September

Acronyms are an essential, though sometimes baffling, part of the medical lexicon. In a world in which speed and brevity are crucial to communication, they provide us with short forms for complicated concepts that convey a message but don’t take up too much space. PIER on PDA might be thought of as the electronic embodiment of this idea: succinct clinical knowledge available with a minimum of fuss.

In this year’s April issue of the BCMJ (49[3]:146-147), I reported on the regional preparedness exercise conducted in Cranbrook, British Columbia. The overall exercise seemed to be successful; however, as a psychiatrist with experience treating quite a few patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I was curious whether participation in such a drill might trigger significant anxiety symptoms in some individuals.

Were the last dinosaurs aware of their impending extinction? Did the T. rexes sit around in bars nursing a beer and reminiscing about what once was? Of course not, their arms were too short.

I’m not upper-limb challenged, so after a few drinks I’m able to reflect. I am a dinosaur. I never saw it coming.

I read with interest, as I’m sure most of you did, the headlines in our morning newspaper a few weeks ago that the government intends to invest a lot of money in a program dedicated to making family practice a more attractive career choice for medical students.

I love the word propitious. It is seldom heard in conversations not dominated by Lord Black, but it nicely defines a welcome, favorable event, and this propitious media release from the premier’s office came just as I was about to write a “cows are out of the barn” editorial about the future of family practice.

Originally from Lancashire, England, Dr Geoff Appleton is a family physician in Terrace, British Columbia. Since 1974, Dr Appleton has enjoyed the beauty of the Skeena River and the satisfaction he gets from taking care of his patients in this rural community. 

Dr Appleton received his medical degree from Edinburgh Medical School, coming to BC for additional training in pediatrics. He spent one year in pediatric residency at Vancouver General Hospital, then accepted a one-year GP locum in Terrace.