By Dr. Steve Wong on December 18, 2019
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.
By Dr. Lisa Nakajima on December 4, 2019
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.
By Trana Hussaini Pharm D and Eric M. Yoshida MD FRCPC on November 13, 2019
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.
By Dr. Alice S Chang, Dr. Michael J Diamant, Dr. Margot K Davis, and Dr. Krishnan Ramanathan on October 30, 2019
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.
By Dr. Eileen Murray on October 16, 2019
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.
By Dr. Alisa Lipson on September 25, 2019
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.
By Dr. Amin Javer on September 11, 2019
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.
By Dr. Tahmeena Ali on August 21, 2019
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.
By Dr. Miguel Imperial on July 30, 2019
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.
By Beata Chami on July 10, 2019
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.
By Dr. Janet Simons on June 26, 2019
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.
By Dr. Daniel Ngui on June 12, 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.
By Drs. Nawaaz Nathoo and Samir Nazarali on May 29, 2019
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.
By Dr. Joanna Cheek on May 8, 2019
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.
By Dr. Ed Weiss on April 17, 2019
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).
By Dr. Darly Wile on April 3, 2019
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?”
By Nichole Fairbrother on March 20, 2019
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts of accidental harm to one’s infant are reported by 100% of new mothers, and unwanted, intrusive thoughts of intentionally harming one’s infant are reported by 50% of new mothers. Ask specifically about unwanted, intrusive thoughts of infant-related harm. Educate pregnant women and normalize the occurrence of the thoughts. Reassure women that, in the absence of any additional risk factors for child abuse, disclosure of these thoughts will not result in any action on the part of the care provider/physician.
By Dr. Muxin (Max) Sun on March 6, 2019
I have decreased my frequency of giving steroid injections for decreasing pain of osteoarthritic knees. I educate patients on evidence, placebo effects and risks. I recommend less invasive therapies including physiotherapy, exercise (quadriceps and hip abductor strengthening, Tai Chi), hot compress, antiinflammatory creams, weight loss, TENS machine, orthopedic & orthotic devices, etc.
By Dr. Leslie Sadownik on February 13, 2019
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic skin disorder with a remitting and relapsing clinical course. Women commonly present with severe vulvar itch and an urge to scratch the skin. The recommended treatment is a course of topical steroids. Most women will improve with treatment. However, some will report, “the steroids did not help”. Here are some practice tips to help.
By Drs. Maysam Khalfan and Kam Shojania on January 30, 2019
Patients who present with non-specific symptoms are sometimes tested with rheumatologic lab investigations as part of a ‘panel’ of tests. When these tests come back positive, it can lead to more confusion, patient anxiety, misdiagnosis or unnecessary referral.
By Andrea Holmes on January 16, 2019
Breast and prostate cancer survivors want to know what to eat to prevent cancer from coming back. HealthLink BC healthy eating resources that support successful dietary and physical activity change for prostate and breast cancer survivors are available for your patients.
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