October 26, 2023

In this issue:

• 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

Help Alberta get immunized:

Alberta's fall vaccine program has launched

Alberta’s immunization program began Monday, October 16, offering influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, free of charge, to all Albertans six months of age and older. The vaccine is available through public health clinics, local pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

Vaccines are our best line of defense against infectious diseases and physicians and health care teams are in the ideal position to educate patients about the importance of getting vaccinated. You can address fear and trepidation around vaccine hesitancy, identify patients at risk of serious outcomes with influenza and/or COVID-19 infection and reach out to patients when they are eligible to receive a vaccine.

Further information about the vaccines can be found through the following links:

Alberta Health

• COVID-19 vaccine information: All Albertans 6 months+ can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Influenza: Learn about influenza (the flu) and how to protect yourself by getting immunized.

Alberta Health Services

• Get immunized against influenza: COVID-19 immunization is also available.
• Influenza Immunization: Information for Health Professionals

Questions about the process/policy to administer immunizations in your clinic? Email health.imm@gov.ab.ca.

Call for applications: AMA Income Equity Initiative Dispute Resolution Committee

The AMA Board of Directors is seeking seven physician representatives for the AMA’s Income Equity Initiative Dispute Resolution Committee.

In addition to a robust engagement effort with all economic sections, the IEI Dispute Resolution Process was created to ensure procedural fairness and natural justice while providing a process for sections to bring forward what they believe to be errors and omissions in the IEI studies or measure.

The committee is tasked with examining IEI disputes brought forward by sections including reviewing materials from sections and the AMA Compensation Committee as well as developing final decisions.

Visit the AMA committee recruitment web page to view the posting and to apply. Member login required. 

2023 Tarrant Scholarship:

Congratulations Hailea Purcell and Tina Nash!

Hailea Purcell (left) and Tina Nash (right)
 

On October 12 via Zoom, Hailea Purcell from the University of Alberta and Tina Nash from the University of Calgary were each awarded the 2023 Tarrant Scholarship.
 
The annual Michael Tarrant Scholarship is bestowed each fall by the AMA Section of Rural Medicine. The scholarship funds one year of tuition and related fees for third-year medical students from the U of A and U of C who demonstrate a strong interest in and dedication to rural medicine.

Turning lost minutes into patient care

The Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management and Scotiabank are inviting non-profit organizations to apply for up to $1 million in grant funding.

The Health Care Unburdened Grant program aims to fund initiatives that help reduce the administrative burden facing physicians, giving them more time to focus on themselves and their patients.

Do you have what it takes to help change health care forever? Applications open on October 24. Learn more at cma.ca/HealthCareUnburdened.

Does your President's Letter come from a former president?

Are you seeing the names of past AMA presidents (e.g., Dr. Dr. fred Rinaldi) in the “From” field when you open your President’s Letter email from Dr. Paul Parks?

Unfortunately, this is not something we can fix from our end.

The problem may be in your personal address book, which associates the president@albertadoctors.org email with an earlier president’s name. Here’s how to correct this: Search your personal address book for the older contact linked to president@albertadoctors.org. Delete that contact. Create a new contact called “AMA President” with the email address of president@albertadoctors.org.

Why it's ok to delegate your financial responsibilities

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Financial stress is often a key contributor to physician burnout and it can take root as early as medical school once physicians begin to take on significant debt. When it comes to reducing stress and preventing burnout, obtaining professional financial advice can be one solution.

Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Seeking physicians to discuss pregnancy and reproductive services for women with disabilities

A research project within the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary is conducting interviews with physicians about their experiences as health care professionals in supporting individuals with disabilities within the current reproductive and pregnancy system in Alberta. Participation involves a one-hour interview and in appreciation for your time, you will receive a $50 gift card.

For more information or to participate in the survey, contact Eleni Moumos at eleni.moumos@ucalgary.ca.

CanMEDS open call for public consultation on physician training and practice
CanMEDS is looking for feedback on the competencies physicians require to meet today’s patient care needs. They are hoping to reach a range of diverse voices (physicians and patients) and give everyone the opportunity to provide input into what they feel should be included in the next iteration of the CanMEDS framework. The CanMEDS Physician Competency Framework sets standards and norms for physicians and helps define the values that guide physicians in caring for patients. Please complete the CanMEDS Project Open Call by December 31.

Research study: Culture and positive regard
The Teachers College at Columbia University is surveying therapists and psychiatrists in five countries (Canada, China, France, Israel and the US) on how mental health care professionals from different countries understand and communicate positive regard to their clients. Positive regard refers to words or behaviours you may use to demonstrate care, interest and acceptance of your clients. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact the study coordinator at mrl2191@tc.columbia.edu. IRB # 23-308

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. Please note that, unless explicitly stated, the AMA is not associated with or responsible for items listed in Community Connections.

In case you missed it...

CMA Awards: Nominate in one-step

AMA committee openings closing soon:

Committee on Achievement Awards - apply by October 31.

AMA membership renewal. Renew online

Fall 2023 RF Reports and Resolutions are now available online (member login required).

Upcoming events

Canadian Conference on Physician Health

Nov 3-4

Rocky Mountain Internal Medicine Conference

Nov 16 & 17

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Media Relations 201

November 16

1-4 p.m.
 

View all upcoming events on the AMA website.

Have an event you'd like to promote?

Review our criteria and submit your event.

Recognition Roundup

Below are special dates deserving recognition:

November:

- Fall Prevention Month

- Movember

- World Diabetes Day

- National Child Day

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Local doctors, local issues town hall meetings begin October 16

- Alberta's Pathway Hub now live

In the October 26
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More from the AMA

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