Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), or vapes, are devices that use a battery-powered metal resistance coil to heat and aerosolize e-cigarette liquid (e-liquid), which is composed mainly of nicotine, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin, which is then inhaled by the user. E-cigarettes have been advertised as a safer way to consume nicotine compared with traditional combustible cigarettes.[1] However, emerging evidence is demonstrating detrimental health consequences related to e-cigarette use.
Across British Columbia, the primary care landscape continues to evolve as governments seek to establish effective models for the prevention of illness in pandemic and postpandemic environments. There is an increasing focus on using teams to support complex chronic conditions and coordinate and integrate care.[1] As many physicians will be aware, simply bringing professionals together in teams does not guarantee collaboration. Iterative change to support collaboration is needed to enable staff to achieve their objectives.[2]
In May 2019, a secure, interactive, multifunctional website (www.ubcreticulum.com) was launched to create a virtual network of general surgeons, both community and academic, across British Columbia. Funded by a grant from the UBC Strategic Investment Fund, the website was created to provide a knowledge hub to support the clinical care of patients, research, and education.
Some physicians report significant delays or denial of payment for their Initial Expedited Comprehensive Consultations (19911). According to recent data from WorkSafeBC, a top reason for this is missing or illegible consult reports.
When your 19911 is submitted to WorkSafeBC, the system automatically searches for proof of a consult report. If the system is unable to find such a report, the 19911 is reviewed manually by WorkSafeBC, which may result in payment delays. If WorkSafeBC is unable to find the appropriate consult report, it may result in a payment rejection.
In a country as diverse as Canada, health practitioners must be able to care for individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. Neglecting this crucial component of health can lead to health inequities and poorer health outcomes. This became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the health of many—specifically immigrant, racialized, and Indigenous communities—was more negatively impacted when compared with Caucasian communities. COVID-19 highlighted the racialized inequities in health care in British Columbia.
