Events

COVID Corner: Bringing clarity to Omicron challenges webinar

January 26, 2022

These episodes will provide an update on several aspects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This will include current and up-to-date information regarding the disease, as well as the exploration of other medical areas affected by the pandemic. It will address the most recent information and direction from medical organizations within Alberta.

Demystifying Retirement

January 25, 2022

Webinar presented by MD Financial Management. Guided by the results of the 2021 MD Physician Retirement Readiness Study, this webinar will explore strategies that you can leverage to help shift your retirement perspectives and how values-based financial planning can help set you up to live a truly fulfilled life in the chapters after your career in medicine.

Webinar: Navigating the Updated Virtual Fee Codes

January 26, 2022

All physicians are encouraged to join AMA Health Economics and Virtual Care physician leaders as they review policy and progress to date in advancing changes to virtual health service codes, the latest changes in Virtual Care billing codes and practical applications of updates codes and modifiers.

24th Annual Rural Anesthesia for GP Anesthesiologists Conference

January 28, 2022

This intensive course for GP anesthesiologists features a blend of expert didactic teaching and interactive small group workshops and offers opportunities for networking and exchange of information and ideas between leaders in the field and rural GP anesthesiologists.

38th Annual Emergency Medicine for Rural Hospitals Conference

January 29, 2022

This course provides updates on clinical topics relevant for physicians, nurses and other health professionals who practice in rural communities. Through a combination of plenary lectures, small group interactive sessions and workshops, participants will review current best practices, guidelines, tools and techniques for investigating and managing emergent patients – from pre-hospital, to the rural emergency department.

Managing Alcohol Use Disorder and Liver Disease

January 20 & 27, February 3

This workshop series will provide participants with information on how to effectively manage alcohol use disorder in patients with liver disease. These workshops will include on-demand learning as well as active learning sessions where participants can expect to partake in case based discussions and practice using practice motivational interviewing.

EPIQ Workshop: Training front-line teams in quality improvement methods

February 7, 2022

The Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) workshop uses a hands-on approach that enables teams to successfully implement quality improvement together. Each workshop incorporates a series of ten steps that build a team’s understanding of quality improvement using evidence-based tools and realistic improvement opportunities.

Virtual Black Physicians Summit

February 12, 2022

Black Physicians of Canada is excited to announce its second virtual Black Physician and Trainee Summit. Following a trying year of uncertainty and hardship, join in solidarity as we gather to envision a more equitable and thriving future. We have only begun to peel back the layers on the systemic and institutional racism facing Black Canadians, and in particular, Black physicians and trainees.

Through my lens: An Albertan physician-photographer’s COVID experience

February 7, 2022

Dr. Heather Patterson has photographed the in-hospital pandemic experience of frontline workers, patients, and families. Narrated by her personal experiences as a physician-photographer, she highlights struggles and successes with images that are simultaneously heartwarming and heart breaking.

Drug Decriminalization, Legal Regulation and Policy Reform

March 1, 2022

This event will provide an overview of relevant federal, provincial, and municipal laws as they relate to Canadian drug policy. In particular, participants will learn about the legal and practical distinctions between decriminalization and legal regulation, as well as the roles governments can play to achieve these reforms.

Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Workshop Level 1

March 1, 2022

There are complex and predictable clinical, ethical and legal implications when assessing decision-making capacity. These workshops will help the primary care provider navigate the process related to the Alberta Adult Guardianship & Trusteeship, Personal Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney Acts. These interactive workshops are designed for physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioners, nurses and other healthcare providers and will include small group work and presentations.

Confident ECG Interpretation (Parts one & two)

March 4 & March 11, 2022

This course will provide a review of basic 12-lead ECG interpretation skills. The course is designed to enhance ECG interpretation skills for the purpose of practice improvement, and facilitated by the cardiologists from the University of Calgary Cardiac Sciences.

Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Workshop Level 2

March 8, 2022

There are complex and predictable clinical, ethical and legal implications when assessing decision-making capacity. These workshops will help the primary care provider navigate the process related to the Alberta Adult Guardianship & Trusteeship, Personal Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney Acts. These interactive workshops are designed for physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioners, nurses and other healthcare providers and will include small group work and presentations.

CanREACH: Patient-Centered Mental Health in Paediatric Primary Care

Various dates: January 2021 through March 2022

As part of CanREACH education and training services, CanREACH offers a Continued Medical Education training program licensed and developed by The REACH Institute: “Patient-Centered Mental Health in Paediatric Primary Care (PPP)”, adapted for Canadian Primary Care Providers.

IPAC Canada Virtual National Conference

April 25-27, 2022

The 2022 Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Canada National Education Conference will held on a virtual platform, with a pre-conference event to be held on April 21, 2022. The conference theme is Connecting People Science Practice.

“You Gut This: Managing GI and Liver Issues with Confidence in the Medical Home” series

February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5 & June 2, 2022

Join a journey through the GI tract as specialists from around Alberta discuss approaches to common digestive health conditions and review how pathways can support effective management in the Patient Medical Home.

Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine - Part A

September 7, 2021 to June 21, 2022

The Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine, developed by the University of Alberta - Division of Preventive Medicine, is a distance learning course designed to provide knowledge and skills in the areas of occupational medicine encountered in family medicine and other community based clinical practice.

Have an event you'd like to promote?

If your event meets our criteria, we can add it to our event listings. Review our criteria and submit your event.

More events

News and Latest UpdatesRSS

Discussions with government enter a new phase

January 20, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Discussions between the AMA and government are entering a new stage. There is a joint statement that will be issued today.

Virtual Care Code Changes – Recognition of Patient Management Time

January 18, 2022

As a follow-up to our December 30, 2021 and January 7, 2022 President's Letters, we have put together this Billing Tip on the virtual care code changes to assist with billing.

Physicians needed for Health Issues Council

January 18, 2022

The deadline to apply extended to February 13. There are two openings on the AMA’s flagship Health Issues Council. This important committee provides advice, options and analysis to the Board in assessing how the association should respond to new and evolving health issues facing the profession and the public. If you have a passion for health issues advocacy, this is an excellent opportunity to explore new issues and develop your skills.

Alberta Doctors' Digest

January 12, 2022

The January-February 2022 issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest is now available! Highlights include: Socioeconomic determinants of health - Racialized Communities; Spending time in nature can improve health outcomes; Transforming failure into opportunity; Increased litigation may be on its way; Expressing concern over health care worker burnout; Battling the opioid epidemic with online training programs; and a lot more!

Enhanced virtual care code bulletin now posted

January 12, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Alberta Health Bulletin for enhanced virtual care codes has now been published.

Update - Alberta Health bulletin on virtual care code changes

January 7, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have heard from many physicians since the announcement of changes to virtual code priority items (time for indirect care and complex modifiers). Like me, they were happy to hear the news that these codes will be available, but urgently needing the details in an accompanying Alberta Health Bulletin.

Ministry of Transportation Medical Review Committee

January 5, 2022

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to use your expertise to help determine whether Albertans with medical conditions are able to drive? The AMA is recruiting two Edmonton-area physicians for the Alberta Ministry of Transportation Medical Review Committee. The Medical Review Committee plays an important role in improving traffic safety on Alberta's roadways by the application of medical fitness standards for drivers wishing to obtain or maintain an Alberta driver's licence.

Priority virtual care codes to increase

December 30, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am pleased to tell you about some changes to virtual care fee codes that are coming into effect January 1, 2022. They will be announced today in a joint news release from government and the Alberta Medical Association. As I’ve mentioned in past letters, a working group involving Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta and the AMA has been looking at both short- and long-term considerations around virtual care. Among other issues, the AMA has been advocating for changes to the virtual care fee schedule to make the provision of virtual care more financially sustainable.

Update re AHS clinical stipend extension contracts

December 24, 2021

In case you missed it, Dr. Michelle Warren shared an update regarding AHS clinical stipend extension contracts with all members on December 24, 2021. Member login required.

Member survey results and an urgent Omicron meeting

December 22, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As 2021 ends, it seemed a good time to provide feedback on what we heard through our August member survey when we asked: What can the AMA do for you?

Zonal/Regional RF delegates - election results

December 17, 2021

Ballots for the election of zonal/regional delegates to the AMA Representative Forum were tallied on December 14, 2021. Elections took place in Region 4 and the Edmonton Zone. Acclamations were in Calgary Zone and Regions 1, 2, 8 and 9. Who are the new zonal/regional delegates? Member login required to view.

Membership renewal 2021-22: Stand With Us!

December 15, 2021

This is a tumultuous time in health care in Alberta, and last year we asked AMA members to Stand With Us to ensure the continued strength of the profession. This year, that ask remains the same. The AMA is advocating tirelessly for physicians, our patients and our practices. To do that effectively, and to ensure that physicians’ voices are heard, we need all of our members to renew their memberships for 2021-22.

The care deficit: Preparing to seek solutions

December 15, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In recent months we have opened a dialogue with Albertans about the COVID-19 care deficit, its effects and possible solutions. We’ve all seen the increasingly frequent news reports about the care deficit and the public has weighed in through albertapatients.ca to help us understand the ways in which they've been affected. We have shared how physicians are feeling in terms of dealing with the care deficit in our patient populations.

What are your perspectives on ordering imaging for uncomplicated low back pain?

December 15, 2021

University of Calgary researchers are looking to interview Alberta family physicians to better understand clinical perspectives related to the use of imaging in uncomplicated low back pain. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of factors that influence imaging ordering practices. Research findings will help design better interventions used to optimize recommendations in practice. Your participation would involve a 45-minute recorded phone interview, at a time and date convenient for you. You will be offered an honorarium for your time.

Stipends delay allows time for a comprehensive approach

December 10, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Physicians working in Alberta Health Services facilities, particularly those involved with programs that are remunerated by AHS stipend arrangements, will probably have seen a December 8 email from Dr. Francois Belanger, AHS Vice President, Quality and Chief Medical Officer. His email confirmed that an extension has been granted to many AHS clinical stipend programs so that they will not be ending December 31.

More course dates available for physician leadership development

December 9, 2021

Are you a current or emerging physician leader? Having received additional funding from the Canadian Medical Association, the Physician Leadership and Professional Development (PLPD) Initiative is pleased to offer additional dates for virtual PLI courses. Maximum 30 participants per course.

Alberta Opioid Crisis - presentation by Dr. Elaine Hyshka

December 3, 2021

Dr. Elaine Hyshka, Canada Research Chair in Health Systems Innovation and an Assistant Professor in the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health, recently presented on Alberta's opioid crisis. Member login required to view.

Z-code deadline delayed

December 3, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: For many physicians the January 1, 2022 date for implementation of the proposed Z-codes and Alberta Health Services overhead policy was a great concern. Yesterday, Alberta Health released a bulletin stating that the implementation date for both of these items is being delayed: Z-codes to October 2022 and AHS overhead targeted for June 2022. We have been actively advocating on these issues and I am pleased to know that so many members who are already struggling with so many challenges will have a reprieve.

The value of appreciation

November 25, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: After many months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are physically and professionally tired. Let’s take opportunities when they come to lift ourselves up by celebrating accomplishments.

Be a part of the solution - Helping Albertans living with pain

November 18, 2021

The AMA Section of Chronic Pain has written a letter to Alberta’s physicians asking for help in establishing innovative and scalable actions to help Alberta’s chronic pain population.

Update on government negotiations

November 15, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors last met October 28-29. The ongoing discussions with government toward seeking a new agreement were a major focus of the meeting. Over the past year we have invited physician leaders to join us for these sessions to enrich the Board’s discussions. Once again, we were very appreciative of the time and engagement of these representatives .

Help shape a new direction in physician health and wellness

November 8, 2021

Practicing physicians, resident physicians and medical students are invited to take the Canadian Medical Association's 2021 National Physician Health Survey. Responses are due November 15.

Physicians on care deficit and a response from AHS

October 29, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: During Dr. Paul Boucher’s term as president, he wrote to you several times regarding the COVID-19 care deficit. He shared with you what Albertans have told the AMA about their experiences. It’s time to hear from some physician voices, also.

Alberta COVID-19 Immunization Program Update

October 21, 2021

An update from Alberta Health regarding the COVID-19 Immunization Program, including: co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and others; and third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk groups.

Latest news on stipends

October 21, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: For many months now we have been working to support members with respect to Alberta Health Services stipend payments. As members know, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services have said they will be ending stipend contracts with over 120 groups of physicians on December 31. So far, there has been little productive discussion on developing agreeable, viable alternatives.
More news and updates

The AMA advances patient-centered, quality care by advocating for and supporting physician leadership and wellness.