Author profile

Re: BC has the tools to address the drug poisoning emergency (1)

The editorial by Dr Michael Schwandt in the December issue of the BCMJ [2023;65:365-366] proposes dealing with the drug poisoning emergency by decriminalizing drugs, reducing stigma, and increasing the safe drug supply... Read More

Point: Medical assistance in dying: Controlling the timing of one’s own death

Like many of the individuals involved in the medical assistance in dying (MAID) movement, I witnessed the horrible death of close relatives. In my case, one of these relatives died a lingering death from dementia and... Read More

Chikungunya: A disease risk for Canadians traveling in the tropics

Case data In November 2015 a previously healthy 68-year-old physician vacationing in Mexico developed a generalized rash and low-grade fever and fatigue for 1 week. With the exception of bilateral osteoarthritis of... Read More

Re: How our leaders want to die—A call to action

As a long-time and avid reader of the BCMJ I look forward to reading the Proust questionnaire. These probing questions give us insight into the minds of some of our most prominent medical leaders. I have... Read More

Re: Pharma interventions for TBI—Letter 2

I am pleased to see the Journal publish an article concerning the use of medications following traumatic brain injury ["Pharmacological interventions for traumatic brain injury," BCMJ 2011;53:26-31], as... Read More

Swirski-type interviews: An ethical dilemma for physicians

Ms Swirski was injured in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently developed epi­leptic seizures. She was assessed by four neurologists who opined that the seizures resulted from a brain injury. After a period of time... Read More

Guest editorial--Mild traumatic brain injury, Part 2 Treatment and support

In this second of our two-part issue about mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), we continue to explore ways to assess, manage, and support patients who are experiencing physical, cognitive, or behavioral problems as a... Read More

Guest editorial--Mild traumatic brain injury, Part 1: Assessment and management

In Canada, approximately 50 000[1] patients suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. Of these, 80% fall into the mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) category. The annual cost of treating mTBI in Canada is about $3... Read More

A hospital takes up the challenge of offering patients open access to their charts

In 1992, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the principle that, although the binder and paper of the patient’s health record belong to the hospital (or in the case of a private office, the doctor), the information in... Read More

Autistic disorders: What can a physician do?

Introduction Autism spectrum disorders/pervasive developmental disorders are brain disorders characterized by deviant and delayed skills in socialization, communication, and behavior. Many affected children have... Read More