April

On 22 February the government of BC and the BCMA announced that they are partnering to improve primary care in our province through a joint program called “A GP for Me.”

One of my very good friends, who is brilliant, committed, and immensely capable, was given the honor several years ago of being made head of his hospital clinical group. It appears likely that when he resigns there will not be anyone willing to take up his stead. It is a job that in modern settings puts a clinician in an almost untenable position of frustration, blame catching, impotent budgeting, and impossible group management.

Gluten is being blamed for nu­merous health problems, and recent claims suggest that by eliminating gluten from our diet we can cure diabetes, obesity, rheumatic illnesses, and cataracts. Wheat, and gluten in particular, has been given pariah status by the millions who are on the low-carb diet bandwagon, particularly those who believe they are allergic or sensitive to gluten.

Noroviruses are extremely contagious viruses and the leading cause of gastroenteritis world­wide. Noroviruses cause an acute illness characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Onset of symptoms typically occurs 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Norovirus causes a mild self-limiting infection; most people will recover within 1 to 3 days without medical treatment. 

Long-term home oxygen therapy reduces mortality and improves quality of life for hypoxemic patients with respiratory disease.