Knowledge Support Service

As part of the Knowledge Support Service, we are offering an opportunity to participate in an innovative pilot program based on the principles of academic detailing.

We are inviting primary care practitioners (physicians and nurse practitioners) in the Greater Sudbury and Toronto areas who are interested in receiving a best practice support visit in Diabetes Care, to participate in the pilot!

Diabetes Resources and Tools
What is the Knowledge Support Service?
What is a best practice support visit?
What are the benefits to participating in the Knowledge Support Service?
What topic will be covered by the Knowledge Support Service?
What partners are involved in KSS?
Canadian and International Academic Detailing Programs

Diabetes Resources and Tools
The content and tools developed for the Knowledge Support Service program offering Best Practice Visits to primary care practitioners on diabetes care within Ontario was adapted, with permission, from content developed by the Independent Drug Information Service (Pennsylvania) program http://www.rxfacts.org/ on improving the management type 2 diabetes and adapted by the Knowledge Support Service for the Ontario pilot project.

A content working group adapted, and in some instances created tools based on the evidence available (specifically the ADA 2006 and CDA 2003 as well as other primary research studies — see the references section of the evidence summary).

The information provided in the tools are general recommendations only; specific clinical decisions should be made by the treating physician or nurse practitioner based on an individual patient’s clinical condition.

These tools will be piloted over the March - May 2008 time period and will be adapted based on feedback obtained through the pilot. They have been provided below as a resource to those participating in our program.

* References: The complete reference list can be found in the Evidence Summary from above at the end of this list

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What is the Knowledge Support Service?
The Knowledge Support Service (KSS) is an interprofessional knowledge support service for optimal primary care. By combining a diverse list of interventions and projects the KSS has formed an educational hub for primary care practitioners.

It ensures knowledge is accessible, current, evidence-based and affordable to the busy primary care practitioner.

It includes the development, production and dissemination of practical solutions (e.g., clinical toolkits, practice aids, academic detailing, patient-focused materials with technology focused methods).

It brings together important partners with the aim to develop effective and relevant initiatives and knowledge support to primary care.

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What is a best practice support visit?

  • A skilled healthcare professional (ie. Pharmacist) visits, a health care provider in his/her office to provide a 15-20 minute session on a specific topic.
  • It will provide useful tools for your practice and link you to useful resources
  • With ongoing visits, the visitor becomes a trusted resource for unbiased information about best practices.
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What are the benefits to participating in the Knowledge Support Service?
Based on successful programs in Canada, US and Australia and the principles of Academic Detailing; the Knowledge Support Service:

  • Delivers independent unbiased, evidence-based information about best practices
  • Creates a trusted relationship between the visitor and the participating health care provider.
  • Is proven to help healthcare professionals manage some information overload
  • Is convenient for you (time and location e.g. your office).
  • Does not interrupt your normal routine

This pilot initiative has been funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC).

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What topic will be covered by the Knowledge Support Service?

  • The first topic will focus on the more difficult aspects of Type 2 diabetes management including insulin starts, role of glitazones and prevention of complications.

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What partners are involved in KSS?

  • Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC)
  • Guidelines Advisory Committee (GAC)
  • Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO)
  • Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP)
  • Ontario Pharmacists’ Association (OPA)

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Canadian and International Academic Detailing Programs

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Additional
Resources

Health Knowledge
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is a clinician-focused information hub offering access to a wide range of clinical tools and resources

Healthy Ontario"/> provides Ontarians with a world-leading web destination for trusted health information, services and advice for healthier living