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From the Primary Care Alliance
The first-round results for the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) are in, and of course the number that stands out are the 42 unmatched family medicine residency spots across Alberta. This demonstrates the continued pressures being felt on comprehensive family medicine specialists and rural generalists in Alberta. In comparison, BC has two unfilled spots and Saskatchewan has none.
This is troubling news and reflects the present state of family medicine and the difficulties in our current environment. However, there are also positives to mention, including the recent Family Medicine Summit hosted by the Alberta College of Family Physicians. It was an amazing opportunity to meet some colleagues with a true passion for family medicine and reconnect in person. Both major provincial political parties were also in attendance at the event, and this happening so close to an election demonstrates a fact - the health agenda will heavily influence the upcoming Alberta election which leaves a window of opportunity open for engagement and change.
Additionally, the recent funding announcement by the health minister, while creating a number of questions is a small, but early positive sign. Also, keep in mind the MAPS (Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System) Strategic Advisory Panel and Indigenous Panel recommendations are due to the minister March 31. In addition, the Primary Care Network Funding Working Group recommendations will also be submitted this month. The minister has repeatedly stated publicly he is waiting for these recommendations and that a further investment in primary health care is required in our province. We will be looking to the minister for acceptance of these recommendations and quick actions including further funding announcements. Thank you to the dedicated participants for their efforts in setting direction for the future of primary health care.
I would also like to thank Dr. Sudha Koppula for her hard work with the Alberta College of Family Physicians as president, leading the organization during an unprecedentedly difficult period. She will remain in the past-president role and continue her leadership with the ACFP.
Congratulations and welcome to Dr. Noel DaCunha who takes on the president’s position. Learn more about his plans in this month’s message.
Dr. Brad Bahler
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
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Free Privacy Training for Community-based Medical Clinics
AMA is offering free privacy training tailored to community-based physicians, clinic staff, and PCNs on the Learn@AMA platform via computer, tablet or smartphone! Developed by privacy experts and Alberta Health, this training covers topics such as preventing and managing privacy breaches, risks and mitigation strategies, privacy impact assessments, and much more!
Earn up to 7.75 CME or Mainpro+ credits for completing these courses.
Register today and give your team the tools they need to keep your patients' information safe.
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ACFP Awards – Nomination deadline extended!
The ACFP Award nomination deadline has been extended to end of day April 18.
If you have a colleague or peer who goes above and beyond in their practice, nominate them for an ACFP award!
Now is the time to celebrate one another’s wins and lift each other up!
Nominate at the link below.
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Borealis Primary Care Network announced
The physician not-for-profit corporations (NPCs) for the Saddle Hills Primary Care Network (PCN) and the Peace Region Primary Care Network are pleased to share that both memberships unanimously endorsed a formal merger between the two not-for-profit corporations.
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ACTT Training available online
All current offerings from the Accelerating Change Transformation Team (ACTT) are available online through the Learn@AMA platform.
There is training available for different needs and roles with more curriculums continuing to be added.
We encourage you to take a look at what’s available and register for anything that fits your needs.
Learn more about ACTT training by visiting our website. |
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COVID-19 testing and isolation recommendation changes
Several updates were announced by Alberta Health this month as the province works to bring COVID-19 management more in line with other respiratory illnesses. Read more.
Connect Care IDs and resources
For zones that have launched Connect Care, or are scheduled to launch in May, community providers should use Connect Care IDs on all requisition forms. This ensures your patients’ diagnostic imaging and lab results get to you. Check out the following resources to learn more about Connect Care IDs and how Connect Care affects how you receive patient information:
Questions: PHC@AHS.ca.
Wood Buffalo Health Neighbourhood promoting community-level wellness
Find out how the Wood Buffalo Health Neighbourhood uses a collaborative, population heath approach to help primary healthcare professionals, along with their community, anticipate and address issues affecting their community’s health. Read the SCNergy article.
AMA/AHS webinar and postcard on diagnostic imaging results in MyHealth Records
The session discusses changes to diagnostic imaging results in both MyHealth Records and MyAHS that took effect on March 20. If you missed this webinar, you can view the recording and slide deck. To get postcards summarizing these changes, contact myhealthrecords and request copies of the postcard for your clinic. Make sure your request includes complete address information (including postal code), a contact number (including area code), and the number of postcards you need.
You can also get a MyHealth Records poster for your clinic.
Annual Family Physicians and Cancer Care: Strengthening Linkages Workshop
This workshop brings together family physicians, health professionals, and oncology specialists to discuss cancer-related topics. It helps build bridges between oncology and primary care communities of practice. For more information and registration: Strengthening Linkages Workshop | Alberta Health Services.
Rural sexual assault care – expanded
A new, online, micro-credential course is available for health-care providers. Enroll today to learn about assessment, intervention, evidence collection and court testimony. Government of Alberta Bursaries are available for those working in rural Alberta to cover the cost of the course. The course is aimed at RNs, NPs, physicians and midwives.
Get more information.
New breastfeeding policy and training courses
The new AHS breastfeeding policy supports consistency and standardization of practices, and enhances patient- and family-centred care. University of Calgary Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development is offering the CME AHS 20-Hour Breastfeeding Course that provides details on how to implement the policy principles. It’s free of charge and can be taken online at your own pace.
Interested in helping transform musculoskeletal care in Alberta for shoulders, knees, and low backs?
The Bone & Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network™ is actively recruiting both patients and providers for a research study to better understand experiences of the care received or provided for shoulder, knee, and low back conditions in Alberta. If you would like to participate or for more information, visit:
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