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your health. your team.

C o n n e C t i n g Volume 5, NO. 2, 2013

www.cfpcn.ca

Avoid ER wait timesKnow your options

Getting back on trackA patient’s journey towards better health

Improving your moodSimple tips to address negativity in your life

Take this free copy

home with you!

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6 4 taking a proactive approach to your health

5 Avoid eR wait times. Know your options

6 Getting back on track: a patient’s story

8 Improving your mood, one activity at a time

9 Protecting yourself from sun damage

10 Group appointments enhance patient education

12 taking control of your medication

14 Calgary Foothills PCn Clinics

15 Calgary Foothills PCn Programs

www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Calgary Foothills Primary Care network would like to thank Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. for their assistance in printing this medical communication publication.

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Background

500, 1716 - 16th Avenue nWCalgary, AB t2M 0L7Phone: 403.284.FPCn (3726)Fax: 403.284.9518info@cfpcn.cawww.cfpcn.ca

Editor stephanie Baker Communications ManagerCalgary Foothills Primary Care network

Art Director Richart Bocxe

Publisher Jim thornton

Calgary, Alberta tel: 403.287.9818ads@paragonpublish.com www.paragonpublish.com

Medical director’s message

All rights reserved ©2013. Printed in Canada. Member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Published for CFPCN by:

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) like ours are designed to enhance and improve the care you receive for your day-to-day health needs. This can be anything from operating a clinic that provides care on evenings and weekends, to increasing access to other PCN health professionals located in your doctor’s office. In Connecting Care, you’ll learn about some of the services offered by Calgary Foothills PCN. You’ll also find some helpful medical advice from members of our PCN health team.

Calgary Foothills PCN works closely with Alberta Health Services to strive for the best primary health care for you, your family and your community. Please feel free to take the Connecting Care home and read it at your leisure.Sincerely,

Dr. Linda M. SlocombeMedical DirectorCalgary Foothills Primary Care Network

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is an arrangement between a group of family physicians and Alberta Health Services - Calgary to provide primary care services to patients living in north Calgary and Cochrane. Created in 2006 as part of the Primary Care Initiative of Alberta, the Calgary Foothills PCN’s mission is to enhance access and coordination of primary care for patients while improving the quality of professional life for community family physicians and allied health care professionals.

Primary Care is the care patients receive at their first point of contact with the health care system, usually provided by family physicians or allied health care providers. Patients receive care for their everyday health needs, including health promotion and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions.

Connecting Care is a PCN publication aimed at educating patients of member physicians on new programs and initiatives available to them and their family.

Connecting Care Magazine is published three times per year in January, May and september, and is made available free of charge to the 333,000+ north Calgary and Cochrane patients of 326 PCn family physicians at 86 clinics in 54 communities. the e-magazine version is available at www.cfpn.ca and by free subscription at connectingcare@paragonpublish.com

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Taking a proactive approach to your health

How well you take care of yourself can affect your health. Your choices may influence how you age

and can even make you more vulnerable to certain diseases. The good news is it’s never too late to take control of your health. By adopting healthier lifestyle choices one at a time, you can help yourself feel better and decrease your chances of developing an illness or chronic condition later in life.

Your family doctor knows the importance of taking a proactive approach to health. As a member of the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN), your doctor has access to a team of health professionals who are there to provide additional support to you and your family. Your health team may consist of one or more health professionals — such as a health management nurse, clinical pharmacist or behavioural health consultant — who can help you take a proactive approach to your health and lifestyle goals.

Sarah, for example, struggled with chronic pain, weight gain and high blood sugar. Sarah’s health management nurse helped her identify the goals she needed to accomplish to get her health back, and the clinical pharmacist helped her better manage her chronic pain. By working with her health team, Sarah took a proactive role in her own health and successfully reached her goals. To learn more about Sarah’s story, see Getting back on track: a patient’s story on page 6.

Your health team members can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. A clinical pharmacist, for example, can

provide medication reviews and education on diseases, immunizations and management strategies. They can also assist you in setting health goals through a personal action plan. For more information on what you can do to better manage your medications, read Taking control of your medication on page 12. Clinical pharmacists are also able to provide information on health merchandise including home blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, pill dispensers and sun protection products. To see what one of our clinical pharmacists has to say about sun protection, read Protecting yourself from sun damage on page 9.

If you are interested in improving your emotional or mental health, you may want to talk with a behavioural health consultant. They can provide support for issues such as grief, depression and anxiety. They also offer advice on relationships, parenting and adjusting to life with a chronic disease. In this issue of Connecting Care, Robyn, a behavioural health consultant with the Calgary Foothills PCN, explains how a person can take a proactive approach to their mental and emotional health by setting small goals every day. See Improving your mood, one activity at a time on page 8 for more information.

Your health team is here to help you set health goals, understand your health conditions and provide advice on how to merge lifestyle changes into your daily routine. Depending on which clinic you visit, your health team may consist of one or several health professionals. For more information on the team members available to you, visit www.cfpcn.ca or talk to your family doctor.q

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Avoid ER wait times. Know your options.

It’s 6:00pm on a Friday and you develop symptoms that become progressively worse. You have a fever

and sore throat and your family doctor’s office is closed for the weekend. You consider your options. You could go to the nearest emergency room, urgent care centre or walk-in clinic, but you’re not too keen on enduring the long wait times. You wonder: what other options are out there and what should I be doing at home?

If you have a health question or concern, you can call HealthLink Alberta (403-943-5465), a 24/7 telephone service providing health advice and information. An experienced HealthLink nurse can assess your symptoms, offer advice on self-care at home and help you find the right care in your community. For example, if you need to see a family doctor within 24 hours, the HealthLink nurse may offer you a same-day appointment at the After Hours Clinic.

Operated by the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network, the After Hours Clinic provides free non-emergency medical care on weeknights, weekends and holidays. Unlike the emergency room, you can relax in the comfort of your home until it’s time to go to your appointment. Afterwards, the After Hours Clinic will let your family doctor know what treatments you received. If you do not have a family doctor, the clinic will arrange for you to see a doctor for follow-up care.

The Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network is one of four Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Calgary. To learn more about programs offered by the Calgary Foothills PCN, visit www.cfpcn.ca. For more information on Primary Care Networks, you can also visit www.albertapci.ca. q

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Wed - July 3rd (9:00 - 15:00): Foothills Hospital Auditorium, Foothills Hospital, Calgary

Wed - July 3rd (17:00 - 19:00): Tom Baker Auditorium (Physicians only)Thurs - July 4th (9:00 - 15:00): Foothills Hospital Auditorium, Foothills Hospital,

Calgary

Register online at: www.albertalymphema.com or call Diane Martin at 403-281-9205

• The symposium is open to the public and there is no charge.• Food and refreshments are provided for all sessions.• Also included are speakers on treatment, garments, bandaging and

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Lymphedema 2013 Education Symposiumwith guest speaker Andrea Cheville, M.D.

Dr. Cheville is an Associate Professor of Physical Medicineand Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

She will be presenting information on Lymphedema and Lymphatic Research for everyone who wants to learn about the topic.

Alberta Lymphedema Association

Getting back on track: a patient’s story

Sarah’s perspective on her health changed dramatically when she told her family doctor she

had lost her sister to diabetes complications. “My doctor told me that if I didn’t take control of my health, I would follow down the same path as my sister,” says Sarah, 53, who had been struggling with high blood sugar, weight gain and chronic pain for some time. That was a wakeup call for Sarah, and on the advice of her family doctor, she met with two of the clinic’s primary care team members — a health management nurse and a pharmacist.

That was two years ago. Today, Sarah’s blood sugar levels have improved dramatically, even without diabetes medications — and despite chronic pain, she has successfully lost over 50 pounds. We talked to Sarah about how her health team helped her get back on track.

First, Sarah met with the pharmacist to learn how she could better manage her chronic pain. “We talked about the bad reactions I had to chronic pain medication and what I could do to lessen those reactions,” she explains. Sarah talked to her health management nurse about setting overall health targets, which included losing weight and lowering her blood sugar levels. Then she found ways to make changes by identifying her bad habits and making small, attainable goals. “These small goals allowed me to challenge and change bad habits, one at a time,” says Sarah. “And because they were small and attainable, they didn’t overwhelm or discourage me.”

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For years, she drank only coffee in the morning. To correct this bad habit, she set herself a goal to eat breakfast every day. She eased into the goal by eating only yogurt in the morning. Shirley, the health management nurse, agreed that this was a great place to start. “The important thing is to eat something in the morning. People who eat breakfast have more energy and an easier time managing their weight,” Shirley explains. Later, Sarah was able to incorporate other food groups, like grains and fruit, and build up to a more balanced breakfast. Sarah also took a proactive approach to keep her goals. For example, she removed all soda and unhealthy food items from her house. “I found it easier to stick to my goals when there was no unhealthy food within reach,” says Sarah. She also began drinking a glass of water with every meal to make herself feel more full.

When it came to incorporating healthier foods into her lifestyle, Shirley didn’t tell Sarah to go on any extreme or restrictive diets. “Most fad diets are a temporary bandage to a long-term problem, and some can do more harm than good,” Shirley explains. “Instead, I had Sarah follow Canada’s Food Guide, which helped her work towards

a more balanced and portion controlled lifestyle.” In an effort to eat healthier, Sarah set small goals for herself based off of the guide. However, that didn’t mean she had to give up her favourite foods entirely. “I occasionally treat myself to my favourite foods,” says Sarah, “but I make sure it’s in moderation.” Shirley explains that Canada’s Food Guide doesn’t need to be followed to a tee to be effective — any progress is beneficial. For most people, small steps towards the ideal are best.

Sarah’s efforts have paid off. Due to better health, she also has more energy and improved sleep. “My doctor, the health management nurse and the pharmacist continue to help me better control my weight and blood sugar levels,” Sarah says. “I’m no longer at a high risk like my sister was, and now I have a chance to spend more time with my granddaughters.”

Many Calgary Foothills PCN clinics have a team of health professionals who are available to discuss and provide support for your health goals. For more information or to find out how your clinic’s team members can help you, talk to your family doctor or visit www.cfpcn.ca. q

You could be featured in Connecting Care

• After Hours Clinic

• Pain Management Clinic

• Tobacco Cessation class

• Ask a Dietitian class

• Walking program

• Need a Doctor website

Have you had a positive experience with your family doctor or health team?

Have you accessed one or more of the following services?

We’d like to hear from you.

Contact us at:info@cfpcn.ca

403-284-3726 ext 223

Read Connecting Care Magazine on your iPad, smartphone, laptop or home computer! Keep vital heath care contact information handy.

Send an email titled “Connecting Care Subscription” to connectingcare@paragonpublish.com

You will receive each new electronic issue of Connecting Care with exactly

the same content as the hardcopy version.

Free Online Connecting Care

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Improving your mood, one activity at a timeWhen people experience a

troubling event – whether it is a divorce or the loss of a loved one – they may feel the need to retreat from the world in an effort to cope with their grief, anxiety, stress or depression. Even though this is a natural reaction, it’s important to understand that these avoidance behaviours, such as withdrawing from social situations, can make your negative emotions even worse. We talked to Robyn, a behavioural health consultant with the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN), about what people can do to improve their mood.

Robyn explains that by engaging in a combination of enjoyable and productive activities, you can help restore balance. First, Robyn suggests thinking of life as divided into the following domains: work, play, health, love, self-care, kindness and social interaction. “By engaging in healthy activities in each of these domains

you can improve your quality of life,” she explains.

To get started, Robyn recommends setting goals to complete a variety of simple activities in each of these domains once a day. For example, an activity in the play domain could be something as simple as reading a chapter of a book, meeting a friend for coffee or playing a board game. A work goal could be vacuuming the carpet, cleaning a room or paying a bill. “By focusing on and accomplishing these activities, you give your

Area of life Definition Example of goalWork A productive activity Wash the dishes

Play An activity that you used to enjoy or would like to try

Read a chapter of a novel

Health A short-term positive health change Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Love An activity that maintains or improves a relationship

Phone a friend

Self-care A self-care, creative, spiritual or mindfulness activity

Treat yourself to a haircut or try meditating

Kindness Help another person Shovel a neighbours’ driveway

Social interaction Interact with other people or the outside world

Have coffee with a friend

mind something else to think about other than the negative situations in your life,” Robyn explains. “These activities also help break reclusive habits and behaviours.” For ideas on what goals you can create for yourself, take a look at the table above.

Robyn also suggests keeping a written record of your goals, whether or not you accomplished them, and what your mood is like after completing (or not completing) the activities. This helps you recognize how you felt after completing an activity – which in turn allows you to determine if you want to complete that activity again, create a larger goal for yourself, or try a different activity.

If you are experiencing grief, stress, anxiety or depression, concentrating on completing small goals in each of the domains of your life can help you move forward — one day at a time. Remember: it is always important to talk to your family doctor if a troubling event is taking its toll on your physical or mental wellbeing. Many Calgary Foothills PCN clinics have a behavioural health consultant (BHC) who is available to discuss your mental health and provide support. For more information, talk to your family doctor or visit www.cfpcn.ca.q

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Protecting yourself from sun damageSkin cancer is the most common type of cancer in

Canada. It’s also the most preventable. Without proper protection, problems such as signs of premature aging, skin cancer and cataracts can develop. So how do we protect ourselves? While there are many effective products that can prevent these issues, it’s hard to know which ones are most effective for your skin, lips and eyes.

SkinFirstly, it’s important to know the difference between sunscreen and sunblock. Sunblock acts as a physical barrier that reflects UVA and UVB rays away from your skin. Sunscreen, which needs to be applied 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, absorbs the UVA and UVB rays before they damage the skin. Sunscreen is less visible on the skin than sunblock, but the ingredients in sunscreen break down faster.

Safia, a pharmacist with the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN), recommends using sunblock if your skin burns easily. If you have skin that doesn’t burn easily, it’s a matter of preference. However, it’s important to remember that dark skin can also burn. As for babies and children, Safia recommends using sunblock in addition to other measures, such as long sleeve shirts, hats and avoidance of peak UV hours (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). “Children’s skin tends to be thinner,” Safia explains. “This means they can absorb more ultraviolet rays than us.”

Whether you chose sunblock or sunscreen, make sure you go for a product that has at least an SPF of 30. “SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor,” Safia explains. “The SPF number corresponds to the amount of time someone can be exposed to radiation before they start to burn.” For example, if you were wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30, it would take you 30 times longer to start burning than someone who isn’t wearing sunscreen. It is also important to choose products that are labeled broad spectrum because they protect against a broad range of ultraviolet radiation.

LipsYour lips can get burned too. Lips do not contain much melanin, a pigment that protects against the sun’s rays. Sunlight can also trigger cold sores in people who are prone to them. To protect your lips, Safia recommends using a lip balm that has at least an SPF of 30. “You will need to reapply a thick layer regularly throughout the day,”

she adds. By protecting your lips, you also protect the collagen that is in them, which postpones the development of wrinkles on and around your lips.

EyesThe right sunglasses can prevent cataracts and other diseases of the eye that are caused by radiation from the sun. Wear sunglasses that have large lenses that wrap around your eyes. It’s important to also make sure that they block 99 to 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays. All sunglasses should contain this information on the tag or on a sticker on the lens.

Sun damage builds up over time. Therefore, many people will not begin to show signs of damage and skin cancer until they are older. But it’s never too late to start protecting yourself. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unexplained changes in your skin. Many Calgary Foothills PCN clinics have a pharmacist who is available to discuss sun protection and provide support. For more information, talk to your family doctor or visit www.cfpcn.ca. q

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Group appointments enhance patient education

Imagine this: during an annual checkup, your family doctor

informs you that you have high blood sugar. Your mind fills with endless questions. Do I have to go

on medication? Why is my blood sugar so high? What can I do to lower my blood sugar?

Before the appointment comes to an end, you’re only able to get answers to a few of your questions. You wish you had more time with your doctor to discuss your health.

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Book an appointment with your Co-op Pharmacist today!

Medication ReviewsBook a Medication Review if you:

• are on several chronic medications.

• have recently had changes to your medications.

• are planning to be admitted or have been recently discharged from the hospital.

• have transferred your prescriptions to a new pharmacy.

• have questions, concerns or difficulties with your medications.

A Medication Review will help you:

• understand the medications you are taking and why.

• ensure you are taking your medications as prescribed.

• identify and solve any medication-related problems.

• create a best personal medication record that can be shared with any healthcare provider.

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Fortunately, group appointments offer an alternative way to get the information you need. “Group appointments bring patients together so that they can learn from a health professional and each other about their health concerns,” explains Erin, a registered dietitian and facilitator of the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network’s Ask a Dietitian group appointments. “Many patients who participate in the group sessions learn more about how to self-manage their health issues.”

One of the main benefits of group appointments is that they allow you to spend more time with a health professional to ask questions, understand your condition in more detail and learn what you can do to improve your health. Group appointments allow you to discuss your concerns with other people who are experiencing similar health issues. For example, in a group appointment you have the opportunity to learn about techniques that participants have found useful in managing their conditions. Other people may ask pertinent questions that you didn’t think of or forgot to ask. “An environment that encourages you to share experiences and ask questions can lead to a more in-depth understanding of your medical conditions or concerns,” says Erin.

To get the most out of group appointments, it’s important to engage in discussions, ask questions and actively listen to other participants. “In my experience, most patients who make a point of listening to others and participating in the discussions leave with a new perspective on their health. They also leave with more information on ways they can self-manage their health concerns,” Erin explains. The health professional leading the group works to create a safe and respectful environment where everyone has a chance to ask questions. To help maintain patients’

privacy, all Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) group appointments require participants to sign a confidentiality agreement.

While it’s natural to feel anxious about talking in a group setting, it’s important to remember that many people may be experiencing the same issues. Group appointments provide an invaluable opportunity for you to learn about your health conditions

and what you can do about them. The Calgary Foothills PCN group appointments — Ask a Dietitian and Tobacco Cessation — are free to patients of member physicians. To find out if you could benefit from attending a group appointment, talk to your family doctor or a member of your health care team.

For more information, call 403-284-3726 or visit www.cfpcn.ca. q

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Taking control of your medication

Medications have saved countless lives by treating illnesses and

helping people cope with chronic diseases. However, they can also cause problems of their own. If you take multiple medications, you may have an increased risk of developing adverse reactions and side effects. Mismanagement of medication, such as missing a dose, taking a double dose or taking it at the wrong time can also cause

problems. The good news is there are measures you can take to decrease your risk and ensure you take your medication according to your doctor’s instructions.

Medication reviewsYour family doctor or pharmacist can review your medications for possible problems. They can also verify that you are not taking any unnecessary medications. “Over the

counter medications, such as sleep aids and cold remedies, are not safe for everyone,” says, Noorani, a pharmacist with the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN). “Medications can negatively interact with each other, causing an increased risk of confusion, dizziness, falls or an increase in blood pressure.” Before taking over the counter medications, it’s important to first talk to your doctor or pharmacist, and inform

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Bring us your medicine cabinet.What do you see when you look inside your medicine cabinet?

At The Medicine Shoppe, we see things you might not. Like prescriptions that work, but don’t work together. Others you should have finished and didn’t or are out of date.

Our curiosity about your medicine cabinet comes from caring. Bring us your medicine cabinet or a list of the medications you’re taking and we’ll check to make sure that they work together in the way that they should.

As your Medicine Shoppe Pharmacist, we want you to feel confident in your prescriptions and most of all, your health.

Book your

MedicationCabinet Review

TODAY!Call for details.

Your Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy offers the following services:

Call or visit today for more details.

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Randy Howden, B.Sc. Pharm.Certified Diabetes EducatorPharmacist/Owner

(403) 455-9939Crowfoot West Business Centre11, 600 Crowfoot Crescent NWCalgary, ABHours of operation:Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 6:00 pmSat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pmSun & Holidays: Closed

them of all the medications you are taking — this includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, nutrition supplements and herbal medicines.

One doctor, one pharmacyOver time, bodies change and become more sensitive to medications, which affects the way medications are processed. “Taking several medications can increase the risk of developing side effects and drug interactions, especially for seniors,” explains Noorani. “It’s important to exercise strategies that promote safe and appropriate use of medications.” Some of these strategies include:

• obtaining all prescriptions from the same pharmacy and seeing one family doctor.

• reporting any medication side effects to your health care provider.

• taking all medications exactly as directed.

• carrying a list of the prescriptions and over the counter medications you are currently taking. This list should also include the reason why you take the medication, the dose you take and how often you take them. Keep this list handy and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when reviewing your medications.

If you are seeing a specialist, make sure your family doctor knows what diagnosis, treatment and medications the specialist has given you as well.

Taking medication correctlyIt’s important to talk to your pharmacist if you have trouble taking your medications according to your doctor’s instructions. Whether you forget to take your medications, have problems reading the label, or have difficulty swallowing, your pharmacist can provide you with solutions. For example, if you have trouble remembering when to take your medication, your pharmacist may recommend that you use a pill dispenser to organize your

medications according to the day of the week. Some pill dispensers have an alarm that lets you know when it’s time to take your medication. Pharmacists can also provide medications in different packaging — such as non-childproof containers and blister packs — and enlarge the print on prescription labels to make them easier to read. Talk to your pharmacist to learn more about solutions that could help you better manage your medications.

By managing your medication correctly, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing health complications. Communicating with your family doctor and pharmacist is key to ensuring that you’re not taking any unnecessary medications. Many Calgary Foothills PCN clinics have a pharmacist who is available to discuss and review your medications. For more information, talk to your family doctor, contact your local pharmacy, or visit www.cfpcn.ca.q

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Calgary Foothills PCN Clinics

Clinic Information

The After Hours Clinic provides free, non-emergency medical care on weeknights, weekends and holidays. Patients can access the clinic by calling Health Link Alberta. A Health Link nurse will assess your symptoms, offer self-care advice and may book an appointment for you at the After Hours Clinic. After your appointment, the After Hours Clinic will let your family doctor know what treatments you received.

Contact Information

Available by appointment only. Call Health Link Alberta at 403.943.5465

Weeknights: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Weekends & Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

After Hours ClinicIf you have a medical concern and you are unable to get an appointment with your family doctor, you can call Health Link Alberta and ask if the After Hours Clinic is right for you.

Clinic Information

Patients without a family doctor are accepted through a referral to the clinic, including self referral, emergency room, urgent care, home care, out-patient clinics, the PCN After Hours Clinic or Riley Park Maternity Clinic. The clinic also links patients who do not have a family doctor with a doctor starting a new practice. If you don’t have a family doctor, register online at www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca or call Health Link Alberta at 403.943.5465.

Contact Information

Crowfoot Primary Care Centre201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW403.374.0244

Crowfoot Primary Care CentreThe Crowfoot Primary Care Centre is an interdisciplinary clinic designed to treat patients without a family doctor who have a chronic disease and live in north Calgary or Cochrane.

Clinic Information

Patients with non-complex chronic pain are referred to the Pain Management Clinic by their family doctor. Patients meet with a team of health care professionals who help them learn to manage their pain on a daily basis.

Contact Information

Pain Management Clinic201, 60 Crowfoot Crescent NW403.374.0244

Pain Management ClinicThe Pain Management Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic treating patients with non-complex chronic pain.

Clinic Information

Patients are often referred by their family doctor. Patients without a family doctor are encouraged to self-refer to the clinic.

Contact Information

Riley Park Maternity Clinic130, 1402 8 Avenue NW403.284.3711

Riley Park Maternity ClinicRiley Park Maternity Clinic is comprised of four maternity clinics working together to care for maternity patients who will deliver at Foothills Medical Centre.

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Calgary Foothills PCN Programs

Population Health

The Population Health program enables family physicians to effectively identify and address the health needs of their communities. Population Health focuses specifically on health promotion, prevention of injury and illness, and improvement of screening rates.

Ask a DietitianThis group appointment allows you to meet with a registered dietitian who will address your personal nutrition questions. The appointment is free to patients of PCN member physicians. To register, call 403.284.3726

Chronic Disease Management

Chronic Disease Management provides care to patients with chronic diseases (diabetes, dyslipidemia, congestive heart failure, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Health Teams Health teams are groups of health professionals who work with you and your family doctor to manage your health. Each team is unique and may include any combination of professionals such as health management nurses, pharmacists, behavioural health consultants, respiratory educators, dietitians, diabetes educators and others. For more information about your team, talk to your family doctor.

Living WellAn Alberta Health Services support program providing education and peer led support for individuals with chronic disease or long term illnesses. Calgary Foothills PCN partners with Living Well to increase the number of available sites for courses to run in north Calgary. To register, call 9-HEALTH (403-943-2584).

Seniors Health

Provides comprehensive care to seniors and improves standards and transfer of care in long-term care facilities.

Nurse Practitioner in Bethany Care SocietyCalgary Foothills PCN has a nurse practitioner working in Bethany Care Society, a long-term care facility in Cochrane. The nurse practitioner assists the family physician to care for residents by providing direct patient care, communication and educational activities.

Navigation TeamThe Navigation team is comprised of health professionals whose goal is to support PCN physicians in caring for frail patients with complex health care needs. The team provides assessments and resources for patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, risk of falling and those coping with life transitions. Patients access the team through referral from their family physician.

Mental Health

Behavioural health consultants have a variety of backgrounds including nursing, social work and psychology; in addition, they are trained to help individuals address mental health and lifestyle issues affecting their health. Talk to your family doctor for more information.

For mental health resources, visit www.cfpcn.ca and click Patient Resources. For immediate help with addiction, phone the Addiction Helpline at 1.866.332.2322.

Walking ProgramPeer led programs based in Calgary and Cochrane to promote healthy lifestyles and active living within a safe and social environment.

Calgary Walking ProgramCalgary participants walk during weekday mornings in North Hill Mall year round, and in Confederation Park during summer months.

Cochrane Walking ProgramCochrane participants walk on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Mitford park year round. Contact the Town of Cochrane at 403.851.2500 to register. Walk with a Doc Promotes regular physical activity by offering group walks with a family doctor. Call 403.284.3726 for more information or to register.

TrymGymTrymGym offers an opportunity for participants to meet with a personal trainer and dietitian to help achieve their fitness goals. Patients of member physicians receive a subsidy to offset the cost when they enrol. To register, call 403.220.4374.

Tobacco CessationThe program combines educational information and information on medications to aid in quitting. Group sessions consist of four classes, one week apart. Interested individuals should discuss enrollment with their family physician.

Need-a-Doctor WebsiteThe Need-a-Doctor website is available for people living in Calgary and surrounding area who do not have a family doctor. Registrants will be contacted when a doctor becomes available. To fill out the form, go to www.needadoctorcalgaryandarea.ca or call Health Link Alberta at 403.943.5465

Population Health (continued)

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