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ACFP
@abfamdocs.bsky.social
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abfamdocs.bsky.social
References 1. Carroll, Aaron E. The High Costs of Unnecessary Care. The JAMA Forum, JAMA Network, 2017 September 27. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2662877. Accessed October 29, 2025 2. Canadian Medical Association. Why Canada’s health system needs (a lot more) team-based care. https://www.cma.ca/our-focus/workforce-planning/why-canadas-health-system-needs-lot-more-team-based-care. Accessed October 31, 2025. 3. College of Family Physicians of Canada. Evidence Summary – Patient’s Medical Home 2019: a new vision for family practice in Canada, 2020. https://patientsmedicalhome.ca/files/uploads/EvidenceBooklet10-interactive.pdf. Accessed October 31, 2025.
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
The ACFP recognizes the government’s desire to improve access to diagnostic screening and testing services. However, further discussion, exploration, and consultation is needed to ensure that this legislation does not increase harm rather than increase access.

Read Our Statement: lnkd.in/dQsUKpdu
Message to Our Members: Statement on Privately Purchased Diagnostic Screening and Testing. October 31, 2025 Dear ACFP Members: The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is concerned by the Government of Alberta’s announcement of legislation allowing privately purchased diagnostic screening and testing, including MRIs, CT scans, full-body scans, and blood work. The ACFP stands with its partner organizations—many of whom already have voiced their concerns over the proposed legislation, including the Alberta Medical Association and its Section of Family Medicine—and share their sentiments around the issues it raises. Preventative health is a core tenet of family medicine. As family physicians, we know our patients and have built trusted relationships with them over the years, developing a more fulsome understanding of their health needs. This unique perspective we hold as family physicians cannot be underestimated in its value by providing and helping navigate care and preventative health measures for our patients. Preventative care is best delivered in the context of a longitudinal relationship with a family physician and team of providers who understand a person’s values and goals. In addition, family physicians are medical experts, helping our patients interpret evidence-based guidelines to adapt to the individual’s needs. When tests are done without the guidance of a medical expert, results are not only more difficult to interpret, but there is a risk of causing harm from further unnecessary investigations. In addition to the harm caused to individuals when inappropriate tests are done, health care system costs also rise. The ACFP recognizes the government’s desire to improve access to diagnostic screening and testing services. However, further discussion, exploration, and consultation is needed to ensure that this legislation does not increase harm rather than increase access. In 2013, one report stated that unnecessary investigations cost the US health care system $210 billion dollars in wasted funds1. That money is better spent investing in team-based primary care2,3. We encourage you to provide your thoughts and feedback to the Government of Alberta at PPHS.Minister@gov.ab.ca on the proposed legislation. If you have feedback for us on how we should be approaching advocacy on this topic, don’t hesitate to let us know at acfppres@acfp.ca. Sincerely, Melanie Hnatiuk, MD, CCFP, FCFP President Alberta College of Family Physicians
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Calling all Alberta-based attendees at the Family Medicine Forum 2025! Join us @ualberta.bsky.social @ucalgary.bsky.social for cocktails at Alberta House on Nov. 5th, 5-7 p.m., at Charleswood, Delta Hotels Winnipeg to connect with peers from across the province!
RSVP today: bit.ly/AlbertaHouse2025
October 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Do you have a solution, idea, or product that’s transforming patient care in Alberta? Submit your innovation to the Family Medicine Innovation Forum on October 4, 2025, in Edmonton.

Hurry up and submit your innovations by July 15th! Learn more: bit.ly/fm-innovations @albertadoctors.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Join Alberta’s health leaders, creative thinkers, and trailblazers in family medicine and primary care at the Family Medicine Innovation Forum, Oct 4th! Get connected with best practices and innovations that are transforming and improving patient care. Submit now – bit.ly/fm-innovations
July 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Hey Alberta innovators! Got a cool idea or tool that’s making family medicine better? We’re looking for changemakers to share their work at the Family Medicine Innovation Forum on October 4 in Edmonton! Let’s improve care together. Submit now - bit.ly/fm-innovations @albertadoctors.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 11:07 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Happy @wonca World Family Doctor Day! We thank family physicians for the good work that they do for all Albertans!

To mark this day, watch this #MemberMoment and take a few minutes to share your story of gratitude with us. Submit your story today at www.familydocsrock.ca. #FamilyDocsRock #WFDD2025
May 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Happy World Family Doctor Day! Take a minute to watch this #MemberMoment featuring our 2024 Family Physician of the Year, Dr. Robert Greidanus.

Take part in our World Family Doctor Day celebration! Share your story of gratitude at www.familydocsrock.ca. #FamilyDocsRock #WFFD2025 #MemberMoment
May 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Happy World Family Doctor Day from all of us at the ACFP! Let us take a moment to say thank you to Alberta's family physicians for all the amazing work that they do! Watch this #MemberMoment and share your story of gratitude at familydocsrock.ca. #FamilyDocsRock #WFDD2025
May 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Three days till #WorldFamilyDoctorDay (WFDD) and how we look forward to celebrate the amazing work of our members!
Watch our series of #MemberMoments and join our #WFDD2025 celebration.

Share your story of gratitude today: www.familydocsrock.ca. #FamilyDocsRock
May 16, 2025 at 11:22 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
With family doctors providing 70 percent of health care in Alberta, #WorldFamilyDoctorDay is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude and appreciation for their impact on patients, families, and communities. Share your story of gratitude at www.familydocsrock.ca.
#WFDD #FamilyDocsRock
May 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
This could be the volunteer opportunity you've been looking for! Family physicians are invited to join our 2025 Student Shadowing Program with @albertadoctors.bsky.social Sections of Family Medicine and Rural Medicine.

Sign up now for our first shadowing placement: bit.ly/2025ShadowingPhysicians
May 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
World Family Doctor Day 2025 is on May 19th! This global occasion recognizes the crucial role of family doctors in health care systems and serves as the culminating event for our signature public awareness campaign–#FamilyDocsRock! Be part of our #WFDD2025 festivities: www.familydocsrock.ca
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May 6, 2025 at 8:54 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
The ACFP staff team led by Executive Director Terri Potter recently headed down to Calgary to present Riverbend Medical Clinic with the 2024 ACFP Patient’s Medical Home (PMH)-Outstanding Family Practice Award.

Congratulations to the team at Riverbend Medical Clinic on your incredible achievement!
April 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
abfamdocs.bsky.social
Meet some of our 2024 ACFP Awards recipients who joined us for the 70th Family Medicine Summit.

If you know an exceptional peer, medical resident or student, or clinic, nominate them for the 2025 Awards. Deadline extension is now April 21st. To submit your nominations, visit: bit.ly/acfp-awards
April 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM