Alberta Medical Association

Data security

June 22, 2017

Updated Thursday June 22, 2017: Forensic Report update on possible breach of member information. Dear Member, I am writing today with good news arising from the forensic audit conducted as a result of the breach. Read more.

Sodium Bicarbonate Shortage - Memo from AHS

June 19, 2017

There is currently a critical shortage of sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (1 mmol/mL) 50 mL vials with the shortage anticipated to last until August 2017. Current sodium bicarbonate stocks will last for less than 1 week. Please read the following memo from AHS on restrictions and substitutions.

Tartans, kilts and slippery surfaces

June 19, 2017

"May your slide/stick be straight, your turn be perfect, your weight be true and your sweeping effective. But if not, remember – have fun.” These were the welcoming words at the 2017 Interprovincial Medical Curling Bonspiel at the Granite Club in Edmonton from March 15-19.

AMA Advocacy Night

June 17, 2017

On February 6, outstanding physician leaders joined University of Alberta students in an evening of celebration and mentorship in health advocacy and leadership in medicine. The first-ever Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Advocacy Night took place at Bernard Snell Hall on campus. Around 50 students and seven physicians attended.

Manager, Program Administration, Physician and Family Support Program

June 16, 2017

The Alberta Medical Association is recruiting for the position of Manager, Program Administration for our Physician and Family Support Program. This position will be based out of our Calgary Office.

AMA President-Elect 2017-18 Election

June 16, 2017

Dr. Alison M. Clarke has been elected to the position of Alberta Medical Association President-Elect for 2017-18. Dr. Clarke will assume the President-Elect role on September 16, at the close of the Fall 2017 Representative Forum meeting.

AMSCAR promotes student wellness and collegiality

June 16, 2017

The 13th annual Alberta Medical Students’ Conference and Retreat (AMSCAR) was a huge success and a wonderful experience for medical students from University of Calgary and University of Alberta. This year, it occurred in Banff over the weekend of February 10-12. The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) was a gold sponsor for this event.

Distribute electrons, not atoms

June 15, 2017

In our last readership survey, a majority of Alberta Medical Association (AMA) members indicated they would be interested in digital distribution of Alberta Doctors’ Digest (ADD). We looked into it and, wow, this makes a whole lot of sense! So we’re going to give it a go, starting early next year.

Members ratify PCN Governance Framework

June 14, 2017

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On May 15, voting began for the Primary Care Network (PCN) Governance Framework, a provision of our Amending Agreement with government. I am writing to tell you the results of the vote that was just tallied this morning: The framework was ratified with a double majority: 88% of voting physicians and 98% of PCNs (47% of eligible physicians cast ballots).

About the Special RF

June 8, 2017

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Representative Forum (RF) meets on Saturday, June 10 in Calgary to further address the topic of income equity. This special RF will build on the direction that the Spring RF meeting provided. At the Spring RF, the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) was charged to proceed with work toward income equity. The RF approved using an Adjusted Net Daily Income (ANDI) model and reallocation as tools to meet a five-year timeline which was set by the RF.

Let's change the lens on seniors' care

June 7, 2017

Frailty and chronic complex conditions, both more common in seniors, have emerged as drivers of high health care utilization, such as emergency visits and hospital admissions. Social costs, such as dependency and caregiver burden are also increasing. As a result, seniors’ care is a priority for our current health care system, and this necessitates health reorganization and innovative models of care delivery to meet growing needs.

Physician health ambassadors in schools across Alberta

June 6, 2017

I was fortunate to recently share my daring idea with a roomful of trailblazers from the education sector at Shaping the Future, the only conference in Canada promoting Comprehensive School Health, a preventative approach recognized by the World Health Organization that aims to improve the health outcomes for children and youth. My daring idea is to have a physician ambassador associated with every school in Alberta!

Multidisciplinary chronic disease management

June 5, 2017

By working with a team that can offer multidisciplinary resources, patients feel they have accessible resources if and when they have questions or new medical issues. Through this approach, I believe we reduce hospital visits and allow for better quality of life for the patients and their families or caregivers.

CMA Members Joule Innovation Challenge

June 1, 2017

For its first Joule Innovation challenge, the Canadian Medical Association is inviting its student and resident members to contribute ideas for 3D printed product innovations that aim to remove barriers to quality of life. Submissions are due: June 19, 11:59 ET.

Let's consider how technology affects our relationships

June 1, 2017

Today’s technology offers incredible opportunities to be close to those we care about. Conversely, technology, used improperly, can interfere with and often harm relationships. Keep your devices close but your relationships closer.

Investment in multidisciplinary care for rheumatoid arthritis patients

May 31, 2017

How can we convince government and big pharma that we can do better for our patients in a financially prudent way? Seemingly small changes can have a profound impact on the arthritis sufferers in our province, across the country and around the world.

Data security breach update

May 30, 2017

Time to sign up for your free credit monitoring service: Email from CEO Mike Gormley on the data security breach.

Pregnancy Pathways helps homeless pregnant women build a better future

May 29, 2017

On average, each year in Edmonton approximately 100 pregnant and parenting homeless women live on the streets and struggle to survive. Without homes and roofs over their heads, these women face myriad challenges, including limited access to prenatal care, addiction, poor nutrition and violence. Once their delivery dates arrive, the infants often wind up in the social services system, and the new mothers return to the streets and lives of struggle. That reality prompted Dr. John Lilley, a retired anesthesiologist, to join forces with others who were equally concerned about expectant mothers with few resources and even less hope. The result is Pregnancy Pathways, a many-partner coalition whose goal is to secure a 10 to 12 unit apartment building as a residence for pregnant and infant-parenting homeless women.

PCC Update

May 16, 2017

The PCC is pleased to announce the posting of the Overhead Review RFP on May 1, 2017 with a closing date of May 30, 2017. Also, the PCC welcomes additional members from Alberta Health to the Committee.

Voting begins: PCN Framework – a major step towards integrated health care

May 12, 2017

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Voting begins: PCN Framework – a major step towards integrated health care

Dear Minister: Please clean up your acts

May 1, 2017

Alberta has 30 pieces of health legislation and over 100 regulations on its books, many of which are archaic, out of touch and in some cases, just plain irrelevant. It would be nice if a new provincial government bent on reforming the health care system, bending the cost curve and bringing innovation to the delivery of health care services would take an introspective and critical glance at the rules that bind them.

On the front lines

May 1, 2017

Dr. Jeffrey Way, a Calgary trauma surgeon, travels to Iraq to care for people living amidst the horrors of war.

AMA student sponsorships: The results are in!

April 24, 2017

The Committee on Student Affairs recently met to review 17 sponsorship applications. Based on funding criteria and the individual components of the application, the committee chose the following projects/events to receive funding...

The art and science of underwriting: Analysis of the whole picture

April 24, 2017

Underwriting is the analysis of medical, non-medical and financial information about a member to determine the effect these factors statistically have on mortality or morbidity. This is also called risk classification.

Managing fatigue, relationships and digital technology

April 24, 2017

Late in 2016, the last physician with burnout was identified and treated – about 30 years after the term “physician health” was coined. It looked at first like a career change might be necessary, but the doctor responded well to a novel combination of drugs, talk therapy and Alberta Health Services workplace modifications. That doctor is, for the most part, happily back at work. The medical profession breathed a sigh of relief, and now the spotlight has shifted away from physician health back to sick patients.

CMA online and in-house courses on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

April 20, 2017

More and more Canadians are expected to ask a physician about medical assistance in dying (MAiD). In 2016, the CMA launched a self-led foundational online MAiD course which helps members understand the basics and have a conversation with their patients. To help prepare members who are considering offering MAiD to their patients, Joule™ and the CMA have recently launched an advanced facilitated MAiD course. Click to learn more.

Let's recognize that community and the health care system are both important at end-of-life

April 10, 2017

Palliative end-of-life care programs are maturing in Canada, still with somewhat spotty application of resources and expertise. Programs in Alberta continue to be among the leaders, some with a 20-year history of cross-sectoral integration, hospice development, home care capacity, acute and long-term care expertise.

A tribute to Dr. Gerald L. Higgins

April 7, 2017

In the March-April 2017 issue of Alberta Doctors’ Digest, we pay tribute to a past editor of our publication, Dr. Gerald Higgins, who passed away on January 6.

Standardization of refugee care across the province

April 6, 2017

For refugees fleeing war and violence, Canada offers safety and the promise of a better future. But arriving in a new country can be overwhelming, especially for people with health issues. As the medical director of the Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic in Calgary, I see first-hand the struggles refugees face. Contributed by: Dr. Annalee Coakley

More from the Spring RF - and plans for a Special RF

March 29, 2017

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In my last letter I promised you more information about what occurred at the March 10-11 meeting of the Representative Forum. It was a particularly influential meeting in many ways.

RF’s direction to Board and work with sections ahead

March 22, 2017

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Representative Forum recently held its spring meeting on March 10-11 in Edmonton. A number of important subjects were addressed including an interactive session on future directions of the AMA, an update on Physician Resource Planning, a session on Health Information Exchange, and a session on Negotiations 2018 among others.

Cheese and crackers; sunshine and water; physicians and schools

March 17, 2017

Some things just go together naturally; they complement each other, are mutually beneficial and when together, result in positive outcomes. While it takes a plate to bring together some nice cheese and crackers, and a great day by the lake to join sunshine with water, the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club (YRC) is the platform for uniting physicians with students and teachers through the opportunities it creates for school health advocacy.

April 1, 2017 Billing Corner

March 16, 2017

The April 1 SOMB reflects only changes made pursuant to the Individual Fee Review of the Physician Compensation Committee as well as the SOMB Rule Changes Initiative. The April 1, 2017 SOMB scheduled adjustment (a cost-of-living increase) is being held back as an amount at risk under the Amending Agreement. A reconciliation process to be completed no later than June 30, 2018 will determine whether the payment will be made to physicians.

Is there a good app for that?

March 16, 2017

The interest in mobile health has grown exponentially in recent years with an estimated 200,000 health and medical apps currently available. While fitness applications (apps) have consistently been the most popular choice, more and more consumers download and use the plethora of other health apps available on all platforms. Standards of quality in apps have been slow in development.