November 14, 2024

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Using cannabis extracts for symptom management 
• Elections are underway for Calgary and Edmonton zonal/regional delegates
• Billing Tips: Claiming for after-hours work over stat holidays (Dec 2024-Dec 2025)
• Join WCB-Alberta’s Occupational Injury Service program and help your patients focus on their safe return to work
• Apply for leadership positions with the CMA
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • AHS Prehabilitation program accepting pre-surgical patients from across the province
• MD Financial
  • I just inherited a large sum of money. What should I do with it?
• Community Connections
  • Seeking participation: Humble pie's secret ingredients 
  • Would you like to contribute to the development of trauma informed guidelines for pelvic health care?

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Using cannabis extracts for symptom management

Case 
Frank, an 82-year-old retired longshoreman, is admitted to a long-term care facility with moderate cognitive impairment, severe osteoarthritis of the hips, COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension, mild renal impairment and a history of GI bleed. He appears uncomfortable despite regular acetaminophen and frequently calls out when receiving personal care. Food refusal is particularly distressing for the family. He is considered to require antipsychotic therapy for his and the staff’s safety. His grandson asks if he could bring in some medical cannabis oil to help his pain and settle him at bedtime. 
 
Question 
Is medical cannabis worth trying for symptom management, and if so, how? 
 
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. 

Elections are underway for Calgary and Edmonton zonal/regional delegates

Elections are underway for Calgary and Edmonton zonal/regional delegates. Electronic voting opened November 7 to respective zonal members. Voting will close at 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at which time the ballots will be counted.

If you are a member of one of these zones and haven’t yet voted, please vote now (member login required).

Billing Tips: Claiming for after-hours work over stat holidays

This Billing Tip is designed to help clarify your holiday billings for December 2024 and all of 2025.

Join WCB-Alberta's Occupational Injury Service program and help your patients focus on their safe return to work

The OIS program provides expediated care through contracted medical clinics with two or more general practitioners. 

Being part of the Occupational Injury Service (OIS) program supports you in offering your patients with work injuries quick access to diagnostics and customized treatments. This network ensures workers receive prompt care with a focus on successfully getting them back to work and living their lives fully.  

How does OIS work? Employers in your area that have signed up to be part of WCB’s occupational injury services program call ahead to your clinic when their worker is injured. As an OIS provider, you commit to same-day appointment access, submission of reports and collaborative care with other health care providers within the program and WCB. The value of prompt care and timely reporting is reflected in a higher initial visit fee. 

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of being an OIS provider or want to complete an application, please visit the WCB OIS website. If you have specific questions, please contact WCB-Alberta for more information. 

Apply for leadership positions with the Canadian Medical Association

The Canadian Medical Association brings the profession together to advocate for vital health care reforms at the national level. 

The CMA is looking for physician leaders to help build a better future of health, health care and a thriving health workforce. The CMA has several leadership vacancies for an initial term starting in 2025. They include roles with the: 

• CMA Board of Directors
• Awards Committee
• Committee on Ethics
• Nominations Committee 

The deadline for eligible members to apply is December 31. 

Learn more about these leadership opportunities and how to apply.

AHS Updates

The following AHS updates have been provided for your information: 

• Active health advisories
• AHS Prehabilitation program accepting pre-surgical patients from across the province

I just inherited a large sum of money. What should I do with it?

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Community Connections

Seeking Participation: Humble Pie’s Secret Ingredients  

Are you a staff surgeon willing to participate in a mixed methods study exploring relationships between imposter syndrome, humility and self-efficacy in surgeons? Phase one includes completion of an online survey ($25 gift card or donation for participation). Phase two involves voluntary opt-in participation in a follow up virtual interview ($100 gift card or donation for participation). Please consider participating so we may advance our knowledge in this field; complete the survey and learn more!  
Study Contact: natalie.czuczman@albertahealthservices.ca 
(University of Calgary Conjoint REB Approved, REB24-0293) 

Would you like to contribute to the development of trauma-informed guidelines for pelvic health care?

Researchers at the University of Calgary have been developing trauma-informed care guidelines for pelvic health care with a group of multi-disciplinary health care professionals and patients who have experienced trauma histories and accessed pelvic health care. They are currently seeking feedback from health care providers from a variety of backgrounds about the proposed guidelines, including practices as well as potential barriers, and facilitators to implement these practices. 

The survey should take about 20 minutes and is best completed on a computer. The survey is approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board. The team is particularly seeking physicians working in the following areas: family practice, gynecology, urology, oncology and women's health. 

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...

Time is running out to submit your speaker proposal for the 2025 Primary Care Strategic Forum

Upcoming events

Medical Record Keeping

November 15 

36th Annual Cardiovascular Update for the Practicing Physician

November 16 

H2H2H: Transitions in Care Talk

November 21 

Navigating the inner storms of uncertainty

November 28

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:

Movember 

Fall Prevention Month 

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

Meet the 2024 AMA Awards Recipients 

AHS Updates

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

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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