May

In the article “Legalization of euth­anasia violates the principles of competence, autonomy, and beneficence” [BCMJ 52(2):92-94], we are given a conclusion before an argument. 

Some cases from the Netherlands and Canada (only) are examined, and Ms Ho then reaffirms her somewhat emotive premature conclusions and goes on to imply that somehow euthanasia violates the very moral principles that a Canadian doctor aspires to.

This letter is an appeal for active clarity in letters between doctors. More than once a month I get a letter from a colleague that contains a variant on the following sentence: “The patient will require [an action].” The action may be a blood test (creatinine after starting an ACE inhibitor) or an imaging test, or a request for another consultation. The sentence, “The patient will require [an action]” does not indicate who is supposed to arrange the action--the doctor who wrote the letter or the doctor to whom the letter is addressed.

As medicine evolves, more em­phasis is being placed on evidence-based practice. Gone are the days when you could see an order for AOL in the hospital chart. You don’t know what AOL stands for? In that hospital it meant “any old laxative.” I am not kidding!

As physicians, we are expected to be aware of current research and chang­es in diagnosis and treatment, and our best practices should reflect this. In the field of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and injuries, mostly whiplash-associated disorders, there are some excellent general references and web sites available.

Many family doctors in Bri­tish Columbia hold group medical visits to see pa­tients with similar conditions in a larger setting, but for Dr Karin Blouw of Smithers, group visits are a chance to expand her work in geriatric psychiatry. She is the first doctor in BC to hold group visits for patients with dementia and their caregivers.

“We’ve been holding these group visits monthly for 6 months, and we’re very excited about how it’s going,” says Blouw. “The group dynamic is working better than I expected, and over time it’s gotten even better.”

“Hey Bob, get dressed, the jig is up.”

“Tell me it isn’t true, Doc, what happened?”

“They’ve put up the signs.”

“OMG, not the signs!”