The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), today announced the launch of MyQ, a family practice quality improvement program designed to support improved care for patients, and a better work/life balance for family physicians.
MyQ is funded through the Family Practice Renewal Program – a partnered initiative between the Department of Health and Community Services and the NLMA, supporting the transformation and renewal of primary health care. The Family Practice Renewal Program receives $4.5 million annually under the Memorandum of Agreement between the department and the NLMA.
Over the next two years, $3.7 million will be spent to support MyQ, which is designed to fit each family physician and family practice clinic. It provides access to comprehensive educational resources and personalized support, including self-directed, practical learning resources for those who want to make improvements on their own and at their own pace, as well as through guided learning. MyQ also includes a physician network where participants can collaborate and share experiences.
Participating physicians will be supported by national experts, local physician champions, and practice facilitators. Program training is set to begin in March.
Memorial University’s Office of Professional and Educational Development is providing academic supports and information technology infrastructure for the MyQ program. In addition, Health Innovation Group, a team of national health system-transformation leaders are engaged to provide facilitation expertise, tools and resources to support primary health care transformation and improvement.
Quotes
“The MyQ program is an exciting opportunity to address some of the challenges facing family practice in Newfoundland and Labrador. This program provides resources that will directly support physicians in providing high-quality primary care as they work to achieve a healthy work-life balance.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Family doctors are interested in improving access and quality in their medical practices, to ensure the very best patient experience. The new MyQ program will give family doctors innovative tools to achieve those goals. We appreciate the collaboration with the Provincial Government on this initiative, which marks an important step in our continued efforts to build a stronger primary health care system.”
Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
“The Family Practice Renewal Program has designed MyQ in response to the specific needs of family physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and to ensure they have needed supports in their clinics and communities, to improve processes and enhance patient care. We are excited at the potential of this program to have lasting impacts on the patient, physician and staff experience.”
Dr. Wendy Graham
Family Physician and Co-Chair of the Family Practice Renewal Program
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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca
Jonathan Carpenter
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
709-726-7424, Ext. 303
jcarpenter@nlma.nl.ca