Discussions

At this point in the pandemic (more than six months after most Canadian adults became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine), should we declare this level of vaccination coverage as the “vaccine ceiling?”

The problem with working during COVID is these are not abstract ideas: bed closures, people missing vital surgeries and treatments, refugees pouring across the border, escaping exploitation and mistreatment. These are people with names, and faces, beating hearts, bellies that move under my examining hand, tears and frightened smiles. 

During the Omicron wave, we’ve been operating under the assumption that most of our readers are all too acutely aware of the devastating effects of Omicron on the healthcare system and everyone in it.

The list was harder to come up with than expected. Many “truths” I thought about were relative and easily challenged. Half-truths at best. So here’s my list of the closest thing to medical truth that I could come up with. 

The nomination deadline for the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine is fast approaching. Besides those for the COVID-19 vaccines, several others are prominent, including the discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene and the drugs to treat the disease.

Seven characteristics pharmacy leaders can use to prevent burnout and capitalize on the future they’ve earned.

You don't have to look too far to see the erosion of trust. The most frightening example is the COVID anti-vaxxer. I have spoken to a few: I try not to argue, just engage in respectful conversation. . . and find myself biting my tongue.

One of the biggest failures I have had as a family doctor over 49 years is helping patients lose weight and keep it off. But the future of obesity medicine is bright.