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Alberta Medical Association

1905
Alberta's Medical Profession Act passes after Alberta becomes a province.

1906
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is formed in Calgary, covering physician licensing and discipline. Shortly after the meeting the Alberta Medical Association (then known as the Canadian Medical Association, Alberta Division) is formed, acting as an educational body. It also is to be involved in standards of medical care and acts in concert with CPSA.

1910-19 At the request of the AMA, CPSA contributes funds to establish a provincial sanatorium for tuberculosis treatment.
University of Alberta (U of A) takes over from CPSA to license physicians during this time of many unqualified and self-styled healers. Within a year of this, the U of A begins instruction of medicine and CPSA offers scholarships.

The public health nursing service is established to carry out preventive health care and public health education at the urging of physicians, concerned with insufficient numbers of physicians in Alberta.

1920-29 AMA recommends physician appointment to the Workmen's Compensation Board (WCB).
CPSA retains licensing and discipline functions and takes over the "business" side -- dues, representing the profession in relation to legislation. The AMA becomes responsible for education and public relations.

A grant to Dr. J.B. Collip's studies helps lead to insulin discovery.

CPSA and CMA sponsor health services investigation.

1931
Annual physician refresher courses at the U of A subsidized by the AMA.

1940-49 AMA supports prepaid medical care or health insurance. Extensive development by the profession is followed by government-created Medical Services (Alberta) Incorporated (MS(A)I), providing more than 90% of Albertans with prepaid medical care until replaced by compulsory federal medicare in 1969.
80% physicians responding to AMA-conducted referendum favor prepaid medical care.

1950-59 AMA insurance plan first established for members.
AMA advises physicians in each community to ensure physician availability through emergency call services.

Poliomyelitis outbreak and many physicians volunteer to care for patients and develop provincial treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Alberta Medical Bulletin prints articles by the chief medical officer of the WCB which helps improve the position of the injured workman and relationships between the board and the profession.

The AMA's Committee on Reproductive Care (RCC) begins in 1954.

1960-69 Name change to Alberta Medical Association from Canadian Medical Association, Alberta Division.
AMA takes over activities related to fees and to benefits paid on behalf of patients under the government insurance program and most committee work directed to health matters.

AMA and government examination of Alberta's mental health services results in a change in focus of issues to public, versus private, concern.

AMA representatives, at the provincial government's request, meet with representatives from the government and the Saskatchewan and Manitoba medical associations to study reduction of medical care costs by using health personnel more effectively.

AMA formally constituted under the Societies Act of Alberta.

1970-79 A new Cancer Act passes following an AMA brief about cancer services in Alberta.
After promotion by the AMA, and in response to drug experimentation of the late '60s, the Alberta Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Commission is established.

On January 1, 1975, the AMA becomes a freestanding voluntary organization and financially independent of CPSA.

The Alberta Doctors' Digest magazine replaces the Alberta Medical Bulletin and Dok Tok.

AMA develops and publishes a Relative Value Guide (RVG).

"Let's Talk" public relations campaign informs the public, media and government about issues of common concern raising the profession's profile and making the public aware of AMA's stance on various issues.

1980-89 Calgary and Edmonton mass rallies of over 1,200 physicians support AMA's negotiations with the government for Schedule of Medical Benefits increase.
AMA, the CMA and other provincial divisions oppose the Canada Health Act. The AMA carries out intensive campaign informing Alberta physicians, media, government and public about government's schedule proposal.

AMA campaign persuades Alberta's government to drop its suggested health care budget cap because of increasing utilization of health services.

AMA establishes a negotiating mechanism with the provincial government to enhance the association's role in decision-making regarding annual adjustments to the AHCIP Schedule of Medical Benefits.

AMA develops a sexual assault protocol for use in Alberta's hospitals.

AMA advocacy advertising/PR campaign extensively communicates with the public about government-rationed medicare, dealing with innovative thinking in health care funding and patient responsibility producing overwhelming public response.

Seatbelt legislation becomes law in Alberta in July 1987 largely from AMA efforts and petition campaign, "Your Name Can Save A Life." AMA promotion of a smoke-free society prompts more than six Alberta school divisions to declare themselves smoke-free and the 1988 Olympics in Calgary to host a policy using AMA recommendations.

1990-99 The nineties continue to be a period of continuous change for those involved with health care in Alberta and across Canada.
Some highlights from the AMA perspective include the following.

Members accept in 1992 a new master agreement negotiated by the AMA and Alberta Health. It includes a global budget for fee-for-service physicians for the first time.

Alberta Health introduces the claims redevelopment project in 1993, which includes a new fee structure for physicians and significantly impacts their practices. The AMA provides considerable assistance and advice to members as a result.

With AMA leadership and assistance, physicians throughout the province organized 17 regional medical organizations (RMOs) in response to the provincial government's introduction of regionalized health care. The RMOs continue to grow in strength and influence as they work for increased physician input into health restructuring.

The 1994-95 agreement with Alberta Health includes a 6.8% decrease in the physician global budget in response to Premier Ralph Klein's call for a wage cut by all health care workers. Laboratory funding is to be removed from the global budget and eventually go to the regions.

Under the threat of potential contracts and agreements, 900 doctors meet in Edmonton in January 1995 to express their concerns. A similar meeting is held in Calgary. This provides a great opportunity for the profession to demonstrate its unity.

A "Patients First" public awareness campaign in November/December 1995 draws feedback from more than 50,000 Albertans who respond to the call to "Tell Us Where It Hurts." About two weeks after the campaign began, the minister of health announced that funding cuts planned for 1996-97 to the regional health authorities would not proceed. Members strongly supported the AMA's leadership in such a campaign.

Quality health care continues to be the cornerstone for all AMA activities, including the Alberta Clinical Practice Guidelines Program, the Committee on Reproductive Care and input to drug management initiatives. Activities of the Health Issues Council focus on advocacy.

A new governance model featuring a Representative Forum (RF), with delegates from regions and sections, among others, is implemented in 1996. The RF, as the ultimate authority of the association, holds its inaugural meeting March 29-30, 1996 in Edmonton.

The tripartite process -- a forum through which the minister of health, regional health authorities (RHAs) and physicians/AMA jointly pursue health care reform -- identifies and approves a number of alternative funding pilot projects.

Collaboration is fostered through the Alberta Partnership for Health initiative, initiated in 1996, and dedicated to improving Albertans' quality of life and care within a changing health care system. Partners include disease and condition-focused organizations including consumer-based health care organizations and Alberta physicians.

Early in 1997, the first remuneration schedule for laboratory physicians recommended by the Alberta Society of Laboratory Physicians and the AMA Board of Directors was ratified.

The 1998 agreement increases the co-managed medical services budget by 10% and creates the RVG Commission to make recommendations regarding intersectional relativity.

Alberta Wellnet -- a joint information management/information technology (IM/IT) initiative with Alberta Health and Wellness and other organizations -- is established to develop and implement a provincial health information network.

Waiting lists are studied. An independent study was commissioned by the AMA in 1998, which found that waiting lists for urgent services are at least three times greater than the "reasonable" waiting period. A national study, the Western Canada Wait List Project reported its findings March 2000.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines Program (CPGs), co-funded by the profession and Alberta Health and Wellness, continues to release and distribute guidelines and promote evidence-based practice.

A position statement on the physician's role in Early Return to Work After Illness or Injury was released in 1994 through the AMA Health Issues Council. The AMA position statement formed the foundation for a national policy statement on the same subject by the Canadian Medical Association.

In 1998, the Health Issues Council released a medical protocol to guide physicians in examining children suspected of being abused.

The AMA plays a pioneering role in etablishing the Rural Locum Program in 1991. The program helps to find replacement physicians for rural commuities when a community's physician needs time off.

2000-02
In 2001, ADIUM Insurance Services Inc. is established as a wholly owned insurance agency to administer the group insurance plans and individual insurance products for AMA members. AMA's group products include: Disability, Office Overhead Expense, Life, Critical Illness, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund.

The AMA submits responses and input to the Mazankowski report and to the Romanow Commission's report on health care.

The association has been actively involved in discussion around legislation such as the Health Care Protection Act (allowing regional health authorities to contract with private facilities for insured services) and the Health Information Act (regulating the movement of patient information within the health care system). Without becoming involved in what has at times been a highly emotional public debate, the AMA has consistently framed these issues in the context of quality care - focusing on whether or not the legislation contributes to a system that puts patients first.

The amending two-year fiscal agreement, effective April 1, 2001-March 31, 2003, increased fees an average of 21.9%. For the first time, allocation was part of the agreement. The newly established Fee Equity Committee will establish guidelines to assist sections in moving toward intra-sectional fee equity. The agreement also defined the Specialist On-Call Program, outside of the medical services budget, which will compensate specialist physicians for their RHA on-call services.

In June 2000, the AMA's Health Issues Council and Medical Services Branch of Health Canada partnered to host a unique three-day workshop for physicians, Journey to Understanding. The workshop focused on aboriginal culture (with involvement from elders and aboriginal facilitators) and education to help physicians learn about the cultural context in which they deliver care. Hands-on cultural activities were integral to programming offered for physicians and family members, with a CME component which focused on four key medical issues: diabetes, fetal alcohol syndrome, intentional and unintentional injuries, and prescription drug use.

AMA officially launched its new website September 5, 2001 with interactive features and transaction capabilities for members plus information for the media and public about our health care system and physicians' leadership in the provision of quality care.

2003-04
Throughout 2002-04, the AMA was vocal at several municipal smoking bylaw hearings in Calgary, Edmonton and St. Albert. The AMA has supported many other communities in their effort to become smoke-free and has urged the provincial government to take legislative action on the issue of smoking.

On April 1, 2003, Alberta reorganizes its health regions, downsizing to nine from 17 regions. In turn, the AMA reorganizes its Representative Forum leadership body to ensure representation from Alberta's nine regions.

The Alberta Partnership for Health initiative, initiated by the AMA in 1996, reluctantly disbands in 2003 because of lack of resources. The partnership was dedicated to improving Albertans' quality of life and care within a changing health care system. Partners included consumer-based health care organizations and Alberta physicians.

The AMA kicks off 2004 with a new visual identity. The new logo, the third in the association’s 97-year history, is an extension of the circle logo that has served the AMA for about two decades. Primary and secondary AMA logo designs now exist and AMA’s numerous programs, services and initiatives may be profiled, as well.

The AMA also kicks off 2004 with a new website with enhanced features such as enhanced communication by sections via Members Sections’ pages, members’ options to update their continuing medical education profiles, rural physicians’ submissions of curriculum vitae for regions, more powerful search capabilities, options to send and/or print web pages, and convenient requests for more information.

The AMA, in partnership with Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Regional Health Authorities, completes an eight-year trilateral master agreement, effective April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2011, with financial reopeners at March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2008. This agreement is groundbreaking because it allows the three equal partners to establish a health care system founded on collaboration and innovation.

The Primary Care Initiative (PCI) is established as part of the trilateral master agreement. Primary care improvement will take shape through local primary care initiatives (LPCIs), a formal arrangement between a group of physicians and their regional health authority to provide required service responsibilities to a defined population of patients. In July 2004 the development of 11 specific LPCIs are approved; their deadline to complete their business plans is December 1, 2004. A more general rollout of LPCIs will occur in 2005 and 2006.

The Parental Leave Program, effective April 1, 2004, provides physician parents $1,000 a week for 17 consecutive weeks’ leave, subject to eligibility requirements. Program benefits are available to eligible physician parents of babies born or adopted, and for leave taken, after April 1, 2004.

The AMA develops the Physician On-Call Program (POCP), which combines and extends programs that remunerate physicians for on-call coverage for regional health programs: Specialist On-Call (regionally required programs) and Rural On-Call (on-call emergency services provided in eligible facilities).

The AMA renegotiates the remuneration schedule for oncologists, radiologists and clinical associates employed or under personal contract to the Alberta Cancer Board. The first term was April 2001-March 2003, the second term April 1, 2003-March 31, 2004.

Laboratory physicians, represented by the AMA, and the nine Alberta Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) reach a remuneration schedule agreement, retroactive to April 1, 2003, which ends March 31, 2006.

The AMA opens a Southern Alberta Office in Calgary during May 2004. The office is also home to the Practice Management Program (PMP), the Physician and Family Support Program (PFSP) and Calgary-based Physician Office System Program (POSP) consultants.

PMP, established according to the terms of the Trilateral Master Agreement early in 2004, primarily assists physicians wishing to form a Primary Care Network with their region. PMP consultants work with physicians to address issues such as liability, financial options and change management processes.

The PMP also assists the Primary Care Initiative Committee Program Management Office to address specific issues such as legal, liability and insurance issues, and to assist in policy development.

The AMA partners with Alberta Health and Wellness, the nine regional health authorities, the Alberta Mental Health Board and the Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health to produce the Provincial Mental Health Plan, and release it May 2004.

The Committee on Reproductive Care (RCC) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2004. The program transforms into the Alberta Perinatal Health Program July 1, 2004.

2005-2008

The AMA and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta celebrate a centennial, marking 100 years of organized medicine in Alberta. Physicians prepare celebratory projects and a website (http://www.medicine100.ab.ca) has been created to exchange project ideas and to learn more about the profession’s valuable legacy for Albertans.

The first agreement in Canada between a provincial medical association and the Canadian Medical Association (MD Financial) expanded the offerings of insurance products and services (not just group insurance plans but also individual products) in 2005 to member physicians and their families. These may be accessed through AMA's ADIUM Insurance Services Inc. or through MD Financial.

The March 31, 2006 financial reopener in the eight-year trilateral master agreement, April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2011, between the AMA, Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Regional Health Authorities, brought into existence several new programs to ultimately address patient needs and access to care: The Retention Benefit Program provides an annual payment based on years of service within the province, encouraging retention of physicans; the Business Costs Program provides a premium on selected services provided by physicians in community-based practices that have been impacted by substantial increases in practice costs in a booming economy; and the Rural Remote Northern Program encourages physicians to practice and live in rural and remote communities.

Alberta doctors counsel parents about the dangers of secondhand smoke for children. To assist physician counselling, the AMA provides members with a handout that explains why smoking in vehicles or at home is dangerous to the health of youngsters and what parents can do to minimize the risks.

The AMA and Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research (with other health organizations across Alberta) launched Finding Balance -- Prevent A Fall Before It Happens, aimed at preventing seniors' falls. This campaign advances AMA's health promotion/injury prevention focus and its vision of Patients First^�_^.