Opinion

Climate change contributing to harmful substance use

Weather-related disasters spurred on by climate change cause not only environmental devastation, but wreak havoc on our mental health and well being. This leads to higher rates of substance misuse.

Canada’s dental program only matters if it gets children into dental offices

The Canadian government recently committed to implementing a national public dental program. This benefit is an important first step. But we need education and outreach to ensure that kids in particular are getting the regular access and dental care they need.

Medical impostors: Redesigning IDs a matter of security, efficiency and patient care

While medical impersonation is relatively rare, it has significant consequences. Revamping ID badges would help eliminate the issue.

Canada does not have a health-care system

There is no such thing as a Canadian health-care system. There is, however, a Canadian way of funding health services and it's not delivering what we need.

Our health-care system is a major contributor to climate change. That must stop

The urgency of the climate crisis is only ramping up and our health-care system not only experiences the consequences of climate change but is also a major contributor to the crisis. It's our responsibility to act and make our health-care system a more sustainable one.

Addressing a blind spot in care for patients living with diabetes

The sudden decline in diabetes screening as a result of the pandemic has put a significant number of Ontarians in danger of vision loss. Unchecked, this problem is associated with a massive cost for the government and society. But this can be avoided with a proactive screening strategy.

A polarized society unified by complex trauma

While we move into another phase of the pandemic, we need to attempt to heal our society by realizing that everyone is dealing with a similar complex trauma.

Dear family doc: We’re all in this together

During these challenging times – just like during the height of the pandemic – we need every health-care provider doing his or her part. Ontario pharmacists are here to help.

Let’s stop the bickering: Canadians are weary of finger-pointing amid the health-care crisis

Canadians love their publicly funded health care. But it is time to stop normalizing our broken health-care system. Political leaders need to quit bickering about who pays for what and get on with actually fixing the problem.

Nursing and medical students agree: drop Bill 124

The provincial government has long ignored the needs of nurses and the passing of Bill 124 by the Ford government rubbed more salt in the wound. Nursing and medical students call to end its bad faith efforts to revive Bill 124.

The case for mature medical students

Many professional programs in Canada have long touted values that promote diversity of experience. But when it comes to medical schools - little consideration is made for older, more experienced candidates.

Online sports betting: Governments’ risky gamble is a looming public-health crisis

Billboards, social media, televised sports – no matter where you look, the onslaught of online sports betting ads has become inescapable. But is it worth exposing an especially vulnerable portion of the population to the harms of gambling in order to increase government revenue?

The good people that give me hope – my journey with Parkinson’s

Every day on this Parkinson’s journey, I am genuinely amazed at how supportive the community has been as a whole. I know my family and friends have got my back, but having a perfect stranger go above and beyond is humbling and comforting.

A 9-1-1 on health care in Ontario’s correctional facilities

Incarceration in Ontario’s correctional facilities is becoming more fatal. Deaths in custody have increased almost 50 per cent since 2020 despite a decreasing number of incarcerated people. Part of the solution could be the transfer of care from the Ministry of the Solicitor General to the Ministry of Health.

Dear consultant doctor: An open letter from a couple of family physicians

In family practice, we’re struggling. Many of us are burned out from trying to be all things to all patients and using bandages to solve frank hemorrhaging.

Beware the ‘Kraken’ – but for a different, official reason

The nickname “Kraken” for the XBB.1.5. subvariant of COVID-19 Omicron does not arise from any mandated agency or authority and incites undue fear. When the tentacle wags the giant squid, the media undermine their own credibility as honest arbiters of facts.

Debunking the myth of immunity debt

Immunity debt is an attractive concept. But there is little evidence for it as an explanation for the resurgence in pediatric respiratory infections.

The Treadmill

"Now the treadmill makes my steps uneven. One foot moves faster or slower than the other, and I stagger like a would-be dancer who wasn’t taught the choreography before the show."

The gift of a better death

Canadians need universal and equitable access to high-quality palliative care. It’s time to talk about death and dying more openly and ask ourselves: What is a good death?

Dr. Pharmacist?

Pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain ailments in eight provinces with Ontario about to follow suit. But while pharmacists knowledge of medications is invaluable, are they diagnosticians?