Breaking the Status Quo: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Diverticulitis & Casting vs. Surgery for Ankle Fractures

This week on The Rounds Table we are breaking the dogmas in clinical practice to find out if less is more. Does diverticulitis even require antibiotics in the age of antimicrobial stewardship? Next, how does casting compare to surgery for ankle fractures in older adults? Kieran and Lauren Lacroix discuss two thought-provoking new studies: Diverticulitis

REPLAY – Is Canada Ready for National Pharmacare?

“There is no comparable healthcare system in the world that does not ensure universal coverage of [at least] essential medicines.” – Dr. Steve Morgan on the need for Pharmacare in Canada What would a Canadian National Pharmacare Program look like? We break it down for you this week on a special episode of The Rounds

Is Canada Ready for National Pharmacare?

“There is no comparable healthcare system in the world that does not ensure universal coverage of [at least] essential medicines.” – Dr. Steve Morgan on the need for Pharmacare in Canada What would a Canadian National Pharmacare Program look like? We break it down for you this week on a special episode of The Rounds

Clearing Confusion in Palliative Care: Antipsychotics for Delirium and Goals of Care Interventions

It’s palliative care week on The Rounds Table! Kieran and Ariel guide listeners through two noteworthy new studies: interventions to clarify goals of care for individuals with advanced dementia; and a randomized trial of treatment for delirium in palliative care. Goals of care discussions are critical in ensuring treatments are aligned with patients expressed wishes.

All Things Must End (Including Life and Smoking!): Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation and Palliative Care Effectiveness

Is quitting cold turkey the best way to stop smoking? When should you transfuse a patient? How effective are current models of palliative care? We’re answering relevant and thought-provoking questions this week on The Rounds Table! Ashley, like many family physicians, makes a point of advising and supporting smoking cessation at most visits she has

REPLAY: Bugs & Drugs – Duration of Antibiotic Therapy in Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Early Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV

Bugs, drugs, and optimal duration for antibiotic therapy? New frontiers in HIV treatment? Listen this week as Kieran and Jay Spiegel, a resident in General Internal Medicine in Toronto, discuss two studies: It’s hard to remember what the right drug is to treat a certain bug, let alone the correct duration of therapy. Further, for

Big Data: Dabigatran vs. Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation and Association of Frailty with Post-Operative Mortality

It’s big data week on The Rounds Table! When initiating pharmacotherapy for atrial fibrillation, which drug is best? How does frailty influence surgical outcomes? Kieran and Michael Fralick, General Internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, take listeners through two noteworthy studies: When a new medication is developed it is generally compared against standard of care or

When Care is Critical: Conservative vs Conventional Oxygen Treatment in the ICU and the Effect of Hydrocortisone on the Development of Septic Shock

This week’s episode is jam-packed with critical care medicine. What is the effect of conservative versus conventional oxygen therapy on mortality in patients in the ICU? Hydrocortisone on development of septic shock? Kieran and Laura take listeners through two important studies examining these questions. Prior research suggested excessive oxygenation in patients admitted to the ICU

DANISH with your Coffee? ICDs for Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Effects of High Dose Caffeine on Cardiac Arrhythmias

It’s arrhythmia week on The Rounds Table! Should heart failure patients give up a caffeine jolt in the morning? How can we better identify appropriate patients for ICDs? Paxton Bach, fellow in General Internal Medicine at UBC, joins Kieran to discuss two exciting studies: Studies that inform practice toward the best medical treatments are of

Smoke & Mirrors? Tai Chi vs. Physiotherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis & Symptoms in Smokers with Preserved Pulmonary Function

Dr. Fraser Pollard, Family Physician in Trenton ON, discusses his frustration with the lack of effective treatments for osteoarthritis for long-term pain and disability in his patients. But there is hope! Fraser dips his toes into critically examining alternative medicine in leading listeners through a single blinded comparative effectiveness trial of Tai Chi versus physiotherapy

We Need to Talk About It: Physician Burnout and Sex Differences in Salary

Physician burnout is a work related syndrome involving emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The prevalence of burnout has reached a shocking 50% in both staff and resident physicians! Something needs to be done. Ariel Lefkowitz, Chief Medical Resident at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, takes listeners through a systematic review

Testing and Treatment in Diabetes – Taken with a Grain of Sugar!

We’re back this week with Kieran and Ashley to take another look at diabetes and sweet treats. Should current practice guidelines be taken with a grain of salt – or should I say – sugar? Listen to find out! New drugs have popped up on the market for diabetes management, necessitating an update to practice