November

by Ian Bruce Robertson

While Bullets Fly by Ian Bruce Rob­ertson. Victoria: Trafford Publishing, 2008. ISBN 1-4251-3512-9. Paperback, 343 pages. $23.

A major enhancement has been made to the Physicians’ Disability Insurance (PDI) Plan—the addition of a partial disability benefit. For disabilities occurring on or after 1 October 2008, the insurer will assess claims on the basis of total or partial disability. It will no longer be necessary to be totally disabled in order to receive a benefit. Partial disability benefits will now be available to claimants who, due to illness or injury, experience a reduction in their predisability income of at least 20%.

In September Drs Larry Goldenberg and Marco Marra were honored with 2008 British Columbia Innovation Council Awards. Dr Goldenberg was recognized with the BC Science and Technology Champion of the Year Award, while Dr Marra received the Frontiers in Research Award.

Dr Larry Goldenberg

The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV), in partnership with the BCMA, is revising the BC Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle (the Guide) to ensure that it reflects changes in the case law and the best evidence available regarding medical conditions and fitness to drive. Draft chapters may be viewed at Drivesafe.com, on the public side of the BCMA web site, and at the SGP web site.

According to the McCreary BC Adolescent Health Survey (published in the July issue of the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality), province-wide trends in data from grade 7–12 students in 1992, 1998, and 2003 show that youth are waiting longer to be sexually active. The data also show that among those who have ever had sex, more youth are practising safer sex. As well, sexual violence is less common, and teen pregnancy has declined. Since 1992 the McCreary Centre Society has conducted the surveys every 5 or 6 years in school districts across the province.