Women's Health in the Care Deficit - Issue 2 in our series

May 2, 2022

Dear Members,
 
Today I am releasing a new topic in the AMA’s Care Deficit Assessment Series.
 
In March, Issue 1 addressed pediatric mental health. Today’s topic is the impact of the COVID care deficit on women’s health, encompassing obstetrical and gynecological care, but also the impact on women with respect to the multiple roles they play and the social, economic and health-care consequences they have faced. We have produced an executive summary, a full-length paper and a one-pager set of physician talking points.
 
I extend a big “Thank You” to:

• The Joint Physician Advocacy Committee for continuing to provide direction on topics and priorities in our health care system.
• The content expert physicians from obstetrics and gynecology who contributed to this issue in our series, and then enthusiastically made the first draft better by involving their peers.
• Other content contributors who are currently working with staff to build out the next issue papers on a growing list of topics including: care of the elderly; dermatology and melanoma; breast reconstruction and cancer care; and thrombosis care.

JPAC is very grateful for suggestions (such as thrombosis care) that are beginning to arrive from members who want to draw attention to their particular corners of the care deficit. You can suggest a topic, too, by emailing JPAC@albertadoctors.org. 
 
The motto of the Care Deficit Assessment Series is: “It will take all of us, working together, to recover from the care deficit.” That means bringing together physicians, patients, government, Alberta Health Services and all system partners wherever we can. If you have a chance to talk to anyone about these issues, I would be very grateful if you would use these talking points to contribute to the conversations that will be needed.
 
Please let me know what you think about Issue 2 (or anything else that’s on your mind). I can always be reached at president@albertadoctors.org.

National Physicians Day

While I've got you, I didn't want to let the day go by without recognizing that yesterday, May 1, was National Physicians Day – Canada's day to celebrate the contributions of physicians to their patients, communities and the profession. We are grateful for the hard work, passion and dedication put forward by Alberta's physicians, resident physicians and medical students.
 
The AMA celebrated National Physicians Day by shining a spotlight on the following specialties: general pathology, medical genetics, palliative care, rural family medicine and women's health.
 
I will write again soon, including about the upcoming Spring Representative Forum, Part Two, which is being held May 13-14, and the Board of Directors meeting and strategy retreat June 2-4.
 
Sincerely,

Vesta Michelle Warren, MD, CCFP, FCFP
President, Alberta Medical Association