Primary Care Alberta Weekly Clinical Update

 Subscribing: If you don’t receive this newsletter regularly and would like to subscribe, please email PCA@primarycarealberta.ca with “Subscribe to Weekly Clinical Update” in the subject line.

In this issue: Read time: Approximately 8 minutes.

Read time: Approximately 8 minutes.

    From the CMO – Measles prevention: What we can do

    Lab bulletin: Measles specimen collection pathway updated

    Pathway of the Week: Gender-Affirming Care

    Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Pearl of the Week: Drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics after gastric surgery

    New health corporations

    19th Annual Pain Society of Alberta Conference

    Webinar reminder: Improving providers’ referral experience with Specialty Access

    Reminder: Indigenous Peoples Month sessions

    Reminder: Primary Care Access Improvement

    Primary Care Physician Compensation Model payments

    Indigenous Support Line now province-wide

    Free Virtual Program for Chronic Pain Management

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Coalition for Primary Health Care Highlights/Key Messages April 10/25

o Background of CPHC reviewed with new members and special guests
o Membership to be reviewed
o Opportunities for collaboration between the Coalition and Primary Care Alberta discussed
• Alberta Virtual Care Coordinating Body
o Dr. Ewan Affleck presented on Disconnected Care and the reports created by the AVCCB
o Recording of presentation will be posted on CPHC website
o Opportunities to collaborate between Coalition and AVCCB in the future
• May Retreat Planning
o Held in conjunction with Primary Care Strategic Forum May 1 at the Westin in Edmonton
o Scenario planning to take place during retreat
o Special guests from Alberta Health are expected to attend

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Communication and change Management Sub-Committee March 25, 2025

We encourage SC members to share this information with their respective organizations. The CCM SC Secretariat converts the questions submitted for the monthly standing item, Member Insights, into shareable information.

Low interest in Primary Care Physician Compensation Model in rural areas:

• This has been noted and flagged with the appropriate program area within the department. A related news release went out on March 24, 2025, confirming that the new compensation model is set to officially launch on April 1. The program has met the threshold of enrolled physicians. Click the link to access to the news release: Family doctors embrace new pay model | alberta.ca

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Issues with communication of FAQ and key messages regarding the transition of AHS board members to PCA

• The transition package was shared with the appropriate individuals through appropriate channels.

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Primary Care Alberta’s weekly e-newsletter sign up

• Primary Care Alberta shares an e-newsletter (Weekly Clinical Update) every Thursday

• It contains updates and information for primary care clinicians across Alberta. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please send an email to Nicole Merrifield, Executive Director, Communications and Engagement, Primary Care Alberta at:  nicole.merrifield@primarycarealberta.ca

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Will the shared services entity support the new Regional Networks?

• A shared services entity is being established to provide corporate and support services to all four provincial health agencies and service providers. We will continue to share more information as it becomes available.

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