Successful succession: Evaluating financial capacity, testamentary capacity, and undue influence in BC
Clinical and legal guidance on how physicians can conduct capacity assessments of patients based on statutory and common laws. Read More
In the current issue
Province-wide implementation of the Vancouver Chest Pain Rule
Provincial implementation of the Vancouver Chest Pain Rule was associated with 1300 fewer hospitalizations annually and fewer consultations, follow-up visits, diagnostics, and adverse cardiac events. Read More
The era of untruth
“Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without all three, we have no shared reality, and democracy as we know it—and all meaningful human endeavors—are dead.” —Maria Ressa Read More
The public health paradox of wildfire smoke
If there are 10 asthma-related physician visits on a slightly smoky day, how many occur on a day with 10 times as much smoke? Read More
Subclinical: Gondoliers’ footwear
A capricious survey of shoe choices among Venetian watercraft operators. Read More
Psychological preparedness for adverse events—A necessary addition to medical education
Ensuring physicians and physician trainees are psychologically prepared for adverse events could benefit patients, physicians, and the health system itself. Read More
The sleepovers
Loyal readers of this publication will recall that in 2021 and 2022 I was Mother of the Year (MOTY). In 2023, I was the runner-up, temporarily losing my crown to Jennifer Garner when she was able to get the sugar content of her white broccoli brown sugar cookies below 1 gram while mine remained at 4 grams. Read More
Indigeneity is healing
I am a Dakelh (Carrier) physician who grew up in Northern BC close to my traditional territories in both rural and inner-city communities. We were always with family and community, helping one another, participating in gathering traditional foods, and sharing whatever we had. Read More
A lens of hope
Hundreds of years ago, Avicenna, one of the most eminent physicians and philosophers of his time, defined a physician’s key responsibility as providing hope to patients in times of distress. Read More
In the next issue
Closure of the College Library: A proposal
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC announced the closure of the College Library (as of 15 March 2024) in an email sent on 1 March. I have reflected on the loss of this service since writing to the registrar of the College to express my concerns. Read More
The CPSBC closed our medical library
On 15 March 2024, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC closed its Library, which came as a shock to many of us. Physicians across British Columbia have expressed their dismay at this decision, both privately and in the pages of the BCMJ. Read More
Guest editorial: Osteoarthritis, Part 1
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent and debilitating condition that significantly impacts quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide. Read More
How to approach the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis, the predominant cause of chronic knee pain, often leads patients to consult their family practitioner. Read More
In-office management of knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that results from progressive loss of articular cartilage, usually in the setting of chronic wear and tear or many years after trauma that has caused articular irregularity. Read More
Opioids have no role in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty
Total knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pain secondary to osteoarthritis of the knee. It is considered in patients who have chronic pain that is severe enough to hinder daily functioning and in cases where first-line pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic arthritis treatments are ineffective. Read More
Who should get a knee replacement?
Knee osteoarthritis is a common and often debilitating disease. Referral to an orthopaedic surgeon is appropriate when there are radiographic changes consistent with osteoarthritis that are accompanied by symptoms. Read More
