Healthcare

Case report: Ear ache
A patient's last-minute question helped clarify and otherwise curious case.
Advocates push for advance MAID requests two years after Parliament recommendation
Canada’s medical assistance in dying laws do not allow for advance requests, which are written requests to die with medical assistance under specific conditions, made before the patient loses the capacity to provide consent.

Grieving wife of man who died waiting for treatment in Alberta ER shares her story

Niharika Sreekumar’s husband died in her arms in a hospital emergency ward after waiting hours for care. But she says the hardest day of her life is yet to come.
New legal structure of Alberta health system in place, Premier Smith now eyes results

The Alberta government in 2025 completed the final legal foundations of its new healthcare system—and Premier Danielle Smith says she's working in 2026 to prove it was worth it.
Doctor, do you procrastinate doing computer/paperwork?

Here’s my suggestion for a key New Year’s resolution for 2026 for my fellow MDs.
Wrong patient sent to Surrey, B.C., home after hospital discharge

A resident of Surrey, B.C., who was shocked when a hospital transfer service delivered a confused stranger to his home, instead of his father, says he doesn’t want other seniors to experience the same trauma.
Greater access to JAK inhibitors is needed for rheumatic diseases in children

Canadian Rheumatology Association advocates for greater pediatric access to JAK inhibitors, which can be given orally rather than subcutaneously or intravenously.
New guidelines for emergency dept. management of acute migraine in children

Canadian Paediatric Society issues guidance on managing moderate to severe migraine in children unresponsive to home therapy with acetaminophen, ibuprofen and/or a triptan.
New clinical support platform Alifor uses AI to retrieve guidelines during patient consult

Created by Drs. Paul and Leandra Forman, Alifor integrates over 1,200 Canadian practice guidelines.
Most Ontarians wait more than three months for specialist or diagnostic test: poll

A new poll suggests Ontarians are waiting too long for diagnostic tests and specialist appointments, causing unnecessary stress and putting patients’ health at risk.
Quebec reaches agreement in principle with hospital pharmacists

Faced with the threat of pressure tactics, the Quebec government reached an agreement in principle on Sunday with hospital pharmacists, who had been without a collective agreement since March 2023.
New toolkit designed to ease management of polypharmacy

The new toolkit is designed to be easy to use and implement in practice.