January 26, 2023

In this issue

• New enrolment period for extended health and dental coverage

• News from ACFP

  • Tonight: ACFP webinar on college complaints (and how to avoid them)

  • ACFP Family Medicine Summit savings end January 31 at midnight!

• Proclaim 'Privacy Week' in your clinic

• Welcome! Dr. Kimberley Kelly joins AMA Senior Management Team

• Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

• Thank you, AMA members!

• Will planning: protecting your assets and your family
• Community Connections
  • Pros and cons of new Narcotic Transition Service regulations
  • Have You Been Affected by the Recall of PAP Devices?
  • Accessibility of CT: Identifying underserved populations in rural Alberta

New enrolment period for extended health and dental coverage

The AMA’s Health Benefits Trust Fund Core Plan policy year has changed from September-August to January-December, so there is a new opportunity to enrol! Our annual open enrollment period runs until March 1.

The fund provides extended health and dental care not covered by the provincial health insurance plan. Depending on your needs, the fund can cover you and your immediate family and, optionally, your full-time employees as well.
 

Learn more about the fund and enrol.

News from ACFP

Tonight: ACFP webinar on college complaints (and how to avoid them)

At 7 p.m. tonight (January 26), join Dr. Dawn Hartfield to learn about identifying common types of college complaints, applying simple complaint-avoidant strategies, and handling a complaint that has been filed against you!

ACFP Family Medicine Summit savings end January 31 at midnight!

Register before 11:59 p.m. MT, January 31 for a chance to win back your registration or some great prizes! The  Summit kicks off March 3 with some introspection as Dr. Jillian Horton speaks on developing a culture of physician wellness. With on-demand pre-conference learning and a lineup of other valuable topics, it’s an event you won’t want to miss

Proclaim 'Privacy Week' in your clinic

It’s Data Privacy Week from January 24 - 28! Give your team the tools they need to keep your patients' information safe and secure by enrolling in AMA’s free online privacy training on the Learn@AMA platform. It is tailored to community-based physicians, clinic staff and PCNs, and developed by privacy experts and Alberta Health.

Welcome! Dr. Kimberley Kelly joins AMA Senior Management Team

The Alberta Medical Association is pleased to announce that Kimberley Kelly MD, CCFP(AM), FCFP, has been appointed Assistant Executive Director, Professional Affairs.

In her role as AED, Professional Affairs, Dr. Kelly will provide overall leadership and responsibility for the Professional Affairs Branch including oversight of the Physician and Family Support Program, funded by Alberta Health. She will collaborate with stakeholders to influence priorities and advocate for the interests of members, and to ensure that all initiatives support the patient/physician relationship and the ethical and professional duties and obligations that physicians have to their patients.

Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

The CMA is seeking applications for the following opportunities for an initial term are opening in August 2023:

1. Audit and Finance Committee, Member-at-Large
2. CMA Board, Director from Alberta
3. Committee on Ethics, Medical Resident Member

The CMA also has several positions where the incumbents are currently completing their first term and have indicated their willingness to serve for a second term; new applicants are not precluded from applying.

Thank you, AMA members!

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all AMA members, and to our committee members, section executives and RF delegates, for your contributions to the AMA in 2022.

This year, in lieu of the annual holiday reception with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, the AMA made a $2,500 donation to Food Banks of Alberta. In addition, the AMA and our staff made the following charitable donations:

• AMA annual donation to United Way in lieu of Christmas cards - $1,500
• Fall 2022 AMA United Way campaign – AMA staff donations – $7,675.28
• 2022 AMA Staff Christmas Auction – $3,606.28 contributions to Edmonton Christmas Bureau and Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter)

Thank you again for all that you do. Our organization is strong in part from your efforts and we are grateful for your leadership and commitment to the profession.

Will planning: protecting your assets and your family

Learn more about how to plan your will, the cornerstone of any estate plan in which you express your final wishes about the distribution of your assets.

Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Patient cases needed to highlight pros and cons of new Narcotic Transition Service regulations

Please submit case profiles by January 27. The AMA is seeking to understand the impact that the new Narcotic Transition Service regulations would have on patients. Members in the sections of Addiction Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Psychiatry and Rural Medicine are asked to submit cases that highlight benefits and barriers to accessing the new services and the complexities of the population with opioid use disorder. Submissions are anonymous and will be used for advocacy with government. We will also report back to membership.

Have you been affected by the recall of PAP devices?

Researchers are speaking with health care providers from across Canada whose patients have been affected by the June 2021 recall of many CPAP and other positive airway pressure medical devices.

Accessibility of CT: Survey to identify underserved populations in rural Alberta
 Physicians who practice emergency medicine in rural communities are invited to participate in a survey that aims to identify gaps in surgical care resulting from variable access to computed tomography (CT) in rural areas. Responses will help identify facilities where the demand for CT exceeds existing service levels, understand how this affects emergency departments and the perceived impact on patient outcomes. Study approved: U of C (REB22-0275) and U of A (Pro00122198).

Learn more or go directly to the survey.

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.

Reminders

Membership renewal

If you have not yet renewed your AMA membership, you may do so on the AMA website.

Upcoming events

Well Doc Alberta Narrative Series
February 2, 9 and 16
7 - 8:30 p.m.

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Social Media 101

March 7
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Social Media 201

February 8

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 101

March 16

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 201

February 15

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:

January:

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Delegate election results

- Optimized prescribing with seniors

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

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale
- Services

More from the AMA

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