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From the Primary Care Alliance
As we near the holiday season for many businesses and organizations, work typically slows down and people prepare to spend time with their families and friends. While that is not always the case with those working healthcare as responsibilities can dictate otherwise, this year unlike any other is challenging us as providers. The impact on our families has been equally difficult, and while I have touched on this issue before, with the second wave of the pandemic ramping up, I think it’s important that we acknowledge a couple of things.
One, is that rest and recovery is essential. I know that many of you are working longer hours than normal and often covering for your colleagues when isolation or quarantine is required. While you can make that sacrifice for a period of time, it does catch up to you. Please take the time necessary to recharge for your own health and mental well-being, as well as that of your patients.
And two; the upcoming holiday season is a time to focus on some of the most important people in our lives – our families, our partners and our loved ones. Even through virtual means. These are the people around us who support us through their own sacrifices during the difficulties of the ongoing pandemic.
If you’re struggling, there is help available. The Physician and Family Support Program is a confidential phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are there to help you and your family when you need it.
I also want to convey my thanks and continued appreciation to you, my fellow family physicians, as you repeatedly step up the fight in the war against this virus. As front-line providers, thousands of you have worked tirelessly to care for your patients during this time of great need. I’m proud of the work primary care undertakes and the leadership you demonstrate every day in Alberta. Thank you.
Stay safe,
Dr. Brad Bahler
Chair
Primary Care Alliance
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Section of Family Medicine/Section of Rural Medicine update
COVID Talks for Docs
Series: Adapting to Increasing COVID Care Needs in your Practice
This is the second webinar of a bi-weekly webinar series on COVID-19 for the care and management of patients in the community. The series is hosted by physicians from Alberta Health Services, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and the Alberta Medical Association with support from Alberta College of Family Physicians.
More in the Bulletin at the link below.
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Family Medicine Summit goes virtual
Mark your Calendar! The Alberta College of Family Physicians Annual Family Medicine Summit is going virtual Mar. 5-7, 2021.
We look forward to providing you the practical continuing medical education you have grown to love and expect from us, in a new accessible format!
Registration launches soon.
Visit the link below for more details.
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The Heart of Family Medicine: Shannon's story
The Heart of Family Medicine celebrates the trusted relationships between patients and family physicians through their stories. It showcases the outstanding contributions made by family doctors to improve the health and well-being of their patients, their communities, and Alberta.
This month, the Alberta College of Family Physicians shares its first Heart of Family Medicine patient video – Shannon’s story.
At the link below see and hear about the impact having family physician has had on Shannon’s quality of life.
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Some 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.
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. |
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Recruiting Edmonton and Northern Alberta physicians interested in improving symptom management for cirrhosis care
Led by Dr. Lee Green, Enhancing Alberta Primary Care Research Networks, is conducting a qualitative research study seeking to understand the thinking and decision-making processes that take place when primary care physicians manage the symptoms of patients living with cirrhosis.
How do you become involved?
The team would like to interview primary care physicians in a one-hour virtual (e.g., Zoom or telephone) format to know more about their role and thinking within the process of symptom management in cirrhosis care. Honorariums will be offered. Currently, they looking to add representation from Edmonton and Northern Alberta. Contact Lynn Toon for more information.
Primary Care & Community Providers: How will Connect Care Identifiers impact you?
Connect Care will launch Wave 3 at select sites in the Calgary and North Zones on February 27, 2021. All community providers in Alberta need to take action so that laboratory, diagnostic imaging and other investigation results and reports are delivered to your office. Read more.
IBD patient resources
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) specialists in collaboration with the Digestive Health Strategic Clinical Network in Alberta have developed evidence-based protocols/guidelines that can help to improve the quality of life and management of patients with IBD; Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative colitis.
These protocols include: vaccination schedules, health maintenance guidelines, iron and vitamin D monitoring. Their goal is to share these free resources with primary care providers who have IBD patients in their practices across the province.
They also welcome feedback and are happy to collaborate on other unmet needs for these patients. To find out more visit IBDclinic.ca.
Clinical Connections Conference
This series of webinars hosted by Alberta College of Family Physicians, offers a variety of sessions that include but are not limited to new approaches to care, clinical guidelines, and opportunities to provide feedback and inform the decision making.
Upcoming Sessions:
Jan. 7 | Empowering Care: Child Mental Health Issues in Your Community
Feb. 4 |Team Based Management of Back Pain
Visit the event link for details and register today.
Check-in and Check-up series: ACFP's Virtual Doctors' Lounge
This event (7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8) is for family physicians and driven by physician engagement. Alberta College of Family Physicians Virtual Doctors’ Lounge is a safe place for you to network, voice your frustrations, and share your silver linings with your colleagues from across the province.
Share your topic suggestions and save your spot! Register here.
Nominate a colleague today for the ACFP's 2021 Awards and Recognition Program
It is time to celebrate the incredible physicians, students, residents, and clinics who demonstrate what “Excellence in Family Practice” truly means. Nominations are now open!
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