March 12, 2026

In this issue: 

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Delusional disorder in older adults
• Submit nominations for the AMA Achievement Awards
• Attend the next Transitions in Care Talk: supporting medically complex patients
• Advancing high-value care: committee opportunity and update
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • Updated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Pathway
  • Connect Care update: Unexpected delivery location for some future orders
  • Autistm Acceptance Week
  • Lab bulletins:
    • Changes to HIV NAT and HIV-1 viral load testing
    • Semen analysis requisition issue (Central Alberta)
• MD Financial
  • Avoid investment fraud
• Community Connections
  • Participate in Clinical Practice Guideline committees
  • Sinai Health - National Research Study

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

Delusional disorder in older adults

Case

Monique, age 63, is referred to geriatrics with concerns about worsening memory and attention. Brief cognitive testing shows minimal impairment, and she remains independent in her daily activities. During assessment, she describes a fixed belief that her neighbours have installed cameras in her home and are plotting to steal her belongings. How can delusional disorder present in older adults when cognition and function appear largely intact?

Issue

Delusional disorder is characterized by one or more fixed, false beliefs with otherwise minimal functional impairment. In older adults, diagnosis and management can be challenging due to overlapping medical comorbidities, age‑related cognitive changes, limited insight and increased sensitivity to medication side effects. Careful safety assessment and thoughtful treatment planning are essential.

This Optimized Prescribing with Seniors article explores:

• diagnostic features and clinical presentation of delusional disorder in older adults
• safety considerations and risk assessment
• evidence and challenges related to antipsychotic treatment in seniors
• barriers to treatment engagement and adherence

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.

Submit nominations for the

AMA Achievement Awards

The Alberta Medical Association is calling for Achievement Award nominations for individuals who have contributed to improving the quality of health care in Alberta.  
 

The Medal for Distinguished Service is given to a physician(s) who has made an outstanding personal contribution to medicine and to the people of Alberta, and in the process has contributed to the art and science of medicine while raising the standards of medical practice. 
 

The Medal of Honour is awarded to a non-physician(s) who has raised the standards of health care and contributed to the advancement of medical research, medical education, health care organization, health education and/or health promotion to the public. 
 

The AMA Award for Compassionate Service honours a physician who is AMA member and, during their career, has demonstrated outstanding compassion, philanthropy and/or volunteerism to improve the state of the community in which they are giving back.  
 

The Medal for Excellence and Achievement in Rural/Remote Medicine is awarded to a physician(s) who has made an outstanding personal contribution to patients of rural/remote Alberta and to the community(ies) in which they live. 

Nominations must be submitted by April 30. The awards will be presented at the President's Dinner at Reprepsentative Forum. 
 

To request a nomination form for these awards, please visit the AMA website.  

Attend the next Transitions in Care Talk:

supporting medically complex patients

Powered by the ACTT coLAB and presented by Primary Care Alberta, this upcoming webinar explores how integrated service delivery approaches can better support patients with complex medical and social needs as they transition between care settings. Designed for both primary and acute partners, the session brings together practical insights and system-level perspectives to improve continuity of care.
 

Join us on March 17 to hear from expert guest speakers:

• Dr. Michelle N. Grinman, Clinical Associate Professor and Deputy Section Lead, General Internal Medicine, Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary
• Dr. Ceara Cunningham, Senior Scientist, Applied Research and Innovation, Primary Care Alberta, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary

This eighth session in the Transitions in Care Talk series will share lessons learned, real‑world examples of integrated care programs and how better care transitions can improve outcomes for patients and the health system.

Advancing high-value care: 

committee opportunity and update

Applications to join the AMA’s new Peer Review Billing Committee are open until March 22, 2026. This physician-led committee will play a pivotal role in strengthening billing practices across Alberta by reviewing anonymized practice patterns and unearthing opportunities for improvement.   
 
Reporting to the AMA Board, committee members will work in a collegial environment to share knowledge, promote billing consistency and provide recommendations to improve the SOMB. Learn more and apply before March 22. 
 
Quality Stewardship Committee members selected 

The AMA has selected members for the new Quality Stewardship Committee, whose work will focus on advancing evidence-informed clinical best practices, shaping policy and enhancing patient care.  
 

Thank you to all members who expressed interest and generously stepped forward to contribute to this important work. We look forward to launching this committee in April 2026 and will share updates with AMA membership as the committee’s work unfolds.

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• Updated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Pathway
• Connect Care update: Unexpected delivery location for some future orders
• Autistm Acceptance Week
• Lab bulletins:
  • Changes to HIV NAT and HIV-1 viral load testing
  • Semen analysis requisition issue (Central Alberta)

Avoid investment fraud

Sponsored article

Investment fraud can affect even financially savvy physicians. Understand how scammers target medical professionals, the warning signs to watch for and how to protect your financial future.

Community Connections

Participate in Clinical Practice Guideline committees
 

Primary Care Alberta Screening Programs is seeking expressions of interest from physicians to join the Cervical, Lung and Colorectal Clinical Practice Guidelines Committees. 
 

How to apply 

Submit an expression of interest outlining your clinical background, relevant experience and interest in participating by Friday March 20, 2026 to the appropriate contact: 

• Cervical screening: Se-Inyenede Onobrakpor
• Lung screening: Stephanie Fisher Dortman
• Colorectal screening: Nicole Nemecek

Sinai Health - National Research Study
 

Sinai Health is seeking gastroenterologists, obstetricians–gynaecologists and family physicians to participate in a research study regarding physician perceptions and clinical practices surrounding IBD and fertility.  
 

Participation is an anonymous online survey that takes seven to ten minutes to complete.
 

Questions entail:

1. Crohn's and Colitis Pregnancy Knowledge (CCPknow) questionnaire (~2 minutes) 
2. Demographics questionnaire about yourself and your practice (~1 minute) 
3. Questionnaire about your clinical practices and perceptions surrounding IBD and fertility (~4 minutes) 

If you have any questions before completing, contact the study coordinator, Mr. Varun Srikanth 

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

Apply for the TDIMM/AMA Scholarship
 

The City of Beaumont’s Primary Care Support Grant program offers $25,000 one time grants to attract new and expanded primary care services

Upcoming events

WCB Alberta's 11th annual conference for community clinicians

March 21
 

4th Annual Hematology Update

April 11
 

Medicus and mocktails: crafting your retirement lifestyle

April 13
 

Heart of the Prairies

May 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

Brain Awareness Week 

March 16 to 22

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

March 16 to 20

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Submit your electronic CME Claims Form
 

Results of the CMA 2025 National Physician Health Survey

In the March 12
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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