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)

New tool available - Remote cognitive assessment readiness infographic

This tool, provided by the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), is designed to help clinicians determine if a patient is an appropriate candidate for cognitive assessment via telemedicine. 

The remote cognitive assessment readiness tool:

• Lists important considerations for conducting cognitive assessment remotely. 
• Is based on scientific evidence.
• Was developed by experts using a Delphi group consensus method. 

Download the pdf. 

If you find this tool useful and/or would like to provide feedback, complete this short feedback form.

Coming soon! Access training for specialists and team members with a caseload

Sign-up to get notifications when new training and resources go live. The new curriculum shares strategies to support timely access to care for your patients. 

If you’re interested in taking the AMA-ACTT courses, make sure you have a Learn@AMA account. Don’t have an account? Sign-up now. 

Fecal Immunochemical Tests:

Are you FIT to order?

Colorectal cancer screening with the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) saves lives. 3% of individuals with a positive FIT will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 25% will have an advanced adenoma. Early detection and appropriate follow-up significantly improve patient outcomes. 

For screening to be effective, it must be used correctly. Before ordering FIT, remember these three key points: 

1. A positive FIT should not be repeated 
   A positive FIT warrants a colonoscopy referral - not a repeat test. Repeating FIT does not change the need for further investigation and may delay care. 
2. FIT is for asymptomatic individuals only 
   FIT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits) require investigation and/or a referral, not FIT. 
3. Review FIT interval after colonoscopy 
   After a normal colonoscopy, FIT screening is not needed for 10 years. If the procedure quality is uncertain, consider five years. Follow the Recommendations for Post-Polypectomy Surveillance for abnormal findings. 

By detecting and removing precancerous polyps, colonoscopy helps prevent colorectal cancer. When detected early, 90% of cases can be treated successfully.  

For more information visit Screening for Life.

AHS Updates

The following AHS updates have been provided for your information: 

• 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

Last minute RRSP tips:

What to do before the deadline

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Get practical insights into both immediate decisions and long-term planning. 

Community Connections

Canadian Guidelines for Post-COVID-19 Condition (CAN-PCC) - Impact evaluation

The evaluation team at the University of Alberta is seeking health care providers and persons with lived post-COVID-19 experience, including caregivers, to complete an online questionnaire to share their awareness, attitudes, ease of access and intentions to use the CAN-PCC guidelines. 

Those who complete the questionnaire will be entered for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. 

The deadline to complete the questionnaire is March 9, 2025.

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...

Use your CME dollars!

Upcoming events

Life as a physician: Exploring our experience through narrative medicine

March 4

PCPCM Info Session: Understanding the PCPCM Ministerial Order

March 5

WCB-Alberta's 10th Annual Community Physician Education virtual conference

March 15

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

March:

Brain Health Awareness Month

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

International Women's Day

March 8

National Poison Prevention Week

March 16 - 22

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

AHS Updates

AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund - enroll now!

In the February 27
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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