May 17, 2024

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Alcohol use disorder
• What do you think of your AMA section? Complete the survey.
• Learn how WCB-Alberta can expedite surgery assessments and procedures
• Two years of PaRx in Alberta: Are you prescribing nature?
• Are you eligible? Apply for the ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant.
• You’re invited to join the Physician Health Inclusion space on CMA Community
• AHS Updates:
  • Active health advisories
  • Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), Edmonton Hub Lab phone changes
  • Research and Innovation Report now online
  • and more!
• New MD Culture Shift: May issue
• MD Financial
  • Federal Budget 2024: Highlights for physicians
• Community Connections
  • Do you have a connection with the historic Calgary General Hospital?
  • Building Healthy Communities: Mentorship and Resilience Project (MRP)

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

Alcohol use disorder

Case
Mrs. Smith, 81 and living independently, is in to see you for follow-up of a broken wrist, for which she was previously seen in the ER. She’s in a cast and has a recent-looking bruise on her right temple area. Mrs. Smith's daughter reports that her mom seems to be having more accidents lately. Hearing this and after reviewing Mrs. Smith's recent ER report, you speak to her privately about alcohol use disorder.

Issue
AUDs occur at all ages, and consequences of unhealthy drinking are often what leads to encounters with the health care system. Risk of health issues related to alcohol use increases with age.

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.

What do you think of your AMA section?

Complete the survey.

The survey is being conducted on behalf of the Representative Forum Governance Oversight Group; it supports GOG's goal to increase the effectiveness of the AMA's governance structure and promote excellence among sections. All responses are anonymous and only aggregate data will be provided to section executives and shared with GOG.

The survey closes Tuesday, May 21 at 4 p.m.

Learn how WCB-Alberta can expedite surgery assessments and procedures

WCB–Alberta has an expedited surgical network (orthopedic, plastic and general surgeons) to ensure faster access to surgical consultations and procedures for injured workers. Most surgeries occur within 15 days of a surgical consultation.

A Visiting Specialist Clinic (VSC) is a facility that WCB-Alberta has partnered with to ensure a worker’s timely access to specialist consultation and surgical procedures. The VSC also provides non-surgical consultations that can provide specialist opinions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and ongoing treatment needs.

To access these expedited services for your patients, select the services you would like to request on your physician report in electronic reporting (C050 or C151) within the “treatment plan details” section. For further information, please see WCB-Alberta's fact sheet on expedited services.

Contact the physician helpline at 1-855-498-4919 with any questions.

Two years of PaRx in Alberta:

Are you prescribing nature?

PaRx, Canada’s national, evidence-based nature prescription program, recently marked two years in Alberta! The Representative Forum endorsed the PaRx program at our Fall RF 2021 meeting.

Any licensed health care professional can prescribe PaRx. After registering for PaRx, you will receive a nature prescription file customized with a unique provider code and instructions for how to prescribe and log prescriptions.

The BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx in November 2020, starting in British Columbia, then expanding to Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba through 2021. Following its launch in Alberta in March 2022, PaRx then found footing in the Martimes, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Are you eligible? Apply for the ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant.

The ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant is now accepting applications.

These grants, sponsored by AMA’s ADIUM Insurance Services, help medical students defray the high cost of attending medical school in Alberta.

AMA medical student members who travelled to complete an approved medical elective between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024 are eligible to apply. Students may submit an application on our website for each eligible elective but may win only one grant. Twenty grants of $500 each will be awarded and winners will be chosen by random selection.

The application deadline is Friday, May 31.

You're invited to join the Physician Health Inclusion space on CMA Community

There’s a new space for physicians, residents and medical students with disabilities and chronic conditions looking to find a supportive community of peers and colleagues: the Physician Health Inclusion space on CMA Community.

As a closed group for physicians, residents and medical students with disabilities and chronic conditions, this space is intended to give this community of practice a platform to come together and share, support and accelerate improvements on disability inclusion in the medical workplace. This community was created and is managed by peers trying to make the health workspace more accessible, one issue at a time.

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining, log in to CMA Community and request to join the Physician Health Inclusion community. Please note that you will be asked to confirm that you yourself are a physician, resident or medical student living with a disability or chronic conditions in order to join the community. There is no need to disclose your diagnosis. Your disclosure will only be seen by the moderator granting you access to the group.

You do not have to be a CMA member to join!

AHS Updates

The following AHS updates have been provided for your information:

• Active health advisories
• APL, Edmonton Hub Lab phone changes
• Research and Innovation Report now online
• and more!

MD Culture Shift: May issue

In the May issue of MD Culture Shift:

• AHS celebrating health
• Upcoming courses/sessions
• 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.

Federal Budget 2024: Highlights for physicians

Sponsored article

On April 16, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, delivered the 2024 federal budget, titled “Fairness for every generation.” The federal government focused this year’s budget on three pillars: building more affordable homes, making life cost less and growing the economy in a way that’s shared by all.

Here are the most significant tax measures announced for physicians and the potential impact on you, your family and your business. 

Community Connections

Do you have a connection with the historic Calgary General Hospital?

The Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association is involved in the development of a commemorative park plaza, designed to celebrate the 108-year history and legacy of the hospital. You are invited to help tell the story of the hospital. If you have historical information to share, please contact cghproject@brcacalgary.org or call 403-547-0267. Learn more about the history of CGH and how to support the project by visiting the website or reading the flyer.

Building Healthy Communities: Mentorship and Resilience Project (MRP)
Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) partnered with NorQuest College, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area and CUE’s Black Students Association, to develop Building Healthy Communities, a Black youth (18+) Students Mentorship and Resilience Project. This project has been approved by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (Pro00138026). Black professionals and Black youths (18+) are invited to sign-up for the mentorship project as mentors and mentees respectively (it's free).Visit the website to sign up.

For more information mentorship@concordia.ab.ca.

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...

It's time to prepare for wildfire season

Nomination deadline extended for AMA Achievement Awards: Recognize a colleague

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

AMA committee openings: Apply online

Upcoming events

Inside Scoop Virtual Town Hall

May 22

Canadian Conference on Physician Leadership

May 24-25

CMA Annual General Meeting

May 29

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:

World Family Doctor Day

May 19

Alberta Rural Health Week

May 27 - 31

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

April 2024 changes to the SOMB

AHS Updates

In the May 17
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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