Education

Social media behaviour ‘a thermometer’ of mental health

As social media increasingly dominates day-to-day life, it’s not uncommon to see a sudden shift in a friend or family member’s online behaviour. The change in attitude may be an indicator of an emerging or reoccurring mental health issue.

YouTuber ViolinMD explains why she’s demystifying health care online

Siobhan Deshauer is a fourth-year rheumatology resident who makes videos about health care. We interviewed her about training to be a doctor, her channel, and more.

Ontario’s registered practical nurses deserve ‘fair compensation’

From day one of this pandemic, everyone has applauded nurses as front-line heroes. But our nurses need more than just accolades. They need fair compensation.

Leading by example: Nurses launch vaccination campaign

Canada’s largest nurses’ organization is launching a national campaign to encourage vaccination against COVID-19 and dispel mistrust and misinformation about vaccines.

Broad-brush criticisms ignore benefits of integrative medicine

Dear critics of integrative medicine, some of your critiques do have merit. But we do not support demonizing an evolving field of health care that could significantly improve patient outcomes.

One Solution to the Long-Term Care Crisis: Nurse Practitioners

The pandemic has brutally exposed vulnerabilities in long-term care homes, but one solution is hiding in plain sight: nurse practitioners.

An open letter to Alternative Medicine

Please, Alternative Medicine, stop using untrue assertions to justify your existence. You can’t fix the problems of the conventional system with unproven therapies and misinformation.

Proposed guidelines on alternative medicine must be enforced to stem the tide of misinformation

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario doesn't go far enough in updates it is making to its policy about doctors' use of alternative medicine.

Celebrating the richness of plural identities

A South Asian woman reflects on how "a coalition of young Brown women" and Black neighbours helped her grow into herself while studying for her master's of public health in Harlem.

Teaching and learning to trust: the essence of medicine

The practice of medicine is predicated on trust. Our patients trust that we will do what is in their best interest. But how should we trust those we are teaching to be doctors?

‘Painful and difficult’: A BIPOC woman’s journey in medicine

Navigating the medical profession has been a painful and difficult journey. How far have we come in ensuring that women can thrive within the system?

Media’s portrayal of ECT is dangerous

There is a clear mismatch between media portrayals of electroconvulsive therapy and its current practice.

‘Foolproof’ exam software creating barriers for students with disabilities

To make sure students aren’t tempted to cheat when writing exams at home, professors have been using proctoring software, but it doesn’t account for those with mental or physical disabilities.

Residents warn of burnout as COVID-19, medical exams clash

Many internist residents are frustrated that the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has refused their requests to modify the timing of their exams to accommodate for the pandemic.

‘This is a fight worth fighting’: Pushing back against misinformation

We are not hyper-rational beings who make decisions based on facts. Instead, we too often fall prey to misinformation from innumerable cultural, social and psychological forces that shape the decisions we make. 

Danica – Internal Medicine Resident

Writing the Royal College exam is a challenging time for residents in any circumstance, but having to do it during a pandemic is uniquely difficult.

Resident doctors are humans, not heroes: It’s time to abolish 26-hour shifts

Amid the discussion and recognition of the vital role residents play in our healthcare system, little has been said about the 26-hour shifts they are required to work.

Proposed B.C. med school will crowd out learning opportunities, students say

University of British Columbia medical students are voicing concerns about how a second medical school in BC might negatively affect their education and careers.

Travel restrictions limit opportunities for personal and professional growth for medical trainees

Due to health and travel restrictions related to COVID-19 and policies by Canadian medical training programs to suspend or discourage international opportunities at this time, a cohort of medical trainees is at risk of missing out on valuable experiences.

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable: A Canadian’s perspective on studying medicine abroad during the pandemic

We are coming up on a year of COVID-19, and we have overcome more challenges than we ever could have expected. This year has prepared us for the unexpected challenges of the medical profession.