MD Scope Archive

February 27, 2025

In this issue:

• New tool available - Remote cognitive assessment readiness infographic 
• Coming soon! Access training for specialists and team members with a caseload
• Fecal Immunochemical Tests: Are you FIT to order?
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories 
  • APL bulletin: Occult blood, stool testing
  • Feedback opportunity: LUTS clinical pathway 
  • PCN Pain Rounds: Trauma therapy in a person with pain - Dr. Elizabeth Matendechere 
  • Attend the ACFP Family Medicine Summit 
• MD Financial 
  • Last minute RRSP tips: What to do before the deadline 
• Community Connections 
  • Complete the questionnaire - Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition (CAN-PCC)

February 13, 2025

In this issue: 

• AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund - enroll now! 
• New ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration clinic opens in Red Deer 
• Use your CME dollars! Deadline to use CME allotment is March 31 
• One more day to complete the survey. Enter to win! 
• AMA seeks 2025 nominations for our highest awards 
• Extensive ACTT offerings the focus of new newsletter 
• Check out the first edition of the Alberta Netcare Newsletter 
• Now live! Access training 
• Attend WCB-Alberta's 10th Annual Community Physician Education virtual conference 
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories 
  • APL bulletin: H5N1 avian influenza
  • AHS mobile mammography service: Upcoming dates/locations
  • Virtual Opioid Dependence Program (VODP) 
• MD Financial 
  • MD Platinum™ Global Private Real Estate 2025 Trust webinar 
• Community Connections

January 30, 2025

In this issue:

• How is albertadoctors.org working for you?
• Interested in the new compensation model for primary care physicians?
• Thank a colleague! JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Document and results routing optimization on January 27: Reduced duplication and improved electronic delivery of clinical information
  • Mobile mammography service to visit central and northern Alberta
  • Edmonton Zone gastroenterology central access and triage (EZ GI CAT) officially launched (this item is for Edmonton Zone only) 
• MD Financial
  • Secure your financial future - Medicus Pension Plan^TM and your RRSPs
• Community Connections
  • Research study: Reducing STBBI stigma

January 16, 2025

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: When to deprescribe PPIs
• Employment opportunity with the Physician and Family Support Program
• Zonal/regional RF delegate election results are available
• AMA committee opening: Online applications now being accepted!
• You can still apply for the 2024-25 TD Insurance/AMA Medical Student Bursary
• Join the AMA ACTT Physician Leadership Network and earn CME credits in 2025
• Need help with PPIP requirements? We have webinars for that!
• Represent the AMA at the CMA Annual General Meeting
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Resumption of mail service
  • Reminder: Measles case confirmed in Calgary Zone
  • Enhancing care for Albertans living with diabetes
• MD Financial
  • Tax changes for 2025
• Community Connections
  • The Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine (CAWM) is seeking applications for speakers and workshop leaders for our 2025 conference
  • Stick it to Cancer charity hockey game 

November 28, 2024

In this issue:

• Last hours to complete CPSA survey re freedom of expression and CPSA's role 
• Physician Recruitment and Retention Support Program (PRRSP) launched this week 
• President's tour postponed 
• Physicians needed to interview applicants for the University of Alberta Doctor of Medicine Program
• Apply for the 2024-25 TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/AMA Medical Student Bursary 
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories 
  • Important notice: Canada Post disruption 
  • Change to distribution of reports for second trimester prenatal risk assessment
  • North, Edmonton and Central Zones only: Change to distribution of reports for first trimester prenatal risk assessment performed in Edmonton 
  • Free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests no longer available 
• MD Financial 
  • U.S election update 
• Community Connections 
  • Are you a clinician providing care to a person receiving home care services?

november 14, 2024

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Using cannabis extracts for symptom management 
• Elections are underway for Calgary and Edmonton zonal/regional delegates
• Billing Tips: Claiming for after-hours work over stat holidays (Dec 2024-Dec 2025) 
• Join WCB-Alberta’s Occupational Injury Service program and help your patients focus on their safe return to work 
• Apply for leadership positions with the CMA 
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories 
  • AHS Prehabilitation program accepting pre-surgical patients from across the province
• MD Financial 
  • I just inherited a large sum of money. What should I do with it? 
• Community Connections 
  • Seeking participation: Humble pie's secret ingredients 
  • Would you like to contribute to the development of trauma informed guidelines for pelvic health care?

October 31, 2024

In this issue:

• Meet the 2024 AMA Awards Recipients
• Congratulations to Dr. Christine Molnar, recipient of the Alberta Society of Radiologists Lifetime Achievement Award! 
• 2025 Primary Care Strategic Forum – call for speakers open 
• Attention family physicians and rural generalists! Register now for PCCM Panel Prep, Part 3
• Referral information available online for patients through My Personal Records 
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • Viral haemorrhagic fever testing and outbreaks
  • APL laboratories moving to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
  • Important: Fax number update for oncology referrals to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
  • FAST multi-specialty launch coming December 2
  • Edmonton Zone: FAST December 2 launch notes
  • Item for Edmonton, North and Central Zones only: Changes to reportable range for C-Reactive Protein (CRP at Edmonton base lab
  • Food recall due to listeria
  • Update: Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) kits
• MD Financial 
  • Everything you need to know before buying an electric vehicle 
• Community Connections 
  • Syphilis Treatment Outreach and Prevention Education (STOP) Project health care provider survey

October 17, 2024

• Call for Nominations Open – Zonal/Regional RF Delegates
• How might changes to the CPSA’s physician health monitoring affect you?
• Breast Cancer Screening in Alberta: Read the current guidelines
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Fall 2024 immunization program
  • 2024 RSV immunization program
  • Vaccine distribution update
• MD Financial
  • Private wealth management: Frequently asked questions
• Community Connections

October 3, 2024

In this issue:

• 2024-25 AMA membership renewal: United for the health of the profession
• Membership dues waived for Jasper colleagues
• Apply to join the AMA Negotiating Committee
• AMA staff announcements: Service milestones and retirement
• Got presidential ghosts in your mailbox? How to fix that.
• PCCM Panel Prep - Part 2 - Register for a session
• Have your say on the design of the new Regional Networks
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • Serum/plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total protein menu changes at multiple rural laboratories
  • Change in Respiratory Pathogen Panel Testing
  • For Calgary Zone - Specialist Link: Pediatric palliative care and suspected child abuse and neglect (SCAN)
  • Watch a Q&A about Recovery Alberta
  • Connect Care access not required for referrals to AHS
• MD Financial 
  • Medicus Pension Plan for incorporated physicians
• Community Connections 
  • Are you interested in shared care planning with complex patients?
  • Call for nominations - Dr. Peter B. R. Allen Lifetime Achievement in Health Award

September 12, 2024

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Treating chronic and neuropathic pain
• Apply now for the AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund board of trustees
• Canadian Medical Association available leadership opportunities
• The new Regional Networks: Participate in the survey
• Attend the first fall session of the Physician Leadership Network
• Congratulations to the new PCN PLE co-chair, Dr. Heather La Borde
• New MD Culture Shift: September issue
• Subscribe to the MAPS newsletter
• For those who love to rock... 2024/25 curling leagues are around the corner!
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • Reference internal changes for glucose in neonates
  • Transitions in care measures
  • Recovery Alberta
• MD Financial
  • How much protection does a power of attorney provide?
• Community Connections
  • Barriers health care providers face in managing female sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain

August 29, 2024

In this issue:

• Get ready for PCCM: Upcoming CPAR webinars
• Have you updated your AMA login?
• AHS Updates: 
  • Active health advisories
  • Mpox
  • Whooping Cough
  • Clinical Indications for Urine Cytopathology
• MD Financial 
  • Banking program for physicians
• Community Connections

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?

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