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From the Primary Care Alliance
Family medicine is undergoing transformation and while it began pre-COVID-19, it has accelerated tremendously in the past two years under the pandemic. We’re seeing engagement opportunities in the primary care sphere that wouldn’t have been possible just a short time ago in addition to continued advancement of Patient’s Medical Home initiatives.
First off, I want to note a new enhancement in the Community Information Integration/Central Patient Attachment Registry (CII/CPAR) program that means starting next month my name will display in Alberta Netcare for my patients in their demographic area as their CPAR primary provider. And your name can too!
Read about the update in this issue, and consider joining more than 800 of your fellow physicians in this care-continuity improvement effort.
Secondly, the Section of Family Medicine (SFM) and Section of Rural Medicine (SRM) undertook an engagement initiative last fall to gather physician experiences and provided a report on the results. It is available on the SFM and SRM member pages (member login required). SFM/SRM are using this feedback to guide their efforts this year. They would welcome your thoughts and suggestions at sfmpres@albertadoctors.org.
In addition, in a recent online post, the president of Alberta College of Family Physicians, Dr. Sudha Koppula wrote about the College’s advocacy intention to build the ‘Future of Family Medicine’, which she states, will provide plenty of opportunities for you to become involved.
Lastly, I wanted to remind you of the White Paper on Transforming Primary and Community Based Care as an opportunity to engage in further discussion on improvements to family medicine in the province. I welcome that conversation. Email me at primarycarealliance@albertadoctors.org.
The time for change is ripe. We need physicians to engage where they find a fit as there are opportunities for everyone to help build a better future for family medicine in Alberta.
Take care,
Dr. Brad Bahler
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
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See your name in lights...er Alberta Netcare Portal!
Family physicians and pediatricians participating in the Central Patient Attachment Registry (CPAR) will notice something different in Alberta Netcare Portal in April.
Their name will appear prominently in the demographics area of their patient’s records in Netcare.
Read more at the link about this latest update available to participants in the CII/CPAR initiative.
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Reducing Impact of Financial Strain featured podcast
Reducing Impact of Financial Strain (RIFS) project and the associated tools, training and resources are the result of a collaboration that supports primary care screening for, and responding to, financial concerns among patients.
It strengthens linkages to community services and builds capacity to address gaps.
Check out the article and podcast interview with Dr. Karla Gustafson in the latest issue of Alberta Doctors’ Digest.
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CMN April event - Trauma-informed care & repairing relationships
This month, the Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain & Addiction (CMN) is hosting a free session on April 28 at 7:30 PM;
“How to DO Trauma Informed Care & Repair Relationships that Go Wrong”
with Kara Irwin MSc RPsych, and Marie Ferraro from AAWEAR.
Please share with your colleagues - CMN events are open to all health care providers.
Learn more about upcoming CMN events at the link below. |
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ACFP Award Nominations - Last Chance!
Only one more day to help us recognize the amazing family physicians, clinics, residents, and students who advance excellence in family medicine.
Get your nominations in by end of day April 1 by making your submission at the link below.
Need more time?
Email acfpawards@acfp.ca. |
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COVID-19 Resources
Updated AHS guidance on eye protection
AHS guidelines now provide more flexibility around eye protection. Continuous eye protection must be maintained in AHS settings where frequent or unanticipated exposures to COVID-19 may occur, in settings that are initial points of contacts for patients or the public, and in areas where there is a greater risk of virus spread.
More information: Use and Reuse of Eye Protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Questions: PHC@ahs.ca.
Updated AHS guidance on masking
AHS has updated its masking guidance to include:
- Removing the masking requirement for patients, designated family/support persons and visitors in AHS settings (including community settings), but retaining the requirement in AHS facilities
- Providing guidance for home care settings (see item 6.1b in the directive document)
Note that there are no changes to healthcare worker masking requirements.
More information: Use of Masks During COVID-19 directive.
Questions: PHC@ahs.ca.
Living with Long COVID: A Patient Perspective - Webinar Mar. 31, Noon MDT
Part of a series presented by the Neurosciences, Rehabilitation and Vison Strategic Clinical Network, this Zoom webinar supports providers caring for individuals with long COVID. You’ll hear personal stories of long COVID, and you’ll find out how they can inform healthcare.
To register, go here and enter code: N98YY4K3L. Questions: PHC@ahs.ca.
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Chronic Pain Gains - CMN ECHO series OPEN to all!
The Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain & Addiction (CMN) is pleased to present the free interactive learning opportunity: “Chronic Pain Gains in Alberta: An ECHO Series”.
Health care providers across Alberta are welcome!
Learn more about the series, register, and submit your cases for discussion at cmnalberta.com/ECHO.
Alberta Summit on Mental Illness
The Alberta Summit on Mental Illness being held May 27 is a unique opportunity for clinicians and family members to learn from the speakers and dialogue with one another. This family-led event will address severe and persistent mental illness, how it’s treated and how improvements can be made. More information, a poster for downloading and registration are available here.
The summit is a collaboration between FAMI-Alberta, CMHA Edmonton, Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, Covenant Health, AHS Addiction and Mental Health Edmonton zone, and the U of A Dept. of Psychiatry.
Workshop on integrating primary care and oncology
The Annual Family Physicians and Cancer Care: Strengthening Linkages Workshop brings together family physicians, health professionals and oncology specialists to discuss cancer-related topics. The workshop helps family physicians and health professionals build links between oncology and primary care communities of practice.
More information: Strengthening Linkages Workshop | Alberta Health Services. Questions: PHC@ahs.ca.
New button battery ingestion resources
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