Alberta Medical Association

January-February 2019 Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

January 16, 2019

Highlights in this issue: Care transformation through informatics; Transforming primary care; Removing barriers to prenatal care for immigrant women; Zero tolerance toward sexual abuse or misconduct; PFSP captures international attention; and a lot more!

Call for applications: Indigenous Health Committee

January 14, 2019

The AMA is currently recruiting an Indigenous physician to fill a member position on the Indigenous Health Committee. The deadline to apply is February 11. The IHC is established to promote and operationalize the recommendations in the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health. It serves to bring together medical and non-medical expertise focused on health status and delivery of health services to Alberta’s Indigenous population.

Senior Web Developer

January 10, 2019

The Alberta Medical Association is recruiting for a Senior Web Developer to join our Information Systems Group. In this position you would play a key role in the planning, architecture, design, development, maintenance and support of software products for the health care sector. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate can be found.

Security Analyst

January 10, 2019

The Alberta Medical Association is recruiting for a Security Analyst with the Corporate Affairs, Information Systems department. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate can be found.

Subclinical hypothyroidism: a brief review and suggested treatment approach

January 2, 2019

Your patient, Meredith, is 90 years’ old and is experiencing mild fatigue, slight cold intolerance and reduced ability to lose weight. Her symptoms are non-specific. Meredith’s laboratory results indicate slightly elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with a normal free T4. You’ve diagnosed her with subclinical hypothyroidism. What would your approach be?

About retroactive payments to physicians

December 19, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In my December 6 President’s Letter, I wrote that members would soon receive retroactive payments for the April 1, 2017 Schedule of Medical Benefits cost of living adjustments. These payments have now been issued by Alberta Health for the April 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018 claims period.

Influenza Immunization Program newsletter - November 2018

December 12, 2018

The Influenza Immunization Program for 2018-2019 is well underway. As of November 10, 2018, 860,376 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta.

AMHSP physicians – a vote and a new council

December 12, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Recent changes in Alberta Medical Association governance and the passage of legislation on the rights of physicians to representation provide important new vehicles for physicians to bring their issues forward. The focus of this President’s Letter is on those academic physicians who are or soon will be part of the Academic Medicine Health Services Plan, and who now have the ability to request direct support in negotiations from the AMA.

SOMB retroactive increases coming this week

December 6, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This fall, we have been moving forward on making payments owed to physicians under our Amending Agreement. The AMA issued the 2017 Retention Benefit payments on Friday, November 2. Today I’m writing to provide you with some dates and details about the retroactive payments for the Schedule of Medical Benefits and Alternative Relationship Plans cost-of-living adjustment.

Congratulations Dr. Jane Lemaire and colleagues!

November 27, 2018

Dr. Jane Lemaire and colleagues were recently presented the Physician Well-being Article Award by the Stanford Medicine WellMD Center for their research article, "Understanding how patients perceive physician wellness and its links to patient care: A qualitative study." Dr. Jane Lemaire is a recent PFSP Physician Wellness #GOAT.

Director, Negotiations

November 27, 2018

The Alberta Medical Association is recruiting for the newly created role of Director, Negotiations to join our Health Economics team. Recruitment for this role is being done by the executive search firm Pekarsky & Co.

Applications due November 30: AMA Negotiating Committee

November 26, 2018

Applications for the AMA Negotiating Committee are due November 30. Apply today!

Last chance to apply: Physician Compensation Committee Chair

November 22, 2018

Under the terms of the AMA Agreement, the AMA and Alberta Health have joint responsibility to recruit a chair for the Physician Compensation Committee. The PCC has specific authority regarding physician compensation, plans and certain programs within the scope of the AMA Agreement. Applications are due November 30.

Call for applications: Committee on Achievement Awards

November 21, 2018

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill a vacancy on the Committee on Achievement Awards. This committee reviews nominations and recommends recipients for several of AMA’s prestigious awards. The deadline to apply is November 30.

Committee opening: SZMSA Zone Advisory Forum

November 20, 2018

The AMA is currently recruiting for the South Zone Medical Staff Association Zone Advisory Forum. The deadline to apply is January 23, 2019.

An Act to Protect Patients

November 16, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You may have heard news reports last week that the Government of Alberta had tabled Bill 21, An Act to Protect Patients. The legislation guards patients against exposure to inappropriate or predatory sexual behavior from their care providers. It applies to all regulated health professions, including physicians. The bill passed at the end of last week and is expected to come into effect in April 2019.

Important change coming to AMA group insurance renewal process

November 8, 2018

If you participate in any of the AMA group insurance plans (Disability, Professional Overhead Expense, Term Life, Critical Illness or Accidental Death and Dismemberment) and are set-up for automatic monthly or annual pre-authorized premium payments, you will no longer be receiving mailed confirmation premium notices in early December as has been the practice in the past.

AMA legislation tabled today

November 1, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You may recall that one of the important provisions of the 2018-20 AMA agreement with government was a commitment to entrench physician recognition and representation rights within legislation. I am pleased to let you know that this legislation was tabled today.

Treatment targets for hypertension in older persons

October 31, 2018

Mrs. BB is an 82-year-old female living at home. She has mild cognitive impairment and limited mobility. Her office blood pressure is 162/71. Should she be treated for hypertension? If yes, what would her blood pressure target be?

November 1, 2018 Billing Corner

October 26, 2018

View Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Schedule of Medical Benefits changes for November 1, 2018.

Changes to AMA/CMA member dues

October 18, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I’m writing today as membership renewal notices have been arriving in member inboxes. There are some member dues changes and I wanted to provide a few comments about them for your information.

CMA announces new role: Vice-president of Physician Health and Wellness

October 10, 2018

The Canadian Medical Association has created a new position among its team: Vice-president of Physician Health and Wellness. Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie, a clinical psychiatrist from Ottawa, has taken on the role and will join the CMA in January 2019.