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Courageous thinking
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There is no definitive history of medicine in BC, there are only perspectives.
For some of us, living and practicing through portions of that history, certain elements may stand out for their significance.
One, that stands out to me, is the loss of courageous thinking. Not simply repeating what has been concluded by others or committee but truly independent thinking. Fresh eyes and a fresh mind.
After all isn't that what doctors learned as students?
What are ethics and why are they important?
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2019-03-12 Dr Z.Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
Ethics are a big part of our lives as principles that govern our actions. Doctors take an oath to serve the patient's interest and not their own or that of others.
It doesn't just apply to doctors. We expect ethics in people involved with our daily lives: teachers, accountants, professionals, merchants and others. It is the basis of the trust we have in them. We depend on them as people with privilege and power over ourselves, children and others.
We also expect ethics in politics, in technology, in corporations and the list goes on. People are growing more concerned about the decline of ethical leadership in politics and also business tech giants like Facebook, Google and others.
What happens when an individual's actions run contrary to ethical principles?
Media depiction of Flu shot technique
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David Naismith (retired physician), Vernon BC, January 15, 2019.
On January 11th I was so disturbed by the portrayal of health professionals on TV, both in adverts and on the National, that I fired off an email to some colleagues. As usual, I learnt something as the thread progressed, so here is a distillate of that exchange.
Canadian Medical Association dissolves General Council, the parliament of Canadian medicine.
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Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver BC - September 10, 2018
What a year it's been for the Canadian Medical Association.
First, just one year ago in August 2017, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) dropped the word 'physician' from its vision and mission statements, much to the surprise of many doctors across the country leaving them feeling abandoned.
Then, at the beginning of June 2018, the CMA sold the trust of doctors in MD Financial to the Bank of Nova Scotia for nearly C$2.6 billion. Now in August 2018, after 151 years, the CMA has dissolved the General Council, the parliament of Canadian medicine, as stated in the constitution itself.
Are these changes forward looking and preparing for the future or eroding the work, achievements and structures of the medical profession? Is direct physician input being replaced by filtered input that serves programs and bureaucracy?
"Cracked Science" light-hearted in-depth science for everyone
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The youtube channel "Cracked Science" with Jonathan Jerry provides some good humour and scientific knowledge in ten minute episodes to bring you up to speed and get you thinking.
Take a look at CRISPR is a Puppy and learn how gene therapy may be applied to human diseases.
Another episode helps to debunk the media hype on the discovery of a new human organ - "the Interstitium, the largest organ we never knew we had", Does a New Organ Explain Acupuncture? While some of this is opinionated to the reporter's own views on acupuncture, the evidence of the Interstitium is a good reminder of what we already know.
President Eric Cadesky's report on the 2018 CMA Summit and General Council
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Dr Eric Cadesky, DoctorsOfBC President, in his president's blog reports on the 2018 CMA meeting in Winnipeg that just recently wrapped up.
He shares, "In past years, the CMA’s General Council meeting (GC) – the 'medical parliament of Canada' –focused on doctors debating motions on evolving and important topics ... the CMA this year instead organized a two-day Health Summit comprised of speakers and panel discussions. ... As is usual, the federal health minister attended, but was interviewed by a non-physician rather than giving a speech, and while she repeatedly stated she was “here to listen” she did not take any questions from the audience ... followed by the CMA’s Annual General Meeting and a pared-down GC without motions; many felt there was not enough time to debate the proposed changes to CMA governance and the Code of Ethics and Professionalism."
2018 Doctors of BC President-Elect election debate
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2018-05-14 Vancouver, BC Dr Z. Essak, MD
A must see. The 2018 Annual Dr Jim Busser Memorial election debate was live video streamed on May 9 and can be viewed anytime through the Vancouver Medical Association website (link below).
Kudos to Dr Charles Webb for keeping alive the memory and spirit of Dr Jim Busser. Kudos also to the moderator Dr Arun Garg encouraging questions and kudos to the participants present and remote for asking questions.
Beyond the opening formalities it gets interesting as questions are asked on what more should we be doing for future physicians, the lack of access, what are the main problems, use of allied professionals and physician extenders.
Are medical errors the third leading cause of death or disability and what can we do to protect ourselves?
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Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver BC - March 4, 2018
The TEDx Stanley Park event at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver on Saturday March 3, 2018 was incredible with 13 (a bakers dozen) memorable and inspiring speakers and 4 brief, fun energerizer programs to keep the audience engaged. Two of the presentations addressed medical errors.
With cancer as the leading cause of death and heart disease as the second leading cause, medical errors are referred to by some as the third leading cause of death and disability.
Whether errors are third or not, it makes sense that anything that helps to reduce or prevent medical errors is worth pursuing. Every error that can be prevented has direct benefit to individuals and their families.
Celebrating and helping caregivers
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Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver BC - February 16, 2018
According to Statistics Canada there are eight million caregivers in Canada. Most are unpaid, regular people who are taking care of aging and ailing parents, children with disabilities, and friends who need them. Caregivers get little or no attention, despite their massive numbers.
Some caregivers find inspiration and friendship from those they care for and some find themselves with personal challenges through caring for others. Healthcare providers may experience the same themselves and see this in those they serve.
Sharing caregivers' stories may help others find inspiration or recognize the impact on themselves and what they might be able to do.
Dr. McDonnell on the History of Medicine in BC
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This was included as part of another post on Doclounge.net but may be more useful as a separate post, especially for history buffs.
In particular the article attached, [6] McDonnell - Early medical legislation
The full series of 12 articles by Dr. McDonnell on the History of Medicine in BC may be of interest to readers and can be obtained from public library resources and other libraries:
