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December 31 2019 Category: General

 
Dr. Janet Reynolds on Global news

Supporting your New Year’s resolutions

Making New Year’s resolutions is the easy part — keeping those resolutions can be difficult. According to a 2016 Ipsos poll, 73 per cent Canadians who set a New Year’s resolution will break them. In fact, there’s even a day for it: Friday, January 17, is known as Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day. Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network can help people keep those resolutions with several free workshops: Ask a Dietitian group appointments — Professional advice from a registered d…
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December 05 2019 Category: General

Access 365: Finding care when your family doctor’s office is closed

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT If your family doctor’s clinic is closed, please call 811. Let …
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October 21 2019 Category: General

Get your shot: Flu season immunization

As the leaves fall and the temperature continues to drop, flu season is almost upon us. Starting Monday, October 21, all Albertans aged six months and older will be able to do their part to protect themselves and their families from influenza. Ask your family doctor if your clinic is offering immunizations this winter. Alberta Health Services clinics and some pharmacies are also offering this service on a drop-in basis. Who should get the vaccine? Everyone aged six months and older shoul…
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September 04 2019 Category: General

Happiness Basics workshop teaches participants how to be happy

Happiness Basics is a free workshop that teaches you skills to boost your overall happiness. It is a four-week course and weekly classes run once a week for two hours. Joining a Happiness Basics workshop has been shown to: Improve mood, vitality and energy levels Boost physical and mental health Reduce pain It is based on positive psychology, which aims to make normal life more fulfilling. Guided by trained health professionals, the workshop shows you how happy people think a…
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August 01 2019 Category: General, Patient Stories

Breastfeeding support helps children thrive

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the early days. But new and expecting moms aren’t alone — the Breastfeeding Clinic at Riley Park Maternity Clinic offers support to 700 patients a year. “Our goal is to provide exceptional care for all types of breastfeeding and feeding issues,” says Dr. Janice Lui, a Riley Park Maternity Clinic lactation physician. “We are happy to see families for counselling and support prior to baby’s arrival as well.” Ellen Bezaire expe…
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July 16 2019 Category: General

Finding a passion in helping others

Volunteering with the Red Cross in disaster relief missions has made Jenn Hewitt a better nurse. "It makes me more resourceful since I'm so used to working with much more limited materials," says Hewitt, a long-time staff member at the PCN's Riley Park Maternity Clinic. Hewitt says she is also more culturally sensitive to the patients she works within the maternity clinic: "I've seen firsthand where some patients have been coming from, as well as learning about different customs. "I fe…
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April 09 2019 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

 

Frequently asked questions about opioids

What are opioids? Opioids are drugs used primarily to treat pain. They can be prescribed medications including codeine, morphine and oxycodone. Like fentanyl and heroin, they can also be produced or obtained illegally. What is opioid use disorder? Long-term opioid use can result in an increased tolerance, meaning an increased dose is needed to achieve the same effect. Increasing doses can lead to an increased dependence. Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects people’s ability to function in ev…
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April 08 2019 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Getting help: Family doctors to provide opioid treatments and support

Family doctors to provide much-needed opioid treatments and support Albertans from every walk of life struggle with opioid dependency. They are your neighbours, your friends and your co-workers. They’re not just those who have struggled with chronic mental health issues or homelessness. It doesn’t matter if opioids are prescription medications or street drugs; opioid use disorder can affect people taking either. Consequences may include strained or broken relationships, injury, dise…
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January 07 2019 Category: General, Tips & Tricks

Call your family doc first

When you’re not feeling well, you just want to get better. So going to a walk-in clinic seems like a quick fix. But doctors at walk-in clinics cannot access your medical history. On the other hand, your family doctor knows more about you and can more thoroughly assess your condition.   And they can add it to your primary health record. Information from visits to walk-in clinics or emergency rooms is not automatically sent to your family doctor. Your family doctor only knows ab…
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December 16 2018 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

The importance of continuity of care

Seeing your family doctor regularly can lead to better health and even life-saving care Continuity of care means your family doctor is with you every step of your care journey, working to do what's best for your health. It prevents tests from being duplicated and allows results to be reviewed promptly with your health history in mind. It also means that you commit to seeing your doctor regularly. For 69-year-old Stephen Nichol, continuity of care probably saved his life. In early 2018, he …
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November 27 2018 Category: General

Finding care when your doctor’s office is closed

Our Access 365 Clinic operates 7-days-a-week. It provides after-hours care and same-day appointments (if appropriate) for patients who need urgent help. WHO CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT? Patients who: Have an urgent need to be seen by a doctor within 24 to 48 hours Can’t get an appointment within that time with their own family doctor Are patients of Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network doctors HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT Call your family doctor, if their clinic is open.�…
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October 12 2018 Category: General

Flu season immunization

As the leaves fall and the temperature continues to drop, flu season is almost upon us. Starting Monday, October 15, all Albertans aged six months and older will be able to do their part to protect themselves and their families from influenza. Ask your family doctor if your clinic is offering immunizations this winter. Pharmacies and some Alberta Health Services clinics are also offering this service on a drop-in basis. Who should get the vaccine? Everyone aged six months and older shoul…
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September 07 2018 Category: General

Primary Objective

Name: Bev Neuls, 78 Health condition: Poor circulation in legs, isolation, mild anxiety and depression. Health goal: Less pain, more stamina, energy and socialization. How I Feel Now: For the last three years, I’ve been walking twice a week with the South Calgary PCN walking group. Not only do I have more pep, but my legs feel less sore when I walk. Plus, I enjoy chatting and laughing with the walkers. I also feel better about myself — I am more confident. We can’t live life total…
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September 07 2018 Category: General, Patient Stories

 

Working together to meet community needs

Sometimes life throws curveballs, and you’re not sure what to do. It could be an aching shoulder, stress from your job, a financial problem—or all of the above. Your medical home can help. A main goal of the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in the Calgary area is to understand and respond to your needs. Here are some of the community programs and services they offer. Calgary Foothills PCN: Help with housing Calgary West Central PCN: Primary care when you need it Calgary Rural PCN: Providing…
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August 01 2018 Category: General

Primary Objective

Name: Chris MacLachlan, 47 Health condition: Severe back and sciatic pain after falling down stairs. Health goal: Find ways to function and manage the pain better. How I feel now: The class and the inversion table have changed my life. I’ve learned there isn’t one thing that will make your life better or easier, it’s many things. Pacing myself is a huge thing. You may not be able to do everything, but you can still do lots of things — and that’s huge for your mental well-being…
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