OMA EPR Report: summary of current health legislation and policy developments

OMA White Paper: Ontario Health Teams – Early Learnings and Recommendations for the Evolution of OHTs 

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are intended to help improve health system integration and performance. The OMA has developed a white paper which provides evidence-based recommendations based on early learnings in OHT development, and from the COVID-19 pandemic, as Ontario Health Teams continue to evolve.  

The paper, entitled Ontario Health Teams – Early Learnings and Recommendations for the Evolution of OHTs, describes three equally important foundational elements which are required for successful OHT development and implementation. These are: 

• Physicians must be leaders in the creation, governance, and operation of OHTs; 
• Physician participation in OHTs must remain voluntary; and 
• OHTs must be designed and centred around primary care. 

In addition, the paper highlights enabling factors which the OMA asserts are essential to supporting these foundational elements and in driving physician involvement. These are: 

• Digital Health – OHTs must have the necessary digital health supports and tools; 
• Governance – Governance structures (including digital governance) within OHTs must include physician leadership in organizational decision-making; 
• Patient Navigation & Care Co-ordination – OHT implementation must be supported by the redesign and better utilization of existing patient navigation and care co-ordination resources; and 
• Metrics & Measurement – Key performance metrics must be identified and/or designed to measure OHT success that encompass the quadruple aim.  

Further, the paper highlights lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which illustrate the critical importance of physician leadership in the health care system and within OHTs. For example, through effective collaborations and physician leadership, physicians mobilized quickly to address numerous issues related to the pandemic, such as shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disseminating critical information and resources to support physicians. Lessons learned over the past few months, and over the coming months, should be used to help inform the future state of OHTs. 

View the Ontario Health Teams – Early Learnings and Recommendations for the Evolution of OHTs white paper.

OMA White Paper: A Prescription for Ontario – Maintaining Vigilance as We Learn to Live with COVID-19 

On September 30, the OMA released A Prescription for Ontario: Maintaining Vigilance as We Learn to Live with COVID-19 – a plan which contains recommendations for both the public and the system. The plan addresses our need to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while also tackling the ongoing backlog of medical services.  

Given the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, the OMA is calling on the government to move quickly to contain the spread of the virus and take a regional approach rather than a provincewide one. Timely, graduated and proportionate responses to localized outbreaks will ensure resources are preserved for where they are most needed.  

Tackling COVID-19 is a shared responsibility between the system and individuals – everyone has a role to play. Among other things, the OMA is urging the government to: 

• Adopt a strategy to address COVID-19 flare-ups early. This may include local short-term, non-essential closures. 
• Prepare and deploy mobile rapid response teams so trained personnel can identify and contain COVID-19 flare-ups through clinical support, testing, contact tracing and isolation. 
• Use pop-up testing to bring COVID-19 assessment capacity to hot spots and vulnerable communities, as well as support mobile response teams in those communities. 
• Identify COVID-19 hospitals in each region to allow non-COVID-19 hospitals to ramp up clinical activity and address clinical backlog. 

The OMA is also urging individuals to remain vigilant and adhere to public health measures. Read the full Prescription for Ontario: Maintaining Vigilance as We Learn to Live with COVID-19 white paper.

OMA Submission Regarding CPSO Social Media Statement 

Recently, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) held a consultation on its Social Media Statement. This document is not an official CPSO policy, but rather a set of guidelines based on existing legal and CPSO professional obligations and their application to social media usage, including maintaining appropriate boundaries; protecting patient privacy and confidentiality, etc. The CPSO asked whether the Statement should be revised as a policy or remain in its current form, and for the identification of areas where the Statement could be improved or clarified. 

The OMA’s submission highlighted several issues for clarification and consideration, for example: 

• A more comprehensive definition of “social media.” 
• Clarification of the definition “unprofessional.” 
• Guidance for using social media in advertising. 
• Clarification regarding CPSO treatment of personal versus professional social media.  
• Additional guidance about maintaining boundaries with patients, particularly in smaller communities. 
• Further explanation about when it maSy be appropriate to provide clinical advice. 

Access the full OMA submission to CPSO regarding social media statement.

OMA Submission Regarding CPSO Advertising Policy 

Over the summer, the CPSO held a consultation on a new Advertising Policy. The OMA submission highlighted several issues for clarification and consideration, for example: 

• To ask for additional clarification of definitions, including Advertising, Incentives, and Advertising Content. 
• To request that the CPSO ask the government to update its regulation to enable physicians to use verifiable testimonials on their website and in advertising. 
• To permit the use of certain well-known brand names in advertising, for example, Picoway® laser treatment.  
• To enable physicians to discuss potential payment options and discounts with current and former patients who have asked to receive communication via email. 
• In addition to before-and-after photos and videos, to allow the use of “during” photos and videos to provide prospective patients with a more comprehensive and accurate depiction of the process required to achieve a particular result.  

Access the OMA submission to CPSO regarding advertising policy.

 Current CPSO Policy Consultations 

The OMA Health Policy & Promotion department will be reviewing the following CPSO policies currently out for consultation: 

• Telemedicine 
• Delegation of Controlled Acts 
• Third Party Reports 
• Professional Responsibilities in Medical Education 

Feedback on CPSO policies help to inform the College’s regulatory work, and assess guidance and expectations.  

Submissions to CPSO are due on November 16. Physicians wishing to provide feedback directly to the College on these policies can do so on the CPSO website.