September

On behalf of the Physician Quality Assurance Steering Committee, we write in response to Dr Mirwaldtís thoughtful letter published in the June issue [BCMJ 2014;56:219]. We welcome the engagement of the British Columbia College of Family Physicians and have collaborated with its representatives and those of the Society of General Practice to strike a panel that will develop the privileging dictionary for this discipline.

The average citizen, and perhaps even the average physician, may view death with dignity, a good death, aid in dying, compassionate care of the dying, and physician-assisted suicide as of the same species (BCMJ 2014;56:6). But criminal law draws sharp distinctions between suicide, mercy killing, assisted suicide, and death resulting from the nonprovision or withdrawal of treatment.

Born in Port Alice, BC, Dr Bill Cavers received his medical degree from the University of British Columbia and has been practising family medicine in Victoria for the past 34 years. Dr Cavers has worked with Doctors of BC in many capacities since his involvement with the organization began in 1995, including 10 years on the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC) and 8 years as its co-chair. BCMJ assistant editor Joanne Jablkowski spoke with Dr Cavers 1 month into his presidency about his interests, experiences, and goals. Here is a condensed version of their conversation.

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"Anything else I can do for you, Bob?"

"Yeah doc, the pharmacist said you can get my medications paid for."

"But Bob, you don't qualify for Special Authority coverage."

"What do you mean, doc? My pharmacist said all I had to do was talk to you and I could save money. What's the matter--you keeping it for yourself?"

I frequently have conversations like this one in my office. As I age I have less and less tolerance for the Special Authority program. From the outset I was a little concerned that this program would lead to more unpaid work.

Several of my friends have had battles with biology over the past few years. It occurred to me that we doctors--who should know the most about biology--are often the ones who think we can outsmart it or that it doesn't apply to us. Among other things, I'm talking about fitness, sleep, mental illness, injuries, cancer risk reduction, and alcohol use. We should know better.