A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that five percent of Ontarians account for 65% of provincial health care costs, with the top 1% accounting for one-third of these costs. The study tracked $30.5 billion in healthcare spending, which is about 75% of total government health expenditures.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that planned home births among low-risk pregnant women do not increase the risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, or serious events. In fact, these women were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and breastfeed exclusively after delivery.
Researchers and experts advocate for increased access to drug safety and effectiveness data from Health Canada to facilitate independent scrutiny of pharmaceuticals. This push aims to motivate institutional change and improve the overall quality of regulatory decisions.
The authors propose that lethal drugs' physical consequences should be listed as immediate cause of death and underlying condition as preceding antecedent cause. Harmonization with vital statistics registrars is crucial for consistency across provinces and territories.
A new Canadian guideline provides recommendations for diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. The guideline recommends counseling women and their partners about abstinence during pregnancy, screening pregnant women for alcohol use, and conducting complet...
The article provides recommendations for primary care physicians to screen for mental health issues in Syrian refugees, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also highlights the importance of vaccinations, including measles, mumps, and rubella, as well as screening for chronic Hepatitis B and tuberculosis.
Young adults born preterm have a 40% increased risk of premature death compared with people born at term. Regular measurement of blood pressure and pulmonary function testing are recommended to help manage risks associated with preterm birth.
New research published in CMAJ found that older men taking alpha-blockers for prostate issues are at higher risk of ischemic stroke during the initiation phase. The study suggests caution when prescribing alpha-blockers to patients not already on other blood pressure medications.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends that the new Minister of Health enact a national pharmacare program, letting science guide health policy decisions. The editors also emphasize the importance of defending the Canada Health Act and focusing on social determinants of health.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends against screening older community-living adults for cognitive impairment if they are asymptomatic. However, physicians should investigate patients or their family members expressing concern about possible memory loss.
A new study leverages Statistics Canada data to identify prescription opioid-related deaths, providing a crucial gap in information for public health. The research algorithm shows high sensitivity and specificity, offering a valuable tool for researchers across Canada.
Physicians' conscientious objections to assisted death will be respected in Canada, with a system created to allow patients to receive medical support for dying while vulnerable patients and caregivers fight their doctors for rights. A direct service will be offered to patients, and physicians informed of the service.
A higher resting heart rate is associated with a greater risk of death from all causes, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Research published in CMAJ found that every 10 beats/min increment of resting heart rate increases the risk by 9% for all-cause mortality and 8% for cardiovascular mortality.
Proton pump inhibitors are associated with rare but serious adverse effects, including heart attack, Clostridium difficile infection, and malabsorption of vitamin B12. Physicians should prescribe at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest length of time to minimize these risks.
A new study promoted better prescribing practices for urinary tract infections (UTIs), but unexpectedly saw an increase in antibiotic prescriptions. Patients were twice as likely to receive a first-line antibiotic, with nitrofurantoin being the preferred option.
A new guideline updates previous guidance on treating acne in children and adults, emphasizing early diagnosis, active lesion treatment, and prevention of sequelae. The guideline recommends targeted treatments for three types of acne presentations, including comedonal, mild-to-moderate papulopustular, and severe inflammatory acne.
A Canadian study found that black women are at a higher risk of preterm birth than white women, with rates mirroring those in the US. The study analyzed data from the Canadian Live Birth database and found that black women had an 8.9% preterm birth rate, compared to 5.9% for white women.
A Canadian study found significant disparities in obstetric care between First Nations and non-First Nations women, with First Nations mothers being less likely to undergo labour induction, epidural, or cesarean delivery. These differences may contribute to higher infant mortality rates among First Nations populations.
Internet-delivered CBT has been shown to benefit people with depression and anxiety, offering a cost-effective and empowering way of accessing treatment. It allows clinicians to treat more patients effectively in less time, providing patient empowerment and increased clinical efficiency.
A new guideline from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation provides a roadmap for diagnosing and treating testosterone deficiency in men. Key recommendations include conducting thorough patient histories, measuring total testosterone levels, and assessing patient response to treatment.
A new review based on latest evidence interprets how to guide physicians and families regarding food introduction and allergy prevention. Introducing peanut between 4-11 months is now recommended for high-risk infants, contradicting previous avoidance diets.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that EV-D68, a respiratory virus affecting young children, does not lead to an increased risk of death or critical care admission. Children with EV-D68 were more likely to present with respiratory distress and have a family history of atopy.
Asthma and other allergies can be aggravated by artificial scents in hospitals, affecting vulnerable patients. Implementing a scent-free policy promotes patient safety and well-being.
A commentary published in CMAJ argues that prescribing antibiotics after joint surgery has little evidence to support it. Research suggests that bone cement impregnated with antibiotics is a more effective practice, but its use is not widespread.
Research suggests that universal TB screening of immigrants to Canada is costly and inefficient, with most cases detected from a small number of high-risk countries. The study recommends targeting screening on immigrants from countries with high TB rates, rather than universally.
The new guideline aims to standardize the management of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Canada, providing a practical approach for physicians. The guideline recommends anticoagulants for all patients with DVT, as well as clot removal and compression therapy for those at high risk of bleeding.
A study based on over 10 million patients found that family health teams led to improved diabetes monitoring and screening rates. Patients in these teams were more likely to receive recommended testing and screenings for breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
If Canada legalizes cannabis, public health must be the top priority to prevent commercialization and potential harms. Experts argue that policy-makers should draw from research on tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis to create a regulatory framework that maximizes benefits and minimizes harm.
The new guideline focuses on preventing fractures among frail seniors, highlighting the importance of nutrition, exercise, and medication adherence. It also emphasizes the need for individually tailored interventions to reduce falls and promotes safe living environments.
A new Canadian-developed rule will help emergency department physicians determine when to use radiography in young children with minor head injuries. The rule identifies children under 2 months old or those with parietal or occipital swelling as high-risk, warranting a skull radiograph.
Recent small studies suggest psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin may help reduce anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol addiction. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine clinical application.
A new study found that higher resting heart rates and lower heart rate variability are associated with poorer ability to function in daily life and future decline in older adults. These markers of frailty were linked to a higher risk of functional decline, regardless of sex.
Canadians with nonspecific symptoms like joint pain and fatigue may receive false-positive results from commercial US laboratories, as many use unproven testing methods. Tests at the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada using CDC guidelines are more accurate.
A large Canadian study found no significant difference in birth outcomes between low-risk pregnancies delivered by family physicians and obstetricians. The research analyzed over 799,000 births, concluding that specialized care may not be necessary for low-risk deliveries.
A new Canadian guideline has been published to help manage pain during vaccination in both children and adults. The guideline includes recommendations for various age groups and settings, such as physician's offices and public health settings.
Healthcare is a major responsibility of Canada's federal government, which must be addressed in the upcoming election. The system has struggled with quality rankings and access to primary care, mental health services, and new treatments.
A study published in CMAJ found that people with food insecurity use more health care services and incur higher health care costs. Adults in marginally food-insecure households had 23% higher health care costs, while those in severely food-insecure households had 121% higher costs.
A simple nasal balloon procedure has been shown to be effective in reducing the impact of hearing loss in children with otitis media with effusion. The procedure involves autoinflation three times a day for 1 to 3 months, and has been found to improve middle-ear pressure and reduce symptoms in children aged 4 to 11 years.
A case study in Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the risks of eating wild mushrooms, with a woman requiring a liver transplant after consuming misidentified Aminata bisporigera. The authors emphasize the importance of proper identification and caution against premature discharge from hospital or emergency department.
Research shows older patients with spinal cord injuries have more severe lag times between injury and surgery, with a significant delay in treating those over 70 years old compared to younger patients. This can lead to less severe injuries and better outcomes for these patients.
A commentary in CMAJ argues that tamper-resistant opioids will not address the root causes of opioid addiction and overdose. Experts call for an evidence-based, multifaceted strategy to curb opioid-related harms.
A study found that 86% of women with early-stage breast cancer in Ontario underwent imaging to detect metastatic cancer, despite international guidelines recommending against it. The use of advanced imaging increased and varied by geographic region and hospital type, highlighting a need for improved knowledge translation strategies.
A new tool can accurately predict the risk of death for patients within 1 year after hospital admission, using routinely collected data. The Hospital-patient One-year Mortality Risk (HOMR) model takes into consideration patient characteristics such as age, sex, and number of illnesses.
Radon gas poses a significant health threat in Canada, with an estimated 3000 deaths from lung cancer in 2014. The WHO limit of 100 Bq/m3 is not met in most Canadian homes, and the lack of action to lower guidelines and implement testing and mitigation measures puts Canadians at risk.
A study found that many medical tests are performed before low-risk surgeries despite guidelines, leading to surgical delays and patient anxiety. The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to raise awareness of unnecessary tests among physicians and patients.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that frailer older patients are at a higher risk of readmission to hospital or death within 30 days after discharge. The researchers assessed the use of the Clinical Frailty Scale, which can help identify patients at high risk of poor outcomes.
A large Ontario-based study reveals that some immigrants and refugees have a 1.5 to 2 times greater risk of psychotic disorders than the general population, with specific groups from Caribbean and East Africa/South Asia showing significantly higher rates.
Research suggests that nitrofurantoin is less effective at treating bladder infections in older women with low kidney function compared to other antibiotics. The study found that patients taking nitrofurantoin were more likely to experience treatment failure and require a second antibiotic prescription or hospital visit.
The World Health Organization recommends a 30% reduction in smoking rates by 2025. Countries must triple tobacco taxes to achieve this goal, which could save an estimated 200 million lives by the end of the century. Quitting smoking before age 40 can substantially reduce risk.
Household pets can transmit infection to people, especially those with weak immune systems. Surprisingly, the general public and people at high risk for pet-associated disease are not aware of the risks associated with high-risk pet practices or recommendations to reduce them.