Originally posted Mar. 17, 2020. Last updated July 7, 2023
On Thursday, March 19 Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a memo Re: Managing Health Worker Illness and Return to Work COVID-19. In the document he makes recommendations related to travel and return to work for health care providers. He also notes:
While other services are decreasing their operations, in health care you are being called upon to care for patients and to be ready for surge. I am asking, where there may be an opportunity, for all health system employers to facilitate work arrangements that enable appropriate employees to work from home or to work virtually, if not re-deployable.
Health system employers should also consider a review of their services and practices to identify how they can provide services to patient groups virtually or remotely.
These are uncertain times, but the recommendation is to try to accommodate care for patients virtually as much as possible. Below are resources to assist teams. These will be updated as they become available.
We are collecting stories from our members on they have shifted to virtual care in response to COVID-19. Summary of findings and a resource table can be found here: Shift to Virtual Care-Primary care response to COVID-19. We will continue to update this document so if you would like share any stories please email: improve@afhto.ca.
Virtual Care & Digital Health
Guidance Documents
- Ontario Health Virtual Care Funding Opportunities For Primary Care | OH, July 2023
- COVID-19 Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting | MOH, July 28, 2021
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OCFP SUMMARY: COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS | OCFP, August, 17, 2021
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Summary of changes in MOH COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting | OCFP, August 17, 2021
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CONSIDERATIONS FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS: BALANCING IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL CARE | OCFP, August, 2021
- Primary Care Virtual Groups – Transitioning A CBT Program & Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program To Virtual | AFHTO, February 17, 2021
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Virtual Visits: From Beginning to End Webinar * | AFHTO, May 20, 2020
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Hosting Group Programs Virtually* | AFHTO, April 28, 2020
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Virtual Care Playbook | CMA, OCFP, The Royal College, March 2020
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Adopting and Integrating Virtual Visits into Care: Draft Clinical Guidance | Ontario Health Quality
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In-Office Assessment Guidance- in-person visits when phone/video isn't enough | OCFP March 25, 2020
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QI In Action EBulletin #92: How Can Teams Help Meet The E-Service Needs Of Patients?
Virtual Care Platforms, Supports & Fact Sheets for Teams
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Virtual Care in the Patient’s Medical Home | CFPC | February, 2021
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Virtual Care - video visits, platforms, and the journey at Credit Valley FHT * | May 13, 2020
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Virtual Visits Platforms - Summary * | QI in PC council & AFHTO, April 30, 2020
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Virtual Visits Facts Sheet | OMA & OMD
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Digital Health Supports for COVID-19 | eHealth Centre of Excellence
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Cyber Security Advisory - ZOOM | Ministry of Health, April 9, 2020
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How to keep uninvited guests out of ZOOM meetings and webinars | AFHTO, April 9, 2020
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For EMR Screening Tools and Toolbars, see the Infection Control Resources And Tools page.
Consent for Electronic Communication
- Consent to use electronic communications template
- Examples of Consent | OMD
- Example of Virtual Visits Consent Form | BAKFHT
- Example of Email Consent | Upper Grand FHT
- Telus PS Stamps and Toolbar for Documenting Consent *| London FHT
- Telus PS Toolbar | Scott Laing
Policies
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Virtual Visit Policy * | Sudury District NPLCs, March 20, 2020
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Virtual eVisit Policy * | Georgina NPLC, March 27, 2020
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COVID-19 Work From Home Policy & Privacy Considerations *| Welland McMaster FHT March 02, 2020
For IT resources while clinics transition to virtual care during COVID-19, refer to Management And Operations, Human Resources And COVID-19
Documents for Patients
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Virtual Care Guide for Patients | OMA, OCFP & the Royal College, June 2020
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Preparing for a Phone or Video Appointment | Primary Care Dietitians' Association
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Patient Checklist Prior to Virtual Visit | Guelph FHT
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Guidelines for Patients using Virtual Care * | Tricia Harvey, Healthcare Consultant, April 2020
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Group Standards: Virtual Classes Using Zoom * | Trent Hills FHT, May 7, 2020
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Virtual Visit Etiquette - Zoom Virtual Group Visits * | Hamilton FHT, May 6, 2020
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Virtual Visit Patient Information | Southlake Academic FHT
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OTN Virtual Visits - Set Up and Joining an Appointment | Georgina NPLC
To capture the patient experience with virtual care please refer to the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey.
Webinars and Recordings
- Digital Solutions: Adoption, Adaptation and their role in post-Covid19 health and social care delivery | IFIC, June 18, 2020
- Clinical COVID-19 Webinars | CFPC
- Virtual Care Webinars for Physicians | OMD
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Virtual Learning Exchange in Virtual Primary Care Cultural Safety and Indigenous Partnership | Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
Special Offers to Teams
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ThinkResearch is offering additional supports | e-mail Shilpa Magesh
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Special offer from AdraCare | 3 months free virtual care without a contract
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Virtual Cardiology and Internal Medicine Consultations Now Available- KMH Cardiology Centres
Some resources have restricted access: * Members-only resources, ** Triad-only resources
Return to: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Disclaimer: The information in this resource centre represents general guidance developed by AFHTO and their partners, gathered through a rapid, non-systematic scan of relevant and valuable guidelines with an intent to support you in a timely fashion. The information reflects best knowledge at the time of writing and is subject to revision based on rapidly changing circumstances and conditions. As new best practice evidence emerges, recommendations may evolve. The resources above should be considered supplementary guidance and are not meant to replace clinical judgement or organizational directives.