Having practised orthopaedics in the East Kootenays for 35 years, I was most interested in this article [BCMJ 2023;65:160-164]; however, I was disappointed in its focus. For some years now, there has been no Greyhound passenger bus service in Canada. The Regional District of East Kootenay provides bus service, but only 2 days per week. As a result, for surgery, a patient may need to travel several days in advance. Patients must find private transport.
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I read with interest the recent Premise article by Dr Tevaarwerk, “Does the Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Model improve health care, including sustainability?” [BCMJ 2023;65:242-247]. The aims listed are laudable; indeed, who could argue with them?
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As a family physician in practice in BC for 35 years, it is nice to see that our incomes may be rising with recent negotiations with our government. However, I believe that the core problems in primary care go well beyond that. To me, the biggest issues are an appalling lack of physical infrastructure and a lack of proper organization of primary care practitioners.
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Dr Pat Miki, in his 93rd year, passed away peacefully at home on 16 August 2023, surrounded by his loving wife of 50 years, Diane, and his family.
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