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10th Issue
The Voice of Family Physicians in Scarborough
In This Issue
- SFPN - New Board of Directors
- SFPN Launches New Communication Platform for Members
- SFPN Volunteer program for Cancer recall
- Cancer Care Ontario - Physician-Linked correspondence
- SHN’s Adult Outpatient Mental Health - New referral form & fax number
- 2024 Primary Care Cancer Connection Lunch & Learn Series
- Physicians accepting new patients?
SFPNs Laughter Lounge
SFPN - New Board of Directors
We are delighted to introduce the newly elected members of the SFPN Board, who will be leading the organization to new horizons. With their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment, they are dedicated to help improve Scarborough’s primary care physician and patient experience.
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your continued support. Together, we look forward to an exciting future for SFPN.
SFPN Launches New Communication Platform for Members
The Scarborough Family Physicians Network (SFPN) is pleased to announce the launch of a new platform on WhatApp to enhance communication amongst its members. This new channel will augment our existing communications channels: email, electronic newsletters and Facebook group.
The WhatsApp group offers members 2 primary benefits:
- Timeliness of instant messaging to ask questions of your colleagues or chat directly with SFPN Board members about topics pertaining to family medicine practice and patient care.
- Building close connections among Scarborough physicians to enhance both self-care and patient care.
How to Join:
Email Kishwar Ali, SFPN Project Coordinator at kali1@shn.ca with your name and mobile number (your phone number will not be shared or used for any purposes other than adding you to the WhatsApp group). Once your membership status is confirmed, you will receive an invite to the group.
SFPN Volunteer Program for Cancer Screening Recall
SFPN invites you to participate in the Volunteer Program for Cancer Screening Recall.wonderful project aimed to improve cancer screening rates in Family Physicians' offices. Your involvement will help continue to improve cancer screening in our community.
Expectations from the Program: SFPN staff will recruit, train, and assign volunteers to your office, allowing you and your staff to focus on patient care. Volunteers will be thoroughly screened and vetted, and will sign confidentiality agreements to ensure patient privacy.
Expectations from the Volunteers: Volunteers can assist with making phone calls, sending reminder letters and emails, booking appointments for cancer screening, and pulling data from EMRs to support cancer screening. The tasks performed are based on your needs.
For those interested, please complete the survey.
Click here to view the testimonials from physicians and volunteers who had participated in the program.
Cancer Care Ontario: Physician-Linked Correspondence
Physician-Linked Correspondence is available as a tool for physicians, which reminds enrolled patients to get screened. Your eligible patients will receive the following ColonCancerCheck letters personalized with your name.
Physicians are required to provide their consent (attached document) to enrol in physician-linked correspondence. For more information, please visit: Physician-Linked Correspondence – Cancer Care Ontario.
Evidence demonstrates a positive relationship between physician recommendation for screening and patient participation in cancer screening. Benefits to physicians and screen-eligible Ontarians include:
- Supports better patient care
- Maximizes the chances of early detection when cancer is easier to treat
- Saves the cost and time your practice spends calling or sending letters to patients
SHN’s Adult Outpatient Mental Health
Please be advised that Scarborough Health Network’s (SHN) adult outpatient mental health programs, since Monday, July 22, is using a new fax number for referrals: 647-251-4740.
This fax number will be used to submit the updated central intake referral form (PDF). Visit shn.ca/mental-health to download the updated central intake referral form and add it to your records.
They also have a new phone number for referral inquiries: 416-431-8135 (press 2 for Central Intake).
These changes are part of SHN’s larger admin updates to streamline referral and appointment communications for adult outpatient mental health services.
2024 Primary Care Cancer Connection Lunch & Learn Series
The Champlain Regional Cancer Program is continuing their lunch and learn series into 2024 with a great line-up of speakers. Each session is CME accredited and 30 minutes in length. Sessions run on the last Thursday of every month from 12:15 to 12:45 pm.
The series will cover key cancer care topics from a family physician perspective. All are welcome to join – even if you don’t live in Champlain! Sign up here.
The 2024 line up is:
Sept 26: Lung cancer screening
Oct 31: Colon cancer screening update
Nov 28: Transitioning to HPV screening
Physicians accepting new patients?
Are you taking new patients?
Scarborough has a high rate of unattached patients. Those mostly impacted are vulnerable populations. Patients that are unattached are at increased risk of poor health outcomes.
SFPN is working on an initiative to improve access to local family doctors. If you would like to take new patients, please click below to complete a short survey to help us learn about your practice and get in touch with you.
