• Patient chart transfers warrant a reasonable fee

    A recent Dave Brown column touched upon the thorny issue of patient chart transfer requests. He cited the case of one individual who expressed his irritation with transfer fees that he felt should be free of charge. Copyright law analogy provides the basis for his assertion. His claim is that patient chart notes are paid…

  • Doctors should go into the schools

    Despite numerous health advisory and information campaigns, inroads into curbing or modifying deleterious adolescent behaviours remain wanting. The reasons are multifactorial. There is competition from television and movies, advertising, peer-pressure, academic responsibilities, developing independent attitudes, rebelliousness and their own social calendar.

  • Health and happiness still key as we live longer

    Recent and projected health technology and treatment advances pose interesting dilemmas regarding the human lifespan. Nanotechnology, stem cell research, gene therapy, new drug therapies, cancer vaccines and electromechanical life support devices are just a few of the lines of research and development in our quest to cure disease and maintain our health. These are indeed…

  • Consuming the nutrients you need

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen September 3, 2002 Original Title: The Fat of the Land Everyday the news bombards us about the latest nutrient or food that will add years to your life, save your skin, hair, heart and promote longevity. This information overload with its weekly contradictions is confusing to the average consumer.

  • Closing Riverside emergency centre costs more than it saves

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen August 21, 2002 Original Title: Who Wants to Save a Million Dollars? Despite the problems in our health-care system, there are some roses worth our attention. One such rose is the Riverside Acute Care Medical Centre. Unfortunately, if the Ottawa Hospital administration has its way, the rose will whither…

  • OHIP hinders therapy for uterine bleeding

    Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) is the leading cause of low blood iron and red blood cell levels (iron-deficiency anemia), causes painful menstrual cramps (dysmennorhea) and has great impact on work, social, home and sex life.

  • Drug dispensing fees need to be explained

    Many patients express their disdain over medication dispensing fees. All Canadian pharmacies charge this fee. I too had some misgivings about the fees but did not have the necessary background to draw any firm conclusions. Further enquiry to determine their origin and their original purpose was needed. Do people get value for their money? Why…

  • Doctors not paid as much as you think

    Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen July 9, 2002 Original Title: Who Wants to be a Millionaire How much are doctors paid? It varies depending on the medical specialty. Certainly some specialties provide a greater income for its practitioners but on average most physicians are not pulling in the big bucks as perceived by the…

  • Images designed to shock can cause needless harm

    Parents are forever vigilant protecting their young children from some of life’s harsher realities. It is indeed frustrating and indeed infuriating when parents encounter unexpected situations that expose their children to potentially deleterious actions and images. Their child-rearing timetable explodes. They have to now enter damage-control mode.