All articles

Dr. Steve Wong
Dec 20, 2024

Letter from the editor

It's an all too common refrain to say we are short on time, but from a very personal perspective, suffice it to say time has never meant more to me than it does now as we rally around the care of a dear family member. I've always hoped that TCMP represents a time-saver for our readers. Sifting through the endless stream of new medical data to find the trials that impact practice can be overwhelming. By selecting and presenting trials through the lens of practice change, our mission is to provide you with data and tools to enhance your care of patients across a range of conditions. read more...

Dr. Heather Fulton
Nov 26, 2024

CRAFTing a response: expanding support options available for families affected by substance use

I recommend Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) for families who have a loved one with substance use challenges. It is a is a science-backed approach that helps family members change the way they interact with their loved one that makes change more likely while also helping themselves in the process. read more...

Dr. Michelle C. Chan
Oct 22, 2024

What I talk about when I talk about family planning

Recent studies on options in family planning have changed my practice, and I now routinely take the opportunity when reviewing family planning options for people who are at risk of becoming pregnant and do not want to be pregnant to review emergency contraception and abortion as options in family planning. read more...

Dr. Ilona Hale
Sep 16, 2024

Introduction to planetary health in primary care

For many years, I failed to recognize the unique potential I had to make a difference to the environment as a clinician, from within my own practice. However, using a planetary health approach in clinical practice not only allows us to reduce environmental impacts but also offers many co-benefits: better health outcomes, lower costs, decreased workload, and a more resilient and sustainable system. read more...

Dr. Laura Sauvé, Winnie Fu, Dr. Sofia Bartlett, Dr. Orlee Guttman, Dr. Chelsea Elwood, Dr. David Goldfarb, Dr. Neora Pick
Aug 19, 2024

Hepatitis C virus: cascade of care in infants and children

Children perinatally exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in pregnancy have a 5-11% chance of becoming infected with HCV. Data suggests that a high proportion of infants exposed to HCV may be lost to care in the current system in BC. We recommend interventions to help identify and treat babies and infants exposed to HCV. read more...

Anthony Lau, Katherine Daley, Hans Haag, Dr. Martha Ignaszewski
Jul 22, 2024

Therapeutic considerations of gabapentin versus pregabalin in treating chronic neuropathic pain

I now advocate for deprescribing gabapentin when patients do not achieve adequate pain relief for chronic neuropathic pain at a cumulative daily dose of 1800 mg. Instead, I consider pregabalin as a substitute for gabapentin in patients with inadequate pain control rather than further dose escalations. read more...

Dr. Sarah McCorquodale
Jun 17, 2024

Lifestyle interventions in type 2 diabetes

Having evidence that remission of type 2 diabetes is possible through weight loss in select people, I have changed my approach to prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. read more...

Dr. Rohit Vijh
May 21, 2024

PCR swabs: a useful diagnostic tool for identifying syphilis

Given the increasing rates of syphilis and changing epidemiology of syphilis with increasing incidence in heterosexual populations, my clinical suspicion for syphilis testing has increased. If a patient presents with primary or secondary lesions that are amenable to PCR swabbing, I now collect a PCR swab specimen, in addition to sending the patient for serology. read more...

Dr. Omesh Syal
Apr 15, 2024

Using data for practice quality improvement to address blood sugar challenges for complex care patient

I highly recommend registering with the Health Data Coalition and becoming more familiar with your measures within the HDC Discover application to recognize your contribution. We, as a collective profession, can make a positive impact on our own practices and larger communities. read more...

Dr. Steve Wong
Mar 20, 2024

CPSBC Library closure

We were saddened to hear of the closure of the BC College Library on March 15. The College Library has been an important partner for TCMP since our beginning and we sincerely appreciate everything they have done for our readership. read more...

Dr. Paxton Bach
Mar 12, 2024

New guidance on alcohol and health from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

The new Canadian guideline situates alcohol-related harms along a continuum, recognizing that negative health and social consequences of alcohol can arise even at rates previously consistent with low risk. read more...

Rohit Singla PhD, Dr. Daniel Raff, Dr. Hester Vivier, and Dr. Andre Van Wyk
Feb 14, 2024

Talking smart: conversational AI streamlines clinical practice

Conversational AI has become a valuable tool for family physicians in Canada. It helps us provide better patient care, eases the burden of documentation, and reduces burnout. Incorporating digital scribe technology brings marked efficiency, especially given the high patient volumes. With AI managing real-time transcription and summarization, physicians can give undivided attention to patients, deepening rapport and focus on prescriptions and referrals. read more...