Medical Journal Club article for November 2009:
The other side of the speculum | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Unfortunately for me, I just can’t say “Now I’m going to insert the speculum into your vagina” in that tone—no matter how many times I practise in front of the mirror.”
Contemplating a career in ophthalmology?
Medical Journal Club article for April 2009:
Does a water-based lubricant affect Pap smear and cervical microbiology results? | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“The effect of water-based gel lubricant on tests for sexually transmitted infection, in particular Chlamydia trachomatis, does not appear to be of concern. The effect of water-based lubricant on Neisseria gonorrhea testing was not answered by this study; this testing needs to be undertaken in a population with a higher incident rate for the infection.”
Application to clinical practice?
Medical Journal Club article for March 2009:
Disrespect, harassment, and abuse of Family Physicians | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Abusive encounters might push family physicians to leave clinical practice prematurely or refuse to work in higher-risk environments, such as emergency departments or rural areas.”
All in a day’s work for family physicians ?
Medical Journal Club article for May 2009:
Cutaneous larva migrans | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a serpiginous eruption usually occurring on the skin of the feet, abdomen, buttocks, hands, and genitals.”
Can you identify this condition?
Medical Journal Club article for October 2009:
Laughter prescription | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Although proponents of laughter and humour can be traced back to the Bible (“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones” [Proverbs 17:22]), and a variety of medical benefits of laughter have been supported through research, the scales seem to remain tipped markedly in the direction of caution.”
What is funny?
The Canadian Family Physician Journal (Le Médecin de Famille Canadien).
It is one of my favorite medical journals and it is bilingual (English-French).
Time for a quick look at the May 2008 issue… 
On the cover…
Blown away Advances in COPD management.
-I hope it is not another consensus.
Editorial. Building more resilient doctors.
Can we be rebuilt, just like Steve Austin?
Debates. Rebuttal: Should Canadians be offered systematic screening for colorectal cancer?
There is a Butt in Rebuttal and a Rectal in colorectal. I don’t find these debates very helpful. I just end up being very confused. Why can’t we just flip a coin? Can we at least pretend to know it all ?
Dermacase. Can you identify this condition?
As a family physician, I only need to choose between two answers.
Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors ; Medical Journal Club article for July 2009:
Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Because infrared heat penetrates more deeply than warmed air, users of far-infrared saunas (FIRSs) develop a more vigorous sweat at a lower temperature than users of traditional saunas. The cardiovascular demand imparted by thermoregulatory homeostasis is similar to that achieved by walking at a moderate pace.”
Is the absence of blinded placebo-control groups a limitation of the studies reviewed?
Irritable bowel syndrome ; Medical Journal Club article for February 2009:
Irritable bowel syndrome | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex multi-factorial disorder resulting from brain-gut dysregulation.”
Are complementary and alternative medicine treatments useful?