April 25, 2024

In this issue:

• April 2024 changes to the SOMB
• It's time to prepare for wildfire season
• Does your practice see a high proportion of injured workers?
• Fecal Immunochemical Tests: Are you FIT to order?
• Student-led health care project aims to improve patient safety experience
• AMA Achievement Awards: Nomination deadline extended to May 15
• New MD Culture Shift: April issue
• AHS Updates
  • Measles updates from AHS and APL
  • COVID-19 vaccine update
  • Goals of Care Designations
  • Netcare eReferral changes
  • ADAPT project: Get support to improve transitions for patients with chronic diseases
• MD Financial
  • How new trust reporting requirements for bare trusts could impact you
• Community Connections

April 2024 changes to the SOMB

Learn about the latest billing changes to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Schedule of Medical Benefits. The AMA's Billing Corner keeps members up to date on billing changes to the SOMB. 

It's time to prepare for wildfire season

This year’s wildfire season is off to an early and busy start. Much of Alberta is experiencing very high to extreme drought conditions and there have already been evacuation alerts in certain parts of the province. Wildfire officials are urging Albertans to be prepared for any eventuality. 
 
With that in mind, the AMA has gathered some information for members about various insurance options and encourages you to consider your situation and your risk so you can ensure you have sufficient coverage. In previous fire seasons government has indicated they will not compensate physicians whose practices were displaced due to wildfire evacuations and instead directs physicians to utilize personal commercial insurance. While we hope it won’t be necessary this season, we wanted to provide the information now so you can apply for any new or additional insurance coverage you may need. 
 
As the wildfire season intensifies, the AMA will use our social media platforms and website to share important information. Members can also contact us at amamail@albertadoctors.org.
 
We encourage everyone to watch for updates and to visit the AHS Wildfire Resources page for more information.

Does your practice see a high proportion of injured workers?

Do you practice one of the following specialties that sees a higher proportion of injured workers?

• Occupational Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Plastic Surgery
• General Surgery
• Family Medicine
• Rural Medicine

We need your input about your experiences working with WCB-Alberta! We will be meeting with WCB-AB this summer in anticipation of negotiations. The negotiating team needs to hear directly from members about the experiences you’ve had in working with WCB-Alberta, including:

• Thoughts regarding recent changes.
• Concerns, conflicts and challenges.
• Opportunities for improved processes.
• Any other thoughts you may have that should be brought forth to the negotiating table.

Please provide your comments directly to wcbnegotiations@albertadoctors.org. We thank you in advance for providing your valuable feedback.

Fecal Immunochemical Tests:

Are you FIT to order?

Screening with FIT saves lives – over 90% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases can be treated effectively if caught early. CRC remains among the deadliest cancers in Alberta, emphasizing the importance of regular screening.

However, screening must be appropriate to be effective. Here are three key considerations before ordering FIT:

FIT is for asymptomatic patients
FIT should not be used as a diagnostic test. Patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms should be investigated and/or referred for consultation as appropriate. Case management should not be delayed by FIT results.

A positive FIT should not be repeated
All individuals with a positive FIT should be referred for colonoscopy. Repeat tests, regardless of the result, do not change the recommendation for follow-up.

Review FIT interval after colonoscopy
Patients can wait 10 years before resuming FIT testing after a normal colonoscopy (consider 5 years if the quality of the procedure is uncertain). Prior abnormal findings may warrant earlier testing – refer to the Recommendations for Post-Polypectomy Surveillance.

Only 40% of eligible patients aged 50 to 74 are up to date with FIT screening– be part of the effort to reach the provincial target of 60%. For more information visit screeningforlife.ca. 

Student-led health care project aims to improve patient safety experience

This June, the first cohort of Quality and Safety Leadership (QSL) master’s students will be graduating from University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine.

Consuelo “Coty” Ong is a master’s student in QSL working with Dr. Jennifer Thull-Freedman on a project that uses co-design to improve patient experience with safety for families of pediatric patients. The co-design team, based at Alberta Children’s Hospital, learned that psychological safety plays a foundational role in the safety experience for patients, families and health care providers. “Families shared with us that observing psychological safety amongst health care providers when being admitted is essential and contributes to their sense of safety,” says Ong. The team is co-designing a family-focused definition of safety, a corresponding measure, an improvement aim and suggested change ideas.

About
The Quality and Safety Leadership stream, available as a specialization in University of Calgary’s Precision Health Program, is accepting applications until May 31, 2024. QSL provides clinicians and clinical administrators with the operational and leadership skills to implement effective quality improvement and safety initiatives within health care organizations. Students learn how to measure and improve the delivery of care to optimize outcomes for patients, as well as how to respond when outcomes have not been optimal.

The Cumming School of Medicine Precision Health Program was designed to meet the professional development needs of current and future health care practitioners across Canada and internationally.

AMA Achievement Awards: Nomination deadline extended to May 15

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

Nominations must be submitted by May 15.
 
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 an 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 awards will be presented at the 2024 AMA Fall RF President’s award dinner.

AHS Updates

The following AHS updates have been provided for your information:

• Measles updates from AHS and APL
• COVID-19 vaccine update
• Goals of Care Designations
• Netcare eReferral changes
• ADAPT project: Get support to improve transitions for patients with chronic diseases

MD Culture Shift: April issue

In the April issue of MD Culture Shift:

• Upcoming courses/sessions
• Well Doc Alberta Bulletin
• Upcoming events
• and more!

MD Culture Shift is an AHS publication created by physicians for physicians through the Physician Diversity, Wellness and Leadership Development portfolio. It shares news of the constructive efforts happening in Alberta that support physician diversity, wellness and leadership.

Visit ahs.ca/mdwellness to learn more and read previous issues.

How new trust reporting requirements for bare trusts could impact you

Sponsored article

Have you established an in-trust-for (ITF) account for a loved one? Do you own a bank account, non-registered investment account or other asset jointly with your parent, child or others? If so, you may be required to file an annual T3 Return.

Find out from MD Financial if the new rules affect you.

Community Connections

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...

We need your help: Nominate a health hero for the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

AMA committee openings: Apply online

Enhanced Skills Program virtual information night

Upcoming events

Social Media 101

May 1

Learn about the Medicus Pension Plan™ – webinar

May 2

22nd Annual Cardiology Update

May 4, 2024

Preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

May 8

2024 Resident Wellness Conference

May 14-16

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:

May:

National Physician's Day

May 1

Mental Health Week

May 6 - 10

World Family Doctor Day

May 19

Alberta Rural Health Week

May 27 - 31

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

WCB fee increase update

Enhanced Skills Programs information

In the April 25
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More from the AMA

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