March 13, 2025

In this issue:

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Alzheimer's: disease modifying treatments 
• Picture it; $7,500 for additional training in a clinical area of recognized need in Alberta
• Nominate a health hero for induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
• Primary Care Alberta Clinical Updates:
  • AHS active health advisories 
  • RSV immunization program eligibility expansion
  • Available March 20: Connect Care ambulatory medication information in Net Care
  • Reminder: Measles resources
  • New treatment available to Alberta prostate cancer patients
  • AHS Prehabilitation Program for surgery prep
  • Mobile mammography: Central and northern Alberta
• MD Financial
  • Strengthen your portfolio with MD Platinum
• Community Connections
  • Arch Collaborative satisfaction survey
  • Are you a clinician providing care to a person receiving home care services? 
  • SPARK tool implementation study

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Alzheimer's: disease modifying treatments

Case   
John is 72 years old and presenting to the geriatric outpatient department with a two-year history of memory change. In the last six months he has forgotten to take his medications and missed paying his power bill. He is remarkably healthy excepting a history of dyslipidemia and GERD. He has a family history of Alzheimer’s dementia affecting his brother, father and paternal grandfather. 
   
Issue   
Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is the most common cause of dementia with significant effects on function and living independently.  There will be 50 million people with AD worldwide by 2030 with one million in Canada. Treatments that prevent onset, delay progression and improve symptoms are desperately needed. Disease modifying treatments are an intervention that produces enduring change in clinical progression of AD.  
   
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. 

Picture it; $7,500 for additional training in a clinical area of recognized need in Alberta

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/Alberta Medical Association Scholarship was established to help physicians meet Alberta's changing medical needs.

Every May, the AMA and TD Meloche Monnex team up to award four physicians with a $7,500 scholarship. Applications are being accepted until March 31.

Nominate a health hero for induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame perceives health leadership to be inclusive of many professions and roles including doctors, researchers, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, policy makers - to name only a few. 

Nominations of Canadians, living or posthumous, who meet the following criteria from the many aspects of health are encouraged. 

• Leadership in building excellence in health for Canadians and the world. 
• Leadership in health promotion, illness prevention and care. 
• Leadership in research with national and international recognition for a scientific contribution.

Please visit the CMHF website for specific details on each category and information on how to submit your nomination!

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• AHS active health advisories
• RSV immunization program eligibility expansion
• Available March 20: Connect Care ambulatory medication information in Netcare
• Reminder: Measles resources
• Mobile mammography: Central and northern Alberta
• New treatment available to Alberta prostate cancer patients
• AHS Prehabilitation Program for surgery prep

Strengthen your portfolio with MD Platinum

Sponsored article

Looking for an alternative investment with higher return potential? Investing in a private asset trust is a great way to focus on diversification through non-traditional investment strategies. The MD Platinum™ Global Private Real Estate 2025 Trust is a real estate portfolio powered by world-class asset managers built to compliment your core holdings. It’s only available to physician families for a limited time. If you’re looking to grow your wealth and enjoy financial peace of mind, this solution could be right for you. Explore the Trust.  

Community Connections

ARCH Collaborative satisfaction survey

Connect Care is working with the Arch Collaborative to assess best practices in health care information technology and the use of electronic health records. It is important that to know how the Connect Care clinical information system (CIS) works for you, so the system will continue to be adapted and improved. Your information will not be shared without your permission. This survey is specifically for clinical staff who provide direct patient care and should take approximately 10 - 12 minutes to complete. 

Complete the survey now. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please refer to the FAQ. 

Are you a clinician providing care to a person receiving home care services?

Canadian clinicians, including physicians and other members of the health care team, are invited to participate in the study, ‘The influence of gender at the intersections of cognitive, social and sensory vulnerability: Perspectives of home care providers.’

This focus group will take place over Zoom and will ask questions about the different types of clients that you typically see in practice; how gender, social, sensory and cognitive vulnerabilities present together; how this may influence your approach to care; and how information from a new prediction tool regarding cognitive performance decline could be utilized with various home care clients. For more information or to participate, please contact Fernanda Dal Pizzol toll-free at 1-877-692-5909 or email fenglerd@ualberta.ca. 

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta (Ethics ID: Pro00137224).

SPARK tool implementation study
The study is looking for primary care practices in Calgary and the surrounding areas that are interested in collecting social determinants of health information from patients through the SPARK tool, an electronic survey tool used across Canada. Part of this study will help co-design the best way to adopt the tool and use social data in your practice. Compensation for a lead physician at each practice will be provided. For more information on how to participate, view the poster or contact sapcren@ucalgary.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...

Use your CME dollars!

Upcoming events

PCPCM: Live & on Call with AMA

March 14 

WCB-Alberta's 10th Annual Community Physician Education virtual conference

March 15

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

March: 

Brain Health Awareness Month 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 

National Poison Prevention Week

March 16 - 22

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

New tool available - Remote cognitive assessment readiness infographic 

AHS Updates

In the March 13
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

© 2025 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