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How does one best involve family caregivers in the care of seniors?
Case
Lisa, an 83-year-old woman, suffers from dementia and diabetes. She was recently discharged from hospital with two new medications (empagliflozin and insulin glargine); metformin was discontinued due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Lisa lives with her husband, Mike, in a seniors’ apartment. Mike contacts your clinic as Lisa’s blood glucose has been uncontrolled, she is agitated during respite and is experiencing diarrhea.
Why is involving family caregivers important?
As the patient moves through the health care system, family caregivers are often the only consistent team member providing care. When patients are unable to express/advocate for their own needs, caregivers provide essential information about patients’ preferences, routines and life history. Caregivers are typically actively involved in medication management and they report considerable strain from this activity. Family caregiver collaboration in care planning and prescribing can ensure care plans meet the patient and caregiver’s needs and that challenges and opportunities are identified.
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Election results:
Meet your new zonal/regional RF delegates
On December 21 we tallied ballots for the election of zonal/regional delegates to the AMA’s Representative Forum. Delegates were elected to Regions 1, 2 and 4 and in Calgary and Edmonton Zones.
Member login required.
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Six updated Standards of Practice in effect
Six updated standards of practice, approved by CPSA Council, are now in effect. These include:
- Advertising
- Conflict of Interest
- Practising Outside of Established Conventional Medicine
- Closing or Leaving a Medical Practice
- Job Action
- Relocating a Medical Practice
Supplementary advice to the profession documents will soon be available to help guide you in your practice. View the updated standards today by visiting cpsa.ca.
Questions?
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Call for Applications: CMA committees and SZMSA ZAF
AMA representatives are needed to sit on the following committees:
Application deadline: January 22
- South Zone Medical Staff Association (SZMSA) Zone Advisory Forum (ZAF):
one AMA member position
Application deadline: February 5
- CMA Governance Committee:
member-at-large, two positions available
- CMA Nominations Committee:
mid-term position to complete a 2021 term. Possibility of a further three-year term.
- CMA Vice-Chair of AGM/Deputy Speaker
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Thank you, AMA members!
To all AMA members and committee members, section executives and RF delegates: we sincerely thank you for contributions to the AMA in 2020!
Last year was challenging for many, so it was even more important to lend a hand where possible. In 2020, the AMA and our staff made the following charitable donations:
- $2,500 to Food Banks Alberta – in lieu of the annual joint AMA/CPSA Holiday Reception
- $1,500 to United Way - in lieu of printed greeting cards
- AMA staff donations: $19,414.60 - Fall 2020 United Way campaign, $1,520 - Edmonton Christmas Bureau and $625 -Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter
Thank you again for all that you do! Our organization is strong in part from your efforts and we are grateful for your leadership and commitment to the profession.
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Call for Nominations: Achievement Awards, Member Emeritus & CMHF Laureate
The AMA is seeking nominations for the following:
- AMA Achievement Awards: Medal of Honor,
Medal for Distinguished Service and
Award for Compassionate Service
- AMA Member Emeritus distinction
- Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureate
Learn more about how we celebrate exceptional physicians and submit your nominations today!
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Unsatisfactory Pap test results: what to know
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. The AHS Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACCSP) is sharing information about unsatisfactory (or ‘unsat’) Pap test results with health care providers who conduct cervical cancer screening.
The ACCSP is supporting providers to improve ‘unsat’ Pap test rates in Alberta. While the provincial target for ‘unsat’ rates is less than 1%, the 2019 rate was 3.6% for Alberta Precision Laboratories catchment and 1.6% for DynaLife catchment. Patients with ‘unsat’ results require another Pap test after three months. As such, keeping ‘unsat’ rates low helps patients avoid repeat tests and decreases health care system costs.
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Building blocks for successful transitions of care: new guide and webinar
The Primary Health Care Integration Network, along with stakeholders from across the system, including patients and families, have developed the Home to Hospital to Home Transitions Guideline to identify best practices in facilitating effective transitions of care. The guideline outlines the supports Albertans need to safely transition from their home to hospital and then back home again.
On January 21, 5-6 p.m., the AMA is hosting a webinar in support of improving transitions of care. Learn more about the session and register on the AMA website.
You can register for upcoming webinars and view recordings and materials from previous sessions on the AMA website.
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Survey Corner
Health care partners and other organizations often seek physician feedback through surveys. This month, the following is available for your consideration:
Antioch University Seattle is conducting a study on moral injury in health care workers during the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to learn more effective ways to identify an area of concern that is under-researched. The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete and no personal identifying information is requested. Approved by the Antioch University Seattle Institutional Review Board.
Alberta physicians are invited to take part in a short survey (approximately 10 minutes) on medical abortion access. Information gathered will be used to complete a course requirement, address gaps of knowledge in current academic literature and understand current factors affecting medical abortion access in Alberta. This study has been approved by the University of Lethbridge Human Participant Research Committee for ethical acceptability [Protocol #2020-105]. This study was previously advertised in the December 10, 2020 edition of MD Scope.
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.
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Last issue's top stories
December 22:
MD Scope Classifieds
In the January 14 MD Scope Classifieds you'll find listings for:
- Physicians wanted
- Space available
- For sale
- Services
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