July

I am writing regarding the editorial “Divided we stand, divided we fall,” (BCMJ 2007;49[3]:105). With the introduction of universal medical care Tommy Douglas never suggested the government should have a monopoly and be the only medical care provider. The Canada Health Act, introduced by the then–Health Minister Monique Begin, as her departing shot, has been a disaster for Canada’s medical health system.

Most normal people would expect the medical school of UBC to encourage any medical education and learning. But perhaps you should be morally informed. Between the hour of 07:00 and 08:00 on St. Valentine’s Day the Section of Otolaryngology was edified by a harangue on “Ethics in CME,” ex cathedra, UBC. 

Thank you for your interesting article on using honey as a last resort for treating an awful wound (BCMJ 2007;49[2]:64-67). What is most interesting is the conclusion of the article, stating “there is justification to use honey when more conventional treatments have failed.” If this were a new drug, there would be a lot more interest in using this as a more first-line treatment since its success was so astounding.

Book review

Facing Death, Embracing Life: Understanding what dying people want by David Kuhl, MD. Doubleday Canada, 2006. ISBN-10: 0385660669. Paperback, 336 pp. $25.

As I write this column, it is two weeks to the day that I become your president. Like many, if not all, of my predecessors my feelings are mixed. Making the change from 33 years of full-time general practice in Terrace to a totally different job, if even only for one year, is somewhat daunting. Having said that it is also very exciting and a privilege that I take extremely seriously.