Education

Shortage of physicians, support systems puts health care in northern Ontario in jeopardy

The holistic style of community care that is the backbone of health care in rural northern Ontario is in jeopardy. If we care about equity, those in northern Ontario must have equitable access to the opportunity to live and die well in their communities.

Ontario’s position on midwifery puts rural and Indigenous communities at risk

For the Ford government, midwives' demands for equitable pay are unacceptable. But instead of using tax dollars to fight midwives in court, Ford should recognize gender-based inequities, address the pay gap and invest in rural and northern midwifery programs.

Hospitals ‘bleeding out’ as nursing shortage intensifies

Nurses are leaving the profession in large numbers. Due to Ontario's wage-restraint legislation, poor working conditions, and other issues, all hospitals are bleeding out. But some advocates have ideas for how to retain nurses before it's too late.

Burlington doctor uses her online voice to ease public’s fears and influence policy

Family physician Jennifer Kwan launched a Twitter campaign to educate Ontarians about the pandemic and vaccinations and to combat the spread of misinformation. We're profiling her as a Pillars of the Pandemic honouree.

Canadian medical students are embracing advocacy

The face of advocacy is changing as medical students realize they have both the power and responsibility to advocate for change within their institutions and communities.

No amount of rhetoric will immunize vaccine disbelievers. The virus might

This week, I voted, which is a privilege I did not have in my home country. As controversial as this untimely election has been and as thorny the issues at stake are, I was glad to see the main parties concur on one thing – unless you have a sound medical reason, get vaccinated.

She was jilted at the neurosurgery altar but found true love in pediatrics

A doctor reflects on her passionate romance with neurosurgery, her devastating break up on Match Day, and how she then found a soulmate in pediatric intensive care.

Communication must become an essential component of the science education curriculum

Misinformation and the politicization of science have been huge barriers to vanquishing COVID-19. It's time universities reconsidered how science is taught and communicated.

When hope kills: Social media’s false promises to cancer patients

Our columnist explains how following her cancer diagnosis, Facebook’s advertising algorithms began targeting her for cancer ads from quacks selling fake cures. We must hold these snake-oil salesmen accountable while teaching people how to not be persuaded by fake solutions.

Western’s Centre for Palliative Care is an idea whose time has come

Western University may open an institute meant to foster cross-disciplinary innovation in the field of palliative care. If fully realized, it could transform health care in southwestern Ontario. Now, let's go even farther.

Improving the health-care experience for autistic patients: The Autistic Health Access Project

Autistic people are leading seminars in medical schools about what it's like to experience the health-care system as an autistic patient. They hope that future doctors will work with these patients more collaboratively.

Pandemic highlights need for more public health education

Some consider teaching public health in medical school a “waste of time," but better understanding the social determinants of health can help physicians better care for their patients.

Health Care in Hues: Confusion remains a pandemic threat

Mixed messaging has been rampant throughout the pandemic and continues today. This has threatened public confidence in political and scientific leadership.

Clinician-teachers undervalued and absent from key university and hospital leadership roles

Clinician-teachers are under-represented in leadership positions in hospitals and universities. It's time that changed.

Virtual simulation in nursing education: Balancing care for the ‘failing heart’ and the ‘breaking heart’

COVID-19 has increased the use of virtual simulations in nursing schools across Canada. But how big of a role should they play in nursing education after the pandemic?

In praise of nurses – and Grammy

In hospice settings, nurses wet the mouths of patients as they take their last breaths. Sometimes, they simply sit with them so that no one dies alone. As a physician, I could not do my job without them.

Saying Goodbye on FaceTime

Nurses have been using platforms like FaceTime to host visits between patients critically ill with COVID-19 and their loved ones. It's contributing to burnout – but also sometimes providing them with beautiful moments of human connection.

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.