BC Medical Journal  Volume 49, Number 4, October 2007, page 425

Pulsimeter



Book review

Goldfrank’s Manual of Toxicologic Emergencies. By Robert Hoffman, MD, Lewis Nelson, Mary Howland, et al. (eds). Ontario: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2007. ISBN 007144310X, 9780071443104. $55.95.
Physicians in British Columbia are fortunate to have 24/7 availability of an excellent toxicology consultation service at the Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC). DPIC also has available an excellent Poison Management Manual which provides practical advice on most toxicological emergencies. So why would a physician purchase the 2007 edition of Goldfrank’s Manual of Toxicologic Emergencies?

Well, this is a gem of a pocketbook that packs the encyclopedic punch of its parent book, Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, long regarded as the gold standard reference in the field of emergency toxicology.

The bulk of this book comprises case studies of the usual pharmaceuticals, but also covers other xenobiotics such as herbal preparations, athletic performance enhancers, food poisons, street drugs, insecticides, mushrooms, and marine, plant, and insect envenomations. This manual also contains a small but relevant section on disaster preparedness, in particular regarding the appropriate response to hazardous materials incidents, chemical and biological weapons, and radiation exposure, something which few physicians would have much experience with.

When not using this book for its bedside usefulness, there are 250 pages devoted to reviewing the fundamentals of medical toxicology, including toxicology principles, as it applies to different organ systems and age groups. If all else fails, there is also a section on postmortem toxicology and organ procurement from poisoned patients!
In short, physicians working in settings in which they encounter frequent toxicological events will want this concise, portable, and detailed manual. For all others, dial 1 800 567-8911 or 604 682-5050 for the Drug and Poison Information Centre.

—W.R. Vroom, MD
Surrey


Medical women mothers’ meeting

Is the combination of motherhood and medicine a challenge for you? You are not alone. InspireHealth is hosting a meeting for medical women mothers. Let us connect, mentor, support, and inspire each other to balance motherhood and medicine, to find fulfillment and joy in both our families and our careers. All women physicians, students, and residents who are mothers of grown children or young children, or who plan to be mothers, are invited for a sushi, fruit, and tea evening on 8 November, 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will be cohosted by Dr Susan O’Reilly, director of clinical services, BC Cancer Agency, and Dr Teresa Clarke, director of clinical services, InspireHealth. To reduce child care stress, babysitting by donation will be available for the first 10 children registered. Please RSVP to pnightingale@inspirehealth.ca. InspireHealth is at 200–1330 West 8th Ave., Vancouver.

—Penny Nightingale
InspireHealth


SMP gets new look

BC family physicians are consistently named as the first source of influence when it comes to women (ages 40 to 79) participating in the Screening Mammography Program (SMP) of BC. The program is free, proven to be lifesaving, and easy to access. Although women do not need a doctor’s referral, doctors who promote the idea of regular screening mammograms have a great influence.

When it comes to health, women offer a special challenge because they so often focus first on family and work responsibilities before they think of themselves. The SMP has recently redesigned their materials as part of an effort to increase participation levels. The new materials promote the ideas of taking care of yourself, looking out for other women, and knowing that there is a formal program available to support breast health.

To meet international standards, BC needs to raise participation levels from 50% to 70% with women ages 50 to 69. Research has shown that women in this age group derive the most benefit from the program. Your support in raising the awareness of the program and its value is vital to meeting this goal.

The redesigned materials will be found in family doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, community centres, and various locations frequented by women. Please talk it up with your eligible women patients. More information about the program is available at www.smpbc.ca.

—Ann MacDonald, ABC
Screening Mammography Program of BC


Quick, effective tool for addressing smoking cessation

At times health professionals can feel pressed for time and resources to adequately address tobacco use with their patients. An easy and effective solution is now available to help. The new Fraser Health Take 30 Seconds to Save a Life program offers a valuable system for physicians to ask patients about tobacco use, advise them to quit, and refer them to BC’s QuitNow service. The patient’s signed approval on the provided fax-to-quit referral form is then immediately faxed from the physician’s office to the provincial QuitNow By Phone service. QuitNow’s timely and direct follow-up with the patient ensures free one-on-one support in 130 languages, and is available 24/7, to help patients establish their personalized quit plan. Fraser Health has a host of resources including fax-to-quit referral forms and standardized self-help materials available upon request and provided to all participants of Fraser Health’s free Brief Clinical Intervention workshop.

It is anticipated that a coordinated and systemic approach to tobacco cessation among Fraser Health professionals, primary care physicians, dentists, and pharmacists will result in more referrals of patients to the evidence-based QuitNow services, which in turn will increase quit attempts.

For more information, contact Ms Geri Grigg, Tobacco Reduction Coordinator, Fraser Health at 604 949 7258.

—Erin Corry
Fraser Health Authority


Call for nominations

2008 BCMA awards
Nominations may be made by any BCMA member in good standing. Submit the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV) and your reasons for nominating the individual to the BCMA Membership Committee, 115–1665 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5A4 by 30 November 2007 (unless otherwise noted).

BCMA Silver Medal of Service Award
Nominees may be physicians or laypersons. Physician nominees must have 25 years of membership in good standing in the BCMA, the CMA, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Non-medical candidates may be of Canadian or foreign citizenship. Criteria for the award include one of the following:
• Long and distinguished service to the BCMA, or
• Outstanding contributions to medicine and/or medical/political involvement in BC or Canada, or
• Outstanding contributions by a layperson to medicine and/or to the welfare of the people of British Columbia or Canada.

CMA Honorary Membership
Candidates must be age 65 or over and a member of both the BCMA and the CMA for the immediately preceding 10 consecutive years, including the forthcoming year 2008. They must have distinguished themselves in their medical careers by making a significant contribution to the community and to the medical profession (previously called CMA Senior Member Award).

Dr David M. Bachop Gold Medal for Distinguished Medical Service
This award is given to a BC doctor who has made an extraordinary contribution in the field of organized medicine and/or community service. Achievement should be so outstanding as to serve as an inspiration and a challenge to the medical profession in BC. Only one award will be made in any one year; there is no obligation to make the award annually. Deadline: Friday, 4 April 2008. A letter of nomination including a current CV should be sent to Ms Lorie Janzen, BCMA, 115–1665 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5A4.

2008 CMA special awards
Further information on criteria, including nomination forms, can be obtained from the CMA web site at www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/1368/la_id/1.htm. Or contact Ms Kathy Hannam, Strategic and Corporate Affairs, 800 663-7336, extension 2280 to obtain a nomination form. A letter of nomination and the individual’s CV must be sent by 30 November 2007.

F.N.G. Starr Award
Awarded to a CMA member who has achieved distinction in one of the following ways: an outstanding contribution to science, the fine arts, or literature (non-medical); serving humanity under conditions calling for courage or the endurance of hardship in the promotion of health or the saving of life; or advancing the humanitarian or cultural life of his/her community or in improving medical service in Canada.

CMA Medal of Service
Presented to a CMA member for excellence in at least two of the following areas: service to the profession in the field of medical organization; service to the people of Canada in raising the standards of medical practice in Canada; personal contributions to the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

CMA Medal of Honour
Bestowed upon an individual who is not a member of the medical profession who has achieved excellence in one of the following areas: personal contributions to the advancement of medical research, medical education, health care organization or health education of the public; service to the people of Canada in raising the standards of health care delivery in Canada; service to the profession in the field of medical organization.

Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action
Awarded to a member of the CMA’s MD-MP Contact Program who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, commitment, and dedication to the cause of advancing the policies, views, and goals of the CMA at the federal level through grassroots advocacy efforts.

May Cohen Award for Women Mentors
Submitted by the mentee and presented to a woman physician who has demonstrated outstanding mentoring abilities.

CMA Award for Excellence in Health Promotion
Awarded for individual efforts or a non-health sector organization to promote the health of Canadians at the national level or with a national positive impact.

CMA Award for Young Leaders
Presented to one student, one resident, and one early career physician (5 years post-residency) member who has demonstrated exemplary dedication, commitment, and leadership in one of the following domains: political, clinical, education, research, or community service.

Dr William Marsden Award in Medical Ethics
Recognizes a CMA member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, commitment, and dedication to the cause of advancing and promoting excellence in the field of medical ethics in Canada.