Clarrisa Wallace, Sue Mills and Fahreen Dossa
January 24, 2020
Learning From Each Other: A Peer Coaching Program
In preparation for teaching a Clinical Skills session, we diligently reviewed the tutor guide and video ahead of time. However, we sometimes wondered how other teachers were translating the advice from the guide into their teaching. read more...
Dr. Breay Paty
January 21, 2020
Appropriate Testosterone Testing for Male Hypogonadism
The therapeutic use of testosterone has increased dramatically in the last two decades. The reasons for this appear to be increased frequency of testing and marketing of testosterone replacement for middle-aged and older men. While men with unequivocally low testosterone levels usually benefit from hormone replacement, the risk/benefit ratio for men with equivocal ("borderline") levels is not clear, especially men who desire fertility. read more...
Dr. Dan Bilsker
January 8, 2020
Hiding in plain sight: men’s mental health
It is well-known that men die on average 3-4 years before women - but why? We identified three main factors contributing to Years of Life Lost by men compared to women: cardiovascular disease, suicide, and motor vehicle accidents. As a psychologist, I was intrigued by the substantial contribution of suicide. read more...
Dr. Steve Wong
December 18, 2019
Letter from the editor
This week’s cover picture is me with Piper, the puppy that changed my practice. We got a puppy this year that made me take time to go for walks with my wife in the mornings before work and spend more mindful downtime with the family. She turned out to be a great balancer to the stress and bustle of an over-scheduled professional life. read more...
Dr. Lisa Nakajima
December 4, 2019
Use of Endometrial Aspirators as a Uterine Sound for IUD Insertion
One of the risks of IUD insertion includes perforation of the uterus. Although uterine perforation is relatively uncommon and often does not cause long-term harm, it does increase the risk of unplanned pregnancy and often requires surgery. I have chosen to use endometrial aspirators that are commonly used for endometrial biopsy sampling as a sound for IUD insertions, instead of the traditional metal sounds. read more...
Trana Hussaini Pharm D and Eric M. Yoshida MD FRCPC
November 13, 2019
You too can help eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030
For the first time, since the identification of hepatitis C virus, the goal of HCV elimination is a tangible and achievable target mainly due to the availability of highly efficacious and well tolerated DAA regimens. read more...
Dr. Alice S Chang, Dr. Michael J Diamant, Dr. Margot K Davis, and Dr. Krishnan Ramanathan
October 30, 2019
New insight into “HFpEF” – cardiac amyloid no longer a zebra diagnosis?
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative disease that is being increasingly identified in those with HFpEF. Amyloidosis is a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by the deposition of misfolded protein that aggregates into fibrils, affecting multiple organs including the heart, neural tissues, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract. read more...
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...
