3/28/2013 Just like children are not little adults, seniors are different than middle-age and younger patients. Geriatrics is its own specialty. Here are some tips on dealing with senior patients from an old doc learned the hard way, so you don't have to.
3/20/2013 Having a medical student work with you in your practice is fun and fulfilling. You learn as much from them as they do from you. Their enthusiasm is contagious and they really get you to think about your job and your philosophy of medicine as you see it through their eyes. You learn what is new in medicine and they help sharpen your computer, iPhone and iPad skills.
3/5/2013 During my career of 40 years, I would say the biggest changes in medicine have been increasing specialization, the Internet and new technology.
2/22/2013 That's what I heard an old GP say about my generation 40 years ago. And in his own myopic view, he was right.
2/15/2013 I recently conducted a phone interview with Dr. Martin Gerretsen, founder of Sea Courses Cruises. I have taught two of his courses on Caribbean trips and loved them, especially the fun days at sea.
2/8/2013 I interviewed Dr. Naveen Tandon, a new family doctor in Cambridge, Ont., by email. He is my 94-year-old mom's physician and communicates by email. I love it.
2/1/2013 Check yourself out on RateMDs.com. It is a sobering experience. If you do get a complaint, look on it as a positive thing. It will help you improve.
1/24/2013 Now that I am 65 my patients ask me when I'm going to retire. They don't care about me, they just don't want to lose their trusty old GP. This is human nature and I am flattered they still want me. Luckily I have no intention of retiring, but I do want to ease back and enjoy life a little more.
1/14/2013 I am happy that pharmacists are now offering flu shots in Ontario. Pharmacist complete an online course and get hands-on training. The more people who get the flu shot the better for all. Some people don't have a family doctor, some don't have time. The pharmacies are often open til midnight, are located all over and often have free parking.
12/20/2012 Haven't we all felt that way, like lighting our piles of paperwork on fire? But put out that match—you can get caught up and stay caught up with your paperwork.
12/17/2012 Dealing with chronic pain patients is one of the toughest jobs in medicine. I start by trying to prevent chronic pain. With anyone in acute pain I try to treat it as aggressively as possible and keep them working and exercising. I tell the patient that it is important to avoid time off and even in my referral letters to physiotherapists, specialists and in notes to employers I stress that we all want the patient to maintain function and work as much as possible.
