Dr. Eileen Murray
October 16, 2019
Using topical corticosteroids safely and effectively
Topical corticosteroids are the most frequently used topical medications for treating skin diseases. They are cheap, extremely efficacious and almost completely free of side effects when used appropriately. read more...
Dr. Alisa Lipson
September 25, 2019
“Girls on the Spectrum”: Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Girls
Now in 2019, we are learning that the incidence in girls is higher than previously thought. The girls are catching up to the boys. What is that about? Turns out that the girls are better at hiding their disability but it is there. So, we have to look harder. read more...
Dr. Amin Javer
September 11, 2019
Sinusitis: appropriate diagnosis and management
Sinusitis is a commonly encountered condition for the Canadian family physician. Chronic sinusitis has worse quality of life scores than COPD, CHF or angina. The total cost of diagnosing and treating sinusitis remains one of the most expensive chronic disorders experienced by the North American population and continues to increase yearly. read more...
Dr. Tahmeena Ali
August 21, 2019
ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences): One Family Physician’s Experience
I now ask all patients, young and old, new to my practice and established for years, male and female, to complete an ACEs questionnaire in my clinic. I garner a new level of respect for my patients' resilience and for the ongoing turmoil many of my young patients face. I make finding supports for these young vulnerable patients one of my top priorities—as important as a referral to a specialist or for diagnostic imaging. read more...
Dr. Miguel Imperial
July 30, 2019
Practice Tip: Cutaneous larva migrans
Once I diagnose a patient with CLM based on a compatible travel history and characteristic serpiginous rash, I continue to treat the itch and inflammatory symptoms symptomatically if indicated, but I am able to much more readily offer systemic therapy with ivermectin since it no longer requires a Health Canada Special Access application. read more...
Presenteeism
Have you ever felt unable to make it to work, but disregarded the idea completely? These days, a common question either asked or assessed by healthcare organizations is to uncover the reason behind why doctors become unwell in their professional roles. read more...
Dr. Janet Simons
June 26, 2019
Correcting the Myth of Calcium Correction
Formulae to adjust total calcium for the albumin concentration should be abandoned. The use of these formulae overestimates ionized calcium in patients with hypoalbuminemia, causing false negatives for hypocalcemia and false positives for hypercalcemia. Measurement of ionized calcium is now relatively inexpensive and is available in most hospitals and many outpatient settings. read more...
Dr. Daniel Ngui
June 12, 2019
Facing a College Physician Practice Enhancement Program Assessment? What you need to know in 2019?
The Physician Practice Enhancement Program Assessment is highly educational and it helps physicians enhance the quality of their patient care through a peer review. It provides valuable feedback and creates opportunities to guide professional development and lifelong learning. read more...
Drs. Nawaaz Nathoo and Samir Nazarali
May 29, 2019
Dry Eye Syndrome
Much difficulty is faced by clinicians in identifying DES as there is no single diagnostic tool to indicate the condition. Furthermore, patient symptoms do not always correlate with clinical exam findings. Rather, when diagnosing DES, the clinician must consider the full constellation of patient history combined with various clinical findings. read more...
Dr. Joanna Cheek
May 8, 2019
The myth of the “Manipulative Personality Disorder”: taking the blame out of the illness
View personality disorder symptoms as important treatment targets in themselves. Be curious about each patient’s story, validate PD symptoms as coping mechanisms, focus on collaborative problem solving, set proactive regular visits, and also be mindful of your own emotional reactions providing compassion and empathy while setting clear boundaries. read more...
Dr. Ed Weiss
April 17, 2019
Anal cancer: information to get you out of the dark!
We know that the diagnosis of anal cancer in Canada is often delayed: ano-rectal symptoms such as pain and bleeding are often attributed to hemorrhoidal disease and clinicians are often hesitant to perform a digital ano-rectal examination (DARE). read more...
Dr. Darly Wile
April 3, 2019
Parkinson’s disease: burden of non-motor problems
What I have found is that while it can sometimes be assumed that motor problems are the patient’s “biggest problem”, this is often not the case; instead, I now make a point of asking the patient, and their family directly: “What is the biggest problem for you right now?” read more...
