Alberta Medical Association

Update on Negotiations

September 15, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As reported in my Presidents Letters over the summer, government requested that the Alberta Medical Association submit a proposal for possible changes that would make the rejected Tentative Agreement Package (TAP) acceptable to physicians.

Wave Four: More measures needed and other issues

September 14, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We are hearing more every day about the implications of the fourth wave of the pandemic and I wanted to update you.

Knee MRI for osteoarthritis? Read this before ordering

September 9, 2021

AHS Diagnostic Imaging is working with physicians to increase the appropriateness of referrals for the investigation of knee osteoarthritis. The collaborative efforts will ensure that MRI exams on the wait list are necessary and beneficial. Beginning October 4, in the Edmonton Zone, Diagnostic Imaging will be declining MRI knee requests for patients 55 years of age and older, that do not align with Choosing Wisely recommendations. Implementation in South and Central Zones and North Zone to follow later.

Contribute to the Tarrant Scholarship

September 9, 2021

Over the years, the Section of Rural Medicine has partnered with AMA and the Canadian Medical Foundation to enable members to contribute, on a charitable basis, to the Tarrant Scholarship program. The program accounts for approximately 30% of the Section of Rural Medicine’s budget, but would not be sustainable without the help of donations from our medical colleagues. If you are interested in supporting the continuation of this important scholarship, donations can be made by completing the 'Donations' section of the AMA online membership renewal.

Special RF information session; COVID-19

September 8, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In this letter: a special Representative Forum this week; looking out for each other in the fourth wave.

September-October 2021 issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

September 8, 2021

The September-October 2021 issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest is now available online! Highlights include: Exploring the many socioeconomic determinants of health; Water fluoridation back on the ballot in Calgary; Shine A Light on Dr. Neha Chadha; Automatically prep patients for more on-time appointments; Sparking reactions and potential litigation from those impacted by the pandemic; and a lot more!

AMA holiday office hours

September 3, 2021

Please note the AMA phone lines will be closed for Monday, September 6. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, September 7. All physical AMA locations continue to be closed.

News: Discussions with government; vaccination policy

August 24, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am writing to let you know about two decisions reached at a special meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 19.

Care Deficit: Broad thinking will be required

August 20, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have previously shared with you some research from our albertapatients.ca online community regarding the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on their health and well being.

Influenza Immunization Program Update

August 20, 2021

Outreach influenza immunization services for high-risk Albertans will begin this fall as Zones receive influenza vaccine. The public influenza program will begin the week of October 18, 2021. Alberta Health Services Public Health is focusing immunization efforts on those at greatest risk of influenza who are unable to access influenza vaccine through pharmacists, physicians or other community providers.

Important – conversion of AMA HBTF to an Employee Life and Health Trust

August 19, 2021

Federal legislation passed in 2021 requires us to convert AMA HBTF (a Health and Welfare Trust) to an Employee Life and Health Trust (an ELHT), effective January 1, 2022. The most significant impact this legislation has on members participating in AMA HBTF is the rules pertaining to Key Employees of professional corporations. Key Employees are shareholders and highly compensated employees of the corporation (i.e., the physician). Learn more.

Registration for CMA AGM closes TONIGHT

August 16, 2021

Today is the last day to register (by 6 p.m. Alberta time) for the Canadian Medical Association Annual General Meeting to be held online on Sunday, August 22. Important issues will be discussed and voted upon such as substantive bylaws changes concerning governance and promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion. In preparation for the CMA AGM, members may wish to familiarize themselves with the CMA's Report to Members for the154th CMA Annual General Meeting, and Promoting equity and diversity: Overview of proposed CMA governance changes for 2021.

Paper on government discussions and a member survey

August 11, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In this letter: Informed by your feedback, a paper for your review about the Board’s approach to government discussions; and We launch a survey to look further into how members are faring.

AMA Section of Pediatrics: COVID restrictions and testing in the community

August 9, 2021

On August 9, the executive members of the AMA Section of Pediatrics sent a letter to Premier Kenney expressing their grave concern regarding Alberta’s plan to eliminate COVID-19 testing in the community, contact tracing and mandatory isolation this month. Read the letter and associated media release.

Board meeting update and upcoming member engagement

August 4, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors met July 22-23. I intended to provide you with an update on what was discussed at the end of last week. This was overtaken by the issue of Alberta’s changed public health restrictions, so I am providing the update today.

Significant concerns: Changes to COVID-19 measures

July 30, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On July 28, Alberta Health announced significant changes in the public health measures for COVID-19. I have written to the Minister regarding my concerns, and I want to share these points with you.

Notice of Elections and Amendments to AMA Bylaws

July 29, 2021

Members are advised of proposed amendments to the AMA Bylaws and elections taking place at 7 p.m., September 28 at the 116th AMA Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held via Zoom; details will be provided with the Reports to the AGM circulated prior to the meeting. Log in to view the amendments and election information. Nominations are due to 9 a.m., August 26.

Masking in community clinics

July 16, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have heard from a number of members who are concerned with potential implications for their clinics arising from the lifting of mandatory continuous masking. The public health order was maintained for Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health and long-term care facilities, but not for other clinical settings.

Patient's access to lab results; the remaining 5% and your practice

July 9, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In this letter: What’s changing with patient access to sensitive lab results; what you may need to consider; how to learn more and be prepared with a July 21 webinar.

A joint announcement with government and continued member engagement

July 2, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In this letter: an announcement arising from priority discussions between government and the AMA.

Your pharmacists and family physicians are working together to put COVID-19 behind us

June 21, 2021

Joint statement from physicians and pharmacists on COVID-19 vaccination in Alberta: Vaccines are safe, effective and our best way out of the pandemic. Alberta family physicians and pharmacists are working together, getting more Albertans vaccinated so we can move on and get back to normal as soon as possible.

Supporting physicians impacted by changes to AHS-paid stipends

June 21, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In this letter: Update on representation surrounding the end of stipends in Alberta Health Services; Stipend Action Committee; New clinical Alternative Relationship Plan information source for members.

COVID-19 and our patients - a checkup

June 11, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As many of you are aware, as part of our advocacy and engagement with the public, we host an online patient community: albertapatients.ca.

CMA/AMA partner to develop physician leaders

June 10, 2021

Through grant funding provided by the Canadian Medical Association, the AMA is pleased to offer the Physician Leadership and Professional Development Initiative. Through this initiative, current and emerging physician leaders will be supported with leadership development that aligns with AMA values of physician wellness, diversity and inclusion, and promotes opportunities for health advocacy and systems transformation.

What We Heard: Member Feedback on the Tentative Agreement Package

June 2, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I committed to reporting back to you about what we heard from the membership during the ratification period for the Tentative Agreement Package. Today, I am pleased to share the conclusions with you.

Residential Schools

June 1, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: News that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were discovered in a mass grave at a former residential school in Kamloops has drawn attention to a dreadful legacy of the residential school system. This is not an isolated incident: graves have been found at other former school sites, including in Alberta. The search for these is still incomplete.

2021 ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant

May 31, 2021

In any other year, 20 medical students would be now be receiving notice that they'd been awarded the ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant. The grant, which was established to help defray the costs of traveling to complete medical electives, is awarded annually to recipients selected by random draw from entries received. In 2020, however, no one was permitted to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so with input from the AMA Committee on Student Affairs, this year ADIUM randomly selected the following 20 AMA student members from the classes of 2021 and 2022 to receive the grants...

Rural Health Week

May 28, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As we come to the end of the 2021 Rural Health Week, I wanted to take the opportunity to add my voice to the celebration of rural health care in this province.

Updates on key areas

May 26, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This is to provide you with an update on several activities being undertaken by the Alberta Medical Association.

Further information on mask exemption order

May 21, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As you are aware, on May 13 government released a new public health order stipulating that medical exemptions for mask use will be allowed for a list of “verified health conditions,” and that an exemption letter will be required from a physician, nurse practitioner or psychologist.

Planned website outage: Saturday, May 22

May 21, 2021

Reminder: AMA IT services, including email, websites and online member self-serve applications (e.g., AMA Fee Navigator®), will be largely unavailable tomorrow (May 22) from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Some services will be restored by 9 a.m. and websites and self-service apps should be available later in the afternoon. Additional short outages may be required over the remainder of the long weekend. The outage is required to update our datacenter infrastructure which will improve website reliability, uptime, security and connectivity.