Data to Decisions 1.0: Advancing Primary Care (D2D 1.0) is the tangible result of our collective “get started” effort in team-based performance measurement across the AFHTO membership. D2D 1.0 is a summary of primary care data that are currently available, comparable and mean the most to AFHTO members in their efforts to advance quality of care for their patients. AFHTO members can access D2D 1.0 in the Members Only website.

Two big steps in our progress to measure, improve and demonstrate the value of interprofessional primary care:

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has announced the launch of the second 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-sectoral collaboration of health system partners to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across the continuum.

AFHTO’s approach to primary care measurement focuses on the relationship with our patients and our ability to deliver the care patients value. Its objective is to optimize quality, access and total health system cost of care for patients, using indicators from Health Quality Ontario’s Primary Care Performance Measurement Framework.

The Tungasuvvingat Inuit Family Health Team (TIFHT) was honoured with this award at a the "Prevent More to Treat Less" conference, jointly sponsored by the Association of Ontario Health Centres and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, together with a range of partners including AFHTO. Since March 2011 TIFHT has provided Primary Health care services to Ottawa’s Inuit population.

Central Hastings FHT is a LEADing Practice award recipient as announced by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), in partnership with Accreditation Canada. Given for their leadership in the advanced use of technology in clinical practice, the award is part of Infoway's pan-Canadian Knowing is Better clinician education campaign developed to generate awareness of the benefits of digital health in Canada.

The Conference Board of Canada has published a new report Getting the Most out of Health Care Teams: Recommendations for Action.  Click here for the full report.

We are pleased to share the following literature review exploring current research on interprofessional Family Health Teams (FHTs) across Ontario. This review collects and analyzes existing evidence on the initial improvements to primary healthcare access, patient outcomes and reduction of system costs. A Review of the Literature – Click here for full article Authors: Sophia Gocan, RN, MScN; Mary Ann Laplante, RN, BScN; & A.

The 2^nd Annual AFHTO Bright Lights Awards celebrate the leadership and significant progress being made to improve the value delivered by AFHTO members to 3 million patients across Ontario. Winners were announced at the October 22 Awards Dinner at the AFHTO 2013 Conference, attended by over 250 people AFHTO members, senior representatives from government, Health Quality Ontario, and some of the associations who, along with AFHTO, work together as the Ontario Primary Care Council.

Minister’s Medal Honours Excellence in Health Quality and Safety Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews, is inviting individuals and organizations to showcase their high-quality patient-centered care programs. This annual medal will recognize excellence in collaboration, sustainability, measurable outcomes and value. Completed applications must be submitted to your LHIN office by 5:00 p.m. on September 16. Successful recipients will be recognized at HQO’s Health Quality Transformation 2013 event on November 21, 2013.