CMA position against separate regulations for medical cannabis draws ire and insults
Some physicians say a medical stream for cannabis will still be necessary after the drug becomes legal, for reasons including patient access and insurance coverage.
Opioids and pharmacare top of mind at annual CADTH meeting
It may take time to fully understand the complexity of the opioid crisis, according to deputy health ministers.
Low awareness about CADTH among practising doctors in Canada
CADTH is recognized as an international leader in reviewing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new drugs.
Waits increasing for some priority surgeries
Fewer Canadians are receiving surgery for cataracts and hip and knee replacements within recommended wait times.
Recognition of family physicians as experts rather than gatekeepers requires “cultural shift”
Many family doctors in the UK want their profession recognized as a speciality, as it has been in Canada since 2007.
That’s “not medicine” — when doctors advocate for safer roads, gun bans or reducing poverty
Is calling for a ban on assault rifles within the purview of a physician association?
Should doctors talk politics with patients?
Physicians are increasingly called to be advocates, but it’s not clear whether that extends to the patient visit.
Health News Recap
Pharmacare report, unmatched medical graduates, and more in this week’s top Canadian health news.
Obtaining funding an age-old problem for young researchers with novel ideas
Funding agencies tend to favour older researchers, making it difficult for young investigators to further their careers and push scientific boundaries.
Chronic pain associations struggle to raise awareness of “silent epidemic”
Waking up in pain every day is a fact of life for many Canadians.
Review calls for major overhaul of federally funded health organizations
Despite sizeable federal investment, pan-Canadian health organizations are plagued by “gaps, overlaps and limited capacity to accelerate change,” according to an external review.
Rise of women in medicine not matched by leadership roles
More than 40% of doctors in Canada are women, as are 63% of medical students.
Doctors who retire early often met with scorn
Doctors who hang up their stethoscopes while still young aren’t likely to hear praise from patients or colleagues.
Reducing physician suicides requires system change, not just self-care tips
Broken health systems are breaking physicians, warns a doctor who has documented more than 700 suicides in the profession over the past five years.
Depression guideline written “by patients for patients” a first for Canada
A new treatment guide for depression developed with patients and caregivers is a Canadian first, say researchers.
Patient complaints about Canadian doctors on the rise
The Canadian Medical Protective Association has seen a major uptick in physicians seeking assistance with regulatory college complaints.
Parliament debates junk food ads, vaping
Bills on junk food marketing to children, plain packaging for tobacco, and legal cannabis are before the House and Senate.
Medicine changing as women make up more of physician workforce
Some research suggests that female doctors spend more time with patients, which could be associated with better health outcomes.
Are provincial medical associations taking physician mental health seriously enough?
Some doctors object to exclusions in health insurance plans offered by provincial medical associations that limit access to mental health services.
Medical trainees want benefit of doubt when reporting harassment
Power imbalances in medical training enable abuse and make it difficult to report, say trainee groups.
Most Quebec medical residents show signs of burnout
Quebec’s government wants medical residents to work more hours and longer shifts but residents say they are already overloaded.
Mostly praise for 2018 federal budget from science and health care communities
Some advocates for universal coverage of prescription medications are cautiously optimistic after the budget mentioned the creation of an advisory panel on implementing pharmacare.
Federal budget invests heavily in research, Indigenous health
The 2018 federal budget makes the “single-largest investment in investigator-led fundamental research in Canadian history,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
CMA position against separate regulations for medical cannabis draws ire and insults
Some physicians say a medical stream for cannabis will still be necessary after the drug becomes legal, for reasons including patient access and insurance coverage.
Opioids and pharmacare top of mind at annual CADTH meeting
It may take time to fully understand the complexity of the opioid crisis, according to deputy health ministers.
Low awareness about CADTH among practising doctors in Canada
CADTH is recognized as an international leader in reviewing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new drugs.
Waits increasing for some priority surgeries
Fewer Canadians are receiving surgery for cataracts and hip and knee replacements within recommended wait times.
Health News Recap
Pharmacare report, unmatched medical graduates, and more in this week’s top Canadian health news.
Recognition of family physicians as experts rather than gatekeepers requires “cultural shift”
Many family doctors in the UK want their profession recognized as a speciality, as it has been in Canada since 2007.
That’s “not medicine” — when doctors advocate for safer roads, gun bans or reducing poverty
Is calling for a ban on assault rifles within the purview of a physician association?
Should doctors talk politics with patients?
Physicians are increasingly called to be advocates, but it’s not clear whether that extends to the patient visit.
Should medical errors ever be considered criminal offences?
A manslaughter case against a UK junior doctor has Canadian physicians, especially residents, wondering if they could be vulnerable to similar charges.
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