November 2024

From the Primary Care Alliance

I am pleased to announce that a new Primary Care Alliance Bulletin newsletter format will be coming soon!

I know that many of you receive multiple emails and other communication - often about similar issues or containing the same information. Your time is extremely valuable and so the PCA has decided to transition to a bulletin format in 2025. It will focus on PCA issues, and the work being done by the PCA to benefit member physicians. The bulletin will provide specific, timely content generated by or selected by the PCA and the chair as relevant to PCA members, family physicians and their teams.

This bulletin will be published on an as needed basis to reflect the business communication requirements of the PCA. 

The final issue of the monthly Primary Care News will be published in December 2024. 

All current subscribers to the PCA Primary Care News newsletter will be migrated to the new bulletin and will be able to manage their subscription preferences from within the newsletter when they receive it.

I am excited about the move to the new format and the PCA will continue to provide you with the content you value the most. 

Dr. Ema Gye
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
 

Sign-up for Access Training notifications and forget about it til 2025!

New AMA-ACTT Access Training is launching in early 2025. The programming will offer strategies supporting timely access to care for your patients.

Sign-up to be notified about readiness activities and when training goes live. Then, relax over your holiday break knowing you’re all set for when Access training is available next year.

Registration for the 70th annual Family Medicine Summit now open!

The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) invites you to take part in its preeminent conference at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, March 7-9, 2025. This signature event will offer both in-person and virtual experiences, streaming live and synchronously from the main stage for viewers at home while providing several conference sessions asynchronously on demand. As an added perk you can claim $100.00 off* your in-person registration with the discount code: PCA368. 
*Conditions and restrictions may apply.

AMA-ACTT events aim for another record-breaking year

Attendance jumped by nearly 25% for the most recent Forum convened by Alberta Medical Association-Accelerating Change Transformation Team (AMA-ACTT). Find out why the sold-out event was such a success. Registration for the next event, the 2025 Primary Care Strategic Forum, is now open!

Clinic Managers Network transitions in care session

AHS joins the AMA-ACTT Clinic Managers Network to present the Home to Hospital to Home Transitions (H2H2H) Guideline. This outlines the supports Albertans need for safe transitions in care from their communities to hospitals and back home again. Learn more about potential practices primary care teams can use to support better transitions in care. Wednesday December 4, noon-1pm.
Open to clinic or operations mangers. Join the Clinic Managers Network to register.

Other news

Join the AMA ACTT Physician Leadership Network and earn continuing medical education credits! 

AMA-ACTT invites you to participate with your colleagues in one hour sessions on topics developed from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (LEADS) framework. These virtual interactive sessions provide practical information and tools, as well as opportunities to connect with your peers. Sessions are repeated on two dates and times to give you attendance flexibility. Want to know more about the content? Check out these past session recordings. 
Sign up today and join the next Physician Leadership Network (PLN) webinar: Topics in Teamwork, Part 2: Leadership Styles on December 10 OR December 11. 
For your convenience PLN members receive calendar invitations to all webinars.

Need help with PPIP requirements? We have webinars for that!

AMA-ACTT webinars can help you meet your CPSA Physician Practice Improvement Program requirements. Visit the website and choose from several topics, some with multiple date and time options. Check back often as additional webinars will continue to be offered. 

Attend PCN Governance Training Essentials in the new year

Are you looking to learn more about effectively contributing to and influencing governing body performance while earning CME credits? A virtual interactive session for PCN Governance Training – Essentials is offered on February 26, 2025. This curriculum from AMA-ACTT introduces the governance of PCNs in Alberta, the structure PCNs operate within and the many functions, roles and responsibilities that contribute to optimal boards and committees. Enrol today.

Have your say on the Alberta Find a Doctor website

The Alberta Find a Doctor team is asking for feedback from family doctors and nurse practitioners to help shape the future of the website. A physician and nurse practitioner survey, which is designed to gather input from providers listed on the site, takes about five minutes to complete. 
Launched in 2019 by Alberta’s Primary Care Networks and operated with support from Alberta Health grant funding, Alberta Find a Doctor attracted 1.1 million visits in 2023-24 and is on pace for another record year. The main goal of the website is to make it quicker and easier for Albertans to find a family doctor, nurse practitioner or health team.

While traffic to the website has grown year-on-year and user satisfaction is consistently high, limited availability of providers in some areas has impacted its effectiveness. The AFAD team is exploring ways of improving the website for users, PCNs and providers. 
A user survey has also been created to gather feedback from patients/Albertans.
For more information, email info@albertafindadoctor.ca. 

Reminder: Fax number update for oncology referrals to the new Calgary Cancer Centre 

As all Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Holy Cross Centre cancer services transition to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AHS reminds those sending fax referrals to update your records and automatic dialing to the new Arthur Child contact fax number and main switchboard, immediately. Arthur Child referral fax number: 587-231-3580.

Update: Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) Kits

COVID-19 RATs can no longer be ordered through AHS. Clinics and providers may choose to order kits through their standard ordering and procurement operations.

Urology Netcare referral information available online for patients through My Personal Records

As of October 31, Albertans are now able to view referral information for urology consults entered in the Netcare eReferral system dated October 31, 2024, and later. Referral information will be viewable through the My Personal Records application and will include referral date, referring provider, reason for referral (specialty=Urology), referral status and referral status reason. Referrals sent to other specialties will be released at a later date. Get more information.

Access to Connect Care referrals through MyAHSConnect

As of October 4, Albertans who have had a referral through AHS or an AHS affiliate that uses Connect Care, will be able to see their referrals in MyAHS Connect. MyAHS Connect is available to all users with a verified Alberta.ca account, on their MyHealth Records page. No other sign up is required. Albertans with a MyHealth Records account can directly access their MyAHS Connect account through MyHealth Records. Find more information: Getting Ready for MyAHS Connect.

Watch a transitions in care success story

Find out how teams at the WestView Health Centre and the WestView Primary Care Network (PCN) collaborated to improve their transitions in care processes. Now, more than 98% of moderate- and high-risk patients have follow-up appointments booked with the PCN within recommended timeframes.
Watch the video story.
Find out more about Home to Hospital to Home Transitions.

© 2024 Alberta Medical Association

The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.

The Alberta Medical Association does not assume responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in these materials. Advertisements included in our publications are not necessarily endorsed by the Alberta Medical Association.

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