How to Eliminate MRI Wait Lists in the Public Health System

 How to do all this and save Alberta millions of dollars a year in the process Value for money appears to be finally getting the attention it merits as Alberta’s new health minister, Stephen Mandel, takes the reins of the portfolio that is close to consuming 50% of the province’s

How Canada Fails People with Mental Illnesses

 Canada Needs Improved Access to Mental Healthcare Services In any developed country, politicians and clinicians are struggling to improve quality of care while reducing costs of healthcare systems. To remedy this, groups of doctors across North America--including here in Canada--have banded together to create lists of medical procedures or tests

Health Canada Fails to Enforce its own Rules on Pharmaceutical Advertising

 A handsome man struts over to the office water cooler with a smirk on his face. When his colleagues ask about his weekend, he replies enthusiastically, with audio muted. A large blue pill appears with the tagline, “Viagra, Ask Your Doctor.” Vibrant, energetic older people are shown swimming, bowling and

Why I Decided to Get the Flu Vaccine for Myself and my Children

 New flu vaccine options for children and those afraid of needles It’s time again for the familiar “Get the shot, not the flu” campaign. It comes every October and we are reminded into the spring that it still isn’t too late to get the flu vaccine for those who haven’t

Quebec Health Reform Bill 10 Puts Health Minister At Center

 Micro-management of the health system not the answer  Quebec has begun the process of reforming its beleaguered health-care system yet again with the introduction of Bill 10. But will Bill 10 fulfill its promises of reconfiguring the organization and governance of Quebec’s health and social services? There are three clear

Orthodontic Treatments – Starting Young Can Improve Results

 At the age of six, an orthodontist is usually able to see if a child has an underlying orthodontic problem or is a likely candidate to develop one. Whether caused by genetic influences or dental anomalies, when detected early, orthodontic problems can either be corrected or their impact greatly reduced.