Household food insecurity and health service use for mental and substance use disorders among children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Background 

Food insecurity is a serious public health problem and is linked to the mental health of children and adolescents; however, its relationship with mental health service use is unknown. We sought to estimate the association between household food insecurity and contact with health services for mental or substance use disorders among children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada.

Establishing internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing through expert consensus: a Delphi study

Abstract

Objective 

The aim of this study was to establish internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing.

Design 

A three-round Delphi study was conducted.

Setting 

This study was conducted virtually using an online survey platform.

Primary health care utilization in the first year after arrival by refugee sponsorship model in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

Background

Canada’s approach to refugee resettlement includes government sponsorship, a pioneering private sponsorship model and a third blended approach. Refugees are selected and supported differently in each approach including healthcare navigation. Little is known about how well private sponsors facilitate primary care navigation and whether this changed during the large-scale 2015 Syrian resettlement initiative characterized by civic and healthcare systems engagement.

Evaluating an Integrated Local System Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Study of East Toronto Health Partners

Abstract

Introduction

East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP) is a network of organizations that serve residents of East Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ETHP is a newly formed integrated model of care in which hospital, primary care, community providers and patients/families work together to improve population health. We describe and evaluate the evolution of this emerging integrated care system as it responded to a global health crisis.

Virtual care in Ontario community health centres: a cross-sectional study to understand changes in care delivery

Abstract

Background

There has been a large-scale adoption of virtual delivery of primary care as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim

In this descriptive study, an equity lens is used to explore the impact of transitioning to greater use of virtual care in community health centres (CHCs) across Ontario, Canada.

Design & setting

A cross-sectional survey was administered and electronic medical record (EMR) data were extracted from 36 CHCs.

Considerations for collecting data on race and Indigenous identity during health card renewal across Canadian jurisdictions

Key Points

  • Canada’s health care systems do not routinely collect self-reported race and Indigenous identity data and often lack a standardized and consistent approach to data collection that would permit comparisons between organizations or jurisdictions.

“Can you hear me now?”: a qualitative exploration of communication quality in virtual primary care encounters for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

Background

High quality communication is central to effective primary care. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in virtual care but little is known about how this may affect communication quality. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can experience challenges communicating or communicate in non-traditional ways. This study explored how the use of virtual modalities, including telephone and video, affects communication in primary care interactions for patients with IDD.

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