September

The 2014 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card[1] was released amid much fanfare at the Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children held in Toronto this May. In this report card, Canada was compared with 14 other countries for the first time. How did we do? We faired very poorly, tying for second-to-last place with Australia, Ireland, and the US, and finishing only ahead of Scotland. What was our grade? A dismal D–. The countries that received the best marks were New Zealand and Mozambique (both received a B grade).

hidden

References

In evidence-based medicine, there is emphasis on using high-quality research to inform clinical decision making. To effectively search the literature one must first create an answerable question. Several tools exist to help create answerable questions, the most frequently cited of which is PICO, which stands for population/patient, intervention/indicator, comparison/control, and outcome.

hidden

References

As defined in the Doctors of BC Guide to Fees, call-out charges are applicable when a physician is called to render emergency or non-elective services and must travel from one location to another to attend the patient. All call-out fee items must state the time of call and time of service rendered.

If the physician remains at the same site to answer the call, such as being called from one location to another within the same hospital, the fee for call-out charges is not applicable.

hidden

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Three of four sexually active Canadians will develop an HPV infection.[1] There are more than 100 HPV strains and about 15 cause cervical cancer, the third most common cancer among Canadian women aged 20 to 44 years.[1,2] Each year in BC, about 175 women will be diagnosed and 50 will die from cervical cancer.

hidden

References

Acrylic paint on canvas.

This painting was inspired by my first delivery as a medical student. The little being finally emerged, covered with blood and goo. Then he cried—at first crackling, then louder and louder. His mom hugged him tightly, pain and exhaustion forgotten. His dad couldn’t wait to sneak in a kiss.

hidden