A significant number of seriously injured workers who are confined to wheelchairs develop pressure wounds that can be life threatening. This is especially true for patients with spinal cord injuries. The causes are many and, in some cases, difficult to identify. Equipment may need to be repaired or replaced, the individual may be neglecting him- or herself or ignoring a minor skin breakdown, or he or she may simply not understand the complications that can occur when a pressure wound is left untreated.
The BCMA’s mission statement says that we will strive to “promote a social, economic, and political climate in which members can provide the citizens of British Columbia with the highest standard of health care while achieving maximum professional satisfaction and fair economic reward.” At any given time, there are hundreds of BCMA members from around the province involved in the association’s activities through their participation on more than 70 educational, medical, and policy development committees, councils, and working groups.
With ever-increasing numbers of family physicians giving up their hospital privileges, the large number of “orphaned” hospital patients has become a significant concern. Should family physicians look after their patients in hospital or is hospitalist-based care the better alternative? This question is examined from the perspective of the patient’s needs.
Many aspects of disability insurance claims involve medical-legal considerations. With better knowledge of these issues, you will be better equipped to address insurance issues when they arise.
Dr Gavin Stuart’s in memoriam of Dr Webber was printed in the March issue of the BCMJ. We felt that Dr Webber’s stature and the affection with which he was held by the medical community justified this second tribute. Dr Grantham is professor emeritus and first head of the UBC Department of Family Practice. —ED
When a particularly remarkable colleague and friend dies, we sometimes need to pause and try to ascertain the reasons why this particular loss seems so unusually painful.
