Mentorship is an essential and meaningful component of professional development. The practice is a recognized form of teaching and is considered to be a means of identifying and managing professional and personal progress.[1] The mentoring process is a positive one, through which colleagues work together to develop careers and abilities.[2] The GPSC offers BC family doctors mentorship opportunities in a clinical learning environment through its Maternity Care for BC (MC4BC) program.
In British Columbia, the prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, mirroring trends seen throughout the world.[1,2] The World Health Organization defines an overweight body mass index (BMI) as 25 to 29 kg/m2, and an obese BMI as greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2.[3]
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an ultra-rare, acquired blood disorder that is characterized by hemolysis, thrombosis, and pancytopenia (anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia) due to bone marrow failure.
The value of strong leadership within the profession cannot be overemphasized. Given the challenges doctors face with tightening health care budgets, an aging population, and physician shortages, it is our patients, indeed society as a whole, who are looking to us—the medical profession—for meaningful and practical solutions. These challenges have grown steadily over a number of years, and they will not be solved overnight. But as a profession we have the influence, the education, and the ability to effectively lead the way to a better tomorrow.
In the recent Doctors of BC 2016–17 election for president-elect, less than 30% of our membership voted, with the winner receiving 53% of that vote. In the last federal election, which required voters to visit a polling station rather than push a button on a computer, voter turnout was 68%. The other two positions on the executive, and all but 1 of 11 positions on the Board, were filled by acclamation. What has happened to our profession? Why is there such apathy? We had a highly respected candidate for president-elect who ran on the platform of engaging the membership in real change.
