October 14, 2022

In this issue

• Help us rebuild the AMA website!

• Exciting new psychiatrist contract opportunity with PFSP

• Call for nominations: Zonal/Regional RF delegates

• Presidential ghosts in your inbox?

• Sign up your privacy officer for AMA's privacy training

• Bank of Canada raises interest rate: job's not done, more to come

• Survey Corner:  

  • Are you a family physician educated in South Africa?

  • Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for you and your patients?

Help us rebuild the AMA website!

Survey closes October 19
 

We’re rebuilding the AMA website with a focus on creating an intuitive, valuable resource for members and we’d love to get your feedback.
 

Please complete our short online survey (10-15 minutes) to help us test and improve the usability of our proposed website content structure. As a thank you for your time, you'll be given an option at the end to enter a draw to win one of four $50 Google play cards.

Exciting new psychiatrist contract opportunity with PFSP 

Applications are due October 27

The AMA's Physician and Family Support Program is offering a part-time, .2 FTE contract opportunity for the role of psychiatrist, for a four-year duration. It is anticipated that the FTE may increase over the four-year term if agreeable to both parties.
 

The psychiatrist will offer rapid and confidential psychiatric assessments and provide recommendations for physician clients. They will also enhance support for the primary care provider or other practitioners who are treating these clients. Working closely with the PFSP’s clinical team, the psychiatrist will provide expertise and input into PFSP processes to ensure that we are providing state of the art support to physicians and learners with psychiatric illness, mental health concerns and substance use related issues.
 

About PFSP
 

PFSP provides confidential support and help with personal health issues and enhances the quality of patient care and public safety by promoting health and well-being for the medical profession that cares for all Albertans.

Call for nominations:
Zonal/Regional RF delegates

The Call for Nominations for election of zonal/regional delegates to the AMA Representative Forum is now underway.

See the AMA website for details about the election and the nomination process for anyone wishing to run for election to RF (members only; log in required), including: Call for Nominations, Nomination form, and ZMSA nominees in each region/zone.

The deadline for responding to the Call for Nominations is
9 a.m., Friday, November 4.

Each Zone Medical Staff Association has been asked to put forward a slate of candidates for election as the RF delegates for their zone (Calgary, Edmonton) or the regions within their zone (South – Region 1, Central – Regions 4 and 5, and North – Regions 7 and 8). 

Presidential ghosts in your inbox?

It's October, which means the AMA annual general meeting has concluded and we have installed our new president, Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi.

As Dr. Rinaldi sends out her President's Letters, you may see the names of past AMA presidents (e.g., Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren) in the “From” field.
 
The problem may be haunting your personal address book, which might still be connecting the email address president@albertadoctors.org with a past president’s name.
 
Ghost busting

1. Search your personal address book for the older contact linked to president@albertadoctors.org. Delete that contact.
2. Create a new contact called “AMA President” with the email address of president@albertadoctors.org.

Sign up your privacy officer for AMA's privacy training

Has your privacy officer signed up for AMA’s privacy training? Learn@AMA has launched even more FREE privacy training for custodians and privacy officers.
 

Course topics include accessing health information, preventing and managing breaches, privacy risks and safeguards, do-it-yourself privacy impact assessments and much more! 
 

Privacy officers will receive a certificate of achievement once the required courses in a curriculum have been completed. Physicians can earn CME and Mainpro+ credits from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and The College of Family Physicians of Canada.
 

All Alberta community medical clinics, physicians and PCNs are invited to enrol in privacy training at no cost.
 

Bank of Canada raises interest rate: job's not done, more to come

Sponsored advertisement

According to the Bank of Canada, the latest interest rate hike, to 3.25%, likely won’t be the last. The September 7 increase is part of the bank’s ongoing push to bring down inflation. Read our key takeaways from the announcement and learn what this could mean for the economy and your portfolio. 

Survey Corner

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

Is Alberta's surgical referral system working for you and your patients?

Health care providers are invited to share their experiences with the surgical referral process in Alberta. The aim is to provide feedback to help improve the system. Participant responses are completely anonymous. This study is conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta
(U of A) with approval from the U of A ethics board
(ID: Pro00114572). Survey link: qrco.de/referralexperience

Are you a family physician educated in South Africa?
Inviting all family/general physicians educated in South Africa to share their experience of relocating to rural Alberta. Research aims to explore how physicians decide to relocate, as well as the implications of being an internally educated physician who has practiced in a rural community. Participation involves a 45-60 minute Zoom conversation scheduled at your convenience. Research approved by the University of Alberta (Pro00122607). Contact Ashley Hadley (ahadley@ualberta.ca) with questions or to participate.
 

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.

Reminders

Membership renewal
If you have not yet renewed your AMA membership, you may do so on the AMA website. 

AMA HBTF: Time to enrol!
Now is your opportunity to enrol in our popular AMA Health Benefits Trust Fund. Our annual open enrollment period runs until October 31.

Media relations and social media training

The AMA is offering its members training in social media and media relations:
 

Social Media 101
October 26
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Social Media 201

November 22
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Media Relations 101
October 13
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Media Relations 201
October 20
1-4 p.m.
 

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:

October awareness:

- Breast Cancer Awareness Month

- Invisible Disabilities Week Oct 18-24

- Brain Cancer Awareness Day Oct 24

- Canadian Patient Safety Week Oct 24-28

- Canadian Intensive Care Week Oct 27-30

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- AMA staff: Service milestones and retirement

- CPSA’s Competence Committee is looking for new members

- Lung cancer screening pilot project launched

In the October 13
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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