Alberta Medical Association

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!

Overhead survey deadline extended

April 18, 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.

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.

Registration open for 91st Annual North/South Doctors' Golf Tournament

April 5, 2018

Registration is now open for the 91st Annual North/South Doctors’ Golf Tournament presented by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

Drayton Valley PCN Executive Director (0.8 FTE)

April 4, 2018

Drayton Valley PCN is recruiting for the position of Executive Director. All applications must be received by April 30.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Negotiations Update

March 8, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am writing with an update on the status of negotiations with Alberta Health toward a new master agreement. As you know, discussions have been ongoing since December 2017.

Now is the time to eliminate the health inequities of Indigenous peoples

March 7, 2018

The Indigenous Health policy paper demonstrates the Alberta Medical Association’s commitment to improving health outcomes of First Nations, Metis and Inuit patients. It is not acceptable that Indigenous peoples have poorer health outcomes than other Canadians. We hope the steps outlined in this paper will bring meaningful change. During the writing of this policy paper, we were guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Choosing Wisely Canada has launched Opioid Wisely

March 1, 2018

On March 1, Choosing Wisely Canada launched Opioid Wisely, an awareness campaign stressing the importance of clinician-patient conversations to reduce harms associated with opioid prescribing.

Help us shape AMA informatics policy

January 29, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Information is one of the big themes underlying everything the AMA is trying to accomplish for members, patients and the health care system. Whether for appropriate clinical decision-making, provincial or local administration or engaging patients, data is the lifeblood of an integrated system. Today, though, there are barriers to getting the information we need for care. We lack the data for taking the system where we want to lead. Patients are still waiting for access to their own information.

AMA member cards are now digital!

January 26, 2018

In previous years, new or renewing AMA members would receive their AMA member card and renewal receipt via regular mail. This year members can access these items instantly through our new online member card application.

Facts and figures about physician payments

January 23, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: There has been lots of discussion about where Alberta doctors sit compared with others in the country. I thought you might like to see some facts and figures to shed some light on how things work in Alberta.

What's next for secure messaging?

January 23, 2018

You may have heard that the AMA will be dissolving its dr2dr partnership with Microquest this month. This decision is a result of the ever changing secure messaging landscape and increased number of viable secure messaging solutions available in Alberta.

Programs have differences; we value all of them

January 19, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Evolving toward a fully integrated, high performing health care system takes more than just intentions. Physician practices need to remain viable as an important part of system infrastructure. As clinicians and medical leaders, we also need support to learn different ways to work, to work with different levels of care more effectively, to take full advantage of the value of team-based care, informatics and more.

AMA priorities and themes for negotiations

January 17, 2018

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As you learned from my December 28 Negotiations Update, in spite of significant early challenges, the AMA and Alberta Health continue to negotiate a new master agreement. As always, we will respect the confidentiality of what happens at the table, but I would like to give you a flavor of what the AMA is bringing forward on your behalf.