Inpatient care offers a range of supports, from reducing drug use to abstinence, but access is challenging due to long wait-lists. The RE-AIM framework helps evaluate the effectiveness of bed-based care and its capacity to meet population needs.
The new guideline recommends clinicians ask about mental health as part of usual care and for patients to discuss it with their providers. The task force did not find evidence that routine screening leads to better mental health.
A recent study found that 90% of people in BC's Lower Mainland have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection. However, the study also found lower immunity rates among older adults, with only 75% of those aged 20-39 having measurable antibodies.
New traumatic brain injuries in older adults are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that TBI is linked to an increased rate of incident dementia, even when sustained in late life, and how this risk changes over time.
A study found that virtual care expansion in Ontario did not lead to a significant increase in specialists' practices in rural areas. Despite the widespread availability of virtual care and changes in remuneration, the researchers discovered that specialist physicians did not expand their reach to patients living at great distances.
A new Canadian guideline sets out 75 core elements for participant consent forms to ensure transparency and understanding. The guidance aims to simplify the approval process for all involved in clinical research across Canada.
A community-led study found elevated contaminants in animal food sources and rare cancers in local populations, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies on oil sands' health impacts. The authors call for rigorous research to address TRC commitments and protect Indigenous Peoples' environment and health.
Problem gambling in minors is linked to a higher risk of suicide, substance use disorder, theft, and assault. The Canadian Medical Association Journal urges the federal government to expedite legislation to regulate sports betting advertising and protect young people from its harms.
New research published in CMAJ found that Black adolescents with mental distress are less likely to access mental health care, with Black girls being the least likely. The study highlights the need for culturally responsive and sex-specific adaptations to care, as well as policy changes to equalize mental health service use.
A new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care provides a menu of effective options to help people quit smoking, including behavioural and medication options. The guideline aims to address the challenges of nicotine addiction and offers personalized choices for quitting tobacco.
A recent review of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care emphasizes the need for expert bodies to produce evidence-based guidance. Dr. Vivek Goel calls for a modernized task force with adequate funding and support, incorporating updated methodologies and protection from political interference.
The updated Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline recommends a personalized approach to treating obesity, focusing on waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio. Two new medications, tirzepatide and setmelanotide, are included in the guideline for managing obesity-related complications.
Increased cannabis potency has been linked to a rise in schizophrenia cases. THC content has increased by 5 times since the 2000s, contributing to this correlation.
The RTVS network, launched in 2020, provides a range of virtual services to support patients, physicians, and health care providers in rural communities. The program has seen increased use and benefits, including improved access to primary, emergency, and specialized care.
Dr. Muhammad Mamdani advocates for reframing Canada's approach to funding health research and commercialization to focus on clinical uses and align with healthcare organizations. This will help reduce the failure rate of health start-ups, which are often disconnected from clinical environments.
The value of Canada's health data is immense, but also poses significant risks due to reliance on US providers and cloud services. To protect Canadian health data, experts suggest a multipronged approach, including mechanisms for safe and secure use by domestic private-sector entities.
The article highlights the need for healthcare providers to understand autism and its diversity, as well as actively ask about patients' lived experiences. Additionally, suggestions are provided on adapting healthcare delivery and environments, tailoring communications, and addressing barriers faced by autistic individuals with margina...
A new study found that obesity rates in Canada increased faster after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among younger adults and females. The prevalence of obesity measured by BMI rose at a greater rate during the 4 years following the pandemic's onset compared to the previous 11 years.
A growing crisis of communicable diseases is unfolding in North America, with Canada's health systems being hampered by US cuts to public health and research infrastructure. The spillover effect of these changes will likely affect Canada and other countries globally, compromising disease surveillance and public health preparedness.
Pregnant individuals are at high risk of measles infection and its complications. Experts emphasize the need for urgent access to IVIG and updated hospital protocols to protect vulnerable groups.
A new study found that taking antipsychotic medication as prescribed significantly reduces the odds of a motor vehicle crash among drivers with schizophrenia. Researchers analyzed 20 years of data and found a 50% reduction in crash risk among those who adhered to their medication.
Rapid advances in cancer treatment have improved long-term survival rates, but current resources and models of care in Canada do not meet the changing needs of people with cancer. The authors propose solutions such as reducing unnecessary surveillance and establishing interdisciplinary specialty clinics.
A new guideline aims to improve hypertension management in Canada, focusing on practical recommendations for primary care providers. The guideline uses WHO's technical package as a framework, addressing discrepancies in blood pressure targets and guideline complexity.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that single-entry referral models and team-based care significantly reduced surgical wait times. The research analyzed data from 17,465 surgeries and recommended implementing these models to improve access to healthcare services.
Clinician entrepreneurs face numerous barriers, including lack of market fit, risk aversion, and financing challenges. To overcome these obstacles, the authors recommend clinician entrepreneurship programs that provide business expertise and create academic recognition for successful companies.
The introduction of BC's opioid prescribing standard in 2016 led to a reduction in opioid prescriptions and doses, as well as declines in high-dose prescribing and coprescribing with benzodiazepines. However, this change also resulted in increased aggressive tapering of medications, which can lead to improper pain management.
Researchers found daily increases of 11-24% in asthma-related emergency department visits over the first episode of a wildfire event, continuing up to 6 days after it ended. However, a second period of heavy smoke did not result in an increase in asthma-related ED visits.
The new guideline prioritizes health and quality of life for children and adolescents with obesity, focusing on outcomes such as mental health and cardiovascular risk factors. It recommends a combination of interventions, including nutritional, physical activity, and psychological support, to help manage obesity.
The expansion of mifepristone to community pharmacies has increased access to abortion services in Ontario, with the proportion of regions with a pharmacy or procedural provider growing from 20% to 82%. The study found that access to abortion services improved in both urban and rural areas.
Canada needs adequate funding for high-quality scientific research, including sharing of health data with international partners. The country should also increase contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) during this time.
A study using machine learning models found that people with IBD are at risk for premature death when developing other chronic health conditions earlier in life. Chronic conditions like arthritis, hypertension, and mood disorders were common causes of death among those with IBD.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found no differences in in-hospital deaths or hospital admission rates between people experiencing homelessness and housed patients with severe COVID-19. However, those experiencing homelessness were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or intubated.
Researchers found that placing naloxone kits at public transit locations using an optimization strategy and ensuring blanket placement at take-home naloxone program locations effectively covered a major proportion of opioid poisonings in Vancouver. The study suggests that easy accessibility of kits is crucial to prevent deaths from opi...
Oropouche virus has been reported in travellers from Canada and the US who visited Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Cuba, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The risk of miscarriage and microcephaly is high for pregnant individuals, prompting cautionary measures.
A new study found that people seeking emergency care for hallucinogen use were at a 2.6-fold higher risk of death within 5 years compared to the general population. The increased risk was highest among individuals with medical comorbidities and those from low-income neighborhoods.
Swimming in lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella bacteria, causing pneumonia. Risk factors include age over 50, smoking history, and compromised immune systems. Clinicians should suspect legionnaires' disease in patients with severe pneumonia and recent travel history.
A study found that patients who received opioid prescriptions in the emergency department were more likely to receive additional opioid prescriptions or require hospital admissions in the following year. Patient characteristics, such as age and health conditions, played a significant role in determining risk.
New research reveals a 18% increase in alcohol-related deaths in Canada during the pandemic, with higher increases in 2020 and 2021. The study also found increased hospitalizations related to alcohol use, particularly among younger adults and females, suggesting potential early warning signs for future liver-related disease.
A review article discusses the importance of physical activity in preventing disease and improving functional independence among older adults. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved cognition, mental health, and quality of life, and can potentially add years to an individual's life.
The review highlights seven zoonotic infections in people, including those transmitted through traditional diets and hunting practices. Climate change is affecting the local ecosystem, altering animal behavior and parasite life cycles, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
A study found that Canada's PNEP can prevent 15% of new hepatitis C cases and 8% of injection-related infections. Scaling up the program could lead to significant cost savings and improved public health outcomes.
A new study reveals that lung cancer screening CTs can detect coronary artery disease in 83% of cases, with high levels found in 30%. This finding highlights the potential benefits of lung cancer screening for identifying and managing cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study found that 5% of Canadian respondents skipped or reduced dosages due to cost-related issues. The research highlights the burden of prescription costs on vulnerable populations, including females, bisexual, and Indigenous individuals. The authors suggest that national pharmacare plans can help address these disparities.
The updated clinical practice guideline recommends buprenorphine and methadone as first-line treatments for patients with opioid use disorder. New research and clinical considerations have led to the removal of methadone prescribing restrictions in Canada, but opioid-related harms continue to rise.
A study of over 650,000 patients in Ontario found that nearly a third visited emergency departments in the months leading up to their cancer diagnosis. Most visits were related to symptoms specific to their type of cancer.
Researchers found Inuit children's head circumferences were significantly larger than WHO charts, leading to overdiagnosis of macrocephaly and underdiagnosis of microcephaly. This perpetuates a system that brings harm to Inuit people due to historical context of racism and mistreatment.
Miscarriage affects 15-20% of pregnancies, causing devastating effects. Outpatient early pregnancy assessment clinics can provide compassionate and tailored care, but services are lagging.
A case study of a 65-year-old woman with scurvy highlights the need to consider vitamin C deficiency in patients with restrictive eating patterns and limited social support. Vitamin C deficiency is more common than expected, especially among those with low socioeconomic status or substance use disorders.
A new Canadian study models a 1-dose HPV vaccination approach and finds it could prevent a similar number of cervical cancers as 2 doses if vaccine protection remains high. The switch is projected to be a more efficient use of vaccine doses, potentially eliminating cervical cancer in Canada by 2040.
Research found that patients leaving hospital prematurely, known as 'before medically advised' (BMA) discharge, have a significantly higher risk of drug overdose in the following month. This increase is due to factors such as persistent pain and untreated addiction after hospital discharge.