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 […]
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Resources to assist FHTs in meeting requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) The purpose of the AODA legislation is to create an accessible Ontario for persons with disabilities by 2025 through provincial accessibility standards which improve access by identifying, removing, improving and preventing barriers. Under this act, the following Standards […]
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 […]
FHT Funding Agreements – concerns about “Requirement that all funded positions be employees”
The cover letter for all of the funding agreements MOHLTC has sent to FHTs contains a paragraph called “Requirement that all funded positions be employees”. This post: · Summarizes specific issues AFHTO has collected to date, from e-mails and phone calls with EDs & lead physicians over March 24-25, 2011. · Reports on outcome of […]
Applying for and using HST rebates
Family Health Teams may apply to the Canada Revenue Agency for a ruling to confirm whether your FHT qualifies as a “facility operator” and therefore could claim a rebate 83% of the federal part of the HST and 87% of the provincial part of the HST. FHTs are not obligated to apply for the HST […]
Improving access to care in the academic family health team
The big challenge in family practices within academic settings is, how do you match a naturally variable demand to a highly artificially variable supply. How do you connect the patients to that ever moving supply? The connection could be called or labeled continuity. So do you want continuity to a group (and no delays) or […]
Respiratory Health Resources from the Ontario Lung Association
BreathWorks™ Helpline – 1-888-344-LUNG (5864) BreathWorks™ is The Lung Association’s national COPD program that offers practical information and support for people with COPD and for their families and caregivers. The BreathWorks™ Helpline is available 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and is staffed with Certified Respiratory Educators, health care professionals with special training […]
Chiropractic Collaboration in Centre for Family Medicine FHT
The Ontario Chiropractic Association has extended the offer to provide further information on how a tailored model of chiropractic collaboration could fit into your FHT. Click here to see a case study of successful collaboration in Kitchener’s Centre for Family Medicine FHT. o Contact Andrea Endicott at 416-860-7188 or by e-mail at aendicott@chiropractic.on.ca .
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.
Progressive Discipline
Do you have concerns about an employee’s performance? As an employer you may need to deal with problems caused by the performance of an employee but you must address this through progressive discipline. Learn more about the steps of progressive discipline from Maria McDonald, Employment Lawyer at Dykeman, Dewhirst and O’Brien – click here.
Investigations in the Workplace
Workplace investigations may take many forms and may take place for many reasons – it can be everything from an incident or complaint of harassment, bullying, sexual harassment or discrimination. Do you know how to do a thorough investigation in order to protect yourself and your workplace. Learn more about how to conduct an investigation from […]
Termination of Employment
Termination of employment is one of the most common stresses for employers – do you know the difference of termination ‘with cause’ and ‘without clause’? Learn more about the steps to take when you terminate an employee from Maria McDonald, Employment Lawyer at Dykeman, Dewhirst and O’Brien – click here.
MOHLTC February 2011 Family Health Team Newsletter
Click here to access the February 2011 edition of “FHT to Print”, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s newsletter for family health teams.
FHT Leaders’ Response to AFHTO’s Draft Strategic Plan – February 2011 survey results
AFHTO belongs to FHTs and is the voice for FHTs. The AFHTO board of directors therefore engaged FHT leaders in developing a strategic plan, and in finding the way to build AFHTO into a strong and sustainable voice for FHTs. Building on the consensus achieved among 150 FHT leaders in November 2009, the board further […]
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 […]
West Queen West FHT: Permanent Family Medicine Practice Opportunity
Overview: The West Queen West Family Health Team (FHT) is a recently approved Wave 5 FHT currently in its physician recruitment and start-up phase. Located in one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods of Toronto, the FHT will service the community at large and incorporate a specialty focus on serving the primary care need of patients […]
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 […]
Quality in Family Practice project’s book of indicators for quality improvement
The Quality Book of Tools is a comprehensive collection of practice management and clinical care indicators for improving quality in primary care, family practice settings in Ontario. It was initially developed following an international review and modified Delphi process in 2008-2009 and a website launched in 2011 (click here to access). The website allows you […]
FHT Guide to Managing Risk and sample policies
Healthcare risk management is a comprehensive system or process through which risks to a healthcare facility and all who are served by and associated with it, are identified, classified, evaluated, and controlled to predict, limit and reduce future potential risks or losses. With a Healthy Work Environment Innovation Fund Grant from HealthForce Ontario and contributions […]
Web Enabled Reporting System
The Web Enabled Reporting System (WERS) is an internet based application which is used by Family Health Teams (FHTs) to: – submit quarterly financial reports to the Ministry – submit quarterly program and services reports to the Ministry – submit annual audited statement of revenues and expenditures to the Ministry – submit annual audited financial […]
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 […]
Primary Care Memory Clinics: Improving the Care of Cognitively Impaired Patients within a Family Health Team
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference reviews the Centre for Family Medicine (CFFM) Family Health Team’s Memory Clinic, established in 2006 to address the challenges in caring for patients with cognitive difficulties. The CFFM Memory Clinic functions to enhance the care that family physicians can provide for patients at a primary care level. […]
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 […]
Mapping the Adult Learner
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference outlines a unique approach to motivating and educating the adult learner. The approach focuses on increasing confidence, skills and knowledge by using tools and techniques that satisfy varying adult learning styles. PRESENTERS: Laura Briden, Alicia Atkinson, Sarah Micks FHT: Guelph Family Health Team Click here to view.
Managing Medications
In 2008, the Queen’s Family Health Team began to wonder just how accurate its medication lists were in our EMR. A medical student audit conducted that summer found a lot of room for improvement, particularly for patients on multiple medications or those seeing multiple providers. Since then, Queen’s FHT has developed numerous processes and policies […]
Looking to the Future: Collaboration & Engagement Through Social Media
In early 2010 500,000 Facebook users rallied together to get Betty White to host the season finally of Saturday Night Live, which was SNL’s highest rated episode in 2 years. In 2007 Justin Bieber, teen pop sensation from Stratford Ontario, was discovered after his mom posted videos of him singing on YouTube. Since its creation […]
Kenora Wound Care Pilot Project
In September 2008, Sunset Country FHT received funding from Health Force Ontario for a Collaborative Wound Care Pilot Project that involved several community agencies in developing and implementing a comprehensive wound assessment and wound care treatment program based on best practice guidelines. This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference provides a study of an […]
Interdisciplinary Approach to Chronic Disease Management Programming
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference presents lessons learned on the success and challenges in an interdisciplinary approach to chronic disease programmingm such as who should be involved in the process, how to get buy in from physicians, what focus areas to choose, etc. The format is a presentation followed by an interactive […]
Improving Access to Mental Care
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference reviews a number of capacity building mental health initiatives geared to improve access to mental health assessments and interventions in primary care. A brief presentation of a number of innovative initiatives and outcomes will be provided. This will allow the audience, in a short time, to become […]
Evolution of a Mental Health Program in a FHT
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference details the evolution of a mental health program in a FHT from Nov06 until present day. We will present tools (program charters, education taxonomies, policies/procedures, evaluation, wait list mgt, clinical benchmarks, etc,) We will discuss the team and our understanding of patients and team needs and roles. […]
CPG Diabetes Tool Kit
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference gives an overview of the CPG Tool Kit for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, a handy reference for healthcare professionals. It bundles a comprehensive collection of the six major themes from the 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in […]
Best Gift of All – Newborn Baby Program
This slide presentation from the AFHTO 2010 conference describes a partnership with the hospital to roster unaffiliated newborn babies and provide a nurse-led postpartum service for those mothers and babies within 3 days of discharge. The presentation includes the process flow for interface with hospital, outcome study for first 35 babies, linkage with public health […]
2010-11-09 AFHTO’s meeting with the Ministry’s Primary Health Care (PHC) Branch
AFHTO representatives met with the Ministry’s Primary Health Care (PHC) Branch on November 3, 2010. AFHTO’s aim is to work collaboratively with the Ministry to support the success of FHTs in delivering accessible, high-quality, efficient care to Ontarians; AFHTO was encouraged by the open discussion and positive response. This e-mail reports on the following […]
Links to FHT materials on performance measurement and evaluation
FHT resources and tools provided to the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP) are now available on the AFHTO website. Click below for QIIP materials on performance measurement and evaluation: Evaluation, Measurement and Needs Assessment The Program Evaluation Resource Guide will enable teams to assess their programs to help ensure effectiveness and success.
Creating Good Governance in FHTs – Spring 2010 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 organizations, including Family Health Teams, are accountable for […]
List of Primary Care Reports and Reporting Platforms
Report Name – Link to Description (Below) Organization Report Website – Link (External) For more information, contact: Data to Decisions (D2D) AFHTO Link to Website carol.mulder@afhto.ca Non-Operational Reporting and Analytics (NORA) AOHC Link to Website mark@aohc.org Data Presentation Tool (DPT) CPCSSN Link to Website johnaqueenan@gmail.com Data Safe Haven UTOPIAN Link to Website dfcm.utopian@utoronto.ca Screening Activity […]