April

I do not agree with Dr Dhanda that “all the eye health services provided by optometrists are provided by ophthalmologists and at no charge to the patient” [BCMJ 2016;58:548].

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia’s new opioid-prescribing standards (Safe Prescribing of Drugs with Potential for Misuse/Diversion)[1] make BC doctors the first in Canada to be legally bound by mandatory professional standards for safe prescribing of opioids and other addictive drugs.

As these words leave my shaking fingers, I can feel my blood glucose slowly normalizing. It has been a few weeks since my calorie balance has approached anywhere close to zero. One could argue that my tremor in part might be due to alcohol withdrawal, but I would deny it. I am hopeful that my fellow airplane passengers are ignorant of my shakes and sweats, and the fact that little tiny aliens are piloting tortillas (foreshadowing) around the cabin.

In Part 1 of this two-part theme issue we discussed the value of comprehensive geriatric assessment and how this can be deployed to manage a number of common clinical presentations in older adults. In Part 2 we address four challenging syndromes known as the four Ds in geriatrics: dementia (classified in DSM-5 as major neurocognitive disorder), delirium, depression, and drug-related problems.

By the time this April issue is published, the February BCMJ cruise-and-learn to the Baja peninsula will be long past. Unfortunately, the vestiges of extra pounds put on while enjoying the marvelous food, beverages, and special after-hours snacks will still be very much stuck in the present! With all the wonderful experiences and activities on the cruise though, the best part was making connections with other physicians, their families, and fellow cruisers. People are traveling to be social, to meet others, and to make connections.