Education

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.

Bringing ‘book-learning’ to life: Pandemic drives surge to forest schools

‘A leaking pipeline.’ Addressing gender inequities in medical leadership

Despite more women than men enrolling in medical schools, fewer women advance in their careers to hold leadership positions. Why? And what can be done to change that?

Tailored messaging is crucial to drowning out misinformation

Rethinking race in health care

Nature (mis)Communications and the struggle for equity, diversity and inclusion in medicine

Empowering vulnerability: Overcoming the fear and shame of physician errors