A principle-based framework for improving health equity in the Champlain region of Ontario, Canada.

The purpose of this column is to present an action-oriented health equity framework derived from Beauchamp and Childress' four ethical principles (ie, autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice) and centred around the specific needs of marginalized and excluded communities of the Champlain region of Ontario. It describes the conceptual underpinnings of the framework, defines its components, and demonstrates how it can be applied. The principle-based health equity framework is a useful tool to reduce health disparities within healthcare organizations; it is designed to promote the incorporation of health equity objectives, strategies, principles, and measurements into healthcare organizations' strategic planning processes and operations.

Virtual care and the pursuit of the quadruple aim: A case example.

Many healthcare organizations have adopted the quadruple aim to create system-level improvements for delivering enhanced experience and outcomes to patients, healthier populations, reduced per-capita costs, and better provider experiences. With a maturing health technology sector, virtual care is gradually being adopted in Canada and proving to be a viable tactic for achieving the quadruple aim. Despite increased acceptance of virtual innovations and their related benefits to patients and providers, implementation of virtual care can be challenging in a Canadian healthcare system.

What percentage of patients presenting for routine eye examinations require referral for secondary care? A study of referrals from optometrists to ophthalmologists.

Background: The aim was to investigate the percentage of asymptomatic patients presenting for routine optometric eye examinations that have pathology or pathology-related risk factors warranting referral for ophthalmological consultation.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cohort case study and the inclusion criteria for participants included: (i) the patient presented for routine optometric eye care during a specified period of time; (ii) the patient was found to have pathology (or showed enough risk of pathology) resulting in referral to an ophthalmologist; and (iii) a referral report was received from the consulting ophthalmologist stating the diagnosis and the treatment plan. The data set was further reviewed to indicate presenting symptoms and patient age.