September

We read with interest the article by Dr Albert W. Chan regarding the performance of carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) for atherosclerotic disease by a cardiology service (“Carotid artery stenting by a cardiovascular services department in Canada” BCMJ 2009;51[1]:14-19), and we congratulate the author on his group’s success in 100 patients. We do, however, have some concerns about how this paper will be interpreted by your readers.

References

I will respond to Dr Blair’s original letter from the June issue (“EMRs and specialists” BCMJ 2009;51[5]: 190) and Dr Hwang’s response concurrently.

Both Dr McMahen (“Ready or not” BCMJ 2009;51[5]:190) and Mr Littlejohn raise the importance of highly functional EMRs and lab interfaces, as well as physician leadership and input.

I have had the privilege of meeting well over 1000 physicians from across the province and will offer two observations regarding the functionality of EMRs and physician adoption in BC.

The creativity and symbolic content of the Journal covers are well known and well regarded, but the June 2009 cover (“Alcohol and the heart”) surpasses all in its pure genius.

—Jim Gilmore
Former director of BCMA Communications

Brian Brodie talks about his motivation, his mistakes, and what we can learn from naturopaths

New BCMA President Dr Brian Brodie received his MD from the University of Calgary in 1986. He set up general practice first in Whitecourt, Alberta, moving 1 year later to Burns Lake, BC, where he remained for 9 years. He was involved in the Prince George negotiations of the late 1990s, and after his move to Chilliwack in 1998—where he remains in practice—he became a Board delegate and has been active in the BCMA and CMA since.