Short on Time?

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Even if you are scrambling to get everything done on your To-Do List and think you cannot possibly do another thing, please consider taking a few minutes to read this article by David Climenhaga. It will be time well spent.

What’s Really Happening in Hospitals?

Why Do Words Matter?

Undoubtedly, there are occasions when we cannot find the right word to use, use the wrong one or are at a total loss of words. To some people and in some situations, such a word error may be seen as no big deal. However, this may not be the case, as Lorna Kay Thomas discusses in her blog post, “A Small Victory: Changing the CBC’s use of “drug abuser.”

Why are doctors withdrawing hospital services?

Doctors in rural communities around Alberta are leaving, retiring or changing their services. Why is it occurring and who is responsible? For answers to these and other questions, check out this article.

The Press Gallery interview: Deputy premier Sarah Hoffman

What are Sarah Hoffman’s thoughts about healthcare in Alberta – wait times, medical aid in dying, funding, level of care, compassion? To find out, you may wish to listen to a recent Edmonton Journal: The Press Gallery interview: Sarah Hoffman.

Protocol prohibits transplant

Delilah Saunders is critically ill and requires a liver transplant. Unfortunately, she has been deemed ineligible based on a past history of alcohol use. What are your thoughts about this decision and the associated protocol?

Click here to read the story.

Are You Dancing With Your Healthcare Provider?

In this video, Sarah Krüg uses the analogy of the continuous give and take in the “Tango” to illustrate the foundation of balanced partnership and connection that can exist between patient and physician. Unfortunately, this dance may not be occurring for some patients. As one member of the Patients 4 Change community stated, “To date, there are multiple songs playing at the same time, with each one having a different beat. Suffice it to say, my feet are very sore from being stepped on.” What kind of dance do you share with your healthcare providers?

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Month


Darlene, a member of our Pts4Chg community, was critical in making September – Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month – in Edmonton! If you or someone you know suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, this free patient forum may be of interest to you. The event will be held on September 27th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30: p.m. in Edmonton. Click here for more information.

Congratulations again, Darlene, on a job well done!

Would You Pay For Quality Care?


Imagine if doctors were paid for quality of care rather than given a fee for service. How would this change the care provided to patients? What effect would this have on patient experience and patient satisfaction? What impact would this type of physician compensation have on the healthcare system in terms of resources used, expenses and overall costs? Alberta is about to find out.

Alberta doctors voted 74 per cent in favour of a set of amendments to the existing 2011-18 master agreement that will change elements of patient care and how doctors are paid.

The new deal will introduce a compensation model for some primary-care doctors aimed at rewarding time and quality of care given to patients rather than just the number of services provided, the province says.

Click here to read the full article.

Primary Health Care in Canada – Indicator Results

Released in April 2016, this free CIHI document may be of interest to you. “Based on the 2012 Pan-Canadian Primary Health Care Indicator Update Report, this chartbook profiles the results from a selected group of primary health care (PHC) indicators, using a range of data sources, with the aim of providing an integrated view of PHC information in Canada.” Download the document here