August 25, 2022

In this issue

• Make the most of your down time when you can take it

• Learn@AMA launches more free privacy training for custodians & privacy officers!

• Register today for AMA's media relations and social media training

• U of A research findings support implementation of Alberta FAST program

• ACFP's Chronic Pain Gains: An ECHO series is back for fall!

• Travelling soon? Don’t forget trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

• Survey Corner: 

  • Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for you & your patients? 

  • Pediatric Obesity Management in Canada

Make the most of your down time
when you can take it

Sponsored advertisement
 

With physician burnout on the rise, not taking time to rest and restore both your body and mind can lead to long-term physical, mental and emotional problems. Learn how to maximize your time off so you can return to work relaxed and refreshed.

Learn@AMA launches
more free privacy training
for custodians & privacy officers!

Learn@AMA has just launched more free privacy training for custodians and privacy officers! The advanced courses cover topics such as managing privacy breaches, risks and mitigation strategies, responding to privacy questions from patients, developing privacy impact assessments and much more. These courses are CME accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
 

All Alberta community medical physicians, clinic staff and PCNs are invited to enrol in privacy training at no cost.
 

Wondering how this training could be beneficial to you? Listen as Corry, an office manager from a central Alberta family medical clinic, talks about how AMA's free fundamental privacy training has helped her clinic.

Register today for AMA's media relations and social media training

We are offering members training in social media and media relations:
 

Social Media 101 - Register
September 15 or October 26
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Social Media 201 - Register

September 19 or November 22
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Media Relations 101 - Register
October 13: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Media Relations 201 - Register
October 20: 1-4 p.m.
 

View all upcoming events on the AMA website. 
 

Have an event you'd like to promote?
If your event meets our criteria, we can add it to our event listings. Review our criteria and submit your event.

U of A research findings support implementation of
Alberta FAST program

Researchers from the University of Alberta have recently published a review article on reducing the wait for surgical consultation. Its findings support the implementation of central access and intake, as well as standardized referral forms, and patient choice – all features of the new Alberta FAST (Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment) program.

FAST, which will manage non-urgent referrals, has already launched in North Zone (Urology and Orthopedics) and South Zone (Urology), and will launch in Central Zone (Urology, Orthopedics, Cataracts) on August 29.
 

About Alberta FAST

Alberta FAST is a central access and intake program for referrals to specialists. It is being supported through the Alberta Surgical Initiative.

ACFP's Chronic Pain Gains:

An ECHO series is back for fall!

The Alberta College of Family Physician’s Collaborative Mentorship Network is bringing back their successful ECHO series for the fall.
 

Date and time details:

• September 7 and 21
• October 5 and 19
• November 2 and 16

All from 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.

Travelling soon? Don’t forget
trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Trip cancellation and interruption benefits include:

• Up to sum purchased per insured per trip for the Trip Cancellation and Interruption plan when purchased separately.
• Up to $3,500 per insured per trip for the Single-Trip All-Inclusive plan.
• Up to $3,500 per insured per trip and up to $6,000 per policy for Multi-Trip All-Inclusive plans.
• Reimbursement of prepaid portion of the trip that is non-refundable and non-transferable to another travel date for a covered event.

AMA members save 10%. Get travel insurance offered through Manulife.¹

Or call Manulife at 1-888-304-2488 to speak with a licensed insurance advisor.

¹Manulife travel insurance plans are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife. Manulife, Manulife and Stylized M Design, and Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and by its affiliates under license. © 2022 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved. Manulife, P.O. Box 670, Stn Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4B8.

Survey Corner

Health care partners and other organizations often seek physician feedback through surveys. This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for you and your patients?
Health care providers are invited to share their experiences with the surgical referral process in Alberta. The aim is to provide feedback to help improve the system. Findings may inform the Alberta Surgical Initiative. Participant responses are completely anonymous. This study is conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta with approval from the U of A ethics board (ID: Pro00114572).
Survey link: qrco.de/referralexperience

Pediatric Obesity Management in Canada

Researchers are inviting physicians, nurse practitioners and medical residents to participate in a 15-minute online survey with questions regarding attitudes and practices towards pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery in youth. All participants are eligible to receive a $10 Amazon gift card as a thank you for their participation. This study was approved at Concordia University Montreal (30015408) and University of Alberta (Pro00117356). 

Editor's note: "Survey Corner" presents survey requests received and reviewed by the AMA, that may be of interest to our members. We will publish new opportunities as we receive them.

Reminders

Notice of elections and changes to Bylaws

The 117th AMA Annual General Meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m., Monday, October 3. As required under the AMA Bylaws, members received 60 days' notice of:

- Proposed bylaw changes to be considered.

- Elections to take place at the AGM (Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Nominating Committee and AMA reps to the CMA General Council for 2023).
 

View proposed bylaws changes & elections details

Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs are accepting applicatons

Vist the University of  Alberta Department of Family Medicine and the University of Calgary Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs websites to learn more.

Recognition Roundup

Below are special dates deserving recognition:
 

August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day
 

September awareness:

- Arthritis

- Childhood Cancer

- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

- Ovarian Cancer

- Prostate Cancer

- World Alzheimer's Month
 

September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day 
 

September 30: 
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
 

Do you have something you'd like to add? Send us an email.

Last issue's top stories

- Three strategies for physicians facing reduced cash flow
 

- Upcoming changes to serum IgE allergy testing in North Sector
 

- ACFP: First Five Years of Family Practice blog: Tip on Wellness

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

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- Space available
- For sale
- Services

More from the AMA

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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.
 

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