Alberta Medical Association

The AMA/WCB Advisory Committee wants you!

March 21, 2019

The AMA/WCB Advisory Committee is looking for a family physician to join the committee. The deadline to apply is April 18.

MyHealth Records has launched

March 20, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In December 2018 we wrote to you from the Alberta Medical Association and College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta to let you know that the Alberta government would soon be introducing MyHealth Records, a secure online portal that will enable Albertans to access some of their personal health information. We are pleased to tell you that the portal went live for all Albertans on Saturday, March 16.

There's a new albertapatients newsletter!

March 19, 2019

Every few weeks we send albertapatients.ca members a specifically-themed health care survey, create a high-level report on their responses, then share it back to the community through an email newsletter. The most recent newsletter discusses patient impressions and experiences with transitions of care. Read the December 2018 newsletter now.

March-April 2019 Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

March 13, 2019

Highlights in this issue: World Professional Association for Transgender Health holds first-ever conference in Canada; AMA Indigenous Cultural Safety Training; Integrated health information is coming; Dr. Ioana Bratu gets our physician wellness #GOAT; Shine a Light: Dr. Sayeh; and a lot more!

Funds flowing to Alberta – Well Doc Alberta is first initiative under CMA-AMA MOU

March 12, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In our February 21 joint President’s Letter, we announced that the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and Canadian Medical Association (CMA) established a new collaboration – outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding – to align activities and partner on joint initiatives that advance our shared priorities.

Call for applications: Physician Compensation Committee

March 12, 2019

The AMA is currently recruiting a primary care physician to fill a position on the Physician Compensation Committee. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Management of osteoporosis: fracture prevention

March 7, 2019

Ms Y is a 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, osteoarthritis and well controlled GERD. She presents for a periodic health maintenance visit and seems generally well. Her current medications are Ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide and pantoprazole. Your EMR reminds you that she has not been screened for osteoporosis. This article focuses on post-menopausal osteoporosis and follows the Towards Optimized Practice guidelines on the topic.

Executive Director – Wolf Creek PCN

March 5, 2019

The Wolf Creek PCN is recruiting for Executive Director. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The position reports to an elected physician Board of Directors and is accountable for all PCN operations, including business and financial planning as well as the management of financial and human resources.

Retro BCP payments and other physician compensation news

February 28, 2019

Just as physicians cannot help patients achieve their best health by focusing on only one aspect of being healthy, similarly, in overseeing the AMA’s work toward financial health, the Board must take a comprehensive approach.

AMA-CMA relationship

February 21, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We’re pleased to announce that the Alberta Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association are establishing a new partnership, which is outlined in a principle-based Memorandum of Understanding.

Influenza Immunization Program newsletter

February 7, 2019

As of January 26, 2019, 1,257,216 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta. Influenza data for the 2018-2019 season is reported on a weekly basis and includes: number of doses of influenza vaccine administered by provider type across the province, number of laboratory confirmed cases of influenza, number of Albertans hospitalized with influenza disease and number of Albertans deceased who had lab confirmed influenza. Community providers can find this information on the Alberta Health Services website.

Executive Director – Highland PCN

January 21, 2019

The Highland Primary Care Network is recruiting for Executive Director. The Highland Primary Care Network, established in 2007, assists 66 physicians in 22 clinics to delivery primary care to 72,000+ patients in the towns of Airdrie, Didsbury, Carstairs, Beiseker and Crossfield.

We moved some important information on albertadoctors.org

January 16, 2019

To introduce new eHealth information on the AMA website, we've shifted information regarding electronic medical records, the Health Information Act and patient privacy. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new pages and update any bookmarks you may have saved in your internet browser.

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.

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.

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.