July 14, 2022

In this issue

• Update for primary care providers on COVID-19 testing changes

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Managing vertigo in older adults

• Changes to thyroid hormone testing – provincial harmonization

• Provincial access and intake program launching this summer

• Practice closed? Patients waiting? Refer now.

• What is the impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer screening screening in Alberta?

• Thinking of a +1 Residency in 2023-24?

• How a new pension plan for physicians will help provide peace of mind

• Survey Corner: 

  • Physicians’ perceptions of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Alberta 

  • Physician motivation toward tele-health care

Update for primary care providers on COVID-19 testing changes

This simplified guidance provides advice for clinics in managing common questions about testing and navigating COVID.
 

We realize the announcement that PCR tests will now require a referral from a medical professional has created considerable stress for physicians who are already struggling with increased workloads and capacity issues.
 

Physicians did raise concerns about the timing of this change and physician capacity to manage at the Community Physician COVID Consultation Table. Physician reps advocated to help head off some of the problems they foresaw and made the following suggestions to government:

• Allow for the option of faxing requisitions to mitigate the need for patients to present in person.
• Ensure patients can still receive results via text messages.
• Provide clear indications on when PCR testing is advised.
• Allow health care workers, including clinic staff, to be able to continue self-referring and booking for PCR testing.
• Use government communication channels and resources to remind patients that they should not attend clinics when ill without first communicating with their physician’s office.

Vertigo: Considerations for management in older adults

Case
“…a 71-year-old man turned over in bed onto his left side and experienced sudden onset of dizziness, described as if the bed was moving. Although lasting only 10-15 seconds, he became sweaty afterwards without nausea and vomiting…The intense vertigo resolved if he stayed still, but similar brief episodes recurred several times when he laid supine in the hospital." Physical examination was normal but vertigo recurred upon head movements.
 

Issue
What are the considerations in the management of vertigo in the older adult? This article will provide an overview.

Changes to thyroid hormone testing – provincial harmonization

In June 2022, key changes were made to laboratory thyroid testing across the province. This includes implementation of new reference intervals for thyroid hormones and an updated progressive TSH algorithm that can be used for screening and monitoring. These changes support provincial harmonization initiatives using a very large Alberta dataset to improve patient care.

Provincial access and intake program launching this summer

The launch of a central access and intake program for specialist referrals called Alberta FAST (Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment) will be commencing later this summer for two specialties, Urology and Orthopedics. There will be one FAST Program per geographic zone.
 

Benefits of Alberta FAST include:

• One centralized office in each zone to send referrals, with one fax number and one provincial toll-free number.
• Referring providers can select the first available provider, a specific provider, and/or refer across zones.
• Timely, predictable, and helpful communications from both the FAST Program and the consulting provider’s office.
• Provincially standardized referral forms embedded into the major EMR systems later this fall.
• Sharing of wait time data with providers and public as it becomes available through the FAST programs.

Fourteen specialties are in queue to join FAST this summer through 2024.

For more information on Alberta FAST, please visit the AMA-ACTT webpage. This work is being supported through the Alberta Surgical Initiative. 

Practice closed? Patients waiting?

Refer now.

Is your practice turning away patients?
 

Are your patients waiting for tests, treatments, procedures?
 

By refering your patients to PatientsFirst.ca, you are helping the AMA measure the care deficit for our advocacy. Refer today.

Impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer screening screening in Alberta

The pandemic has caused delays in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Alberta – from pausing fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) during the initial waves, to increased wait times for FIT positive patients to undergo colonoscopies.
 

A research study led by Dr. Steven Heitman (gastroenterologist and researcher with the University of Calgary and AHS) is conducting interviews with primary care providers and endoscopists to understand how the pandemic has impacted physicians and their patients, and what can be learned from this experience to improve CRC screening across Alberta. Honorariums will be offered.
 

Please contact Michelle Stiphout, michelle.stiphout@ahs.ca for more information.

Thinking of a +1 Residency in 2023-24?

The University of Calgary Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs will be accepting applications from both PGY-2 family medicine residents and re-entry applicants (family physicians who have been in practice more than six months) for positions as PGY-3 residents for the academic year starting 1 July 2023.
 

More information

• Postgraduate Family Medicine at the University of Calgary has eight Enhanced Skills residency programs.  
• Learn more about the application process. 
• Learn about the CaRMS application process for the six CFPC Category 1 programs.

Please contact fmr3@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions.

How a new pension plan for physicians will help provide peace of mind

Sponsored advertisement
 

MD Financial Management and Scotiabank have collaborated to develop a multi-employer pension plan that will provide physicians with a unique opportunity to build predictable lifetime retirement income, including financial protection for families. The plan draws on extensive knowledge of physicians’ needs, paired with Scotiabank’s deep expertise in pensions, investment and governance.

Survey Corner

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

Physicians’ perceptions of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Alberta
Do you have thoughts regarding the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)? Practicing Alberta physicians are invited to take an eight-minute survey regarding the clinical use of ABPM in Alberta. The aim of this survey is to garner physician perceptions and attitudes toward current ABPM practices, which will guide the development of a new ABPM device worn on the ear. 

Physician motivation toward tele-health care
Family physicians (FPs) have rapidly had to shift to using virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the impact this move has had on their work-related motivation and well-being remains unclear. This brief survey will help researchers understand FPs' perceptions about virtual care and how it impacts their sense of motivation and wellness as a FP in Alberta. Approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB21-1440). 

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.

Recognition Roundup
 

Below are special dates deserving recognition:
 

July 5: National Injury Prevention Day

July 8: International Paramedics Day
 

July 17: Glioblastoma Awareness Day

July 24: International Self-Care Day

July 28: World Hepatitis Day
 

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

Reminders:

Apply by July 17!

Indigenous Health Committee

The AMA is currently recruiting an Indigenous physician to fill a member position on the Indigenous Health Committee (IHC). Visit the AMA committee recruitment web application (login required) to learn more and apply.

SZMSA ZAF

The South Zone Medical Staff Association (SZMSA) is seeking to fill one vacancy on the its Zone Advisory Forum (ZAF). The deadline to apply is July 17. Visit the AMA committee recruitment web application (login required) to learn more and apply.

Last issue's top stories
 

- Referral and consultation improvements between primary and specialty care
 

- 20 medical students received ADIUM Student Elective Travel Grant
 

- How finances are different when your spouse is a physician

In the July 14
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- Space available
- For sale
- Services

More from the AMA

© 2022 Alberta Medical Association; All rights reserved
 

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.
 

The Association reserves the right to edit any submissions that are accepted to appear in any of our publications or platforms. Please consult our editorial guidelines for tips on submissions or advertising.
 

Our mailing address is:
12230 106 Ave NW
Edmonton AB T5N 3Z1
Canada

Canada Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) - AMA compliance statement