By Dr. Steve Wong on December 21, 2021
Who would have thought 2021 could bring with it even more dreadful events than the year before? In this past year, we all became familiar with words that were previously obscure — terms like heat dome, atmospheric river, and now Omicron. Yet, there are words that I’m glad we’re hearing more often these days, too. Words like representation, reconciliation, and the focus of our last article this year: compassion.
By Drs. Tandi Wilkinson and Shireen Mansouri on December 7, 2021
We are hearing from many of our medical colleagues about their distress in this time of COVID-19. Many are troubled by the fact that most of the people admitted to hospitals and intensive care units are not vaccinated. Faced with yet another variant and uncertainty, we hear that our colleagues are exhausted, frustrated, and angry. Both authors, being interested in supporting physicians to thrive in their work, have been studying compassion and its role in practitioner well-being for the last few years. As looking at this issue (and other challenges of the pandemic) through the lens of compassion has been personally helpful to both of us, we wanted to share our learnings with you.
By Drs. Elina Liu, Erin Morley, and Anna Rahmani on November 15, 2021
Each year, 1 in 6 patients with atrial fibrillation, or an estimated 6 million patients worldwide, will require perioperative anticoagulant management. An increasing number of atrial fibrillation patients are using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in place of warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there has been uncertainty regarding perioperative management of DOACs, with significant variability noted in clinical practice. This can lead to potential harm with an increased risk of thrombosis if a DOAC is held for too long versus increased risk of post-operative bleeding if interruption intervals are too short.
By Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall on October 27, 2021
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Patients may be increasingly aware of ADHD, having heard about the associated functional impairment and identifying with these stories. Treatment for adults with ADHD is effective. For best results, treatment includes both medications and Executive Function Skills support.
By Beata Chami on October 5, 2021
It has been eighteen months since COVID-19 emerged in Canada. The trajectory of the pandemic has placed a strain on our citizens’ mental health, particularly our frontline workers. While physician well-being has been a longstanding concern, the global pandemic has magnified the daily challenges that clinicians so bravely navigate to safeguard the health of their patients.
By Drs. Lauren Hughes and Heather L. O'Donnell on September 15, 2021
Acute onset of monocular flashes and/or floaters is a common presentation to primary care providers. Most often, this represents a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), an age-related condition with a prevalence that increases from 24% in adults aged 50 to 59 to 87% among those aged 80 to 89 years.
By Shirley Jiang, Edward Tam, and Hin Hin Ko on August 4, 2021
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is the most common autoimmune liver disease with an incidence of 1 in 1000 in women over age 40. For decades, the only evidence-based treatment was ursodeoxycholic acid. Unfortunately, the rate of inadequate response to UDCA is up to 40%. In 2017, Health Canada approved the use of obeticholic acid (OCA) for the treatment of PBC. UDCA remains first-line therapy for PBC with a long record of use and generic preparations but in non-responders, OCA treatment should be considered.
By Dr. Linda Uyeda and Dr. Ashley Miller on July 7, 2021
The ingredients needed to create a happy workplace also largely reflect the principles of secure attachment. Across all levels within organizations, if people do not feel “safe, seen, soothed, and secure” they are more likely to make errors, breach safety protocols, and struggle working together as a team.
By Sue Barlow and Carolyn Rondeau on June 3, 2021
Concussions or mild traumatic brain injury are the most common type of traumatic brain injury. It is estimated that every year in British Columbia (BC), there are approximately 14,500 visits to the emergency department and that this number is most likely an underestimate of the “true burden of concussion”.
By Dr. Ashley Miller and Dr. Linda Uyeda on May 12, 2021
As I started to understand that this pandemic would wear on, I had to figure out how to help my patients’ families and my own family navigate our way through this totally new reality. I drew on the science of attachment, resilience and healthy relationships to make a plan. (Please stay tuned for Article #3!)
By Dr. Colleen Dy, Zerlyn Lee, and Adrienne Sim on April 7, 2021
Individuals with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) often experience disruptions in multiple aspects of their reproductive health care. Routine pelvic examinations often become extremely challenging due to pain.
By Dr. Susan Hollenberg on March 17, 2021
It is prudent to reduce the risks of pneumococcal illness during this time of potentially severe respiratory sequelae of COVID-19, and the newly introduced BC Care Bundle Incentive payment includes a focus on ensuring eligible people receive this vaccine.
By Dr. Linda Uyeda and Dr. Ashley Miller on March 3, 2021
(Please stay tuned for Article #2: ‘Parenting during a pandemic’. We will expand on how to nurture these secure attachments with our children.) By Dr. Linda Uyeda (biography and disclosures) and Dr. Ashley Miller (biography and disclosures) (Members of the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Community of Practice and the Working Group […]
By Drs. Christopher Cheung, Kenneth Gin, Jason Andrade on February 10, 2021
Patients with persistent AF, less symptomatic and/or older patients, and those with prior anti-arrhythmic failure are best managed with a rate control strategy. The EAST-AFNET 4 study is a practice-changing trial, and strongly supports the role of early rhythm control in patients with newly-diagnosed AF.
By Drs. Raymond Mak and Tiffany Wong on January 27, 2021
Between 5% to 10% of the population reports an allergy to penicillin. After careful assessment, over 90% of these individuals are found to carry a false allergy label. Having a penicillin allergy label carries many potential harms, including prolonged hospital stays, increased patient costs, risk of more side effects, and an increase in resistant organisms. As such, penicillin allergy has become a major public health concern.
By Tanveer Brar BSc BSc(Pharm) ACPR, Doson Chua BSc(Pharm) PharmD FCSHP BCPS BCCP, and Laura Atiyeh on January 13, 2021
Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In 2020, the prevalence of HF was approximately 64.34 million cases (8.52 per 1,000 inhabitants) worldwide and this number has been steadily increasing over time. There is compelling evidence to suggest that in individuals with HFrEF in the presence or absence of T2DM, both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have profound effects on reduction of HF hospitalizations and possibly CV mortality.
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