Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) and our Executive Director Terri Potter, I would like to thank you for your participation, wisdom, and contributions to the Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction (CMN). Achievements With the CMN’s Health Canada funding coming to an end next month, we…
Read MoreBuilding “Pain Foundations” with Free Pain BC Courses
The ACFP is pleased to announce that free subscriptions to the Pain BC Pain Foundation courses have been extended to March 2024. The ACFP has a limited number of subscriptions available so act fast. The “Pain Foundations” courses offer a great introduction to understanding, managing, and treating chronic pain. Empower your patients to self-manage pain…
Read MoreBuilding AAWEARness Through Advocacy and Education
By Agatha Grochowski Working out of the Calgary chapter, Marie Ferraro (she/her) is the Provincial Communications Manager for Alberta Alliance Who Educate and Advocate Responsibly (AAWEAR). Marie describes herself as a sober human who struggled with substances for two decades. “Members of the active drug using community are really important members of our community who…
Read MoreUAlberta & CMN Collaborate to Study Mental Models
The University of Alberta partnered with the Alberta College of Family Physicians’ Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction (CMN) to conduct a study that compares the mental models of pharmacists and family physicians that prescribe chronic opioid therapy and opioid agonist therapy (OAT) to patients. Physicians and pharmacists both work for the best…
Read MoreRecognizing Our Communities: A month of reflection and celebration
In the spirit of this month’s recognition and celebration of both Pride and National Indigenous History Month, we have compiled a list of resources to support the development of a safe and inclusive environment for your practice: Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Communities Video: Challenging Stigma in Your Practice: A Case Study on 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusivity, ACFP’s Collaborative Mentorship…
Read MoreCMN Launches “Chronic Pain Gains in Alberta: An ECHO Series”
The Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction (CMN) and the Calgary Pain Program are collaborating on an exciting new project, “Chronic Pain Gains in Alberta: An ECHO Series”. This program is free and open to all Alberta-based health care providers. What is ECHO®? ECHO® is an interactive online medical education program that features…
Read MoreImportant Info – ALBERTA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR EXTENDED RELEASE INJECTABLE BUPRENORPHINE:
ALBERTA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR EXTENDED RELEASE INJECTABLE BUPRENORPHINE: Because supporting information and resources on administering injectable buprenorphine is not yet readily available, the following information on injectable buprenorphine, also known as SublocadeTM, can be found at the following links: Evidence for use Instruction for administration Product Monograph Please note, the ACFP has no affiliation with…
Read MoreConstructive Disruption – Innovating Health Care: Considering the “What Ifs”
By Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw How do we, as community practitioners, care and support our complex patients in the best way possible, while ensuring that we can address both health and social care? How do we change the way we work to make it more sustainable, supportive, and effective? Why Even Ask These Questions? We are…
Read MoreThe (em)Power of Pathways
By Agatha Grochowski Better Care for Patients: Learning from Jocelan Yeomans, Individual with Lived Experience By the age of 23, Jocelan Yeomans found herself married with three children. With a difficult childhood behind her, she felt overwhelmed and ill equipped at this stage of her life. Things took a turn when a friend introduced her…
Read MoreBeyond Harm Reduction…is it Time to Decriminalize the Use of Illicit Drugs?
By Dr. Leah Phillips Pros, Cons, and Options Addiction, like many health issues, is complex. There are multiple reasons why people develop problems with substance use, however, evidence shows that mental illness and trauma are related factors. Canada’s opioid crisis disproportionally impacts people with lower incomes, the unemployed, those with disabilities, and Indigenous people who…
Read MoreImproving Coordinated Care for Chronic Opioid Therapy in Alberta
About the Study Enhancing Alberta Primary Care Research Networks (EnACt), led by Dr. Lee Green, is conducting a qualitative research study seeking to understand the thinking and decision-making processes that take place when family physicians and pharmacists manage chronic opioid therapy for those with chronic pain and/or substance use disorders. This study is a partnership…
Read MoreSpeaking on Stigma in Our Systems – How Can we Make Change?
I have been thinking a lot about stigma and its implications for people with substance use disorders and/or chronic pain. Stigma is defined as “an attribute or quality which significantly discredits one in the eyes of others.”[i] The Fear of StigmatizationAt a recent session of the Community of Practice for Housing and Harm Reduction, the…
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