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Office building code changes: What physicians should know

June 10, 2019

As of April 1, 2019, the province of Alberta has changed its building code to improve the accessibility of doctors’ offices for people with physical and auditory disabilities. The changes make it easier for people with disabilities to enter the doctor's office and exam area, but also make examining a patient - especially a person with a physical disability - more appropriate for both patient and doctor. What will these changes look like?

Are you our next Dr. Gadget?

June 10, 2019

Are you an AMA member interested in medical technology? We're searching for a writer for our popular Alberta Doctors' Digest column, Dr. Gadget!

Who won the 2019 AMA student sponsorships?

June 3, 2019

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.

High Level Fire Update

May 31, 2019

UPDATED! AMA members may be wondering how colleagues from High Level are fairing in the current wildfire evacuation. As the second week of the evacuation of High Level comes to an end, I wanted to touch base. The AMA Board of Directors is meeting today and your plight was discussed. You have our sympathy and best wishes for a swift, safe return to your community. In the meantime, we can continue to offer information that may be helpful:

AMA Youth Run Club volunteer opportunities for 2019

May 22, 2019

Calling all interested AMA members! There are several school-based, YRC Fun Runs scheduled across the province in May and June. Find out more about these volunteer opportunities that require minimal time and deliver maximum reward.:

May-June 2019 Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

May 16, 2019

Highlights in this issue: Med students focus on personal health and wellness; Growing the AMA Youth Run Club’s inclusivity; A physician’s approach to the unvaccinated teenager; What exactly are cyber attacks? ...And a lot more!

Board planning: Working with a new government and supporting members

May 15, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: At our annual planning retreat in a few weeks, the Board will be bringing together months of environmental scanning, analysis and discussion around the Board table. We will be planning for the year ahead in the interests of members and with a new government. Today I wanted to give you a sense of what that has involved.

Meet us in Red Deer for the 92nd Annual North/South Doctors’ Golf Tournament!

May 15, 2019

On Monday, June 17, head over to the prestigious Red Deer Golf and Country Club for 18 holes of premium golf (your choice of stroke or scramble play), two hot and delicious meals, excellent prizes, souvenirs, sponsor offerings and more. This important charitable event is Alberta’s longest-running golf tournament and all proceeds and sponsorship dollars raised directly fund medical student bursaries. Registration closes June 12, 12 p.m.

Introducing the AMA mobile app!

May 14, 2019

The AMA App is our latest in digital innovation for members. Use to app to access to your favorite AMA digital content; at your fingertips and on the go including the Fee Navigator®, President’s letter, AMA news and events, News for Docs, membership information …and more!

Primary care physician needed for ACRCSP Advisory Committee

May 14, 2019

The AMA is looking for a primary care physician to represent the Alberta Medical Association on the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Advisory Committee (ACRCSP AC). The ACRCSP AC provides oversight and advice to support effective, population-based colorectal cancer screening programs in Alberta. The advisory committee meets twice a year (June and December) for a half day meeting in Calgary.

AMA President-Elect 2019-20 Election

May 8, 2019

Dr. Paul Boucher has been acclaimed to the position of Alberta Medical Association President-Elect for 2019-20. Dr. Boucher will assume the President-Elect role on September 28, at the close of the Fall 2019 Representative Forum meeting.

Executive Director (1.0 FTE)

May 7, 2019

The Bonnyville and Cold Lake Primary Care Networks are recruiting for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director of the BVPCN and the CLPCN is an executive position reporting to both the Bonnyville and Cold Lake elected physician Boards of Directors.

Introducing Healthy Working Environments initiative

May 3, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Like me, perhaps you have lately observed a surge of headlines, reports and journal articles like these: "Why focusing on professional burnout is not enough", "Task force launched to tackle sexual harassment", "Addressing gender equity and diversity in Canada’s medical profession", "Understanding how patients perceive physician wellness and its links to patient care", "Most doctors have little or no management training, and that’s a problem." Almost a year ago, the AMA Board sat down at our annual business planning retreat and considered the convergence of these issues – in both our profession and society at large. Respect. Diversity. Inclusion. Leadership. Wellness. All of these things are relevant to AMA members and absolutely necessary if we are to play a leadership role in the system.

An Update on Income Equity Initiative and Overhead Study

April 25, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In the March 25 President’s Letter, I wrote to you about the overhead (office expenses) study under the Income Equity Initiative. Concerns have been raised by the Representative Forum and sections about the results provided by Deloitte. In response, the Board has formed a small working group with delegates from the Specialty Care Alliance and sections of General Practice and Rural Medicine. The working group will review what has been provided and then recommend (i) what, if any, elements of the study are usable and (ii) next steps for ensuring usable overhead information for use in the IEI.

Influenza Immunization Program newsletter

April 9, 2019

The Influenza Immunization Program for 2018-2019 is coming to an end with the exception of children who require a second dose of influenza vaccine. Eligible children will be able to receive this second dose of influenza vaccine up to and including April 30, 2019 at their local public health office. As of March 30, 2019, 1,304,111 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta. Thank you for your support of the Alberta Influenza Immunization Program.

AMA President-Elect: Call for nominations

April 4, 2019

The Call for Nominations period for the 2019-20 president-elect is open. Nominations are due by 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 8.

RF Highlights

March 25, 2019

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: An excellent Representative Forum was held March 15-16 in Calgary. I’m writing to give you a brief summary of what happened. You’ll hear more on these topics in future letters.

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.

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.

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