This research poster was presented at the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Practice-Based Research Network Conference in June 2022. It presents the results of the Alliance's first learning collaborative, which supported member centres in equitably clearing their cancer screening backlogs built up through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Alliance for Healthier Communities represents community-governed healthcare organizations in Ontario, Canada including Community Health Centres, which provide primary care to more disadvantaged populations.
A learning health system model can be used to efficiently evaluate and incorporate evidence-based care into practice. However, there is a paucity of evidence describing key organizational attributes needed to ensure a successful learning health system within primary care. We interviewed stakeholders for a primary care learning health system in Ontario, Canada (the Alliance for Healthier Communities) to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
The research team surveyed primary care leaders across Ontario using validated survey instruments and looked at the below factors, and we found that the Processes directly and positively impacted Outcomes, and the Structures indirectly and favorably impacted Outcomes through - or as mediated by - their direct impact on Processes.
The Alliance for Healthier Communities, a network of team-based comprehensive primary health care organizations across Ontario, is implementing the Community Vaccination Promotion – Ontario (CVP-ON) project to promote equitable access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines for in marginalized communities most affected by the pandemic. 12 Alliance member organizations are being resourced to provide tailored vaccine promotion communication and outreach initiatives.
It is recommended that individuals living with diabetes have their eyes examined for signs of retinopathy annually. Even with access to eye care resources across Canada, including tele-ophthalmology, many individuals with diabetes remain unscreened with screening rates lowest in vulnerable populations. A population-based approach to identify, engage, and provide screening is needed.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a public health issue, potentially impacting the lives of 3 million or more Canadians (7.9% of the population). If DR is detected early, vision loss can be averted. It is currently impossible to systematically identify individuals living with diabetes who have not had an annual eye examination using only primary care electronic medical records. A different approach is required.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an abrupt shift to virtual health care for many patients,including adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Approaches to virtual care thatare successful for people without IDD may need to be adapted for adults with IDD.
The aim of this scoping review was to examine what is known about virtual health care for adults with IDD and in particular, the impact of virtual delivery on access to care for this population.
