Services & Programs

Heath Care Services

Our clinic provides care when patients are ill as well as a range of health services that help individuals and families maintain or improve their overall health. Programs and services include annual physicals, episodic illness care, immunizations, smoking cessation support, injury prevention and monitoring; advanced wound assessment and treatment; as well as the monitoring and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, heart disease and mental illness.

Nurse Practitioner taking blood pressure of older man at North Muskoka Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic

Programs & Services

The North Muskoka NPLC will offer primary health care services to people of all ages. This will include care for clients who are sick as well as education and visits to keep people healthy.

When you come to the clinic you will usually see a Nurse Practitioner. Currently, Nurse Practitioners in Ontario can assess and diagnose health conditions, order laboratory tests, order some diagnostic tests (x-rays & ultrasounds), and prescribe certain medications. Our scope of practice continues to evolve and expand; please visit the College of Nurses website for current information (https://www.cno.org)

If you require health care services that are beyond our scope of practice, we will work with our collaborating Family Physician or other health care professionals to ensure that your needs are met.

We work with a number of community health care providers, programs, and services outside of the clinic as well. We will organize for you to see medical specialists as required and will help you to access community programs or services that may be helpful for you.

At the North Muskoka NPLC, we expect to develop strong partnerships with our clients and encourage each person to be fully involved in their health care. We will work with you to make health care decisions that are right for you.

North Muskoka NPLC Programs

Mindfulness

Program Objective / Goal: 

The goal of the Minfulness Group Program is to introduce participants to the fundamental concepts of mindfulness and the ways in which mindfulness can be incorporated into daily life, to manage stress and to cope with challenging life events.

Program Structure:

Group sessions occur weekly for 6 weeks. Participants are introduced to mindfulness as a tool for coping with stressful situations in daily life. The key ideas for discussion are the benefits of mindfulness, the applications of mindfulness, a basic overview of the neuroscience supporting mindfulness.

There is focus on mindfulness practice as an important part of self-love, self-care and wellness. One of the main components of the program is experiential learning of meditation and mindfulness techniques. Participants are invited to incorporate their practice into their daily routines.

Program Delivery Source:

RN

Program Format:

Registration Type (ie. Open / Closed / Drop-In ) Open
Program Dates / Time: Next Session TBD
Client time commitment: 6 week (1 session/week)
Course/Program Location: North Muskoka NPLC
Maximum Number of Participants: 10

How to Sign Up:

Discuss particiaption with any of the NPLC health professionals and register through reception.

Chronic Disease Self Management Program

Program Objective / Goal: 

Using peers to lead a group of individuals experiencing different chronic conditions to better self-manage their concerns.  Teaching simple tools to assist ourselves with activities of daily life is the main objective of the program.  Ultimately becoming a better active manager of ones health is the final goal.

Program Structure:

Peer led teaching occurs over 6 sessions, lasting 150 minutes each.  Led in lecturette-type sessions, using participant input whenever possible.  Short homework assignments given, with minimal reading on occasion.

Program Delivery Source:

Peer Led – partners

Program Format:

Registration Type (ie. Open / Closed / Drop-In ) Closed Registration
Program Dates / Time: Please call the clinic to obtain information on program dates
Client time commitment: 6 sessions 2.5 hrs each
Course/Program Location: Clinic Boardroom
Maximum Number of Participants: 8-10 each program

How to Sign Up:

Contact Kate at front desk, or email k.fisher@northmuskokanplc.com

Chronic Pain Self Management Program

Program Objective / Goal: 

There are three (3) main concepts that are emphasized in this program, one being that every person experiences pain differently, therefore there is no one treatment that works for everyone. The second is that there are any number of things that chronic pain sufferers do to better manage their pain.

This program will use the knowledge of fellow peers to benefit the individual.  Lastly, giving people tools to better self manage their symptoms without the use of medications.

Program Structure:

Peer led teaching occurs over 6 sessions, lasting 150 minutes each.  Led in lecturette-type sessions, using participant input whenever possible.  Short homework assignments given, with minimal reading on occasion.

Program Delivery Source:

Peer Led, partners

Program Format:

Registration Type (ie. Open / Closed / Drop-In ) Closed Registration
Program Dates / Time: Please call the clinic to obtain information on program dates
Client time commitment: 6 sessions 2.5 hrs each
Course/Program Location: Clinic Boardroom & Kitchen
Maximum Number of Participants: 8-10 each program

How to Sign Up:

Contact Kate at front desk, or email k.fisher@northmuskokanplc.com

Diabetes Conversations

Program Objective / Goal: 

Through group discussion, led by a Diabetes Educator, participants will gain knowledge about the management and prevention of diabetes.  The sessions allow participants to learn from each others experiences which can be very valuable for adult learning, self-management and inspiration for behaviour change.

Program Structure:

The program uses 3 Conversation Map Visuals and Tools for 3 group sessions.  The visual maps and facilitator guide participants to navigate through various topics about: 1. Living With Diabetes,  2. How Diabetes Works,  3. Healthy Eating and Keeping Active.

Participants learn about things they can do to manage or prevent diabetes, how to make changes, overcome challenges and explore what happens if diabetes is not under control.

Program Delivery Source:

RD CDE

Program Format:

Registration Type (ie. Open / Closed / Drop-In ) Open
Program Dates / Time: Please call the clinic to obtain information on program dates
Client time commitment: 3 Conversation Map Sessions – 2.5 Hours
Course/Program Location: NPLC Teaching Room
Maximum Number of Participants: 8-12

How to Sign Up:

Discuss participation with any of the NPLC health professionals and register through reception.

Healthy Heart

Program Objective / Goal: 

Participants will learn more about cardiovascular health, how healthy food choices and keeping active can control weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol plus reduce inflammation and heart disease.

Current blood pressure and cholesterol targets, how medications are used to control both work and may be necessary for lipid management will be explained. Participants will be able to evaluate theri own lab work plus learn how stress management can improve your heart health.

By the end of the session participants should be able to Identify at least one or two strategies to take home and apply for a healthier lifestyle.

Program Structure:

This is a single group program facilitated by a nurse practitioner, dietitian and social worker.  There is group discussion and learning from participation.  A worksheet is provided so participants can formulate their own self management goals based on their current lifestyle, medications and lab results.

Program Delivery Source:

NP, RD, SW

Program Format:

Registration Type (ie. Open / Closed / Drop-In ) Open
Program Dates / Time: Please call the clinic to obtain information on program dates
Client time commitment: One Group Session 2.5 Hours
Course/Program Location: NPLC Teaching Room
Maximum Number of Participants: 5-15

How to Sign Up:

Discuss participation with any of the NPLC health professionals and register through reception.

Smoking Cessation

Program Objective / Goal:

We promote Quitting Smoking at our clinic and provide a variety of resources to help you.  We can provide counseling, and prescribe many smoking cessation products to help you on this journey.

STOP is a great way for smokers to kick the habit. Often offered in conjunction with the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation, it provides patients with counselling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help smokers quit successfully.  Through this program, you may be eligible for up to 26 weeks of free NRT (Patch, Gum, Lozenges) and you will receive free smoking cessation counselling and support.  Contact us to learn more.

 

Some of these links may also be helpful:

My Change Plan: Can be downloaded for free through Apple or Google App Stores 

My Change Plan (pdf)

 

Break it Off, a Free Phone App:

www.breakitoff.ca

Smoker’s Helpline:
https://www.smokershelpline.ca

 

Quitting Smoking is a Journey: