July 10, 2025

In this issue: 

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: SGLT2 inhibitors in older adults - A valid therapeutic option
• Celebrating 50 years of PARA: Supporting Alberta's Resident physicians
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • Lab Bulletins:
    • Urine Toxicology Panels updated in North, Edmonton and Central zones
    • Delays in Urea Breath Testing
    • New fixed cell-based Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Testing
    • Measles Specimen Collection Pathway update
• MD Financial
  • Clearing early career debt
• Community Connections
  • Help test the new provincial primary care sleep apnea clinical pathway 
  • Seeking participants for study exploring racial discrimination experienced by health care workers

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

SGLT2 inhibitors in older adults -

A valid therapeutic option

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are a game-changing addition to the therapeutic arsenal of T2DM, offering strong heart and kidney protection with a low risk of hypoglycemia. Yet, their use in older adults — especially those who are frail — remains cautious. What makes prescribing these medications in this population particularly challenging? 

In collaboration with the Canadian Geriatrics Society, this Optimized Prescribing with Seniors article explores the evolving evidence and clinical considerations for prescribing SGLT2is in seniors. Through the case of Margaret — an 80-year-old woman with dementia, heart failure and recent complications including euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis — it highlights the delicate balance between therapeutic benefit and potential harm. 

Contributors Dr. Kara Hawker and Dr. Ripa Akter offer practical insights to help clinicians navigate prescribing decisions in complex older patients, with a focus on safety, individualized care and optimizing outcomes. 

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. 

Celebrating 50 years of PARA: Supporting Alberta's Resident physicians

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA). Since 1975, PARA has represented resident physicians across the province, advocating for their well-being and supporting their role in delivering patient care. 

Many current AMA members will remember their time as PARA members during residency — a formative stage in the physician journey. PARA’s work has long focused on empowering resident physicians as they transition from training to independent practice, helping shape the next generation of Alberta’s doctors. 

As PARA celebrates this milestone throughout 2025-2026, it remains focused on strengthening the physician community and ensuring resident physicians are equipped to serve Albertans today and in the future. 

We invite you to join us in recognizing and celebrating this important chapter in Alberta’s medical history. 

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• Lab Bulletins:
  • Urine Toxicology Panels updated in North, Edmonton and Central zones
  • Delays in Urea Breath Testing
  • New fixed cell-based Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Testing
  • Measles Specimen Collection Pathway update 

Clearing early career debt

Sponsored article

Canada’s new doctors start their careers carrying an average of $90,000 in medical school loans — and nearly the same amount of non-tuition debt. Dr. Ryan Toews knows this strain intimately: he had high lines of credit and student loans to consider when he joined the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Thanks to a rigorous but achievable plan, Dr. Toews was able to fully clear his line of credit in fewer than three years. 

Community Connections

Help test the new provincial primary care sleep apnea clinical pathway

A new provincial primary care clinical pathway for obstructive sleep apnea has just launched on the Alberta Pathways Hub. Help test and improve this new pathway by participating in a formal usability test. 

Participants should be a primary care provider in Alberta with a general practice (your practice is not specialized to a specific patient population). Session is approximately 60-minutes by video call. Time is compensated. 

If you are interested, please contact us. 

Email: sleepresearch@ucalgary.ca

Phone: 403-220-5838 

View a pdf of the pathway 

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Seeking participants for study exploring racial discrimination experienced by health care workers in Canada

The aim of the project is to better inform supports offered to racialized health care workers and policies aimed at reducing experiences of racial discrimination in health care settings. 

To be eligible to participate, participants should: 

• Be 18 years old or older 
• Live in Canada
• Speak and read English or French
• Self-identify as a racialized person (i.e., non-White) 
• Be currently or were previously employed as a health care professional in a care facility (e.g., hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or community health centres) 

Participants can take part in this project by responding to our online questionnaire (approx. less than 20 minutes to complete) and/or by doing an individual one-on-one interview (approx. 60 minutes). Feedback from physicians is of particular interest. 

Participation is voluntary and confidential. This study has received approval from the University of Ottawa Research Ethics Board. 

Take the survey now. 

To participate in an interview, email elisabeth.dromer@uottawa.ca.

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

Wildfires: Review your risk and coverage

Upcoming events

July CII/CPAR Connect

July 22 

Residency is just the beginning - Let's talk finances!

July 23 

Canadian Pediatric Dermatology Primer Conference

September 13 

Alberta Society of Radiologists 2025 Annual Scientific Conference

November 2 - 8

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

July: 

National Drowning Prevention Week

July 20 - 26 

International Self-Care Day

July 24

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

PCA Updates 

Congratulations to the 2025 ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant winners

In the July 10
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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