Cait O'Sullivan
May 31, 2017
Seeking collateral information when clinical practice guidelines deliver strong recommendations for drug therapies on the basis of a single clinical trial
When I identify strong drug therapy recommendations of particular relevance to my practice scope, I seek collateral information and there are two resources I routinely incorporate into my literature search. I start with the Cochrane Library and then check to see whether a FDA advisory committee has weighed in on key issues. read more...
Dr. Randall White
May 10, 2017
Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with increased mortality in people with schizophrenia
When psychiatric patients are treated in an emergency department, they are often hypervigilant, manic, or otherwise in an excited, agitated state. The current standard of care to manage acute agitation in adults is using an antipsychotic medication and a benzodiazepine, often loxapine or haloperidol and lorazepam. read more...
Dr. Gordon Francis
Apr 26, 2017
Elevated Lipoprotein (a) is a common reason for unexplained premature or recurrent coronary heart disease and stroke
High Lp(a) is a major CVD risk factor that should be measured and acted upon in patients and families where there is history of premature CV events but lack of clear risk factors, and in patients with known CVD and recurrent events despite treatment to LDL-C target. read more...
Drs. Charlie Chen and Hayden Rubensohn
Apr 12, 2017
Serious illness conversations and capturing advance care planning
What is the patient willing to consent to as treatment if his/her condition were to seriously deteriorate? The Serious Illness Conversation Guide developed by Ariadne Labs provides a framework for physicians to engage in care planning with patients in a manner acceptable to the patient. read more...
Drs. Terence Yung and Erin Morley
Mar 22, 2017
First Canadian guideline on perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery
Physicians who see patients for preoperative assessment often face the dilemma of accurately determining a patients’ cardiac risk. Patients may have limited mobility and thus do not necessarily elicit cardiac symptoms even if there is significant flow-limiting coronary artery disease. read more...
Dr. Dan Bilsker
Mar 08, 2017
Outcome-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Treatment plan should specifically target psychological problems that are barriers to occupational, relationship or emotional function, rather than broadly defined issues. Being able to return to work is a substantial benefit for the individual: staying at home for an extended time is damaging to the individual’s self-esteem, coping ability and psychological health. Practice “positive psychology”, emphasizing the outcomes that determine the meaning and success of one’s life and focus on individual’s strengths to reach goals. read more...
Heather Buckley and Nawaaz Nathoo
Mar 01, 2017
Why does my student seem disengaged? A perspective on learner engagement in new environments
I wondered why new learners just transitioning to new clinical experiences sometimes seemed hesitant to participate and thus appeared less engaged in clinics and journal clubs. I found that some learners would jump in and take part in conversations, discussions, and even engaging with patients. read more...
Dr. Martha Spencer
Feb 22, 2017
Geriatric urinary incontinence: just ask!
Martha Spencer, MD, FRCPC, Providence Health Care, Clinical Instructor, UBC (biography and disclosures) Disclosures: Education grant from Pfizer to help support my incontinence fellowship in Edmonton, Grant from Pfizer ($10 000) to support start-up costs for the Geriatric Continence Clinic at SPH. Mitigating potential bias: Only published trial data is presented and recommendations are consistent […] read more...
Dr. Ric Arseneau
Feb 08, 2017
Symptoms attributed to Chronic Lyme Disease
The PLEASE trial (Persistent Lyme Empiric Antibiotic Study Europe) was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2016. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed whether longer-term antibiotic treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease leads to better outcomes than does shorter-term treatment. read more...
Dr. Alissa Wright
Jan 25, 2017
Outbreak overload: fever in the returning traveller
Canadians travel a lot and are increasingly traveling to more exotic and remote destinations. Unfortunately, travel does carry certain risks with respect to infection. Post-travel assessment of a febrile patient must be comprehensive, but completed in a timely manner so that patients get the care they need. read more...
Dr. Joseph Lam
Jan 10, 2017
Pyogenic granulomas
Pyogenic granulomas or lobular capillary hemangiomas are common acquired vascular tumors accounting for 0.5% of all skin nodules in children. They occur predominantly on the head and neck. Although they are benign vascular proliferations, treatment is often sought because of recurrent episodes of bleeding due to a propensity to superficial ulceration and bleeding. read more...
Dr. Steve Wong
Dec 29, 2016
Letter from the editor
Thanks again to all of our readers, authors, editors and support team. On behalf of all of us at This Changed My Practice, I’d like to wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! See you in 2017. read more...
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