These Docs Rock!!!

We are proud to introduce our ACFP honorees for 2017.

ACFP Family Physician of the Year

Recognition of Excellence

Outstanding Family Practice

ACFP Student Leadership – Rising Star Award

Family Medicine Resident Leadership Award

ACFP New Professional Award

ACFP Champion Award

ACFP Long-term Service
November 6-11 is Family Doctor Week in Canada!

We thank you for all that you do and the many contributions you provide to your patients, communities, and peers!

What's New at ACFP and In Health Care
President's Message
My Patient Journey Continues

Many of us have had our own brushes with the health care system, be it our own illness or through a family member. I have been living such an experience recently through my father’s serious and very lengthy illness and hospital stay. Throughout his entire stay, the staff caring for my father have been phenomenal.

I, as the family member, have enjoyed a great deal of respect and engagement. So, it was with considerable surprise that I found all of it tarred with the experience of my father’s last day in hospital; the plan was

'Tis the Season - Effectiveness of the Trivalent Influenza Vaccine
It's flu vaccination season! Therefore, we are revisiting Tools for Practice #100 - Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine for healthy, working age adults

Canadian Family Physician
Michael R. Kolber, Darren Lau, Dean Eurich, and
Christina Korownyk
Canadian Family Physician January 2014, 60 (1) 50;

Clinical Question : Does the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine (flu shot) prevent influenza or its complications in adults and seniors?

Bottom Line : For healthy adults, the flu shot reduces the influenza rate when the vaccine is well matched (number needed to treat [NNT] of 12 to 37). A poorly matched vaccine has diminished effectiveness. For community-dwelling seniors, the NNT to prevent 1 case of influenza is 40. The flu shot has not been shown to decrease hospitalizations. Evidence that the flu shot decreases mortality is likely biased.

Implementation : Influenza is prevented primarily through hand washing and vaccination. In the past, only about 30% of Canadians and 40% of health care workers received flu shots. Influenza treatment is primarily supportive. The apparent effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir in treating influenza (symptom resolution about 1 day earlier; 6.7 vs 5.8 days) is likely biased; most oseltamivir trials are not published and there is selective reporting of adverse events. To increase vaccination, public campaigns and personal reminders might be beneficial. Patient education addressing myths (eg, the flu shot causes influenza; the vaccine is unsafe) is essential.

LeadFM - Tell Us What You Want
Have Your Say on Session and Conference Content

Take a moment to fill in our LeadFM conference needs assessment and help inform the conference program.

Thank You Shadowing Superheros!
Thank you for all those who volunteered their time to accept a medical student and to the medical students who participated in our Shadowing program!

The ACFP, with sponsorship from the Section of General Practice (SGP) and Section of Rural Medicine (SRM), hosted the 2017 Shadowing Program for Incoming Medical Students in June and August and experienced an increase of student uptake.

A total of 80 students participated in this year's program compared to 68 last year (U of C: 27 students / U of A: 42 students). Feedback from both students and physicians continues to be extremely positive. Below are some comments quoted from the students:

”It was fantastic to see a different side of Family Medicine (The doctor is a hospitalist). I was able to see and experience a variety of patient cases and the doctor was friendly and very willing to answer my questions.”

“My shadowing experience exceeded my expectations!! The doctor was an excellent teacher and mentor, and he really gave me excellent insight into family medicine and the scope of practice options available to me.”

“This was an incredible experience. It exceeded my expectations. I learned so much and look forward to consolidating this knowledge with course learnings.”
Things that make you go hmmm. Why Do We Need Conflict of Interest Disclosures?
Members of the CFPC play a vital role in the development of Mainpro+ certified activities – e.g. as planning committee members, and in the delivery of a Mainpro+ certified activity as speakers, moderators, and as participants. 

Identifying and addressing potential conflicts of interest helps ensure proper balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor is applied to certified educational activities.


For presenters and planning committee members of Mainpro+ certified programs and events - Learn more about identifying and managing conflicts of interest and transparency to learners
Alberta College of Family Physicians | www.acfp.ca | 780-488-2395