Events

Pearls for Family Practice: Assessing Patient Knee'ds

February 8, 2023

Understanding and applying the new soft tissue knee pathway developed by the Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network. This program provides an update and review focused on practical, evidence-informed pearls pertinent for practice in primary care. Topics covered include a wide variety of the diagnoses typically seen in both urban and rural settings.

Psychiatric Quarterly Updates: Opioid Use Disorder

February 10, 2023

The educational vision for the Psychiatry Quarterly Updates on Opioid Use Disorders is to disseminate new research findings and state of the art clinical practices to best inform the delivery of care for persons suffering from opioid use disorders.

Focusing on recovery: using narrative as an experiential tool to reflect on the pandemic

February 2, 9 and 16

A growing body of literature supports narrative-based medicine as a tool to share experiences and express emotion. This three-session series will be facilitated by Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk MD, CCFP, FCFP in collaboration with Well Doc Alberta.

CII/CPAR Connect

February 16

CII/CPAR Connect is a monthly meeting open to all physicians and team members who have questions about CII/CPAR.

Preventing Privacy Breaches

February 22, 2023

Grab your lunch and join AMA privacy experts to learn about stopping breaches before they happen.

2023 ACFP Family Medicine Summit

March 3-5, 2023

The Alberta College of Family Physicians Family Medicine Summit is back at the Rimrock Resort in Banff!

AMA ACTT PCN Governance Training - Essentials

March 1, 7 and 9, 2023

The PCN Governance Training - Essentials is targeted to new members of the physician not-for-profit board, joint governance committee, PCN non-profit boards, PCN executive directors and any individuals who provide direct support to PCN boards/governance committees.

4th Annual Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Conference

March 10-12, 2023

The AI in Health Care Conference is a hybrid interdisciplinary event that bridges the gap between medicine and computing science.

Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Workshop Level 1

March 15, 2023

There are complex and predictable clinical, ethical and legal implications when assessing decision-making capacity. These workshops will help the primary care provider navigate the process related to the Alberta Adult Guardianship & Trusteeship, Personal Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney Acts.

Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Workshop Level 2

March 15, 2023

There are complex and predictable clinical, ethical and legal implications when assessing decision-making capacity. These workshops will help the primary care provider navigate the process related to the Alberta Adult Guardianship & Trusteeship, Personal Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney Acts.

32nd Annual History of Medicine Days 2023

March 17 & 18, 2023

The University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine invites you to attend the national, two-day, virtual conference where medical, health care, history and literature students present talks and/or posters on medical history.

WCB's Continuing Education Virtual Conference

April 22, 2023

WCB Alberta is hosting the Community Physician Education Program — a free, virtual continuing education session.

Foundation Course In Occupational Medicine Part A

August 30, 2022 - May 30, 2023

The Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine, developed by the University of Alberta - Division of Preventive Medicine, is a distance learning course designed to provide knowledge and skills in the areas of occupational medicine encountered in family medicine and other community based clinical practice. It is designed to help community-based family physicians manage patients with work-related ill-health issues in their office.

ACFP Thursday Evening Webinars

Assorted dates in 2023

Partake in quality continuing professional development opportunities focusing on highly sought-after topics including chronic pain, addiction, harm reduction, and a series of broader CPD topics that will be chosen by members.

Social Media 101

January 25, March 7 and September 20, 2023

Please note this session will not be recorded. In this beginner session, members will walk away feeling more comfortable and confident in navigating social media platforms and understanding how to create strategic and engaging content for advocacy efforts, amplifying positive messages, mitigating criticism and more.

Media Relations 101

March 16, May 17, July 12 and September 27, 2023

Please note session will not be recorded. In this beginner session, members will walk away feeling more comfortable and confident in navigating social media platforms and understanding how to create strategic and engaging content for advocacy efforts, amplifying positive messages, mitigating criticism and more.

Social Media 201

February 8, May 10 and October 11, 2023

In this intermediate session, members who are already using social media are invited to learn tactics and tools to help make your social media life easier—more efficient and effective. Get ideas for creating content, managing engagement and building community, tips, tricks and tools to use social media more strategically and seamlessly. Social Media 101 is recommended as a prerequisite for this session.

Media Relations 201

February 15, April 12, June 14 and November 16

Hosted by the AMA's Shan Rupnarain, AED Public Affairs, with our media training partner Grant Ainsley, this is a three-hour session for those who anticipate doing a lot of media. It will involve working up messages, doing mock interviews, receiving feedback (and trying again if there's time). Space is limited for this session

Have an event you'd like to promote?

If your event meets our criteria, we can add it to our event listings. Review our criteria and submit your event.

More events

News and Latest UpdatesRSS

Reminder: AMA's media relations 201 training is next Wednesday!

February 6, 2023

Do you have some knowledge and experience with media relations but want to add to your repertoire? Next Wednesday, February 15, AMA is offering members intermediate training in media relations. Learn tips and tricks, do's and don'ts and practice with mock interviews. Space is limited. Learn more and register today!

Board digging into your issues

February 2, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: There are always many things going on in the AMA and I like to keep you informed about our current priorities even if the next steps or outcomes are still unknown.

MAPS Innovation Forum update

January 24, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Modernizing Alberta's Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative has been set up to recommend short- and long-term actions to strengthen primary health care in Alberta.

Alberta Doctors' Digest

January 18, 2023

The January/February issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest is now available! Highlights include: From the Editor - When the truth is arbitrary; Shine A Light - Dr. Cecile Phan; Dr. Gadget - Can doctors be replaced by artificial intelligence and more!

Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

January 17, 2023

The Canadian Medical Association is seeking applications for the following opportunities for an initial term are opening in August 2023: Audit and Finance Committee, Member-at-Large; CMA Board, Director from Alberta; and Committee on Ethics, Medical Resident Member. The CMA also has several positions where the incumbents are currently completing their first term and have indicated their willingness to serve for a second term; new applicants are not precluded from applying. Learn more and apply.

Tracking the care deficit

January 13, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today I am releasing our latest tracking data on the care deficit and the impact on patient care disrupted by the pandemic. This survey took place in November 2022 and we have been tracking the care deficit since summer 2021.

Recognizing our Past President

January 6, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Please join me in congratulating Dr. Warren on being recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

First retroactive fee-for-service payments coming January 13

January 5, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The first of two fee-for-service retroactive payments for the 2022-23 fiscal year will be deposited January 13, 2023.

Independent pharmacist clinics weaken comprehensive care

January 3, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have heard from many of you with concerns about the increasing number of independent pharmacist clinics in the province. This is an important issue.

Thank you and well done

December 23, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In these last days of 2022, the Board of Directors has one message for the membership of the Alberta Medical Association: You are all heroes.

Apply today for the AMA Physician Resource Planning Working Group

December 21, 2022

Representatives are needed for a newly formed working group: the AMA Physician Resource Planning Working Group. The deadline to apply is extended to January 13.

Section 40.2 is struck down

December 20, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Government tabled legislation December 5 to repeal Section 40.2 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act. This regulation enabled termination of the AMA agreement. Government committed to eliminating that provision as part of its commitments under the AMA agreement.

Special thanks to the Canadian Medical Association

December 19, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I want to share with you a letter of thanks that was sent to the Canadian Medical Association on behalf of all members of the AMA last week.

Zonal/Regional RF delegates - election results

December 19, 2022

Ballots for the election of zonal/regional delegates to the AMA Representative Forum were tallied on December 14, 2022. Elections took place in Calgary Zone, Region 4 and the Edmonton Zone. Acclamations were in Region 1 and 5. Who are the new zonal/regional delegates? Member login required to view.

BCP rate goes up tomorrow

December 15, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The agreement provides for an increase of the Business Costs Program rate from $2.95 to $3.59. This change goes into effect tomorrow, December 16. Current BCP program assessment rules remain the same.

Season's Greetings from the Alberta Medical Association

December 15, 2022

We hope that over the holiday season you are able to take time with family and friends to celebrate in a personally meaningful way. Most of all we wish you time to connect with and love yourselves. You are truly heroes. Thank you.

One-time payment coming - Three things to know and do

December 14, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The one-time payment will be issued by end of December. Most physicians will be eligible for the full payment. To receive your payment, you must renew your membership if you haven't already done so.

More measures needed to protect Alberta’s children during respiratory virus season

December 8, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ALBERTA – In light of the impact of this severe viral season on Alberta’s children, and in the context of the heavy strain on pediatric health services, the executive members of the Alberta Medical Association’s Section of Pediatrics are calling for stronger protective health measures to mitigate viral transmission.

Community Connections

December 7, 2022

Promoting a local charitable health-related event? Recruiting physicians and medical learners for a medical study? Seeking AMA member participation in a survey? The AMA receives many requests to promote local events, research participation opportunities and surveys to our members. We consider all requests based on specific criteria and general relevance/appropriateness to our members. Occasionally, we will consult with physician leaders as part of the review process. If approved, we can offer two promotion options.

Alert! Apply by January 27 for 2021-22 CME expenses

December 6, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Currently there are two separate Continuing Medical Education (CME) benefit programs to consider. Physicians have until January 27, 2023 to submit their claim for the $2,100 benefit for expenses incurred between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Repealing 40.2

December 5, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today government has tabled legislation to repeal Section 40.2 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act. This regulation enabled termination of the AMA agreement and its repeal was a commitment by government under the new agreement.

Effective December 1, daily cap on services is removed

December 1, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In case you missed it, Alberta Health sent a bulletin earlier announcing that effective December 1 (today), the daily cap on the number of services a physician can fully bill for will be officially lifted.

Planned website outage: Monday, November 28

November 28, 2022

AMA IT services, including email, websites and online member self-serve applications (e.g., AMA Fee Navigator®), will be unavailable the evening of Monday, November 28 from 6 p.m. - midnight. The outage is required to allow for emergency work on our fiber lines at our datacenter. Thank you for your understanding.

Program details you need to read

November 24, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I wrote to you briefly on November 2 and more details are now available. I have noted below things that you need to know or do at this time. For those who want to read more, links are provided for each item.

Daily cap temporarily removed, lump sum payment details

November 21, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Since our agreement with government was ratified, we have been making progress on various pieces of implementation. Today, in a joint news conference with the minister, we announced that there will no longer be a daily cap on the number of services a physician can fully bill for.

Administrator replaces AHS Board

November 17, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today the government announced that the Board of Directors of Alberta Health Services has been replaced by an administrator. We thank the AHS board for their service.

Advocacy for continued precautions in virus season

November 15, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As school settles in and respiratory viruses surge, the AMA has been advocating on social media platforms to encourage Albertans to take preventive precautions, including masking in crowded venues and, vaccination for COVID and seasonal influenza.

Quick update on Board activity

November 10, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors met October 27-28. It was a full agenda focused on implementing the new agreement and the implications for AMA business planning. I’ve written since then regarding some payments arising from the agreement.

Zonal/Regional RF Delegate - Call for Nominations Results

November 4, 2022

The deadline to submit nominations for Zonal/Regional RF delegates was 9 a.m. on November 4. Calgary Zone, Central Zone-Region 4 and Edmonton Zone will hold an election on November 14 with voting closing at 4pm on December 14. Delegates for the South Zone – Region 1 and Central Zone – Region 5 were elected by acclamation. Member login required.

Rep needed on AMA agreement committees

November 4, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Representatives are needed for two newly formed committees: the Management Committee and Rates Committee.

Apply today for two new AMA committees: Management Committee and Rates Committee

November 3, 2022

Representatives are needed for two newly formed committees: the Management Committee and Rates Committee. Both committees were formed in 2022 pursuant to the Alberta Medical Association Agreement. The Management Committee has overall authority to manage the agreement and the Rates Committee is responsible for operating and dealing with matters of physician compensation, plans and programs. The deadline to apply is November 10. View the terms of reference and apply today. Member login required.

A very short update: programs and payments

November 2, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This letter is for those who prefer very brief updates. Read on for information on items that members have inquired about.

Acknowledging all that you have done

October 31, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors met Thursday and Friday, September 27-28. This was our first meeting since the new agreement was ratified and an opportunity for assessing where we are and why as we move into implementation.

Airdrie: An urgent care situation

October 21, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As we adjust to the welcome realities of a post-negotiation environment and having an agreement with government, I want to assure you that our advocacy work will continue. Our health care system is still under immense pressure. As physicians, we have a responsibility to help Albertans understand what is happening and what is at stake. Our Care Deficit Assessment Series (CDAS) has explored some of those system-wide issues, including the crisis in emergency departments, children’s mental health and care of the elderly.
More news and updates

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