Research article published in Annals of Family Medicine September 2021, 19 (5) 411-418
Primary Care 2.0: A Prospective Evaluation of a Novel Model of Advanced Team Care With Expanded Medical Assistant Support
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this paper was to identify continuations and changes in care delivery methods in primary care teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AFHTO congratulates physicians in our member family health teams who were recognized on Wednesday, November 11, 2021, at the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) 2021 Awards Ceremony.
Dr. Barb Zelek of Marathon FHT, named 2021 Reg. L Perkin Ontario Family Physician of the Year as well as Regional Family Physician of the Year
Family Medicine Resident of the Year – Ontario’s Rising Star
According to research published in in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ November 08, 2021 193 (44)), most family physicians now report that they engage in some degree of social intervention in the management of patients. However, outside of community health centres, social interventions are still not a routine part of primary care practice and are not yet considered “standard of care.”
To read more, visit: Implementing social interventions in primary care (CMAJ)
The Ontario government is awarding a contract to create a one-stop, digitally enabled navigation tool with fully bilingual services that will increase access to care and improve equity. This new tool expected to be ready in early 2022, where Ontarians will have a ‘Digital Front Door’ to Ontario’s health care system, offering a place where they can have easier access to health information, advice, initial triage, symptom checking, mental health and addictions supports, home and community care, caregiver supports, information on finding a local doctor or nurse practitioner, and virtual care to become connected to health information and health care services across the province and to receive guidance throughout their health care journey.
Ontario Health has been assigned contract management for the navigation tool and will work closely with the consortium, the ministry, and key stakeholders to design and implement this service. The ministry and Ontario Health will continue to work closely with health care sector partners to harness their expertise and insights on how best to support health care system navigation and address patients and providers’ needs.
Helpful Resources:
• Health Care Navigation Service overview (attached document)
Ontario Health has launched Breaking Free Online, an online therapy tool for Ontarians 16 and up to support recovery from the use of over 70 substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, including opioids, and help prevent a relapse. The solution is free for patients and providers and is available 24/7 in both English and French. Primary care providers can refer their patients to Breaking Free Online directly or choose to implement it as a tool to facilitate ongoing treatment.
Getting Started: To implement Breaking Free Online, please email Nicholette Smith at nsmith@breakingfreegroup.com to receive your organization’s service code. You will use this service code to enrol clients, access resources in the operational toolkit, and view real-time data analytics via an online outcomes dashboard.
Helpful Resources:
• Breaking Free: Addressing Substance Use Disorders Through Digital Innovation (attached document)
• Video Overview
• Extensive Peer-Reviewed Research
• Q&A
It has been a challenging 20 months, and primary care teams have been leaders.
Throughout this pandemic, teams adjusted to new circumstances and continued to provide comprehensive care while extending reach to support their communities. They were leaders in organizing assessment centres, conducting tests, and administering COVID-19 vaccines. They collaborated with their partners to help keep communities safe, while keeping their doors open to provide care to their patients and others who needed it most.
