November

Brandon Evtushevski

Congratulations to Brandon Evtushevski, winner of the BC Medical Journal’s draw for an iPad. And thank you to everyone who entered the draw at UBC’s Medical Student Orientation on 4 September by signing up to receive the journal’s monthly e-newsletter.

I wish to contribute to the thinking on the developing changes discussed in the COHP article on assisted suicide [BCMJ 2015;57:248-249]. It is usually referred to as “doctor-assisted suicide,” which implies that the doctors will be doing the heavy lifting. My suggestion is that there is already a functioning bureaucracy in place that could/should take the lead here.

I read the letter to the editor in your September issue titled “MSP: Changes to compensation for teaching” [BCMJ 2015;57:275] with great concern as it contained some significant factual errors that may cause unnecessary confusion among Doctors of BC members.

This year has produced barren winter mountains and record summer heat; similarly, the climate is changing for the ways that doctors practise. In BC we have a new agreement with the government and unprecedented levels of collaboration as we advocate for health care system improvements. Yet, as I talk with colleagues, I commonly hear a particularly pessimistic theme: the vilification of walk-in clinics. I hear how new graduates are drawn to them and away from general family practice. That they drain the system through inappropriate referrals and duplication of testing.

The 148th annual CMA General Council delivered dynamic discussion and policy formation on several key health issues for Canadians. Despite the efforts of devoted physicians and policymakers, the groundwork for a national seniors’ strategy has been slow to materialize. Consequently our health care system continues to be significantly overburdened and backlogged. Essential medical services are stretched! The result: worsening surgical and consultant wait times, particularly in geriatric care, and an increasing number of “orphan” patients.