Dear Members,
Today we are launching a major advertising campaign.
The main message is this: Government is not listening to physicians. Decisions are being made without application of relevant expertise. Our system needs informed reform.
We are telling Albertans that their care and well being are at risk – and asking them to tell government to listen to Alberta’s doctors when we say: This cannot continue. Patient care is at stake.
The campaign is only one way we will push government to honour its promises and listen to patients and physicians instead of management consultants. It is a multi-media campaign that will run over an extended period. New tactics will be employed as we go. We begin with digital and social media advertising, billboards, a campaign website and (with your help) community-based advertising via posters in physician offices. DOWNLOAD and post yours today!
For acute care physicians, posters are a no-go, so here is the QR code linking to the campaign website that you can share via your phone. If you are interested in having printed materials that are suitable to your workspace, let me know by replying to this letter.
There are more activities underway. Watch for what’s next and for information about things you can do to ensure that you are part of this important advocacy. On that note, this Thursday evening (October 3, 7 - 8 p.m.) I will join Dr. Sarah Bates, Section of Family Medicine President and Dr. Paul Parks, AMA Past President for a virtual town hall meeting to update members on work that’s been done to date on the Physician Comprehensive Care Model (PCCM) and what will happen next. Please REGISTER and join us if you can.
Our patients are suffering needlessly. They are paying the costs of government inaction. Physicians want to provide the care we are trained to provide. We want to do so in an environment that meets our professional and business requirements and allows us to remain healthy and burnout-free.
This should not be too much to ask. In fact, we demand it. Today we begin a new phase.
Sincerely,
Shelley Duggan, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association
P.S. If my President’s Letters still show as coming from Paul Parks in your inbox, this happens annually and there is a fix you can do.
The UCP government is not listening to physicians and will continue not listen. Even though Albertans rely on physicians to diagnose, treat and monitor our health I believe there is a disconnect between Albertans as voters and physicians. The AMA needs to develop a strategy that brings other health care professionals\/providers and patients into your campaigns that brings relevance. You need to reach the UCP through voters, we are just sitting back and letting you fight for us…. You need to engage us and somehow bring us on board. We need you… we don’t understand the short and long term consequences of the UCP not listening.
This government hasn’t listened to anyone about anything. They need to get off their butts and get this funding agreement out there, like they promised. Without it, our system will crash & burn and may not be fixable. Come on UCP government, do your job!!!
Change is needed. No private health care, no covenant health.
I want doctors to know that most members of the public value them and the work they do. I appreciate my family doc more than words can ever say. I’m so sorry that you are working with a science denying government that has treated you so poorly. I’m sending letters, but I fear they fall on deaf ears. I hope you are able to continue to fight the good fight, but understand if you can’t.
I\'m feel so bad about the mistreatment of our Health Care workers and Doctors. The UCP do not care.
Support Doctors and allied healthcare. The Alberta government needs to stop bonuses paid to AHS and Covenant Health executives administration and managers paid by the taxpayers for creating this mess. Redirect those funds in supporting Physicians and healthcare staff. Clean up the sunshine list. Health care is top heavy instead of Physician and allied healthcare staff heavy. Support Physicians. Albertans need our Doctors.
UPC needs to listen to our doctors and get them what they need to do their job properly and that includes wages and time. And they need more than Danielle Smith\'s opinion because she is just one person she does not speak for the rest of albertans