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Ninety Seconds
A worsening doctor-patient communication problem Back in Medical school, we learned that doctors are quick to interrupt patients at the very start of the clinical encounter — my colleagues and I all committed to doing better. Interestingly, that study from the 1980s...
An extraordinary full-circle moment
Rest in Power, Mary Lou! Mary Lou smiled wide as she spoke to me. Sure, she would help teach a safe sex workshop to the Friday night LGBTQ+ youth group, but first I'd have to come by the clinic myself for a check up. That way I could talk from experience, she...
How to diagnose gender dysphoria.
how do I know if my patient is transgender? In my practice I work with many medical students and residents who we train in part to provide gender affirming care. I frequently speak with colleagues who know I have a transgender-inclusive family practice and field many...
Treating cancer pain in patients with Opioid Use Disorder: FREE Resources
People who use drugs (PWUD) deserve same access to primary care as everyone else One of my biggest frustrations as a doctor are the “care-silos” patients get stuck in. A colleague who’d taken a gig at a methadone clinic told me she was reprimanded for prescribing...
Your Patients Don’t Have Too Many Problems if You Set an Agenda
“My patients come with too many problems,” is a common grievance I hear from doctors. Your patient wants your help with their shoulder pain, the diarrhea, a form and prescription refills, which doesn’t include your priorities which are checking the blood pressure and...
Guest Appearance on the Northern Exposure Podcast
Many of my patients living with addiction and homelessness who attend our downtown Vancouver health clinic refuse to go to the emergency room.