Dear Members,

AFHTO learned in fall 2021 that only people with a valid Ontario driver’s license could renew their OHIP card online. Most people who could not drive needed to go in-person to a ServiceOntario office. 

This was particularly concerning as many people without a license are not in this position by choice. A disability that prevents some people from driving can make in-person renewal difficult at any time. And in a pandemic, going to crowded ServiceOntario offices exposes people to even further risk. 

Dear members,

January has been an incredibly difficult month, and we want to thank you and your teams for all that you have done, and continue to do, for your patients. Encouragingly, the latest update on COVID-19 projections from the Science Table indicates that while hospital and ICU admissions continues to be high, Ontario data shows that vaccination (including third doses) is providing strong protection against serious illness.

Research article published in The Annals of Family Medicine January 2022, 20 (1) 24-31

Impact of Team-Based Care on Emergency Department Use

Abstract

PURPOSE We sought to assess the impact of team-based care on emergency department (ED) use in the context of physicians transitioning from fee-for-service payment to capitation payment in Ontario, Canada.

Dear Members,

Dear Members,

2022 has not started off the way we had hoped with the rapid increase in Omicron cases and the shift back to online learning for our kids. As Ontario struggles through what looks to be the most challenging wave of this pandemic, we remain heartened and continually in awe of the dedication of our teams in ensuring you do everything you can do keep your patients and community safe.

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

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)

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.