September 15, 2022

In this issue

• 2022-23 AMA/CMA membership: Keep standing with us

• How to reduce anticholinergic burden to improve safety in older adults

• Get extended health and dental coverage from the AMA: Time to enrol! 

• Enhance patient care, even when you can’t be there with CII/CPAR

• News from WCB-AB

  • New medical cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoid policy

  • Virtual opioids information session

• Alberta implementing HPV Test of Cure

• News from ACFP

  • CMN Collab Forum: Unraveling and Treating the Epidemic of Pain in Children

  • Collaborative ECHO® session on cannabinoids and pain

• What interest rate hikes mean for your mortgage

• Travelling soon? Here's a checklist.

2022-23 AMA/CMA membership:

Keep standing with us

Renewal for the 2022-23 membership year is now open. We have come a long way at the negotiating table, overcoming some major obstacles to provide support, stability and a voice in leading the system. After many weeks of intense negotiations we now have a potential ratification package that has been brought forward for membership ratification. We have been unrelenting in representing your interests. You may view the components of the package on our website (member login required).
 

If you have not yet renewed your AMA membership, you may do so on the AMA website. There you can also sign up for pre-authorized payments or update your banking information. If preferred, you may print the form then complete and send it to the address/fax number below. Please contact us for the PDF.
 

Mail: Alberta Medical Association,
12230 106 Ave NW, Edmonton AB,  T5N 3Z1
Fax: 780-482-5445
 

CMA optional membership
Please note that CMA membership is optional and costs $195 for membership this year. While you can opt out of CMA membership on the application form, we encourage you to maintain CMA membership. Now, more than ever, Alberta physicians require a strong provincial and national voice. Furthermore, the CMA has been an important partner for us over this last year by providing some financial assistance and advocacy.
 

Membership questions?
Contact our Membership and Benefits department:

• Email: membershipgeneral@albertadoctors.org
• T: 780-482-2626
• Toll-free 1-800-272-9680

How to reduce anticholinergic burden to improve safety in older adults

Case
Mrs. R is an 81-year-old widow who lives with her daughter and her family. She was referred to the geriatric outpatient clinic for assessment of cognition and mobility. She recently fell at home and has had pain in her back and legs since that time. The family also noticed recently that Mrs. R has been paying less attention to conversation during meals, becomes confused when asked questions, has been losing her glasses because she takes them off frequently and has been coughing frequently (which is new). She also describes new abdominal pain.
 

Mrs. R is being treated with medication for nine conditions. What can be done to reduce anticholinergic burden to improve her safety?

Get extended health and dental coverage from the AMA: 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.
 

The fund provides extended health and dental care not covered by the provincial health insurance plan. Depending on your needs, the fund can cover you and your immediate family and, optionally, your full-time employees as well.

Enhance patient care, even when you can’t be there with CII/CPAR

As an emergency department physician, Dr. Peter Rawlek knows how important it is to have patient information available in times of crisis. When community-based physicians use CII/CPAR to connect to Alberta Netcare, they equip other providers with lifesaving information, no matter where they are in Alberta.
 

CII/CPAR enables those with clinic EMRs to send information directly to Alberta Netcare and for primary care providers to receive information back about their patients.
 

Are you ready to enhance patient care, even when you can’t be there? Complete this form to have an AMA team member contact you with more details.

News from WCB-AB

New medical cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoid policy effective September 1

Access to safe, effective treatment is an important part of an injured worker’s recovery. WCB-Alberta will consider the approval of medical cannabis for the medically-necessary treatment of work-related injuries in some specific cases.
 

WCB now has a new policy on medical cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoids (Policy 04-06, Part II, Application 6 and Addendum A).

Webinar: Update on Opioid Use for Pain

The last few years have brought significant advances and new evidence about appropriate opioid use, patient safety and impacts on the broader opioid crisis and addictions. On September 27, from 12-1 p.m., Dr. Sebastian Straube will update on the current evidence for the use of opioids for chronic pain and their role for acute pain treatment, with a focus on safety, recovery and return to work. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion.

Alberta implementing HPV Test of Cure

Starting September 15, Alberta will implement a new clinical approach in colposcopy care, known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test of Cure (ToC). 

• What is HPV ToC?
• What should Primary Care Providers know?
• Have questions? 

News from ACFP

CMN Collab Forum: Unraveling and Treating the Epidemic of Pain in Children

Join Drs. Nivez Rasic and Melanie Noel to learn more about chronic pain in children and youth. Attend the first fall virtual collaboration forum from ACFP’s Collaborative Mentorship Network on September 29 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Collaborative ECHO® session on cannabinoids and pain

On September 21 at 4:30 p.m., join Dr. Jessica Kirkwood and RN Danielle Perry as they discuss Cannabinoids and Pain, followed by an interactive case discussion.
 

The ACFP’s Collaborative Mentorship Network’s Chronic Pain Gains in Alberta: An ECHO® Series takes place on Wednesdays (biweekly) from September 21 - November 16.

What interest rate hikes mean for
your mortgage

Sponsored advertisement
 

Over the last decade, we’ve seen some of the lowest interest rates in history. But with interest rates so low, they can only go up. While rising interest rates are something to be aware of, there are ways to navigate this within your mortgage agreement.

Travelling soon? Here's a checklist.

Trip cancellation and interruption benefits include:

• Make sure your travel documents, like your passport, are up to date.

• Make photocopies of your travel documents and keep them in your luggage.

• Inform your bank and credit cards. Sudden out-of-country purchases can raise fraud flags.

• Purchase some local currency.

• If you have a home alarm system, let the company know when you’ll be away.

• Consider the types of travel insurance you may need (medical, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss, etc.).

Hopefully, this will help make your vacation run smoothly and keep things in order at home while you’re away.

AMA members save 10%. Get travel insurance offered through Manulife.¹

Or call Manulife at 1-888-304-2488 to speak with a licensed insurance advisor.

¹Manulife travel insurance plans are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife. Manulife, Manulife and Stylized M Design, and Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and by its affiliates under license. © 2022 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved. Manulife, P.O. Box 670, Stn Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4B8.

Media relations and social media training

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

Social Media 101
Sept. 15 or Oct. 26
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

Social Media 201

Sept. 19 or Nov. 22
5:30-6:30 p.m.
 

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

Media Relations 201
Oct. 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:
 

September awareness:

- Arthritis

- Childhood Cancer

- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

- Ovarian Cancer

- Prostate Cancer

- World Alzheimer's Month

September 30: 
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
 

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Make the most of your down time when you can take it
 

- U of A research findings support implementation of Alberta FAST program

In the September 15
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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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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