Discussions

A rapid fire chat about why LTC docs are so tired
I recently spoke with Dr. Ben Robert, an Ottawa medical director of long-term care, who still practices comprehensive care in his family medicine office.
Is cannabis use during pregnancy the troll under the bridge?
Pregnant patients, whether for nausea, stress or simple enjoyment may still be reaching for these products once expecting. Dr. Tom Bell explains why these substances can be harmful for babies' development and how to effectively discuss the issue with patients.

When patients insult your pregnancy

What do you say when a patient suggests you're abandoning them because you'll be taking time off after giving birth? I've got some ideas, some sassy, some serious.
Insulin delivery using a needleless injection system? Inconceivable!

Jet injectors provide a needle-free alternative to use of pens or syringes and are associated with reduced pain, making them ideal for those with needle phobia.
Can air conditioning really make you sick? A microbiologist explains

If an air conditioning system malfunctions or isn’t properly maintained, it can become contaminated with infectious microbes. This can turn your AC unit into a potential source of numerous airborne infections—ranging from the common cold to pneumonia.
An overlooked epidemic: iron deficiency in surgical patients

Iron deficiency is incredibly common, especially among women of reproductive age, and we can't afford to ignore it, stresses general surgeon Dr. Duncan Rozario.
When developing countries band together, lifesaving drugs become cheaper and easier to buy—with trade-offs

Procuring lifesaving drugs is a daunting challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Essential treatments are often neither available nor affordable in these nations, even decades after the drugs entered the market.
Wait. What?! You’re a pharmacist working in primary care?

As part of a family health team, Jay Reaume practices primary care every day, but still encounters surprise when people find out he's a pharmacist.
Boxed in: Teaching, learning and the loneliness of the corner screen

A physician’s reflection on what makes education meaningful and the question of virtual versus in-person.
Case report: priorities

A recent interaction emphasized the fact that patients have their own priorities, which may be misplaced.