In this issue
- Zonal/regional RF delegates election
- NEW mandatory immunization reporting
- AMA YRC video: The kids say it best!
- Peer support & new online wellness listings
- Getting community providers connected
- eReferral updates: stroke management & STIs
- Overwhelmed with your finances this year?
- It's not a scam! Surgery auto-dialer.
- Help improve cirrhosis care in Alberta
- Survey: Assessing Medical Abortion Access
|
|
|
 |
Reminder to vote: 2020 RF delegate zonal/regional elections
Voting closes December 21 at 4 p.m.
Elections are underway for Regions 1, 2, Calgary, Region 4 and Edmonton zonal/regional delegates. Voting opened November 20 to respective zonal members.
If you are a member of one of these zones and haven't yet voted, please vote now (member login required).
|
|
|
Mandatory Electronic Reporting of Immunizations Effective January 1, 2021
The following is in follow up to an article in the November 19 MD Scope that mentioned upcoming changes to immunization reporting requirements.
The immunization reporting requirements outlined in the Public Health Act, Immunization Regulation come into effect January 1, 2021. This section of the regulation requires all immunization providers to report immunizations electronically to Alberta Health (regardless of whether a vaccine is provincially funded or privately purchased).
How do I get started?
Most community physicians will be reporting immunizations using the Immunization Direct Submission Mechanism via web browser. Go to IDSM Access & User Registration to sign up.
Questions?
If you are having trouble with IDSM, please contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at: 1.855.643.8649 or ehealthsupport@cgi.com. For policy and associated questions, please contact health.imm@gov.ab.ca.
|
|
|
 |
How many ways can we say “Thank You, AMA!”?
Since January 1, 2020 (to November 25), through the Alberta Medical Association physician membership application/renewal form (Step 10), our members have generously donated $27,063 to the AMA Youth Run Club.
A partnership of the AMA and Ever Active Schools, the AMA Youth Run Club is a school-based, inclusive physical activity program that has been bringing youth, school communities and AMA members together in health promotion since 2013.
When it comes to expressing gratitude to our members for their selfless support of the AMA Youth Run Club, we think the kids say it best!
AMA Youth Run Club sponsors: Since it began in 2013, with 4,000 kids and 77 schools, the AMA Youth Run Club has been steadily growing in participant numbers and expanding its program offerings. The impressive growth of this school-based, inclusive health and physical activity initiative would not be possible without the support of generous program sponsors: Alberta Blue Cross (gold); MD Financial Management Scotiabank Healthcare+ (silver); and Canadian Tire Jumpstart and Fast Trax Run & Ski Shop (in-kind).
|
|
|
 |
Update from Well Doc Alberta
Looking to help or get help from other physicians?
Well Doc Alberta is working with interested groups of physicians (e.g., Divisions, Departments, community physicians, rural physicians) across the province to develop and train formal physician-to-physician peer support teams. So far, seven teams have been established and there is still capacity to begin working with additional groups.
Looking for the latest physician wellness events and research studies open for recruitment?
Visit Well Doc Alberta’s new Community Bulletin Board. All postings are reviewed by Well Doc Alberta for relevancy and applicability to Alberta physicians, residents and medical students. Please note that for-profit events will not be posted nor will research studies without formal Research Ethics Board approval or exemption (in the case of quality improvement work).
Want to share your event or recruit colleagues for your research study? Be sure to submit your posting early and allow at least one week for your submission to be reviewed.
|
|
|
Good news for care continuity in 2020!
The Community Information Integration/Central Patient Attachment Registry program is connecting community providers with the rest of the health system through Alberta Netcare and it has exceeded some exciting milestones. The program surpassed 100 clinics live in October and by the end of November, 112 clinics are live with over 500 physicians (family medicine, general practice or community specialists) participating in those clinics. Another 82 clinics with nearly 340 physicians have signed up and are in the process of getting ready to go live.
While the participation numbers are exciting, the value this program is providing physicians and Albertans is inspiring. Read on to learn about the progress of this initiative and the positive impact it is having on patient care at this most important time.
|
|
|
 |
December eReferral Advice Request Updates
On December 3 Calgary Zone Neurology added Stroke management issue as a new Advice Request reason for referral. In addition, Internal Med – Infectious Disease- STI is also now available province-wide through eReferral Advice Request. Providers can submit non-urgent questions about STI-related issues and receive a response from a Clinical Development Nurse within five calendar days.
For training support, please contact the eHealth Netcare Support Services team at 1.855.643.8649 or email ehealthsupport@cgi.com
|
|
|
 |
Sponsored advertisement
A financial plan for the New Year that won’t overwhelm you
Has the pandemic left you feeling overwhelmed about your finances this year? You’re not alone. Distress about money can result in “financial inertia” — that inability to get started and work on your financial life.
MD Financial Management has created a way to overcome this with actionable tasks – one small step at a time. Choose one task from their list, write down the steps to complete it and look forward to an improved financial life.
MD Financial Management provides financial products and services, the MD Family of Funds and investment counselling services through the MD Group of Companies. For a detailed list of these companies, visit md.ca. Estate and trust services are offered through MD Private Trust Company. MD Financial Management is a proud sponsor of the AMA Youth Run Club.
|
|
|
Edmonton Zone surgery auto-dialer project’s second phase to start January 2021
Starting January 2021, the Alberta Health Services’ Surgical Waitlist Management team will be rolling out the second wave of the Surgical Autodial project to validate surgery waitlists in the Edmonton Zone. The first wave of the project has covered over 7,000 waitlisted patients for General Surgery, Gynecology and Urology.
As part of this initiative, patients in the Edmonton Zone who have appointments for ENT and Otolaryngology, Orthopedics, Vascular or Plastic surgeries will be called through an automated telephone system to confirm their place on surgery waitlists.
If you have a patient waiting for surgery or you are referring one to surgery in the Edmonton Zone, please share that these calls are not scams and to visit www.ahs.ca/waitlist for more information.
|
|
|
Are you interested in improving symptom management for cirrhosis care in Alberta?
Enhancing Alberta Primary Care Research Networks (EnACt), led by Dr. Lee Green, is conducting a qualitative research study seeking to understand the decision process when primary care physicians manage the symptoms of patients living with cirrhosis. To gather this information EnACt is seeking to interview primary care physicians. Interview findings will contribute to an understanding of the integration of roles and principles in cirrhosis symptom management across the trajectory of the illness.
The interview would take one hour of your time and would be held virtually over Zoom or telephone. You may also be invited to participate in a walk-through of the Cirrhosis Care Alberta website, which would take 45 minutes, be arranged at a time of your choice and be delivered through Zoom. Additionally, EnACt would require you complete a brief demographics questionnaire, which will take less than five minutes. Honorariums will be offered for your time.
|
|
|
Survey Corner
Health care partners and other organizations often seek physician feedback through surveys. This month, the following is available for your consideration:
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 to 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].
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MD Scope Classifieds
In the December 10 MD Scope Classifieds you'll find listings for:
- Physicians wanted
- Space available
- Practice available
- For sale
- Services
- Board members
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
