March 14, 2024

In this issue:

• 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!
•  Apply for the 2024 Tarrant Scholarship
•  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

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

Medical management of BPSD

Case

Mr. Evans is 86 and presenting with a four-month history of escalating agitation in the evening despite non-pharmacological measures utilizing music therapy and a robotic pet. His past medical history includes moderate-severe mixed dementia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, STEMI, LBBB and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Issue

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) can adversely affect quality of life and function. It can pose a problem both in the community and in long-term care necessitating a higher level of care.

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors is a joint communication of the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. Articles are written by physicians for physicians prescribing in the care of older patients.

Read two important lab updates: supply ordering and microbiology requisitions

New lab supply ordering portal for community providers

Alberta Precision Laboratories’ new province-wide community provider online lab supply ordering portal will go live April 1, 2024. 

• To access the new portal and receive login credentials, all community providers must verify their account as soon as possible by contacting CPSMOperations.EOC@albertahealthservices.ca.
• This credentialing step is essential; failure to do so will result in the inability to access or order clinical lab test supplies.

For more information: Lab Supply Ordering Portal | Alberta Precision Laboratories (albertaprecisionlabs.ca).

New provincial community routine microbiology requisition

Please ensure the new microbiology lab requisition is available in your EMRs and discard all existing microbiology requisition forms. The new form was updated by Alberta Precision Laboratories on March 4, and should be used for routine microbiology test requests on community patients in all zones. 
 

The new version includes recent test changes and aligns with Connect Care terminology. Please note that failure to provide the required information may cause testing delays or test cancelation.  
 

Also note that EMR vendors have been provided updated versions of the microbiology requisition. 

• Find the new microbiology requisition form here.
• For more information, read the full bulletin:  “New Community Microbiology Requisition.”

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

One in 16 Albertans will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is key – 90% of cases can be treated successfully if found early.

This month, the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program is encouraging individuals aged 50 to 74 to prioritize regular screening with the Fecal Immunochemical Test.

As physicians, you play a significant role in encouraging patient participation.

Three new enhanced skills programs taking on their first residents in July 2025

The Department of Family Medicine of the University of Calgary launches three new enhanced skills programs which will take on their first residents in July 2025. 

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Program under the leadership of Dr. Rabiya Jalil.
• Chronic Pain Program led by Dr. Ted Findley. 
• Lethbridge Emergency Medicine Program championed by Dr. Charles Wong in collaboration with the Lethbridge EM team, Dr. Stephanie Brass and Dr. Sean Wilde.

The Physician and Family Support Program  invites original physician poetry submissions

PFSP recognizes the importance of the emotional and social aspects of physicians’ lives in their overall wellness. We are inviting Alberta physicians in any career stage to send in their original poems/prose to be considered for publication in the PFSP Perspectives column in future issues of Alberta Doctors’ Digest.

• Submissions (under 500 words, please) can be emailed to pfsp@albertadoctors.org. Please put the phrase “poetry submission” in the subject field of the email.
• We will acknowledge receipt of your submission. If it is selected for publication, we will work with the editor of ADD to determine when it can be published.
• For further information or questions, please email pfsp@albertadoctors.org, and one of our team members will get back to you.
• To see poems by your colleagues check out previous issues of ADD on the AMA website.

We need your help: Nominate a health hero for the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame!

The CMHF perceives health leadership to be inclusive of many professions and roles including doctors, researchers, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, policy makers - to name only a few.

Nominations of Canadians, living or posthumous, who meet the following criteria from the many aspects of health are encouraged:

• Leadership in building excellence in health for Canadians and the world.
• Leadership in health promotion, illness prevention and care.
• Leadership in research with national and international recognition for a scientific contribution.

Please visit the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame website for specific details on each category. Complete the nomination form and email it to annette.ross@albertadoctors.org by

May 1, 2024.

All suggested nominees are welcome!

Apply for the 2024 Tarrant Scholarship

Are you doing a third-year clerkship in 2024 through the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary? Do you have a particular interest in pursuing studies and career development in rural medicine? If so, you can apply now for the Tarrant Scholarship! 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email: RuralMedicine@albertadoctors.org. 

The application deadline is June 1, 2024. Apply today! Download the 2024 application form.

AMA members, pay the right amount of taxes

Sponsored article

When it comes to taxes, you want to make sure that you’re making the right plan for your current situation, and not paying any more than you need to. MD Financial Management understands the intricacies of a career in medicine and will work with you and your tax advisor to develop a strategy that’s tailored to your family.

Your MD Advisor* can:

• Help you optimize tax-advantaged accounts accordingly.
• Find appropriate tax strategies (e.g., incorporation, income splitting) for you and your career stage.
• Assess your current plan and past strategies, and adjust as needed.

No matter what career stage you’re in, MD can help you optimize your household’s tax strategies. Ready to join the more than 37,000¹ physician households who trust MD with their tax and investment needs?

Get started today!

* MD Advisor refers to an MD Management Limited Financial Consultant or Investment Advisor (in Quebec), or an MD Private Investment Counsel Portfolio Manager.

Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Perceived distinctions between research, medical, clinical and surgical innovation and their impact on professional practice.

Researchers from the University of Regina are recruiting for a study exploring how physicians practicing medicine in Canada perceive distinctions between research, medical, clinical and surgical innovation, and how those perceptions impact professional practice. The goal of this research is to inform future policy regarding oversight of innovative medical options, such as regenerative medicine.

Physicians can participate in this study by choosing to either partake virtually in an individual interview or by completing a short online questionnaire. Participation is voluntary and confidential. For more information, please email Dr. Amy Zarzeczny (University of Regina). This study is funded by the Stem Cell Network and has been reviewed and approved by the University of Regina’s Research Ethics Board. 

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...

March 6 member-only town hall - recording available. 

Updated fax number for Calgary Zone urology referrals issue

Upcoming events

33rd Annual History of Medicine Days Conference

March 15 & 16 

MD Financial Management's tax information session

March 20 

Media Relations 101

April 11 

Social Media 101

May 1

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:

March: 

Brain Health Awareness Week 
March 11 - 17 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

Declare yourself "in" for panel management support funding 

FAST expands General Surgery province-wide on February 26

In the March 14
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More from the AMA

© 2024 Alberta Medical Association; All rights reserved
 

The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.
 

The Alberta Medical Association does not assume responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in these materials. Advertisements included in our publications are not necessarily endorsed by the Alberta Medical Association.
 

The Association reserves the right to edit any submissions that are accepted to appear in any of our publications or platforms. Please consult our editorial guidelines for tips on submissions or advertising.
 

Our mailing address is:
12230 106 Ave NW
Edmonton AB T5N 3Z1
Canada
 

   Canada Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) - AMA compliance statement