February 23, 2023

In this issue:

• Updated post polypectomy surveillance recommendations released in Alberta

• CPSA

  • Continuing Competence and Restricted Activities standards of practice take effect this spring

• Help protect children from medication poisoning

• Apply for the 2023 Tarrant Scholarship

• Replay privacy webinars

• MD Financial Management

  • Don't leave the important things to chance. Invest with purpose.

• Community Connections
  • Foster parent campaign hopes to recruit medical professionals
  • Calgary fitness venue in need of volunteer ringside physicians for boxing shows
  • Impact of Virtual Care on Decision Making Capacity Assessments

Updated post polypectomy surveillance recommendations released in Alberta

The AHS Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (ACRCSP) is pleased to announce the release of updated post polypectomy surveillance guidelines for the province. Recommendations for each distinct polyp type were developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary expert panel, including representation from gastroenterology, surgery, family medicine, pathology and nursing.

 
Most notably, the updated provincial guidelines reflect new evidence that low-risk lesions (polyps) do not require aggressive surveillance.   
 

Primary changes include:

• For a colonoscopy finding of 1 or 2 tubular adenoma(s) <10mm, the panel recommends FIT in five years.
• For a colonoscopy finding of 3 or 4 tubular adenomas <10mm, the panel recommends colonoscopy in five years.

These revised guidelines support practicing endoscopists, referring physicians and their patients to make evidence-informed, shared decisions with their patients.

Visit screeningforlife.ca to read the complete ACRCSP Post Polypectomy Surveillance Guidelines , summary table  and algorithm. 

Continuing Competence and Restricted Activities standards of practice take effect this spring

What does this change for physicians? With the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (No.2) coming into force this spring, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta’s new Continuing Competence standard and the revised Restricted Activities standard will also go into effect.

Help protect children from medication poisoning

For National Poison Prevention Week, March 19 -25, the Injury Prevention Centre and partners across Alberta are sharing messages encouraging parents and caregivers to protect children from medication poisoning.

In a five-year period (2018-2022) 40% of the calls to Alberta's poison centre, the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) involved children 0-5 years of age. 10,221 of those calls involved 10 substances. Half of the calls concerning the top 10 substances involved acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®).

You can provide parents and caregivers in your community with information on how to prevent medication poisoning using the resources created for the campaign:

• Postcards with medication poisoning prevention messaging.
• Posters, a Drug Facts Table Information Sheet, infographic, presentation and activities.

Apply today for the 2023 Tarrant Scholarship

Are you doing a third-year clerkship in 2023 through the University of Alberta or University of Calgary? Do you have a particular interest in pursuing studies and career development in rural medicine? If so, you can apply now for the Tarrant Scholarship!
 
The Tarrant Scholarship provides funds for selected third-year medical students from the U of A and U of C who demonstrate a strong interest in developing their career in rural medicine. It is bestowed each year by the Alberta Medical Association’s Section of Rural Medicine.

Replay privacy webinars

Did you miss the previous Privacy Boot Camp webinars on privacy training and preventing breaches? Don’t worry! You can watch the full recordings on Learn@AMA under Webinar Replay. If your clinic does not have access to Learn@AMA, find out more here. 

The third webinar about Spotting Privacy Risks in Your Clinic is on March 14 at 12 p.m. and is hosted by Alberta privacy experts. In that session you will learn key strategies for effective privacy risk assessments as well as implementing safeguards to protect your patients’ health information.  

Don't leave the important things to chance. Invest with purpose.

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Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Foster parent campaign hopes to recruit medical professionals
The Government of Alberta recently launched a foster parent awareness campaign called ‘Just Like You,’ asking Albertans to consider opening their homes to children and youth in care. In particular, the province is looking for foster parents with medical training and skills to help care for foster children with medical needs on a part- or full-time basis. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, call 1-844-957-0552 or email fostercaregiving@gov.ab.ca.

Calgary fitness venue in need of volunteer ringside physicians for boxing shows
The Southpaw Family Fitness and Boxing Gym supports the development of athletes, both adult and children alike. Its goal is to find a medical group who would be willing to support the ever-growing Boxing Alberta community. There are many perks included in this opportunity. Please contact Warren Grenier, General Manager to learn more: wgrenier@hotmail.com
 

Impact of Virtual Care on Decision-Making Capacity Assessments (DMCAs) - Study ID: Pro00110017
Health care providers who perform decision-making capacity assessments in the community, home living, supportive living, long-term care, acute care or rehabilitation institutions are invited to complete a survey that will determine the characteristics of DMCAs done virtually. Responses are anonymous and participation is voluntary, and results will be used to inform future virtual DMCAs.

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.

CMA leadership opportunities

The CMA is seeking applications for several positions. Learn more and apply.

New enrolment period for AMA HBTF!
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. Learn more.

Upcoming events

ACFP Thursday Evening Webinars

February 23, March 30, April 27, May 18 and June 15
 

AMA ACTT PCN Governance Training - Essentials
March 1, 7 and 9

4th Annual A.I. in Health Care Conference
March 10-12

Virtual Community Physician Education Program
April 22

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Social Media 101

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

Social Media 201

April 5

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 101

March 16

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 201

April 12

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:

February:

- Black History Month

- Psychology Month

- Rare Disease Day - Feb 28

March:

- Colorectal Cancer Awareness month

- International Women's Day (Mar 16)

- National Poison Prevention Week (Mar 19-25)

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Need $7,500 for additional training in a clinical area of recognized need in Alberta?

- CII/CPAR: Explore Going Live and Beyond

In the February 23
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale
- Services

More from the AMA

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