Other useful resources available online and in the community

This short video highlights the importance of patient-centered conversations and how small shifts in communication can make a meaningful difference. It reinforces: The value of listening for what matters most to patients How to build trust and connection in everyday interactions Practical ways to support behaviour change through conversation This is a great resource to reflect on your own communication style or to share with colleagues.

In this personal and insightful talk, Lauren Cannell shares her experience of chronic pain and discusses the ways in which the brain can hold onto pain after the injuries have healed.

This 2025 article explores how motivational interviewing (MI) can be used to support “What Matters to You?” conversations in clinical care. Key takeaways: Asking “what matters to you?” helps shift care toward patient priorities Motivational interviewing provides practical skills to guide these conversations Clinicians can use MI to navigate complex or emotionally charged discussions The approach strengthens trust, shared decision-making, and engagement The “What Matters to You” movement is now used globally and encourages clinicians to align care with patient goals and values. [journals.sagepub.com] This article is especially relevant for anyone involved in: Chronic condition management Behaviour change Patient engagement and education

This evidence-based tool supports clinicians in identifying and addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults. It provides a clear, practical framework organized into four steps: Connect: Build rapport using empathy, active listening, and openness Assess: Use simple screening tools to understand loneliness and risk Respond: Tailor supports, referrals, and care planning Educate: Reinforce the importance of social connection for health The tool also includes: Conversation starters Screening questions Risk factors to watch for Intervention ideas and community supports This is a practical resource you can integrate directly into your everyday conversations with patients.

About Grief is a website created by the Canadian Grief Alliance to offer a wide variety of resources about grief and grieving. The site includes information about how to cope with grief, advice on how to support others through their grief, and links to further resources and programs that can help you or someone you know deal with grief.

The Ontario Shores Centre For Mental Health Sciences has created a program that offers mental health support services designed specifically for health care workers in Ontario. If you are a community or health care worker whose mental health has been impacted by a wide array of stressors - including the pandemic OR other crises – confidential and fast access supports are available to help you manage. Supports include access to resources, and brief interventions. The program is available to anyone who works in a health or community care setting, regardless of your role.

There are many services available to help people who have survived a stroke, their family members and their caregivers. This site identifies areas where patients may be having difficulty or need help following a stroke.

My Health Finder is a great website to search health information that is accurate and reliable. You don't have to be afraid or confused by all the information on the web. Check out the fun video-I think we can all relate to it!

HowsYourHealth.org is a website that provides health information and several tools that help you become more Health Confident, improve your health and your health care. Take the quiz, use the tools, design and create your personal health plan.

A New Year brings the opportunity to start fresh. Check out this website, sign up for their newsletter and join others every Monday by committing to the healthy behaviours that can help end chronic preventable diseases!

Mindfulness has been used to improve blood pressure, boost the immune system and help with anxiety and depression. This site offers free guided meditations for use in the comfort of one’s own home. Share with patients or try them yourself!

Explore our helpful resources for caregivers to find tips, tools, and support to make your caregiving journey a little easier.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Thames Valley Family Health Team, and Hamilton Health Sciences Centre are partnering together to offer virtual urgent care services through www.urgentcareontario.ca . The site offers urgent online medical care services to adults, children and residents of long-term care across Southwestern Ontario. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton – provides virtual urgent care for adults in Southwestern Ontario Thames Valley Family Health Team – provides virtual urgent care for children/youth Hamilton Health Sciences – provides virtual acute care consultations for long-term residents (currently Hamilton and Niagara North West) Whenever possible, a family doctor should be the first point of access for care. A virtual urgent care appointment may be right for you if you or a loved one have a medical issue that is NOT life threatening, but requires urgent medical attention.  If you are in severe distress, call 911 and do not drive yourself to the hospital. If you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms worsen while you’re waiting for a virtual appointment, visit your nearest emergency department or urgent care centre in person.

As fulfilling as a career in healthcare can be, the pressures of modern medicine make burnout a risk healthcare workers in every job and setting. Stanford Medicine's self-assessment tools can help you measure your well-being and understand the factors that affect your job satisfaction. You can learn more about the assessments and take them here .

The Mankoski Pain Scale is a numerical scale ranging from zero to 10: zero indicates no pain and 10 represents pain so severe that an individual loses consciousness. Like other pain scales, the Mankoski scale is a tool that individuals with chronic pain can use to systematically track their pain. It helps clinicians better understand an individual’s pain intensity, helping to ensure their pain is adequately addressed and managed. You can learn more about the tool and how to use it here .

ConnectMyHealth is a digital health solution that provides you with an online, single access channel to view your health records from participating hospitals in Ontario Health West Region (Southwestern Ontario). ConnectMyHealth can be used on desktop and mobile devices from within Canada, and there's no cost to use it. ConnectMyHealth is different than other patient portals because it combines various types of health records created at hospitals you've been to in the Ontario Health West Region into one, consolidated view. ConnectMyHealth can be an ideal complement to in-person or virtual visits with your care providers by providing you easy access to your hospital records, and to additional functionality you may have through your local hospital, like appointment scheduling.

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario has created a tip sheet to help clients with health appointments and health education.

A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario is your resource for information about programs and services available to Ontario's seniors. It is produced by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat and distributed by ServiceOntario Publications. This guide is maintained by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. All URLs and telephone numbers provided in this document were accurate and active prior to publication. This document is updated periodically but for the most up to date information, please refer to the online version of this guide .