Well over half of students enrolled in Canadian medical schools are women and that’s been the case for 30 years. However, women continue to be underrepresented in surgical specialties. While parity has been achieved in OBGYN, trends in Canadian medicine and surgery anticipate gender parity will not be achieved for general surgery until 2043, plastic surgery in 2053, otolaryngology in 2062, ophthalmology in 2070, urology in 2123, orthopedics in 2124, … Read More
The benefits of a plant-based diet: A nurse practitioner offers her thoughts
Jennifer Bramley has been following a plant-based diet for 15 years, including during her current pregnancy as well as when she was carrying her now four-year-old daughter. “Some people questioned my diet, but I’ve had no issues and my daughter, who also doesn’t eat meat or dairy, is very healthy,” said Jennifer. “I was a pretty hard-core vegan when I first started but will eat honey now and occasionally eggs.” … Read More
VMDAS quarterly meeting focuses on CST
Over 100 members gathered online and in person recently to hear updates on Cerner and CST: how it has rolled out at VGH, UBC Hospital, and various clinics, as well as its future. Dr. Raheem Kherani, chair of the VPSA CST Task Group, Dr. Eric Grafstein, the chief medical information officer for Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, and Dr. Vinay Dhingra, the physician lead for CST at VCH-Vancouver, … Read More
Senior leaders consider next steps in CST implementation
VPSA/VMDAS board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. The February meeting included updates from the VPSA CST Implementation Task Group as well as the VA/VC Medical Staff Planetary Health Committee. The meeting also continued the leaders’ focus on VPSA’s new strategic plan. VPSA CST Implementation Task Group update Dr. Raheem Kherani chairs this task group, which … Read More
Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative advocates for patient prehabilitation
Just as you wouldn’t attempt to run a marathon without training for it, patients need time and help to prepare for surgery. That’s the advice from the co-chair of the Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative (SPOC), Dr. Kelly Mayson. At a recent SPOC update to VPSA members, she encouraged us to shift the paradigm of “wait times for surgery” to “preparation times for surgery.” “Our current care pathways don’t always promote … Read More