April

Apathy was the word that came to mind as I read the January/February President’s Comment [BCMJ 2015;57:10]. This was an upbeat summary of the new 5-year plan. The 91% vote in favor out of 3456 is misleading when you realize there are approximately 10 963 practising physicians in BC. Such a discrepancy demonstrates apathy, or perhaps disinterest, on the part of two-thirds of practising MDs.

Local divisions of family practice have identified team-based care as an integral part of their implementation plans for A GP for Me, a GPSC initiative aimed at strengthening primary care and improving attachment rates in BC.

I sprang into action when the loud voice reverberated through the hospital corridors. Grabbing my white coat I sprinted down the hall, stethoscope trailing in my jet stream, startled visitors and knowing staff scattered in my determined wake. Sliding around a corner I met Dr Smith and we headed toward the emergency together. Our anticipation grew the closer we came. I mentally refreshed the required steps and algorithms. Bursting into the assigned room we headed for the bed nearest the door. Knowing the situation was dire we decided to grab its occupant and run.

Only days before the scheduled start of the Constitutional trial on patients' right to access care, and over 6 years since the launch of the action, the BC government informed the plaintiffs that “thousands of documents” were being released by the Ministry of Health. Government lawyers asked for another delay of at least 8 weeks. This is not the first false start. The laws being challenged in BC Supreme Court force BC patients to wait and suffer in pain, make private insurance illegal, and forbid dual practice by physicians.

“Drug driving” refers to driving while using impairing drugs. This includes illegal drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin. It includes cannabis, which is illegal for recreational use but can be used legally for medical purposes. Drug driving also refers to driving while using any of several hundred prescription or over-the-counter medications.