonstrates how Store Forward technology has been used to address a large service gap for dermatological consult services in the Kingston area.  Patients had been facing a 12-14 month wait for a specialist appointment.  Store Forward technology, a subsection of the Ontario Telemedicine Network, has allowed the […]

My Voice: Advance Care Planning

This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference reviews Advance Care Planning (ACP) from the Prince Edward Family Health Team’s perspective. ACP means ensuring that patients and families have the necessary information to make choices about their future care. Our FHT sought guidance from Fraser Health Authority (FHA) in British Columbia, which has a nationally […]

Mobility Clinic – Primary Care Accessibility Project for People with Mobility Issues

Significant health care gaps exist for individuals with mobility impairments.  Although they have similar basic health care needs as the general population, this group (persons with spinal cord and head injuries, neurological and musculoskeletal impairments) are less likely to receive the same level of basic preventative care. This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference […]