As always, if you have questions, suggestions for new supports, or would like to speak with the team about your needs please reach out to [email protected].

Key Updates

We now have two streams for training.

Stream 1: Self-directed e-learning modules for all Primary Health Care staff

• Register on LMS. Search "PHC" in the learning catalogue. 

Stream 2: (New!): A blended program of self-directed e-modules and virtual group workshops developed by, and for, Physicians and Nurse Practitioners 

• Running September 6th - November 29, 2022 (42 Mainpro credits)

Do you want to share behaviour change skills with your patients? Two e-modules for patients on goal setting can be found here:

• Ideas into Action
• Keeping it Going with your Health Goals

What's Next

Stream 1 All PHC staff:

• Now open to all NSH staff on LMS

Stream 2: Physicians/NPs 

• Third cohort running Spring 2023. Stay tuned. 

Staff/Team Development Support

Are you or your team having challenges implementing Behaviour Change Skills into your work? Opportunity for support is available for leadership, staff and teams who have started on their behaviour change counselling journey to help support integration of skills into practice. Fill out this new intake form to get started.

A comprehensive evaluation will be underway this fall with the following planned activities:

• Leadership interviews (September/October)
• All PHC Staff Survey (late October) consider filling out the survey even if you haven't attended any of the training so we can hear about the barriers.

Key Updates

• The BETTER Program^TM has been implemented with 24 practice teams across Nova Scotia. 



• We are ready to train another cohort of prevention practitioners.

What's Next

Who can register?

• Any Health Professional working in Primary Health Care

Upcoming Prevention Practitioner Virtual Training:

• September 21 and 22, 9:30am – 4:30pm (FULL)

• October 19 and 20, 9:30am – 4:30pm

      (space still available)

Role of the Prevention Practitioner in your practice

• Complete 2-day training
• Time dedicated to the BETTER program (minimum of half day per week)
• Prepare and complete the Environmental Scan (identifying resources that exist in our community linking back to patients’ goals)
• Support implementation of BETTER program in your practice (i.e: implement EMR changes, promotions/marketing to patients)
• Complete the data collection processes – (i.e: patient experience survey)
• Strongly recommended to complete the Behaviour Change Counseling Development program (LMS) - Foundations (e-module 1-4) 

Key Updates

• Fountain of Health has expanded/rebranded and created the THRIVE Learning Centre. 

• Launch of the Thrive MD, a special wellness program for physicians.

• Patients and clinicians can also check out the The Wellness App for goal tracking and to receive encouragement between visits.

What's Next

THRIVE MD Enrichment Courses - specifically developed by physicians for physician wellbeing

• Radical Self-Compassion for Women in Medicine (2 Mainpro+ Credits) - Instructor: Dr. Keri-Leigh Cassidy
• September 22 (Thursday 5-7 pm)

•  5-Minute CBT: A 5-week Online Course (18 Main Pro+ Credits) - Instructors: Dr. Michael Vallis & Keri-Leigh Cassidy
• Series: November 7, 14, 21, 28, and December 5 (Mondays, 4 - 5:30pm)
• Cost $168/person

Register here 

*Please note the Foundation Program is recommended before Enrichment Courses

Key Updates

The health benefits of regular moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity and reduction of sedentary behavior are well established in the literature. The Physical Activity Counselling Practice Supports Program (PAC PSP) will provide resources for Primary Health Care providers to help establish a patient’s level of physical activity and provide patient-centred interventions. The supports will include a suite of resources and educational opportunities. More information will be provided as the project progresses.

The PAC PSP development is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage as part the Let’s Get Moving Strategy.

What's Next

A provincial multi-disciplinary working group has been identified to guide this work and will launch the program soon. 

Stay tuned and check for updates on our website. 

Key Updates

• 72 primary care providers and allied health professionals have completed the program since its launch in NS
• Program continued to be delivered virtually allowing physicians, NP’s, allied health professionals and medical office assistants to have access to support during the Covid-19 pandemic. 
• Recently completed a research project with faculty and medical residents at Dalhousie in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada with 31 medical residents and 14 faculty taking part
• Fall cohort running Sept-Nov 2022

What's Next

Registration is now open for Winter cohort (January - April, 2023). This Group Learning Program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to (31.5 Mainpro+ credits). All sessions are mandatory and will be held virtually on the following dates:

Learning Sessions Winter 2023 

• January 18th - 1 – 4:30 pm
• March 1st - 1 – 4:30 pm
• April 12th - 1 – 4:30 pm  

To Register Click Here.

Key Updates

The Atlantic Mentorship Network - Pain and Addiction [AMN-P&A] in collaboration with PainBC and the Centre for Effective Practice continues to run the network. The Health Canada contribution agreement provides funding in the amount of $2.8 million over 4 years to develop Adaptive Mentoring networks in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia. The AMN-P&A will be providing its many years of experience in building and implementing mentorship networks to inform the models to be established in other parts of the country. Through this four-year contribution agreement, primary care providers will receive support to provide compassionate and effective care for Canadians living with chronic pain, substance use and/or mental illness. 

What's Next

Alcohol Use Disorder and Benzodiazepine Workshop: November 25, 2022, this accredited workshop will aim to assist physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, other allied health professionals, medical residents and students in office-based management of alcohol use disorder and benzodiazepine use.

• November 25 - 9:00am - 4:00pm
• (8 Mainpro+ credits)
• Registration costs are: $150 Physicians, $100 Allied Health, $25 Medical Residents and Students
• Click here for information and registration details.

Motivational Interview Workshop: This accredited two day in-person workshop taking place  will look at how healthcare providers can work with patients to elicit and strengthen motivation to change.

• February 17 & 18, 2023 - 9:00am - 4:00pm 
• (11 Mainpro+ credits)
• Participant costs to attend both days are:
• $50 Physicians & Allied Health
• $25 Medical Residents and Students



For more information and registration click here.

Key Updates

• 8 providers have completed the program

• Evaluation results indicating each session was meeting the intended learning outcomes as well as increasing knowledge, skill, and confidence in implementing OUD treatment strategies in the primary care practice setting.

• The program will be closely monitored and reviewed for continual improvement and applicability to primary care.

What's Next



• Registration is now open for the winter 2023 cohort (January - March, 2023).
• If you would like to register please email [email protected].
• This group learning program is certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Nova Scotia Chapter for up to (15 Mainpro+ credits).
• Program is free
• Over the program duration, participants will attend three half-day virtual learning sessions and three one-hour webinars:

Virtual Learning Sessions (12:30 pm – 4:00 pm)

• Learning Session 1: January 10
• Learning Session 2: February 14
• Learning Session 3: March 21

Webinars (12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)

• Webinar 1: TBA
• Webinar 2: TBA
• Webinar 3: TBA

Key Updates

Since launching this initiative in Fall 2021, approx. 114 PHC nurse practitioners and additional team members have been supported to implement the attachment and panel identification process. Based on feedback, we have heard teams have used the learnings from the process to:

• Improve scheduling processes
• Work more efficiently as a clinical team
• Inform discussions about panel sizes using relevant data
• Identify additional capacity to attach patients from the Need a Family Practice Registry

If you or your team is looking to clean up your patient panel data and learn more about your patients, check out the many resources to support you on our website. 

Call to Action

In order to better meet the needs of PHC Nurse Practitioners and teams, we need your feedback on how to improve! If you or members of your team have used any of our resources/supports to complete the attachment and panel identification process; please let us know about your experience by completing our Feedback Survey. 

In addition to your feedback, if you participated in this initiative and have a success story you would like to share, we want to hear from you too! Please complete this Experience Story Template to share your experience with your peers... Who knows, you may find your story highlighted in the next issue of our Practice Support Program newsletter!