Alberta Medical Association

Informatics, moving information and Connect Care

August 8, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In 2018, the Board of Directors approved a new AMA Policy Statement on Health Informatics. You can view it, or listen to a podcast interview about it. The policy’s purpose is to help guide the AMA through the increasingly complex provincial health information system. Today I wanted to update you on how the policy is helping us address two important questions: How will we maintain and improve the two-way flow of patient data between community-based physician practices and the rest of the health care system? What is Alberta Health Services’ Connect Care and how will your practice be affected?

Improvement Advisor

August 3, 2018

The AMA is recruiting for the position of Improvement Advisor to join the AMA Programs team. We have two positions available, one will be located in our Edmonton office and one will be located out of our Calgary office.

About the allocation

July 31, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I’m writing today with news about payment of the retroactive April 1, 2017, Schedule of Medical Benefits cost-of-living increase, as well as the partial 2017 Retention Benefit payment. This was provided for by the recently ratified 2018-20 Amending Agreement. These are amounts owed to physicians in exchange for reducing the rate of growth in the Physician Services Budget for 2016-18. Since ratification, we have been working with Alberta Health to determine how and when the allocation will occur.

Planned website outage

July 19, 2018

Please be advised that the AMA website will be unavailable Saturday, July 21 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to facilitate maintenance and upgrades.

July-August 2018 issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest now available

July 12, 2018

The July-August 2018 issue of Alberta Doctors’ Digest is now available online. Highlights include: Can we talk? Building a better health system through albertapatients.ca; Treat pain to resolve aggression in patients with dementia; New Indigenous Health Committee seeks spiritual guidance; and more!

Have you checked out the AMA advocacy timeline?

June 29, 2018

Have you taken a look at the AMA's interactive advocacy timeline? AMA members can be proud of their role in many initiatives that have improved patient care over the years.

Overhead Surveys Completed – Preliminary Results

June 18, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Keeping up with overhead costs is a major part of maintaining viable practices today. Members are always concerned with the ever-present pressures of overhead costs and that’s why overhead is one of the Board’s priorities for allocation – and why it’s important to measure it accurately. We need a measurement tool that reflects modern practice today, but can also be updated with emerging information over time.

Submit your story to Student Spotlight in Alberta Doctors’ Digest

June 14, 2018

Attention medical students: Do you have an experience that you think will make your colleagues exclaim, “Wow! That’s neat!”? We’re keen for inspirational and fascinating stories of students doing extraordinary things for the Student Spotlight column in our digital magazine, Alberta Doctors’ Digest.

How do physicians view the prospect of retirement?

June 4, 2018

Most doctors stopped talking about Freedom 55 years ago. Quite a few of us these days are negotiating the twilight of our medical careers. According to the Canadian Medical Association Physician Data Centre, 40% of Canadian physicians are over the age of 55. That’s more than 32,000 doctors.

AMA Youth Run Club volunteer opportunity

May 31, 2018

Volunteers are urgently needed for the Indigenous Track & Field Meet, May 31, in Leduc. Please come out and help with this AMA Youth Run Club-supported event.

Influenza Immunization Program newsletter - May 2018

May 31, 2018

The Influenza Immunization Program for 2017-2018 has ended. As of April 30, 2018 1,229,350 doses of influenza vaccine were administered in Alberta. Thank you for your support of the Alberta Influenza Immunization Program.

Voting results – Members ratify agreement

May 30, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am writing to let you know the results of the ratification vote by Alberta physicians on the 2018-20 agreement package with Alberta Health. I am pleased to advise that the package was ratified, receiving a “Yes” vote from just over 89% of responding physicians. (Voter turnout was 29%, as it was in 2016.)

Mandatory privacy breach reporting requirements coming for Alberta health professionals

May 29, 2018

Effective August 31, 2018, physicians and other health professionals will be required to notify Albertans whose health information has been subject to a privacy breach. These mandatory breach reporting requirements are established under the Health Information Act.

AMA student sponsorships: The results are in!

May 18, 2018

The Committee on Student Affairs recently met to review sponsorship applications. Based on funding criteria and the individual components of the application, the committee chose the following projects/events to receive funding...

Access and update your AMA services using the Member Dashboard

May 14, 2018

The AMA’s Member Dashboard gives physicians access to view and change benefits, programs, services, etc., all in one central location on the albertadoctors.org website. The dashboard also allows you to vote, check the status of your applications and provides you with notifications on upcoming events and changes.

Overhead survey deadline extended

May 12, 2018

In order to obtain a better understanding of current physician overhead costs, the AMA and Alberta Health (through the joint Physician Compensation Committee) have engaged Deloitte to develop and administer an overhead study. Deloitte developed the survey following consultations with section leaders. AMA members received a notification email and survey link from Deloitte the week of March 19. Please complete the survey by May 18 to ensure that costs from your practice and section are appropriately captured.

AMA President-Elect 2018-19 Election

May 11, 2018

Dr. Christine P. Molnar has been elected to the position of Alberta Medical Association President-Elect for 2018-19. Dr. Molnar will assume the President-Elect role on September 22, at the close of the Fall 2018 Representative Forum meeting.

Revised Alberta Treatment Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections

May 10, 2018

Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services have released the revised Alberta Treatment Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents and Adults 2018.

A ratification vote will open today

May 4, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I announced in my April 23 President’s Letter, a tentative agreement has been reached regarding a financial reopener on our main agreement with government (the AMA Agreement) and the status on the Strategic Agreement related to physician bargaining with Alberta Health Services. It is now up to physicians to accept or reject the proposals through a ratification vote.

New practitioner and facility registration forms from AH

May 3, 2018

Effective May 1, 2018, Alberta Health is introducing three new forms to simplify the process practitioners use to register with AH or update their information.

Improved newsletter platform gives AMA members more choice

May 3, 2018

In an effort to improve your experience and to provide you more control over the information you receive from the AMA, we have improved the look, feel and service provider for the regular e-newsletters we send to you. Over the coming weeks you will begin receiving redesigned versions of our regular newsletters, such as MD Scope, Section News, Billing Matters, etc.

Negotiations concluded: tentative agreement package reached

April 23, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am writing today with good news that the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta Health have successfully concluded negotiations and a tentative agreement has been reached.

ELiHP ventures outside of mental and physical boundaries: Starlight Performance Camp

April 23, 2018

This Emerging Leaders in Health Promotion program introduced children affected by chronic illness, who may often feel restricted by their illness, to the world of performance arts (by teaching cheerleading, dance, gymnastics and fashion).

The power of fitness for women in medicine

April 20, 2018

If you are a woman, from Calgary and in medicine, you might have been one of enthusiastic participants who got together to celebrate the Fitness in Medicine Retreat 2017. What does a Fitness in Medicine Retreat look like? Well, it’s a moment for women of all ages, training levels and interests to get together to support, motivate and inspire one another, while getting a little bit sweaty of course.

Overhead Survey – We need your input!

April 18, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We are nearing the end of the time for you to contribute to an extremely important study of physician overhead costs in Alberta. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to do so, please do so now!

Reminder: Apply online for an AMA committee

April 11, 2018

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill positions on the following committees: AMA Compensation Committee; Committee on Financial Audit; Committee on Uninsured Services; Fee Advisory Committee; and Health Issues Council. The deadline to apply is April 20.

NEW video: 5 Years Strong! with Dr. Carr

April 6, 2018

This year, the AMA Youth Run Club celebrates five years of tremendous growth. In this video, Dr. Padraic Carr tells us what he loves about the YRC.

PCC Update

March 30, 2018

The PCC is pleased to provide an update on the progress of the Physician Overhead Review project.

Highlights from Spring 2018 Representative Forum

March 29, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: My last President’s Letter updated membership on the Spring 2018 Representative Forum discussion on the Income Equity Initiative as part of the overall Physician Compensation Strategy. I would now like to touch on some of the other topics and themes that were discussed at the meeting March 16-17 in Edmonton.

You GO! girl! New directions for the AMA YRC, with GO! Run Club

March 27, 2018

With the start of its 2017-18 season last October, the AMA YRC expanded its scope by undertaking a new program aimed at encouraging girls to participate in physical activity and to decrease the significant gap that exists in the athletic participation rates of girls and boys, one that starts at an early age and continues through high school.*

We've launched the all new Alberta Doctors' Digest

March 27, 2018

It’s a whole new way to get the latest on the business, politics and economics of health care in Alberta. Check it out now!

AMA YRC: Supporting wellness and belonging in Alberta Indigenous communities

March 26, 2018

Over the past five years, the AMA Youth Run Club has been running into more and more Alberta schools, in communities large and small, rural and urban. The AMA YRC is an inclusive, school-based program welcoming and supporting children and youth in schools in every corner and community of the province. The program provides participants with a healthy, fun outlet for physical activity and all the good-for-the-body, soul and mind benefits that go with that.

MD Financial Management continues to support AMA YRC

March 26, 2018

MD Financial Management will once again be a sponsor of the Alberta Medical Association Youth Run Club during the 2017-18 season. The work of the AMA YRC is made possible by the combined support of Alberta’s physicians, our partner Ever Active Schools and generous sponsors. The AMA is fortunate to partner with like-minded organizations such as MD Financial Management and Alberta Blue Cross to deliver this important program to schools across the province.

Influenza Immunization Program newsletter - March 2018

March 23, 2018

The Influenza Immunization Program for 2017-2018 is coming to an end. As of March 17, 2018 1,223,109 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta. Thank you for your support of the Alberta Influenza Immunization Program.

Central Patient Attachment Registry to roll out soon

March 23, 2018

As a physician representative on the Central Patient Attachment Registry Working Group, I’ve been providing direction on its development. The Chinook Primary Care Network, of which I am a member, created a similar tool several years ago. I’m sharing the experiences and lessons learned to avoid reinventing the wheel with CPAR. So what is it?

Diversification: Not a one-size-fits-all

March 22, 2018

Whether you’re just starting to invest or have been doing so for some time, you probably know the golden rule of investing: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. In other words, diversify your portfolio.

Dr. William A. Cochrane, March 18, 1926 - October 6, 2017

March 22, 2018

Dr. W.A. Cochrane was the last surviving dean from the four medical schools recommended by the Hall Royal Commission in 1964. His passing on October 6, 2017 ended an era in Canadian academic medicine not to be repeated. MD enrollment doubled from 1966-70 to 1,600 per year, increasing MDs particularly from Calgary and Hamilton.

Supporting NICU graduate families with playgroups and peer counselling

March 22, 2018

With the goal of supporting families and alleviating the parental anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression that are common risk factors with pre-term births, then-medical students Alanna Chomyn and her Emerging Leaders in Health Promotion project co-lead, Supraja Rengan, designed a parent-support program comprised primarily of family playgroup sessions and peer support.

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, medicine and you

March 20, 2018

Recently, I learned that my favorite dermatology app, VisualDx, introduced an add-on feature called DermExpert which allowed the user to take a photograph of the skin lesion “utilizing Apple’s Core ML Technology to get personalized skin answers in seconds.” This app and website is one of the perks of a faculty appointment at the University of Calgary and access to the U of C library; it is otherwise available for purchase for around US$400 per year. The DermExpert add-on is another US$100 per year.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance: Why do you need it?

March 19, 2018

There is a misconception that AD&D insurance is life insurance – it is not. It is a form of casualty insurance that pays out indemnity benefits when the insured suffers a defined loss or dies as a result of an accident.

Representative Forum update

March 18, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Yesterday we wrapped up another successful Representative Forum meeting. You may have seen some media reports about the RF’s session on the AMA’s Income Equity Initiative. While many important topics were discussed, I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on that topic in particular.

First Nations children affected by jurisdictional squabbles

March 15, 2018

In keeping with the theme of this edition of Alberta Doctors’ Digest, we’ve chosen to explore issues relating to differential provision of health care between federally funded and provincially funded health care systems, most notably, involving First Nations children.

Indigenous meditations by a celebrated Ojibway author

March 15, 2018

While preparing to write this piece about Richard Wagamese’s 2016 book, Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations, I received an Alberta Health Services memo about the new Ceremony Room at the Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH) in Lethbridge. This dedicated space at the CHR, opposite the fourth floor roof terrace, was included in the recent renovation and expansion of the hospital. It is part of an Alberta Health Services collaborative Indigenous Health Program that aims to provide “accessible, culturally appropriate health services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Alberta.”

Representative Forum meets this week

March 13, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Representative Forum meets in Edmonton this week: Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17. I thought I would give you an overview of the agenda and highlight some of what we will be discussing.