Crowfoot Village Family Practice

Your knowledge can help shape CVFP patient experience! We are looking to partner with our patients to collaborate on various clinic initiatives. Have you experienced care at CVFP, both virtual and in-clinic, within the past two years? Are you comfortable sharing insights and information about your experience as a CVFP patient? Do you have access to a computer and Wi-Fi?

If you answered yes to all and are interested in joining our PEP squad, connect with us by email at [email protected]

Dr. Wendy Stefanek has been with CVFP since 2005. She graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine in 1998 and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary Sunridge teaching clinic. After finishing a residency elective with Dr. Rick Ward at CVFP, Dr. Stefanek was hooked on the team-based model that CVFP provided to their patients. And, she hasn’t looked back.

To learn more about our physician team, visit cvfp.com, Meet your health team: MDs https://www.cvfp.com/meet-your-health-team-doctors

As temperatures soar this week, your CVFP Health Team reminds you to stay safe. If you feel you’ve been exposed to too much heat, take action. Get out of the hot environment as soon as you can -- either in the shade, air-conditioned building, air-conditioned vehicle, and begin to take in fluids as tolerated.
If your body has lost all its ability to cope with the heat and can no longer even sweat, call 911.

“I am ever thankful to our talented residents who continue to add capacity, experience and enthusiasm to our CVFP community. Their dedication to family medicine is a valuable contribution to our health home, helping to make it stronger now and in the future.” -- Dr. Ian Johnston, CVFP Physician & Teaching Lead

To learn more about our newest residents joining our clinic in July 2024, visit cvfp.com, Community https://www.cvfp.com/blog/cvfp-health-team-physician-development-new-residents


University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

Let’s celebrate the country we call home, the people we share it with and the future we're building together.

When accessing medical services, Albertans deserve to feel confident in their health provider and understand what high-quality care looks like. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has developed several Advice to Albertans (AtA) documents to make Standards of Practice as accessible as possible. Check it out here https://cpsa.ca/albertans/patient-safety/



College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network offers free online and in-person workshops to help you better manage your physical and mental health. Joining these workshops is a great way to learn from health care professionals and connect with people going through similar experiences. Check out the upcoming IBS workshop.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be a real pain in the gut.

Join us on July 4th @ 12:00 p.m. for a FREE virtual workshop where our health team shares tips and tricks for:

☑️ How IBS is diagnosed
☑️ IBS triggers
☑️ The brain-gut connection
☑️Medication’s role in managing IBS
☑️ Lifestyle and dietary strategies

Register now ➡️ https://bit.ly/3zjzP1J

This free workshop is open to anyone in

Our ➡️2023-2024 Year in Review⬅️ is now available at cvfp.com, Homepage.

"As we look forward, CVFP remains steadfast in our mission to lead by example, shaping a sustainable and patient-partnered model that meets the evolving needs of our community. Together, we are forging the path towards a brighter future for primary care in Alberta - one built on innovation, creativity and unwavering commitment to excellence." Crowfoot Village Family Practice, 2023-2024 Year in Review.

Most tick species in Alberta do not carry Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria that causes Lyme disease), however there is evidence that tick species capable of carrying the bacteria are expanding their range throughout Canada.

Prevention
It’s important to avoid tick bites to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. Here are some tips (Source: MyHealthAlberta.ca):
• Avoid areas where ticks are often found. Learn where ticks and deer that carry ticks are found in your community.
• Cover as much of your body as you can when in grassy or wooded areas. Wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with the legs tucked into your socks. Keep in mind that it's easier to spot ticks on light-coloured clothes.
• Use insect repellents, such as products with DEET carefully and as directed. Use products that contain 0.5% permethrin on your clothing and outdoor gear, such as your tent.
• Check for ticks when you come in from outdoors. Scan your entire body, including your groin, head and underarms. Comb your hair with a fine-toothed comb or have someone check your scalp. Check your pets too.

Bites
If you discover a tick or tick bite, contact your CVFP Health Team or call Health Link at 811.

Submit-a-Tick Program
If you find a tick on a person, pet or in the wild, you can submit a photograph of it to the Alberta Submit-a-Tick program here https://www.alberta.ca/lyme-disease-tick-surveillance

Our CVFP Health Team is tackling the challenges of accessing primary care in our communities. To learn how we are innovating and making a difference, visit cvfp.com, homepage, for links to informative articles and videos.

Rainbow Team was created to provide a solution to the primary care challenges that face our communities now and in the future. The focus of this new model is team-based care with a flexible entry point reflecting a patient’s immediate health need. To learn more, watch “The Health of your Medical Home: CVFP Now and in the Future” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh___ljlMc4
Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content.

CVFP is excited to introduce our Rainbow Team. This new health team was created to provide a solution to the primary care challenges that face our communities now and in the future. Big thanks to CBC's Jennifer Lee for sharing our story!

Should You Get a Full Body MRI? Celebrities Say Yes, but Science Says Otherwise. Dr. Samir Gupta on the Feed with Dr. G shares the risks and harms of full body MRI scans.

Watch our Livestream event ➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh___ljlMc4⬅️

If you are a CVFP patient or an Albertan interested in the transformation of primary care in our province, you don't want to miss this!

Go to cvfp.com, homepage, to view and download our Patient Guide featuring
• FAQs: Our Health Team answers your questions
• Navigating CVFP: A guide to clinic providers & roles
• Resources: Links to health tools for all Albertans

Reminder to sign up for our Livestream June 5th, 6-7:30pm MDT
➡️https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-health-of-your-medical-home-crowfoot-village-family-practice-cvfp-tickets-899230922897?aff=oddtdtcreator⬅️

Our Health Team encourages all CVFP patients to join the discussion.

⭐️Nominate a caregiver in Alberta for a chance to win a Fairmont Hotel getaway package https://whocares.caregiversalberta.ca/nominate-a-caregiver/ ⭐️

In Alberta, caregivers are the foundation of community care, providing an average of 70% of care outside of healthcare or assisted living residences. Here are some staggering statistics – expected to grow as our population ages. (source: Caregivers Alberta and StatsCan)

Nearly two in five Albertans (38%) have been a caregiver at some point in their lives. One in four Albertans are currently caregivers.

84% of Alberta’s caregivers care for a family member such as parents, grandparents, a spouse/partner, siblings and children. 16% care for a friend, neighbour or co-worker.

Caregivers in Alberta spend an average of 15.1 hours per week helping others; a contribution of 647 million hours of unpaid care every year.

Despite the rewards of being a caregiver, unpaid care often has an impact on a person's physical and mental health. Over half of all unpaid caregivers reported feeling tired because of their caregiving responsibilities, while 44% felt worried or anxious during the past 12 months.

If you are caregiver and need support, talk to your CVFP Health Team and check out the AHS Family Caregiver Centre here https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/Page13155.aspx



Caregivers Alberta

highlights the vital role of family doctors and primary care teams in our health care system. Today and every day we celebrate our CVFP docs for the outstanding contribution they make to the health of our community. We🫀 !

The Power of Patient Stories.
Patient stories offer valuable insights that go beyond statistics and outcomes: they have the power to inspire, compel action and challenge assumptions.
We are privileged to share the experiences of our Crowfoot Village Family Practice patients, as told in their own words.

Mary Anne's Story, CVFP Yellow Team Patient shares their health story in their own words. "I had an issue with my back where I was in a tremendous amount of pain. It was bad timing on my part a...

Sign up on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-health-of-your-medical-home-crowfoot-village-family-practice-cvfp-tickets-899230922897?aff=oddtdtcreator

It's been over 20 years since Crowfoot Village Family Practice (CVFP) adopted a new funding model to provide innovative team-based care. It has been showcased as a model for primary care delivery; quality care, good access, systems cost savings and a thriving practice. After two decades and a challenging healthcare landscape - is it time for a change?

Join Dr. Rick Ward with a CVFP panel as they explore how our clinic is impacted by the changes and evolution in healthcare, and how we are looking towards solutions for the future. If you are a CVFP patient or an Albertan interested in the transformation of primary care in our province, you don’t want to miss this!




Alberta College of Family Physicians

With the May long weekend around the corner, your CVFP Health Team busts some myths about sun safety. And reminds us that everyone is at risk for skin cancer -- no matter your age, skin colour or type.

Getting a base tan helps protect my skin from the sun.
Fact: Any colour change to your skin is sun damage. A base tan on your skin doesn’t mean that you’re protected. In fact, it means your cells are damaged. Over time, damaged skin cells lead to an increased risk of skin cancer.

I don’t need to wear sunscreen when it’s cloudy.
Fact: You can get sun damage when it’s cloudy. The UV rays that cause damage to your skin pe*****te through clouds and can reach your skin.

I don’t need to wear sunscreen after 4pm.
Fact: UV rays can cause damage to your skin any time during the day. The sun’s UV rays are strongest from 10am–4pm. Practice sun safety during all daylight hours.

My eyes can’t get sun damaged.
Fact: Damage to the eyes from sun is called photokeratitis. Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV or UV 400 protection and keep them on as long as you are in the sun.

This we celebrate our nurses and recognize their positive impact on CVFP patients, communities and the future of primary care.

“Registered Nurses (RNs) are an integral part of the CVFP Health Team. Our clinical knowledge and skill set position us to contribute to a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to patient care. We foster a patient partnered approach through trust and shared decision making, with the goal of helping patients achieve their health and wellness goals.” Corinne, CVFP RN

To learn more about our CVFP nursing team, visit cvfp.com, Meet your Health Team: RNs, https://www.cvfp.com/meet-your-health-team-registerednurses

CVFP throwback!

"I want to become a familiar face to the CVFP community, prove my value as a provider, and be someone patients are comfortable seeing when they aren’t able to access their family physician. I hope to help increase access to care for our patients and help reduce the burden on our physician team." Joelle, CVFP Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly skilled health care providers who practice medicine, and work within health care teams to improve patient health. To learn more about the PA role at CVFP, visit cvfp.com, Community https://www.cvfp.com/blog/series-qa-with-your-cvfp-health-team-joelle-pa



Canadian Association of Physician Assistants

To our receptionists, medical office assistants and operations team, we say thank you! thank you! thank you! This and every day, we celebrate the immeasurable impact you have on our mission to provide outstanding care in a patient-centred health home.

It’s National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness week in Canada. There is a critical need for more donors across the country. Your CVFP Health Team encourages you to learn more by visiting
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page13174.aspx

The Power of Patient Stories.
Patient stories offer valuable insights that go beyond statistics and outcomes: they have the power to inspire, compel action and challenge assumptions.

We are privileged to share the experiences of our Crowfoot Village Family Practice patients, as told in their own words.

Perry's Story, CVFP Gold Team Patient shares their health story in their own words. "I’d had successful knee replacement surgery, but three months afterward, some kind of painful kneecap...

We care about our online community, and are always striving to create authentic content. We would love to have your input on what is important or interesting to you. Drop us a comment and let us know what content you want to see us sharing.

Access Mental Health is a non-urgent service providing information, consultation, and referrals for individuals with addiction and / or mental health concerns. Mental Health Clinicians complete a clinical interview over the telephone to assess needs and will explore all options in order to refer you to the most appropriate resources.

For more info, visit the Access Mental Health website https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/Page11443.aspx