July

The BC Medical Association’s 2005 Annual Convention came just 2 days after the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on Chaoulli v. Quebec, so not surprisingly there was a lot of discussion of private and public health care and all the surrounding implications, questions, and debates.

In fact, the media was at the AGM in force this year, and Canadian Medical Association President Dr Albert Schumacher and incoming BCMA President Dr Michael Golbey were swarmed by cameras during a morning break. The 11 June 2005 meeting was held at the Delta Vancouver Hotel in Richmond.

Background

Most of these patients have not been diagnosed in the past, in part because there has not been systematic screening of individuals we know are at higher risk of chronic kidney disease, including those with diabetes or atherosclerotic disease and those with First Nations or Pacific Islands heritage. A serum creatinine level has been the most common screen for CKD, but as there is no absolute “normal” value for creatinine, this has permitted significant renal impairment to go unrecognized.