Introducing the Practice Support Program offered by Primary Health Care and the Department of Family Practice
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Every day, primary health care providers and teams are working hard to provide safe, effective and efficient care and support individuals and communities to live well. This can be challenging in our increasingly complex and changing environment. It can be easy to spot areas for improvement, but it may seem daunting to understand the issue, identify solutions, and put new ways into practice. We also know it can be challenging to keep on top of the latest evidence and guidelines, and to find opportunities to learn from and connect with peers. Primary Health Care and the Department of Family Practice have designed a Practice Support Program aimed at supporting providers and teams to deliver high quality care and to contribute to a culture of shared learning toward quality and safety.
Our practice support and quality improvement resources, tools, and initiatives are available to support primary health care providers and teams, foster a culture of shared learning, quality and safety, and ultimately enable quality care for patients and families. We are excited to share more information with you about what offerings are available to support providers and teams now and what is in development that will be coming to you soon.
- Supporting patients to live well and manage their chronic conditions
- Supporting patients with mild to moderate mental health concerns, pain, and substance use disorders
- Enhancing access to primary health care services, virtually and in-person
- Focused supports for family physicians.
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Some of you may already be familiar with our programs and initiatives. Some have been in place for a while now, while others are still in the planning and development phase. The first edition of our new quarterly newsletter will focus on providing updates related to each program to provide a sense of what’s happening behind the scenes as we continue to evolve our menu of options available. Over time, we hope to highlight examples of our initiatives in action and share outcomes.
If you are interested in learning more information on how we do our work and some of our guiding principles, we have more information available on our website about Our Approach.
We are constantly updating our website with new tools, resources, and information. We encourage you to visit PHCQuality.ca for more information on any of the topics covered in this quarter's newsletter. We are also in the process of creating a social media presence to further share our programs, tools, and resources online; follow @PHCQualityPSP on Twitter to keep up-to-date with our latest updates.
Thank you for your interest in the Practice Support Program offered by Primary Health Care and the Department of Family Practice. We look forward to continuing to share information with you and partnering with key stakeholders over time to ensure a wide array of offerings are available to support primary health care providers and teams as we collectively work to strengthen the primary health care system in Nova Scotia.
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For a one-page summary of upcoming program offerings and key dates, click here.
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Quality Improvement Resources |
Quality improvement is a core attribute of high-performing teams and is critical to realize the full vision for a strengthened primary health care system in Nova Scotia.
PHCQuality.ca contains a collection of resources and tools from trusted organizations that have been selected by Primary Health Care and the Department of Family Practice to support providers and teams in participating in and/or leading quality improvement initiatives.
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Our progress: Moving our Practice Support Program Areas of Focus Forward
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Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program |
The Behaviour Change Counselling Program focuses on supports and strategies to build provider knowledge, skills and confidence to work collaboratively with patients to elicit behaviour change to improve health.
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Key Updates
In winter 2020, Primary Health Care led two awareness raising webinars for primary care providers focused on Motivational Communication Strategies to Elicit Health Behaviour Change.
Interactive e-modules have been developed locally by primary health care providers with advanced training and experience in behaviour change counselling, and the first two stages of the e-modules were recently launched for Nova Scotia Health team members:
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Stage 1 e-modules: Foundations of Behaviour Change launched in October 2020
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Stage 2 e-modules: Building on Behaviour Change launched mid-November 2020
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What's Next
Stage 3 e-modules: Comprehensive Approach to Behaviour Change will launch in early December 2020.
Virtual workshops will start in January 2021 to provide opportunities for providers to review and practice the knowledge and skills learned in the e-modules with other health care providers.
We are also working with physician colleagues to determine how physicians can best access the program training resources - stay tuned for more information.
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The BETTER ProgramTM includes strategies, resources and tools to improve efficient screening and prevention activities focused on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and associated lifestyle factors in Primary Health Care practice settings.
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Key Updates
Two Prevention Practitioner Training sessions were facilitated by The BETTER Institute for Nova Scotia providers:
- Cohort 1 (June – July 2020): 26 PHC team members participated
- Cohort 2 (November 2020): an additional 20 PHC team members participated
Implementation of The BETTER ProgramTM is now underway with 12 practice teams across Nova Scotia as part of cohort 1.
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What's Next
Implementation of The BETTER ProgramTM is starting with Teams who have completed the Prevention Practitioner Training in November 2020.
Certified BETTER Training, led by the BETTER Institute, is being planned for early 2021:
- The BETTER Institute is offering 4 seats (out of a total of 16) for Nova Scotia participants in their Certified BETTER Trainer session in early 2021.
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4 Nova Scotia clinicians or leaders who have been trained and working with the BETTER ProgramTM in Nova Scotia will take this additional training to be able to lead Prevention Practitioner training sessions
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This will be an important support for spread and sustainability of the BETTER ProgramTM in Nova Scotia.
Additional Prevention Practitioner Training, led by Nova Scotia-trained Certified BETTER Trainers, is expected for March 2021 (dates TBD).
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The Fountain of HealthTM, Health Behaviour Change Toolkit provides clinicians with brief behavior change tools that take less than 5 minutes to use in routine care to support patients to achieve their health goals with minimal supports. These tools are adaptable to a wide range of health behaviors.
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Key Updates
Patients and clinicians can also check out the The Wellness App for goal tracking and to receive encouragement between visits.
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What's Next
Further promotions are being planned to communicate to providers and teams that Fountain of HealthTM tools are available to support them and their patients.
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Online Health and Wellness Resources: HealthyNS.ca |
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Comprehensive information about staying well, prevention, and living a healthy life with chronic conditions is now available for patients online. Primary Health Care is also offering a number of wellness programs online. These sessions are delivered through Zoom for Healthcare by wellness teams across the province and open to all Nova Scotians who have a valid health card. |
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Visit HealthyNS.ca to learn more and direct patients to this site for online wellness programs (descriptions and registration information) and resources to support patients in managing their health condition(s). In mid-December, a new flyer will be launched promoting online wellness programming available between January-March 2021. Read how Nova Scotia Health online wellness sessions have been helping Nova Scotians come together while staying apart.
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Adult Mental Health
Practice Support Program
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Interactive modules for family physicians and nurse practitioners to develop the skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating patients with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. |
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Key Updates
The Adult Mental Health Practice Support Program is supported by a multidisciplinary advisory committee of Nova Scotia providers. The first program cohort was launched with 16 primary heath care participants in late 2019 and was completed in September 2020, undergoing essential adaptations to be delivered in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What's Next
The second program cohort launches completely virtually in January 2021 with the following dates scheduled:
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Virtual Learning Session 1: Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
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Virtual Learning Session 2: Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
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Virtual Learning Session 3: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
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Atlantic Mentorship Network - Pain and Addiction |
Enhancing the capacity of primary care providers to manage chronic pain and substance use disorders in primary care through collaborative education and mentorship. |
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Key Updates
A formal multi-year evaluation of Atlantic Mentorship Network - Pain and Addiction's [AMN-P&A] work has been completed to communicate the program's success and inform ongoing program improvements.
The Opioid Agonist Therapy [OAT] Providers Forum was launched in April 2020 to connect OAT providers across Nova Scotia virtually to discuss practice challenges and solutions, connect with colleagues and receive support.
Interprofessional core pain and addiction competencies were developed by Nova Scotia providers with expertise in pain and addiction to ensure a foundational learning continuum is embedded throughout AMN-P&A programs and services.
AMN-P&A is participating in a national grant proposal to grow and spread mentorship networks on both an Atlantic and national scale.
AMN-P&A continues to work with providers across Nova Scotia to provide 1:1 and small group mentorship opportunities as well as host monthly virtual webinars for its membership from across Canada on various pain and substance use practice topics.
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What's Next
The Safer Opioid Prescribing Program
Developed and delivered by the University of Toronto to assist physicians, medical residents and nurse practitioners in acquiring knowledge and learning new skills in chronic pain management and opioid prescribing.
- Program format: 3-part webinar series followed by full-day virtual workshop
- Next program offering: January-March 2021
- Click here for more information
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Online Course
Developed and presented by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, this course prepares health care providers to effectively and safely manage the treatment of clients receiving methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder. This course also promotes inter-professional collaboration among the health care team involved in the delivery of opioid dependence treatment.
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Opioid Use Disorder Practice Support Program |
Training and support for primary care providers and teams to build competencies for the care of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), including the safe prescribing of buprenorphine/naloxone. |
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Key Updates
The Opioid Use Disorder Practice Support Program was developed by Nova Scotia Health Primary Health Care, in partnership with providers and Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions program. A multidisciplinary advisory committee, which included a Patient Family Advisor with lived experience, provided advice and guidance to the program objectives and approach. The curriculum was created by two Nova Scotia family physicians with added addiction medicine competencies, and will be facilitated by local providers.
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What's Next
The first program cohort will begin in December 2020 and will run until March 2021; registration is still open!
Over the program duration, participants will attend three half-day virtual learning sessions and three one-hour webinars:
Virtual Learning Sessions (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
- Learning Session 1: December 10, 2020
- Learning Session 2: January 21, 2021
- Learning Session 3: March 4, 2021
Webinars (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
- Webinar 1: January 7, 2021
- Webinar 2: February 11, 2021
- Webinar 3: March 25, 2021
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Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Program Resources |
Mental Health and Addictions Program mission is to empower people with the right mental health and addictions supports as they work toward recovery. Nova Scotians can access 24/7 services, resources and tools on their public website.
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Addictions Medicine Consult Service: Rapid addictions medicine consultant advice is available to Nova Scotia Primary Health Care providers by calling 1-855-970-0234. Consultants are available between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri. More information can be found here. |
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Enhancing Access to Primary Health Care |
Supporting providers and teams to implement strategies to reduce delays for services, increase capacity for same day scheduled appointments, and improve clinic workflows and efficiencies, while enhancing patient experience and improving work-life balance. |
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Key Updates
Since COVID-19, a suite of resources and tools have been adapted and made available on our website for interested providers and teams to access and utilize at their own pace. These included supports for enhancing access to both in-person and virtual primary care services. Resources include the Advanced Access and Efficiency Workbook, and a curated list of access strategies and approaches tailored to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
In June/July 2020, we partnered with primary care providers to offer 3-part webinar series focused on strategies to enhance access and efficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. An average of 65 participants attended each webinar.
In October/November 2020, we offered a 4-part virtual workshop series focused on application of access and efficiency strategies covered during the webinar. An average of 13 participants attended each workshop.
We have also adapted our Quality Collaborative to be offered completely virtually, with multiple teams now able to participate and learn together from a safe physical distance.
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What's Next
If providers or teams are interested in starting self-directed learning, recordings for both the webinar and workshop series are available on our website for you to access.
Tailored Virtual Coaching sessions are available for providers and teams to work through their practice-specific access and efficiency challenges. If interested in signing up for a coaching session, please fill out this intake form.
The Virtual Quality Collaborative launches in early December 2020 with three Collaborative Family Practice Teams participating in this structured, intensive approach to implementing access and efficiency strategies using quality improvement methods.
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Group Medical Visits are a strategy to deliver efficient, quality health care to groups of patients with similar health needs. Tools, resources and supports aimed at supporting providers and teams to plan and deliver Group Medical Visits, in-person or virtually, are in development.
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Key Updates
A task team, co-chaired by provincial and zone Primary Health Care leaders, is currently working on updating tools and resources to support the implementation of group medical visits, as well as a provincially coordinated approach to capacity building and maintenance. There are many examples across the province where group medical visits have been happening for many years and we are looking to build on these successful examples as part of our provincial approach.
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What's Next
Look for updated tools, resources and learning opportunities in 2021, including an updated Group Medical Visit Implementation Guide that supports Primary Health Care providers and teams to plan and deliver group medical visits in-person or virtually.
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Supports for Virtual Care |
Virtual Care Options are available for Primary Health Care providers and teams. We are working to offer additional tools, resources and supports to help providers and teams adopt and optimize virtual primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. In the meantime, visit Nova Scotia Health’s Zoom for Healthcare page and check out the Virtual Care Implementation Guide.
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Key Updates
In addition, check out these story highlights of PHC providers and teams providing virtual primary care to their patients:
To increase provider comfort with using Zoom for Healthcare, six Zoom 101 training sessions were held for over 200 primary care providers between May and August 2020 to give providers a chance to interact with Zoom tools and techniques and ask Zoom questions.
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What's Next
Expect more information on virtual care supports in early 2021, including a knowledge exchange webinar series highlighting experiences of primary care providers and teams in making the leap to offering virtual care via video conference platforms, core competencies of safe and effective virtual care delivery, and enhancing and optimizing virtual care in practice. More details, including dates, will be coming soon.
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Attachment and Panel Identification using a QI Approach |
Work is underway to develop a multi-phased approach to identify and understand the makeup of a panel in a family practice setting using best practice and evidence from other jurisdictions. The project will use a quality improvement (QI) approach for trialing the methodology, beginning with nurse practitioners. |
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Key Updates
A time-limited task group consisting of Primary Health Care nurse practitioners and leaders from across Nova Scotia began this fall to co-develop and test a panel identification methodology and implementation approaches using the EMR. We are thankful for the nurse practitioners who have been part of this project to lend their expertise.
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What's Next
Tools and resources , including a Panel Identification Workbook and EMR guide, will be tested in early 2021 to support this work.
Additional information will shared in early 2021 as the task group completes their work.
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Need a Family Practice Registry |
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For providers looking to accept new patients into their practice, contact Nova Scotia Health’s Need a Family Practice Registry team to obtain a list of individuals who are seeking a primary care provider in your area.
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Nova Scotia Health Department of Family Practice |
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The Department of Family Practice works to strengthen and support the primary health care system in Nova Scotia. Contact your local Family Physician Leader or email us at Family_practice@nshealth.ca.
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Nova Scotia Health Physician Resources
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Resources to support providers and teams during COVID-19 |
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COVID-19 Hub: The COVID-19 Hub is a resource for all employees and physicians across Nova Scotia to access clinical information to guide the care and management of COVID-19 patients, and includes other information to guide the COVID-19 response, including the latest versions of policies and guidelines.
Department of Family Practice Newsletter: The Department of Family Practice's Weekly Newsletter includes family practice related updates including those related to COVID-19.
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Nova Scotia Health Primary Health Care
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