July 16, 2026

In this issue: 

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Exploring off-label prescribing
• Take learning beyond borders with a Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship
• Share your team-based care story
• Sign up for the MD+MLA information session 
• AMA member opportunity: MSI Foundation Board of Trustees
• Primary Care Alberta updates:
  • Memo on expanding clinical appropriateness of MRIs
  • Co-design opportunity: New cancer diagnosis pathways
  • eReferral's eConsult service is here for you: Get specialty advice through Alberta Netcare
  • Lab bulletin:
    • Updated Semen Analysis Requisition (All zones except Calgary)
• MD Financial
  • Make your real estate work for generations
• Community Connections
  • Help strengthen cancer screening in Alberta 
  • Survey for health professionals on heart and brain health

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

Exploring off-label prescribing

Case 

Jane is a 75-year-old woman with end-stage colon cancer receiving comfort-focused care. Her daughter questions several medications, believing they are inappropriate or unsafe based on what she has read online. 
 

Issue 

When is off-label prescribing appropriate, and how can physicians address patient and family concerns? 

This Optimized Prescribing with Seniors article examines the role of off-label medication use in older patients, particularly in palliative care and explores: 

• when off-label prescribing is appropriate 
• key considerations for safe use and informed consent 
• approaches to addressing patient and family concerns 

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 for older patients. 

Take learning beyond borders with a

Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship

The AMA Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship is now accepting applications from resident physicians training in respiratory medicine. 

Each year, one to three scholarships of up to $3000 supports trainees completing particularly international electives in specialized respirology skills. Applicants must be active AMA members, belong to the AMA Section of Respiratory Medicine and be currently training in respiratory medicine. 

Applications close August 31.

Share your team-based care story

Alberta’s Coalition for Primary Health Care (CPHC) is shining a spotlight on the great team-based primary care happening in the province. Submit your team's story, share learnings, celebrate successes and help generate ideas for care teams across Alberta.

Sign up for the MD+MLA information session

Your voice matters. Join the Alberta Medical Association’s MD+MLA information session to learn how physicians can build constructive relationships with elected officials and bring frontline health care experiences to the conversations shaping Alberta’s future. Whether you are ready to meet your MLA or just want to learn more, this session is an easy first step toward making a meaningful impact.

Date: August 19, 2026 

Time: 6 -7:30 pm via Zoom 

Learn more about the program: MDMLA | Alberta Medical Association | AMA (member log in required).

AMA member opportunity:

MSI Foundation Board of Trustees

The Alberta Medical Association is seeking expressions of interest from AMA members to serve as an AMA-appointed member on the Medical Services Incorporated (MSI) Foundation Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to contribute your experience and perspective to an Alberta-based health research funding organization that supports research into health services, allied health services, population health and matters that promote health in the interest of Albertans.

The MSI Foundation fosters and supports research in Alberta and focuses its resources on building capacity in community-based research and supporting novice and emerging investigators in health services and population health research.

Contact info@msifoundation.ca for more information.

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following updates from Primary Care Alberta (PCA) have been provided for your information: 

• Memo on expanding clinical appropriateness of MRIs
• Co-design opportunity: New cancer diagnosis pathways
• eReferral's eConsult service is here for you: Get specialty advice through Alberta Netcare
• Lab bulletin:
  • Updated Semen Analysis Requisition (All zones except Calgary)

Make your real estate work for generations

Sponsored article

Your real estate can be more than a place to unplug – it can form part of your long-term plan. Thoughtful structuring of a second home or property transfer can help preserve value and support family alignment.
 

Create a strategy that turns real estate decisions into lasting value for you and your family. 

Community Connections

Help strengthen cancer screening in Alberta

Health care professionals’ perspectives are essential to strengthening and improving existing cancer screening programs in Alberta. Insights gathered through this project will help inform strategies to enhance screening processes, improve participation rates and reinforce the importance of early detection and positive screening outcomes for Albertans. 

Share your perspectives on the barriers and facilitators 
of cancer screening and help identify potential  
strategies to enhance screening uptake for Albertans. 

Interested? Contact reilly.parkinson@primarycarealberta.ca

Survey for health professionals on heart and brain health

As a health professional, researcher and/or health system leader in Canada, we are seeking your expertise.

While the death rate from heart disease and stroke has decreased by more than 80% over the past seven decades, more than 6 million people in Canada are living with heart disease or stroke.

Heart & Stroke is conducting a brief survey to get insight around heart and brain health including progress over the past 75 years and efforts going forward.

The survey results will be released to the media in the Fall to increase awareness and reinforce the importance of supporting heart and brain health including through research, policy and health systems change.

The survey is conducted in partnership with a third party, Environics Research. Participation is voluntary and responses will remain completely confidential and anonymous.

Complete the 7-minute survey

Questions? Contact Renée Dunk at renee.dunk@heartandstroke.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

New PPIP support sessions for summer now available
 

Meet Dr. Brad Bahler: Medical Director, Primary Care

Upcoming events

CII/CPAR Connect

July 21
 

Working through conflict: Mastering the process

August 24

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

National Drowning Prevention Week

July 19-25
 

International Self-Care Day

July 24

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Primary Care Alberta updates
 

ECG written textual reports via eDelivery

In the July 16
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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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.
 

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.
 

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