MD Scope Archive

August 15, 2024

In this issue:

• Register to attend the Member-only Town Hall tonight at 6 p.m.
• Notice of elections and changes to AMA Bylaws
• Preparing for new AMA website launch
• New webinar series: PCCM Panel Prep - take control of your panel size estimate
• Submit a one-step nomination today!
• New MD Culture Shift: July-August issue
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • AHS Long-COVID clinic closures
  • Clinical guidance for listeria exposure
  • Connect Care clinical documents: Address delivery method update
  • Updated Pathway Development Toolkit available on Alberta's Pathway Hub
• MD Financial 
  • What's the best order for drawing your retirement income?
• Community Connections

July 25

• Get ready for a brand new AMA! (Website, that is)
• Time to update your AMA website login credentials
• Be aware! Blood culture bottle shortage
• Additional diagnostic reports for patients available through My Personal Records
• Interim fax routing - Changing Connect Care provider communication method
• Changes to AHS DI appointment notifications sent to ordering providers
• Have your say in improving the new Pathway Hub digital tool
• Attend the ADM town hall on PCN transition
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • APL merging duplicative requisitions
  • Alberta wildfire information update
  • Cardiac test results available in My Personal Records
• MD Financial 
  • What's the best order for drawing your retirement income?
• Community Connections
  • AI scribe tools in health care study

July 11

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Managing falls
• Physician leaders wanted!
• 20 medical students each granted $500 courtesy of AMA's ADIUM Insurance
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Alberta Health update on tetanus, diptheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
  • For EMR Connect Care users: Improved Netcare access via Connect Care
  • Updated routine immunization schedule
• MD Financial 
  • Portfolio positioning as the Bank of Canada cuts rates first
• Community Connections
  • Patient questions, concerns and myths for vaccines

June 27

• Preventing Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: Two new vaccines
• Avoid excess lab testing: How you can help
• New AMA award celebrates rural/remote medicine
• Discounts on driver's medical exams: How will this affect your practice?
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
• MD Financial
  • The tax rules for common-law partners
• Community Connections

June 13

• The new Physician Comprehensive Care Model: Stay informed
• Apply to join the AMA Rates Committee
• New titles for AMA senior management team
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • New primary care measles resources
  • Paxlovid^TM funding changes
  • FAST launched gynecology in Calgary, Central, North, South Zones June 10
• MD Financial
  • Safeguarding your hard-earned assets is an important consideration
• Community Connections

May 30

• Your perspective is needed: Serve in the Health System Refocus Working Table
• EMR strategies a focus for Physician Champion Network webinar
• Connect, learn, explore: New Clinic Managers Network launches
• Apply to join the AMA Rates Committee
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Alberta Precision Laboratories: Reminder on measles
  • Alberta's Pathway Hub: Pathway of the week
  • FAST launching gynecology in Calgary, Central, North and South Zones June 10
• MD Financial
  • Rising capital gains taxes: To crystallize or not to crystallize – that is the question
• Community Connections
  • Do you have a connection with the historic Calgary General Hospital?
  • Building Healthy Communities: Mentorship and Resilience Project (MRP)

May 17

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Alcohol use disorder
• What do you think of your AMA section? Complete the survey.
• Learn how WCB-Alberta can expedite surgery assessments and procedures
• Two years of PaRx in Alberta: Are you prescribing nature?
• Are you eligible? Apply for the ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant.
• You’re invited to join the Physician Health Inclusion space on CMA Community
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), Edmonton Hub Lab phone changes
  • Research and Innovation Report now online
  • and more!
• New MD Culture Shift: May issue
• MD Financial 
  • Federal Budget 2024: Highlights for physicians
• Community Connections
  • Do you have a connection with the historic Calgary General Hospital?
  • Building Healthy Communities: Mentorship and Resilience Project (MRP)

April 25

• April 2024 changes to the SOMB
• It's time to prepare for wildfire season
• Does your practice see a high proportion of injured workers?
• Fecal Immunochemical Tests: Are you FIT to order?
• Student-led health care project aims to improve patient safety experience
• AMA Achievement Awards: Nomination deadline extended to May 15
• New MD Culture Shift: April issue
• AHS Updates
  • Measles updates from AHS and APL
  • COVID-19 vaccine update
  • Goals of Care Designations
  • Netcare eReferral changes
  • ADAPT project: Get support to improve transitions for patients with chronic diseases
• MD Financial
  • How new trust reporting requirements for bare trusts could impact you
• Community Connections

April 11

• Important measles updates from AHS and APL
• WCB fee increase update
• AMA committee openings: Online applications now being accepted
• Are you eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness?
• Interested in a +1 program? RSVP for the Enhanced Skills virtual information evening
• MD Financial
  • Webinar for AMA members - register now to learn about the Medicus Pension PlanTM
• Community Connections

March 28

• Provide your input on working with WCB-Alberta
• AMA President-Elect 2024-25: Call for nominations
• Use your CME dollars! Deadline is March 31
• New MD Culture Shift: March issue
• MD Financial
  • Investing through 2024 and beyond with robust portfolios
• Community Connections

March 14

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Medical management of BPSD
• Read two important lab updates: supply ordering and microbiology requisitions
• March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
• Three new Enhanced Skills programs taking on their first residents in July 2025
• PFSP invites original physician poetry submissions
• Nominate a health hero for induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame!
• MD Financial
  • AMA members, pay the right amount of taxes
• Community Connections
  • Perceived distinctions between research, medical, clinical and surgical innovation and their impact on professional practice

February 29

• Wanted: Physician input on WCB-Alberta experiences
• Declare yourself "in" for panel management support funding
• FAST expands general surgery province-wide on February 26
• Thank a colleague! JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program.
• AMA seeks nominations for our highest awards
• MD Financial
  • Get a tailored investment plan
• Community Connections:
  • ADAPT study on follow-up care recruiting family physicians

February 15

• Good faith claims billing information session
• Updated fax number for Calgary zone urology referrals issue
• You're making a difference! Enhanced lipid reporting a success
• Taking additional training? Are you eligible for a $7,500 scholarship?
• Applications for the 2024 Student Sponsorship Program are now open!
• New: MD Culture Shift - February issue
• MD Financial
  • Tax changes for 2024
• Community Connections:
  • Alberta Health Technology Survey

January 25

• Share your voice to help government and the public understand the crisis in family care
•  AMA Strike Team: Improving comprehensive primary care
• FIB-4: New test in Alberta to risk stratify patients of developing liver fibrosis
• General surgery to join FAST province-wide
• Alberta's Pathways Hub - Feedback wanted
• Now available province-wide: Family medicine - Menopause symptom advice request reason for referral
• Election results: Meet your new zonal/regional RF delegates!
• Want to help celebrate medicine's achievements? Apply now!
• Applications now open for Health Technology Innovation Program
• MD Financial Management
  • Should I invest in a TFSA or leave excess funds in my corporation?
• Community Connections
  • Your input is needed on assessing FASD in Canada

January 11

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Part 2 - Emerging acute or decompensated heart failure
• Patients requesting Novavax vaccine?
• TD Insurance/AMA Medical Student Bursary: Application deadline extended to January 14
• Register today: Online session on physician wellness and mental illness
• Physicians needed to interview applicants for the U of A Doctor of Medicine Program
• Expressing our gratitude
• HQCA now publicly reporting hospital care measures
• 2023 EMR Survey - the results are in!
• Join the History of Medicine Committee: online applications now being accepted
• New MD Culture Shift January issue
• MD Financial Management
  • U.S. tax planning considerations for Canadian "snowbirds"

2023

December 14

• CMA leadership opportunities closing December 29: Apply ASAP!
• Register for CaRMS interview prep
• Provincial Pathways Unit is looking for help from primary care providers
• Vascular surgery joins FAST
• New: MD Culture Shift December issue
• MD Financial Management
  • Here are some financial FAQs for medical students
• Community Connections
  • Chiropractors want to understand your perception of chiropractic care in Alberta

November 30

• Vote now: 2023 RF delegate zonal/regional elections
• Lung cancer screening available to eligible Albertans
• New online clinical decision support tool for patients in Alberta
• New pediatric functional GI education website
• Apply for the TD Insurance AMA Medical Student Bursary
• MD Financial Management
  • Preparing for the family meeting: How to talk to your children about your estate plan
• Community Connections
  • U of C CME&PD 2023-2024 needs assessment
  • Participate in a study on pregnancy care referral

November 16

• Your issues, media coverage, AMA in the news
• Vote now: 2023 RF delegate zonal/regional elections
• Are you contemplating retirement or are already fully retired?
• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Emerging acute or decompensated heart failure?
• Changes to lipid reporting and the LDL-C equation in Alberta
• Want to advise the health minister on health information management?
• Reminder: Community providers take action to receive results without delay
• New: MD Culture Shift November 2023 issue
• MD Financial Management
  • Preparing for the family meeting: How to talk to your children about your estate plan
• Community Connections
  • Research study: Medical education needs of myalgic encephalomyelitis
  • Disability and accessibility in First Nations health centre survey
  • Research study: COPD care
  • Talent Research Roundtable: Health technology in Alberta

October 26

• Help Alberta get immunized: Alberta's fall vaccine program has launched
• Call for applications: AMA Income Equity Initiative Dispute Resolution Committee
• 2023 Tarrant Scholarship: Congratulations Hailea Purcell and Tina Nash!
• Turning lost minutes into patient care: the Health Care Unburdened Grant program
• Does your President's Letter come from a former president?
• MD Financial Management
  • Why it's ok to delegate your financial responsibilities
• Community Connections
  • Seeking physicians to discuss pregnancy and reproductive services for women with disabilities
  • CanMeds open call for public consultation on physician training and practice
  • Research study: Culture and positive regard

October 12

• Local doctors, local issues town hall meetings begin October 16
• Call for nominations: Zonal/Regional RF delegates
• Apply today: AMA Informatics Committee
• Alberta's Pathway Hub now live
• Follow these steps to ensure you get lab, specimen and imaging results
• Alberta Medical Association/TD Insurance Stabilization Fund
• Presidential ghosts in your inbox?
• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• New: MD Culture Shift October 2023 issue
• MD Financial Management
  • Practice management team: Assemble!
• Community Connections
  • Are you interested in shared care planning with complex patients?

September 28

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• 2023-24 AMA membership: United for the health of the profession
• AMA staff announcements: Service milestones and retirement
• Family physicians needed for Caregiver-Centered Care: Physician Education Advisory
• Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA
• MD Financial Management
  • Meet Dr. Franco Rizzuti, AHS medical health officer and member of the MD Physician Council
• Community Connections
  • Call for Abstracts - Pediatric Academic Societies

September 14

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Nocturia
• Giving Alberta infants the best start to life possible
• Meet this year's recipients of TD Insurance AMA Scholarships
• New resource guide for physicians for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Congratulations to AMA Executive Director Mike Gormley on his retirement!
• New: MD Culture Shift Issue #24
• MD Financial Management
  • Should I invest in a TFSA or leave excess funds in my corporation?
• Community Connections
  • Focus on Caregivers: Active wellness for Calgarians under age 65 with dementia

August 31

• AMA committee openings closing soon: Apply online ASAP!
• AMA reps needed for Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs’ Advisory Committee
• CMA Awards: Nominate in one-step
• MD Financial Management
  • Investing as a physician: a primer
• Community Connections
  • COVID-19 related Moral Injury in Health Care Workers

August 17

• Notice of elections and changes to AMA Bylaws
• Members needed for several important committees. Apply online today!
• Register for town hall Connect Care conversation with Alberta physicians
• Do you have an up-to-date Privacy Impact Assessment? Time-limited offer.
• Thinking of a +1 residency in 2024-25?
• CMA Awards: Submit a one-step nomination today!
• Curl with colleagues this winter
• MD Financial Management
  • Bank of Canada: Another 0.25% hike, target overnight interest rate now 5.0%
• Community Connections
  • Level 2 Advanced Caregiver-Centered Care Education – all six domain modules now online

July 27

• Don't miss out! Claim up to $2,200 in CME reimbursement before July 31.
• Members needed for important committees. Apply online today!
• MD Financial Management
  • Canadians are living longer. How does that impact my retirement savings?
• Community Connections
  • Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for your and your patients?

July 13

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Constipation in the elderly
• Important committees: Members needed. Apply online today!
• Are you an Edmonton and area physician? Two special events to celebrate you!
• New MD Culture Shift Issue #23
• MD Financial Management
  • A guide to TFSA stock trading rules
• Community Connections
  • Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for your and your patients?

June 29

• A step toward anti-racism and anti-discrimination
• Medical students receive a boost from AMA's ADIUM Insurance!
• Lung cancer screening program expanding
• Want to help celebrate medicine's achievements?
• MD Financial Management
  • Medicus Pension Plan: Canada's first multi-employer pension plan for physicians has launched
• Community Connections
  • Educational needs assessment of Canadian health care professionals on myalgic encephalomyelitis
  • National survey of health care professionals' responses on domestic sex trafficking

June 15

• Claim your 2023 Continuing Medical Education allotments by July 31
• Connect Care surveys: Update from AHS and AMA
• AMA Committee on Achievement Awards: Online applications now being accepted
• New MD Culture Shift Issue #22
• MD Financial Management
  • How to use income splitting to keep more of your money
• Community Connections
  • Educational needs assessment of Canadian health care professionals on myalgic encephalomyelitis
  • National survey of health care professionals' responses on domestic sex trafficking