July 28, 2022

In this issue

• We're recruiting for the role of Assistant Executive Director, Professional Affairs

• FAST zone program launch dates

• AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund – information webinar

• CMA launches new program for early-career physicians

• Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs

  • University of Alberta

  • University of Calgary

• When it’s time to retire

• Survey Corner: 

  • Awareness, perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in primary care 

  • Resources for health care providers on Canada's conversion therapy ban

Are you a physician with health administration experience?

Are you passionate about making a difference on behalf of Albertans by advancing patient-centered, quality care by advocating for and supporting physician leadership and wellness?
 

The AMA is recruiting for the executive role of Assistant Executive Director, Professional Affairs. In this role you would use your experiences and expertise as a physician to advocate for AMA members, providing leadership and support for their role in the provision of quality health care and commitment to Patients First®.

FAST zone program launch dates

The launch of a central access and intake program for specialist referrals called Alberta FAST (Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment) will be commencing this summer for urology and orthopedics.
 

About FAST

Alberta FAST is a central access and intake program for referrals to specialists. Beginning in summer 2022 through a phased approach, a FAST program will launch in each geographic zone. Fourteen specialties are in queue to join FAST through 2024.

AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund – information webinar

Whether you have been a participant in AMA HBTF for many years, or are just considering enrolling in the plan now, you are welcome to join us for an information webinar on Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m.

AMA HBTF offers tax-effective extended health care and dental plans for yourself, your family and your employees. Two plans — the Core Plan and Cost-Plus Plan — help cover costs for services not covered by the provincial health insurance plan. Established in 2000, there are currently over 4,900 participants in the plan.

In the webinar, we will review the plan and answer some of the most commonly asked questions, such as:

• Why is the Core Plan so basic?
• Why is the Outside Canada Emergency Travel coverage superior to individual travel plans?
• How does the Cost-Plus Plan work and how do I make a claim?
• How did the recent federal legislation affect the amount I can deduct as a business expense?
• Plus, any other questions from you.

Can’t attend? Reach out to our team to learn about accessing a recording of the session.

CMA launches new program for
early-career physicians

In an effort to better support physicians starting their practice, the Canadian Medical Association has launched a new “Leadership Essentials” program. This suite of four courses covers important, non-clinical topics that all physicians should know about:

• Building self-awareness and personal mastery
• Communicating effectively
• Practical strategies for engaging health care teams
• Foundations of physician wellness

All courses are free, available on demand and CPD accredited. They’re great for physicians starting practice or practising physicians looking for a refresher on the fundamentals.

The program complements the Practice Management Curriculum, which helps residents build knowledge about non-clinical topics like billing, staffing and incorporation. These sessions are also free and open to all.

Being a physician takes more than clinical knowledge; the CMA’s learning programs are a great resource.

Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs

The University of Alberta Family Medicine Enhanced Skills residency programs are looking for you! 

The U of A Department of Family Medicine is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. The programs fall under the PGY3 category. You can visit the program's website for program information and descriptions.
 

Category 1

The U of A Department of Family Medicine is excited to be offering an Addiction Medicine program among its Category 1 programs for its inaugural year. You can apply for Category 1 programs through the CaRMS process.
 

Category 2

The Occupational Medicine program falls under Category 2 and is a local, university-based and domain-specific competencies program, under the Department of Family Medicine. You can learn about its Occupational Medicine program application process online.
 

Please contact fmes@ualberta.ca if you have any questions.

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.

When it’s time to retire

Sponsored advertisement
 

When the concept of a paid retirement gained traction in the 1800s, most people saw it as a brief period of rest and reward following a lifetime of work. Workers who had pensions could collect them at 65, which at the time far exceeded their life expectancy at birth. Today, retirement has become a transition to a new phase of life that can last for decades.
 

Yet Canadian physicians — who typically retire around age 70 — tend to carry out little planning for what will be one of the biggest decisions of their lives. They see retirement more in terms of financial needs than lifestyle planning. They ask questions like “when can I afford to retire?” or “how much do I need to save?” But they often neglect essential issues that affect their quality of life after retirement.
 

A smooth retirement requires a shift in mindset. Life transition expert Dr. Amy D’Aprix discusses the special challenges doctors face when leaving the work world.

Survey Corner

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

Awareness and perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in primary care
This study aims to determine clinical awareness of AI and AI-based health care solutions, as well as characterize primary care providers’ perspectives on potential AI applications in practice. You need not have prior knowledge of AI to participate. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete and is conducted anonymously. 

Resources for health care providers on Canada's conversion therapy ban
Building on Canada’s ban on conversion "therapy," Wisdom2Action Consulting is developing a set of resources focusing on educating and empowering health and social service providers to recognize, respond to and support survivors of these practices. This project is funded by Justice Canada. You can help develop tools that work for you by filling out the following survey: wisdom2action.org/whatnow

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.

Your colleagues make a difference

For our Shine A Light initiative, we profiled Calgary otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon
Dr. Shamir Chandarana.

Recognition Roundup
 

Below are special dates deserving recognition:
 

July 28: World Hepatitis Day
 

August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day
 

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

Last issue's top stories
 

- Changes to thyroid hormone testing – provincial harmonization
 

- Vertigo: Considerations for management in older adults

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

In the July 28
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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