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From the Primary Care Alliance
A fully functioning Patient’s Medical Home needs a team. The team is the foundation upon which the complex job of constructing and operating a PMH is built. These community-based practices not only become hubs for supporting patients in their communities, they are vibrant businesses which employ many Albertans. Resources for teams can come from a variety of funding sources, including the Physician Services Budget, Primary Care Networks and in some cases AHS. But there can be no doubt that even when we combine all these sources by comparison to successful health care systems elsewhere in the world we do not yet measure up. PCNs have created structures to provide some of the team necessary for this work, but are not funded to deliver the complete set of team supports required for fundamental system change. I have always been fully supportive of Blended Capitation as a physician payment model that creates flexibility and allows different ways of working, but this was never designed to include funding for a fully integrated primary care team.
Although we have moved closer to the team-based care model of the future in Alberta, we don’t have the critical mass of supports that enable a transformational change found in truly interdependent team environments. In addition, the PMH model only works when the provisions are in place to compensate physicians for the complexity of the work and the time it requires. Patient’s Medical Homes are the future model of care and require teams to be successful, but are not possible to achieve if they come at the expense of the financial viability of community-based family practice.
Going forward requires constructive and productive conversation with our partners to determine a sustainable way to fund and support adequate PMH teams, how that model will integrate with physician compensation models, and clearly define expectations and accountabilities.
Dr. Brad Bahler
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
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Section of Family Medicine Update
In the face of personnel changes,The Section of Family Medicine continues to advocate for family physicians and the provision of high-quality, comprehensive primary care for patients.
Click the link below to read more.
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Not Too Late to Register for the ACFP’s 65th Family Medicine Summit
For 65 years, the ACFP has hosted a forum where members can come together to exchange best practices and celebrate their unique connections and contributions as family physicians! Join us at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, AB (March 6-8, 2020) for this two-day conference filled with education for family physicians by family physicians.
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One Nail at a Time: Insights for Building Your Patient's Medical Home
“One Nail at a Time: Insights for Building Your Patient’s Medical Home” is a series of podcasts interviewing physicians, leaders and others from across Alberta (and beyond!) about their journeys building Patient's Medical Homes. Just as a house is not built or renovated overnight, creating a Patient's Medical Home takes time and planning. “One Nail at a Time” highlights stories, strategies and tips for making incremental changes toward PMH transformation. A number of episodes are now available.
Check it out on Google, Apple, Spotify and Stitcher.
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CII/CPAR: Patient care benefits multiplying as participant numbers climb
The numbers tell the tale. As additional clinics sign on for Community Information Integration/Central Patient Attachment Registry more patient information is available to care providers to help inform their decisions. A significant milestone this month is the launch of the fifth conformed EMR.
Your opportunities to participate are now greater than ever.
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Important Coronavirus Information
Novel Coronavirus update information from Alberta Health Services.
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Immunization Regulation update
Are you involved with providing immunizations? Learn how to meet the requirements of the Immunization Regulation or get involved with pilot testing a web application for submitting immunization and assessment event information. Learn more.
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What are your perspectives on ordering imaging for uncomplicated low back pain?
University of Calgary researchers are looking to interview Alberta family physicians to better understand clinical perspectives related to uncomplicated low back pain imaging. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of factors that influence imaging ordering practices. Research findings will help design better interventions used to optimize recommendations in practice. Learn more.
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Make Time to Celebrate Excellence - ACFP Awards 2020 Call for Nominations
It’s time to celebrate family medicine! Do you know an exceptional family physician that has affected your life? Or a family medicine resident and/or student excelling in their studies? Is your clinic implementing the foundations, functions, and ongoing development of the Patient’s Medical Home (PMH)? If so, visit our website to nominate them today!
The ACFP Awards and Recognition Program is open until Apr. 1, 2020.
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RhPAP calling for nominations
The Rural Health Professions Action Plan Rhapsody Awards continue a long tradition of celebrating rural Alberta’s health-care heroes and rural communities. The awards honour the work of entire communities, health providers or entire health-care teams, and physicians. Celebrations feature an awards presentation in the community, including the airing of a video profiling the recipient and their contributions to the health and well-being of their community.
The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28, 2020. To fill out a nomination form or for more information, visit Rhapsody Awards.
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New Breast Cancer Screening Letter
The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program in AHS has begun sending a new letter to some women when they turn 75. This letter lets them know that they will no longer receive screening reminder letters from the program. Women are instructed to speak to their healthcare provider about personal benefits and risks if they wish to continue with breast cancer screening.
Visit screeningforlife.ca for cancer screening information and resources.
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© 2020 Alberta Medical Association
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