FEBRUARY 2021 | eNews
Out Like a Lion, in Like a Lamb
We are quickly approaching our annual conference, the Family Medicine Summit, held March 5-7. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding this fully virtually for the first time ever. Our Annual Meeting of Members (AMM), which is usually held in person at the conference, will instead be virtual this year, held the evening of March 25. This will be a particularly special meeting as I transition the Presidency of the ACFP to Dr. Sudha Koppula. I will share some reflections on my time in this role next month leading up to the AMM.

As we emerge from the longest cold snap of the winter so far, it perhaps serves as a metaphor for the pandemic as well. In early December, we witnessed a peak of cases and subsequently increased restrictions. As we start to see a decrease in case numbers, hospitalizations, and the initial relaxing of certain restrictions, we must remember that just as the weather in February can be unpredictable, never knowing when the next cold snap or snowstorm may be on the horizon, so too is COVID-19. The appearance of COVID-19 variants...
Continuing Education - Summit Bound
The ACFP's Annual Family Medicine Summit Hassle free CME

There is still time to register for the 66th Family Medicine Summit. Don’t miss your chance and take in the fantastic primary health care tailored program. You can save $50.00 by using this last chance to register promo code: SummitBound. The code expires February 28.
Learn about new approaches to care, clinical guidelines, and provide your feedback to help inform decision making. Register for one or all remaining sessions.
  • Mar 18 | Appropriate Prescribing and Medication Use for Older Albertans in Primary Care
The Collaborative Mentorship Network
Join the CMN Community of Practice

The Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain & Addiction (CMN) addresses the urgent need of local treatment options within primary care settings by building capacity within family physicians and multidisciplinary team members. The CMN provides helpful resources and opportunities for peer-to-peer support in the areas of chronic pain and substance use.

To learn more, watch the following video featuring our Medical Lead and passionate advocate, Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw.
The following events are free and hosted by the CMN or in partnership with:
  • Speakers: Drs. Jessica Kirkwood, Lana Fehr, & Tally Mogus
  • Speakers: Kimberly Phillips and Maria Fais
Top Stories
HofFM Podcast
A patient's perspective

Having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months didn’t stop Matt from achieving and excelling at all things he does. Matt is an accomplished meteorologist and, in his spare time, a public speaker, advocating...

"Just" a Family Doc

By Noel Grisdale, MD CCFP

I’m just a family doc... I know a lot about a lot but probably don’t know everything about anything. I’ve spent 25 years solving the undifferentiated patient. My generalist lens gives me good insight into the human condition...I’ve seen the best, the worst & everything in between...

Call to Action for Primary Care and Community Providers:
Connect Care Identifiers and Wave Sequencing Update Connect Care will launch Wave 3 at sites in the former Peace Region of North Zone on April 10, 2021.

Mainpro+ Mega Minute

By Nathan Turner, MD CCFP

As a new in practice family doctor there are many things that, while important for your practice and career, you may not have had much exposure to in residency. One of these is the Mainpro+ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) tracking system...
Request From Alberta Health – COVID-19 FAQs
The ACFP continues to advocate for family physicians through our relationship with Alberta Health. Recently, the ACFP attended a meeting with Dr. Hinshaw, several leaders in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH), Public Health, and Primary & Community Care.

Alberta Health (AH) acknowledges the important role of family physicians in responding to and recovering from the pandemic over the next couple of years. They also understand that many questions are being asked in visits with patients.

To assist AH in ensuring that the FAQs available on their website are inclusive, they are asking for our help. If you have fielded any COVID-19 specific questions that there are not clear answers to, please email them to: lindsay.rankin@acfp.ca and we will pass them on.

ACFP will continue to bring your voice to discussions at senior leadership levels, working groups, and task forces that have been struck to operationalize the vision and goals of our health system.
What's New in Health Care
For the latest information regarding COVID-19 please visit the AHS website
Community physicians & providers can also email questions to: phc@ahs.ca
Update includes COVID-19 immunization information.

This AMA toolkit is designed to support family physicians and practice teams in conversations with patients about the COVID-19 vaccine with relevant and practical information.