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From the Primary Care Alliance
While there are rapid fire changes underway in our profession and the challenges of responding to the pandemic, family physicians have reacted in profound ways. Whether it’s the swift adoption of virtual care options to support our patients, or in the few spare moments, engaging with colleagues and continuing to advocate publicly for patient care in online forums and social media, you are demonstrating your willingness to fight for primary care in Alberta. Physician voices are emerging through the work of individuals and in groups of advocates. Keep up the conversation. Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay informed.
There are silver linings to be found during this trying time. I would like to point out the partnership work accomplished by the AMA, Alberta College of Family Physicians, Sections of Family Medicine and Rural Practice, and others during this pandemic in pulling together a series of relevant and timely webinars aimed at helping physicians care for patients, and to maintain and optimize their practices in a time of rapid change. Thousands of physicians have registered for these webinars and the interest continues to grow.
Despite all going on around us, continuity of care remains central to the work we do and is crucial for our patients. It’s value cannot be diminished. Neither can the value of family medicine. One needs look no further than the outcry of support for physicians from the public online, and in media commentary to know Alberta’s doctors are valued. Close to 80% of the public in recent polling think the government should delay implementation of their Physician Funding Framework, at least until the pandemic has passed.
Take encouragement from that. We will be here serving patients long after the politics of the issue have moved on and primary care must be engaged in true partnership for the healthcare system to succeed.
Stay safe.
Dr. Brad Bahler
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
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Section of Family Medicine/Section of Rural Medicine Update
AMA Section of Family Medicine President, Dr. Craig Hodgson, comments on the latest funding announcement changes and the implications for physicians and the work of the AMA.
Visit the link below to stay in the know.
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Online webinars offer needed support and training at a distance
AMA and the Accelerating Change Transformation Team are offering a series of webinars to support physicians as they tackle issues such as: virtual care options; business viability; managing rapid change and more.
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One Nail at a Time podcast – Special edition
This series of podcasts interviews physicians, leaders and others about their journeys building Patient's Medical Homes. In one of the latest episodes of One Nail at a Time, Dr. Rick Ward (Calgary family physician, Crowfoot Village Family Practice), discusses “Teamwork in the Time of COVID-19;” specifically how his clinic is managing team, patient and physician wellness during this challenging time.
Check out the podcasts at the link below.
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Physicians using eNotification information
With eNotifications now live in the TELUS Health Wolf EMR, doctors in several clinics participating in Community Information Integration/Central Patient Attachment Registry are receiving notice when one of their paneled patients is admitted, discharged, visits the hospital emergency department, or has day surgery.
Click below to learn how one physician found out the benefits the very first day his clinic went live.
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Updates to Alberta Netcare eReferral made in April
New updates to eReferral Advice Request were made on April 16, 2020, including the additions of:
- OBS-GYN – Urogynecology – Edmonton Zone
- Orthopaedic Surgery (Shoulder issue) - Province-wide*
- Otolaryngology (Adult & Paeds) – Calgary Zone
- Paediatrics – Gastroenterology – Edmonton Zone
- Psychiatry – Child and Adolescent - Edmonton, Central & South Zones
*On April 24, 2020, Orthopaedic Surgery released more Advice Request reasons for referral province-wide, including: ankle, elbow, foot, hip, knee and wrist issues.
Additional changes were made to the facility name for Urology, and Calgary Zone Adult Gastroenterology has disabled Advice Request for Hepatology issue.
For detailed information, visit Alberta Netcare online. |
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211 services available for referral
211 is a helpline, referral centre and online database of Alberta’s community and social services, including employment, shelter and housing, financial supports and food/basic needs. Many services in Alberta are changing rapidly in response to COVID-19. 211’s Community Resource Database Team is updating services daily. When Albertans contact 211, they’ll reach a Community Resource Specialist, who will work with them to see what community services are currently available.
To reach the service, dial 2-1-1, text INFO to 211 or visit www.ab.211.ca and click “live chat.”
Healthcare providers can refer patients to the 211 resource, as appropriate.
CPSA newsletter – The Messenger
The latest issue of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta newsletter, The Messenger, is focused on COVID-19 support and information. You can read this month’s issue or check out previous posts on the CPSA website.
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Click here to unsubscribe.
© 2020 Alberta Medical Association
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