October

The article “Lyme disease in British Columbia: Are we really missing an epidemic?” [BCMJ 2011;53:224-229] sends an important message to the public and physicians regarding the prevalence and risk of Lyme disease in BC. 

References

In the June edition of the BCMJ Dr Lloyd Oppel continues his long-standing crusade against non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical remedies [BCMJ 2011;53:217]. He evokes a tortured comparison between the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 and current materials employed in the education system in British Columbia. 

References

While Dr Bell rightly points out that the current scientific literature is not perfect, his letter contains a number of statements and misconceptions that require rebuttal. 

My article focused on the perils of accepting cherished beliefs at face value and teaching them as though they were fact.

We thank Ms Souch for her ongoing dialogue with the BC Centre for Disease Control about Lyme disease in British Columbia. Our article published in the June 2011 BCMJ provides an overview of the many Lyme-related studies that have been done in BC and was intended to provide physicians with an update and a reminder about the very real risks of Lyme disease in this province.

References

General practitioners and specialist physicians are working together to develop a new Practice Support Program (PSP) learning module on coordination of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Respirologist Dr Mark FitzGerald says COPD is underdiagnosed and ex­acerbations are the number one cause of hospitalization in Canada. He says working with GPs to develop a systematic way to treat patients at risk of or diagnosed with COPD will benefit not only family doctors and specialists but, more importantly, patients.