Discussions

Dare Foods uses trusted health professionals to promote high-calorie, sugar-filled product as a healthy snack.

It is regrettable that veterans like blogger Bill Brown continue to pit pharmacists against one another.

A year in review marked with jeers and cheers

“First, do no harm,” as suggested by Hippocrates, is a vital principle that should always guide physicians, but they are also well aware that in modern healthcare, whether in the form of drugs, operations, radiotherapy or any other form of treatment, there is always the possibility of causing harm to their patients. All drugs have potential adverse side-effects and all surgery carries risk. Doctors and patients need to be reasonably satisfied that the likely balance of benefit and harm with any intervention is favourable.

During my recent visit to Canada, I had a chance to meet Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, an obesity expert for EvidenceNetwork.ca and an assistant professor in family medicine at the University of Ottawa. He is also the founder and medical director of Ottawa's Bariatric Medicine Institute, so I figured he knew a thing or two about patient engagement when it comes to reducing obesity. What he had to say was somewhat surprising and could be useful for people who are struggling to lose weight or helping others who are.