Diffusing Difficult Patients

Case report: The cream works
Dr. Bob Dickson has a case in his walk-in clinic that highlights insights for all of us.
Are physicians entitled to human rights?
Exposure to certain perfumes triggers severe allergic reactions in Dr. Jabir Jassam but despite clinic policies and staff reminders, some patients disregard this.

Poll: Doctor, do you ever waive a bill for an off work note due to hardship?

See what your colleagues say. Take our weekly doctor poll.
When the college greenlights firing a patient

Dr. Melissa Yuan-Innes is skeptical about the effectiveness of ‘zero tolerance’ signs in deterring inappropriate behaviour.
When to call up a colleague rather than calling them out

One of my patients—a trans man—told me he left urgent care because of how embarrassing an interaction with the doctor there became. Luckily, his subsequent trip to the ER and laparoscopic appendectomy went well.
‘Complete disregard’: Patient lost disability benefits because of doctor’s failure to complete forms

Toronto family physician Dr. Mei Lump-Mee Hwang, who kept the same patient waiting on several occasions—sometimes for as long as six hours—has been suspended for 12 months.
POLL: When a patient says something racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic do you confront the patient?

See what your colleagues say. Take our weekly doctor poll.
How bad is bad behaviour by doctors? Worse than it appears, according to studies

Among residents, experiences with uncivilized behaviour by doctors seem more frequent for those with certain characteristics. Do you happen to be a young, not-so-tall, female junior trainee? Oh boy.
ER tales: How to skin a chicken

Every ER doctor gets this question. ‘So, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen?’
Case report: Amoxil rash?

An intriguing case involving a child with a rash purportedly due to an amoxicillin allergy came to Dr. Robert Dickson’s walk-in clinic recently.

Case report: The cream works

Are physicians entitled to human rights?

Poll: Doctor, do you ever waive a bill for an off work note due to hardship?

When the college greenlights firing a patient

When to call up a colleague rather than calling them out

‘Complete disregard’: Patient lost disability benefits because of doctor’s failure to complete forms

POLL: When a patient says something racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic do you confront the patient?

How bad is bad behaviour by doctors? Worse than it appears, according to studies

ER tales: How to skin a chicken

Case report: Amoxil rash?