November 5, 2020
In this issue
  • Treating Mr. Phillips
  • Become a news and social media expert
  • Practicing physicians wanted for provincial health information committee
  • AB labs address delays in service
  • How are injuries labeled as work-related?
  • Now offering COVID-19 emergency medical travel coverage
  • Changes to childhood immunization schedule
  • Need help with estate planning?
  • Help improve symptom management for patients with cirrhosis

Optimal management of dementia: a practical approach
 
Case
Mr. Philips is 82 years old. He is presenting with a two-year history of gradual decline in cognition, which is affecting his daily function including missing bills and forgetting to take his medications.
 
Issue
In primary care settings, more than half of dementia cases are missed and when recognized they are often undertreated. Patients living with dementia are projected to place an increasing burden on the health care system. Optimal management of dementia may help alleviate some of this.

 
Read Optimized Prescribing with Seniors

Register today for the AMA's media relations and social media training!
 
Wondering how to create strategic and engaging social media content for advocacy efforts, amplifying positive messages, mitigating criticism and more? Need some news media tips and tricks, dos and don'ts or perhaps practice with mock interviews? The AMA is offering members training in social media and media relations (beginner and intermediate) with several sessions to choose from:
 
Social Media 101
  • Dates: December 16, February 25 or April 14
  • Times: All events are 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Media Relations 101
  • Dates: November 9, January 13 or March 17
  • Times: All events are 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Media Relations 201
  • Dates: November 18 or February 18
  • Times: Both events are 1 – 4 p.m.
Learn more and register

Apply today: Health Information Data Governance Committee
 
Applications are due December 4
 
Are you interested in representing the AMA and CPSA on matters of provincial health information management?
 
We are seeking a practicing physician to join the provincial Health Information Data Governance Committee (HIDGC), which advises the Minister of Health and is responsible for providing strategic input and policy advice in matters that pertain to the management of health information.
 
If you have a keen interest in health information policy and governance, credibility within the profession and success in working collaboratively in a dynamic group setting, please visit the AMA Committees web page and log in to learn more about this committee and apply today.
 
Apply online

Memo from Alberta Precision Labs addresses delays in services
 
COVID-19 has dramatically influenced all aspects of health care delivery and has changed the way in which Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) delivers care. APL, Alberta Health Services and DynaLife are aware of concerns about wait times for lab tests as a result of COVID-19.
 
APL is actively looking to new ways to reduce delays and return to pre-pandemic capacity for regular lab testing.
 
Physicians can assist by advising patients that there may be delays in accessing testing, by focusing on appropriate usage of lab services and by reducing testing where it won’t influence care or decision-making.
 
Read the full memorandum from APL

Is that injury work-related? How WCB-Alberta's causation analysis process works.
 
In most cases, injury causation is straightforward—but when it’s not, WCB adjudicators seek the help of consulting physicians who conduct a causation analysis, which considers the following:
  • The mechanism of injury
  • Exposure to tasks or substances
  • Published medical evidence (primary reference: the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation, 2nd Edition)
  • Other relevant information
Once the consulting physician does a causation analysis, it is documented in their opinion memo. These are available to your patient through their claim owner, if requested.
 
Interested in supporting WCB-AB's growing, shared understanding of occupational injury?
WCB is also introducing a new way to engage treating physicians in evaluating research. Details on the
process for grading and submitting new research are now available online. New evidence for consideration can only be submitted by the worker’s treating physician and must be graded in accordance with the endorsed process.
 
Questions?
Call WCB’s Physician Help Line toll-free at 1.855.498.4919 to speak with a clinical consultant today.  

Travelling outside Canada? Manulife has COVID-19 emergency medical travel coverage
 
If you are interested in travelling outside of Canada but are unable to find travel insurance to protect you from COVID-19 related medical expenses, we’re pleased to inform you that coverage is now available from our travel insurance partner, Manulife. For more information on the plan, please visit our Manulife Travel Insurance web page.
 
Get more information

Alberta’s routine childhood immunization schedule is changing
 
Effective January 1, 2021 the second dose of MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella) vaccine will be offered at 18 months of age with the fourth dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenza type b). 
 
MMRV is currently offered with the dTap-IPV preschool booster at four to six years of age. The primary rationale for moving the second dose to 18 months is to enhance measles protection in children between the ages of 12 months and four years.
 
Learn more

Sponsored advertisement
 
The ultimate guide to estate planning for Canadian physicians
 
If you’re thinking about estate planning and wondering where to start, the first thing to keep in mind is that developing an estate plan is bigger than just writing a will. A well-prepared estate plan can help ensure that in the event of your death, any dependents you have are taken care of, that your plans for your medical practice are carried out and that your assets are distributed in the way you want. This step-by-step guide from MD Financial Management can help you navigate some of the complexities, including plans for your medical professional corporation.
 
Register
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.
 

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. 
 
Questions?
Please contact Lynn Toon at lynn.toon@topalbertadoctors.org.

 
View full details about the study


MD Scope Classifieds
 
In the November 5, 2020 MD Scope Classifieds you'll find listings for:
  
- Physicians wanted
- Space available
- For sale
- Services
 
View MD Scope Classifieds


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