We are excited to share that we have made updates to our Practice Support website and related documents. We hope that these materials will help you gain a better understanding of Practice Support and the ways that our team can help to create meaningful and impactful change for practices in Nova Scotia. You can find our refreshed materials here:

• PHCQuality.ca
• Practice Support Brochure
• Practice Support Poster Option 1
• Practice Support Poster Option 2
• Practice Support Poster Option 3
• Practice Support Overview Presentation
• Practice Support Frequently Asked Questions

Practice Support is growing, and we are identifying new ways for individuals to be involved.

There are two immediate opportunities beginning June 2024 for family physicians, nurse practitioners, and all primary healthcare clinicians to provide input for our Healthy Eating Practice Support Program and our Substance Use Practice Support Program. This role would be an advisory capacity and would work with us to ensure our resources meet the needs of the busy primary healthcare providers and team members.

The total time commitment would be approximately 1 hour over the months of June and July.

If you are interested in learning more get in touch with Verna.McKinnon@nshealth.ca to discuss further details and ways we can support you to participate.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Halifax, Springview Family Practice embodies a holistic and patient-centered approach to primary healthcare.

Guided by the visionary leadership of Nova Scotia Health Practice Support Consultant, and clinic owner, Jerry Ji, this entire clinic team has come together to transform the way they deliver patient care.

Team members from Springview Family Practice

Did you know our Practice Facilitators now offer tailored in-practice support to primary healthcare teams? To highlight their incredible work, we are starting a new profile series that will introduce you to our Practice Facilitators across the province. This week, we are shining a light on Aminta Richard, a Practice Facilitator in the Western Zone, and Shania Badri, a Practice Facilitator in the Northern Zone.

Aminta Richard is a Practice Facilitator at Nova Scotia Health who is anything but conventional. With a diverse background ranging from accounting to computer science, Aminta brings a unique perspective to her role.

Shania Badri is a vibrant force in the world of primary healthcare. As a Practice Facilitator, she works closely with clinics in the Elmsdale and Shubenacadie areas to identify and support changes that allow operations to run smoothly.

We are very pleased to share that the PHC Behaviour Change Counseling Development Program (BCCDP) submission “Shifting from “Teach & Tell” to “Collaborate and Empower”: Creating a culture of self-management across the healthcare system through the Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program.” is the Patient and Family Choice Award winner for the 2024 Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards!

This is a step forward in advancing our strategy which highlights “Creating a Culture of Self-Management Support where Nova Scotians are the driver of their own health.” A big thank-you to our Physician co-leads Dr. Darya Kryzskaya and Dr. Jamie Johnstone for supporting our Physician/Nurse Practitioner stream of the program as well. 

For more information on the BCCDP and how you can benefit from this training visit our website PHCQuality.ca.

The Fall 2024 Behaviour Change Counseling Program Development (BCCDP) is open for registration. There are two streams available:

• Physician/Nurse Practitioner Stream: This program provides education, skills training and support for Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners who are interested in supporting patients to develop self-management skills to effectively activate and sustain health behaviour changes. This 3-credit-per-hour Self-learning Program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 42 Mainpro® credits. Program runs Fall 2024 -September 12^th to December 5^th, 2024. Please email PHCPracticeSupport@nshealth.ca to register and visit our PHCQuality.ca website for more details.

• All Staff Stream: – This program is open to all Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health staff, and affiliate staff of Nova Scotia Health Primary Healthcare. Our Fall workshops are as follows: 

• Working with Yellow Lights - Sept 5 (8:30-9:30)
• Working with Red Lights - Oct 3 (8:30-9:30)
• Sustaining the Change - Nov 7 (8:30-9:30)
• Distress/Well-being Assessment - Dec 5 (8:30-9:30)

Please register by searching “PHC” in LMS. Click here to see the full training pathway 

This program is designed to increase skill and confidence among primary care providers and teams for the care of patients with mild to moderate mental illness. Over the 20-week program duration, participants are expected to commit to attending a pre module meeting, 4 learning sessions and complete three action period templates between learning sessions with scheduled coaching. There are no fee’s associated with participation in this program and it is certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for 37.5 Mainpro+ Credits. If you would like more information about this program, click here.

Fall 2024 program requirements are below:

• Attend the pre module meeting on September 11^th 1:00 – 2:30pm
• Attend the following learning sessions:
• Learning session 1 – September 18^th 1:30 – 4:30pm
• Learning session 2 – October 30^th 1:30 – 4:30pm
• Learning Session 3 – December 11^th 1:30 – 4:30pm
• Learning Session 4 – January 29^th 1:30 – 4:30pm
• Complete and return action period templates.
• Complete scheduled coaching with AMH PSP Facilitators.

The Primary Healthcare team recently launched a new video called “What is self-management?”. This video helps us start a conversation around self-management and the resources that are available to Nova Scotians.

Click the play button on the left to view the video on our Vimeo channel. 

In order to create a culture shift promoting self-management we all need to spread the word. This is one tool you can use. If you have ideas of how to share this video in your practice setting or want to use it in your groups or materials for patients, please feel free to use the link or request the original video from us at primaryhealthcare@nshealth.ca.

For more resources for your patients, please visit HealthyNS.ca.

To find out more information about what supports are available to you, reach out to your local Primary Healthcare leader or contact our team at PHCPracticeSupport@nshealth.ca.