October

Do I Need to See the Doctor? By Brian Murat, MD, Greg Stewart, MD, and John Rea, MD. Toronto: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-15972-9. Paperback, 218 pages. $21.95.

As a retired physician, I no longer read the Journal as fully as I used to, but I was attracted to the article on swine flu (BCMJ 2009;51[6]:257). I wanted to know how long I have to wait after contacting someone who is sick in order to know that I have not caught swine flu. In other words, what is the incubation period of this particular virus? I expected an article entitled “What the physician needs to know” to give me that information.

I was pleased to note Vancouver Rape Relief’s information in the BCMJ (BCMJ 2009;51[6]:263). If you can supplement that information, we would like to add that for female, male, and transgendered patients (aged 13 and above) sexually assaulted within the previous 7 days, expert and supportive health care and the option of forensic evidence collection is offered by the BC Women’s Sexual Assault Service at VGH emergency, no referral required.

It was quite exciting to read about the new UBCMJ (BCMJ 2009;51 [6]:245). Many years ago, we started a journal: student run, peer-reviewed, which was published for several years around 1963–1966 or so (I do not know the exact dates).

The issues of the 1960s UBC Med J may be in the UBC Library archives—it might be worth a look. Congratulations on the rebirth of the Journal, and every wish for its continued success.

I would like to respond to the article “GI endoscopy in rural communities: Experience of a rural family physician in British Columbia” (BCMJ 2009;50[6]:300-303).