May

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In January 2017 the BC Minister of Health announced the approval of publicly funded human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for boys. The program will start in the 2017–18 school year and all grade 6 boys will be eligible. This program will run in conjunction with the HPV vaccine offered for grade 6 girls, who have been eligible since September 2008.

Background
Establishing a diagnosis for musculoskeletal conditions constitutes a major health care expenditure. The most common reason for a patient to consult a health care provider is musculoskeletal pain or disability,[1] and such complaints account for up to 28% of all problems seen in the family practice office.[2] Musculoskeletal disorders are also the leading cause of long-term physical disability and absence from the workforce.[1]

Jeff Purkis’ letter in the March issue ("Please fix walk-in problem" [BCMJ 2001;43(2):71]) describes very clearly the urban family practice reality. During my last 7 years of practice I coordinated the UBC Department of Family Practice Residency City Site. All of the residents received training in the urban practices of community family doctors.

In the last issue of BCMJ, Pat Goble, president of the Surrey Access for All Committee, wrote a plea to physicians to "limit certifying the number of patients who request disabled parking placards to those who genuinely need them."[1] I take exception to two points made in this commentary.