June 12, 2025

In this issue: 

• Meet your new President-Elect!
• Urine trouble if you test without symptoms
• Canada Health Infoway AI Scribe Program – Less paperwork. More time. 
• SHAPE Hub 2025 now accepting applications for the 2025 Trainee Research Grants
• Improving providers' referral experience with the Specialty Access webinar series
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • New: Translated measles posters
  • Lab bulletins:
    • Measles specimen collection pathway updated
    • Delayed results for Parvovirus IgM testing
    • Changes to Bilirubin on-site testing at some rural facilities in North and South Zones
    • New chest pain pathway launches at rural sites using high-sensitivity Troponin testing
    • Update to Insulin Antibody testing process
  • Pathway of the Week: Gender-Affirming Care
• MD Financial
  • DIY: What kind of do-it-yourself investor are you?
• Community Connections
  • Between the gaps: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare providers exploring prescription drug coverage barriers to accessing STBBI treatment

Meet your new President-Elect!

The election for the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) President-Elect position took place from April 28 to May 29, with Dr. Bertus Eksteen and Dr. Heidi Fell standing as candidates. 

Dr. Heidi Fell has been elected to serve as AMA President-Elect for the 2025–26 term. Dr. Fell will assume the role at the close of the Fall 2025 Representative Forum on September 27.

Urine trouble if you test without symptoms

Don’t collect urine specimens for culture from adults who lack symptoms localizing to the urinary tract or fever unless they are pregnant or undergoing genitourinary instrumentation where mucosal bleeding is expected.

Urine cultures are the most frequently ordered microbiologic test, with the majority of specimens submitted from asymptomatic patients. Urine cultures should ONLY be ordered if patients have symptoms localizing to the urinary tract such as acute dysuria, urgency, frequency, suprapubic or flank pain or fever without an obvious alternate source. Outside of these specific symptoms, positive cultures indicate asymptomatic bacteriuria and frequently result in antimicrobial therapy that is of no benefit and is potentially harmful. 

Cloudy or malodorous urine are NOT specific findings of urinary tract infection and should not prompt culture unless acute urinary tract symptoms are present. Delirium is not considered a symptom of cystitis in non-catheterized patients. In catheterized patients with fever or delirium, a positive urine culture may still represent asymptomatic bacteriuria unless alternate sources have been excluded. 

Reference: Medical-microbiology

Canada Health Infoway AI Scribe Program:

Less paperwork. More time.

Canada Health Infoway is funding up to 10,000 one-year AI Scribe licenses for eligible primary care clinicians.  Learn more about the national program, how to enroll and get access to the latest resources by accessing the Infoway website.

SHAPE Hub 2025 now accepting applications for the 2025 Trainee Research Grants

The Sexual Health & Genito-Pelvic Pain Knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the SHAPE 2025 Trainee Research Grants - supporting the next generation of researchers driving change in sexual health. 

These grants will fund trainee-led projects focused on Post-SSRI/SNRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) an under-researched condition. 

We welcome applicants from all disciplines, including (but not limited to) graduate students (Master’s, PhD), postdoctoral and clinical fellows, residents and medical students from Faculties of Medicine studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution. 

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 11 p.m. PDT

Improving providers' referral experience with the Specialty Access webinar series

Discover the new Hand and Wrist Clinical Pathways and tools to support faster, more informed referrals in this upcoming CME-accredited webinar, June 16, 5-6 p.m. Join AMA-ACTT Physician Lead Dr. Timothy Weighman and Dr. Julia Carter to learn how these tools can support timely, evidence-based care. 

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• New: Translated measles posters
• Lab bulletins:
  • Measles specimen collection pathway updated
  • Delayed results for Parvovirus IgM testing
  • Changes to Bilirubin on-site testing at some rural facilities in North and South Zones
  • New chest pain pathway launches at rural sites using high-sensitivity Troponin testing
  • Update to Insulin Antibody testing process
• Pathway of the Week: Gender-Affirming Care

DIY: What kind of do-it-yourself investor are you?

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Community Connections

Between the gaps: A cross-sectional survey of health care providers exploring prescription drug coverage barriers to accessing STBBI treatment

The BC Centre for Disease Control is asking Canadian health care providers working with underserved or priority populations for their feedback. 

The survey will ask for information about professional role and practice area, but there will be no questions asking for identifying information about clients. Data will be stored securely on an encrypted server hosted by the BC Provincial Health Services Authority, with access limited to the approved study team. 

This survey will take 10 - 15 minutes and respondents may enter a draw to win one of ten $50 gift cards to Canadian retailers. 

Take the survey

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

Wildfires: Review your risk and coverage

Upcoming events

Geriatric Medicine Update

June 21 

Transitions in Care Talk - Improving the Quality of Discharge Summaries

June 25 

Media Relations 101

July 10, 2025

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

June: 

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 

Migraine Awareness Month 

Canadian Men's Health Month

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

Your wellbeing matters - assess your distress with the new CMPA tool 

Primary Care Alberta Updates

In the June 12
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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