September

I read with interest the article by Thorpe and colleagues regarding anxiety and depression in young adults with type 1 diabetes in a university clinic setting [BCMJ 2017;59:310-311].

In his May editorial [BCMJ 2017;59:209], Dr Brian Day outlines his trials (no pun intended) and tribulations in the BC Supreme Court. He declares a pursuit of justice. Unfortunately for him, Canada has no justice system, only a legal system, which he so eloquently describes. If he wishes justice, he should seek it elsewhere. In this regard, I recall a Globe and Mail editorial cartoon from many years ago when Dr Henry Morgentaler challenged what he saw as an unjust law.

Training in the hospital entails learning how to write the discharge summary—a now ubiquitous tool that recaps a patient’s time on the ward and details the next steps to be taken by the patient and her care providers on the road to recovery. The writer of the discharge summary is the quarterback who determines actionable tasks for each provider.

In my city as elsewhere in this province we have thousands of people who cannot find a family doctor. Walk-in clinics cannot find doctors to work shifts and have shortened their hours or closed. On the other hand, there are several perfectly healthy and experienced family doctors who have retired prematurely in my city and who regret their actions. These doctors retired in their early- or mid-50s or early-60s and managed by sheer luck to find relocating doctors to replace them.

The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), a not-for-profit organization, is the primary provider of medical liability protection for Canadian physicians. In addition to providing assistance to physicians involved in medical-legal issues arising from their practice, the CMPA compensates, on behalf of its members, patients injured as a result of negligent medical care. The CMPA is committed to promoting safe medical care and makes a significant contribution to improved health care safety in Canada.