CMAJ Podcasts

The pandemic recovery period presents an opportunity to address health inequities that have led to an unfair distribution of the burden and harms of COVID-19. New guidance for policy published in CMAJ  proposes 13 practical ways to address inequities exposed and worsened by COVID-19 in the pandemic recovery period, based on evidence that was accumulating before the pandemic.In this special episode of the podcast, CMAJ interim editor-in-chief Dr. Kirsten Patrick talks to Dr. Nav Persaud, lead author on the new guideline, about its genesis, the evidence underpinning its recommendations, and the importance of positioning equity at the centre of policy-making as Canada emerges from the pandemic.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Pain is one of the most common complaints among patients visiting the ER, and pain management has become a quality of care indicator. But the options available for the treatment of acute pain that isn’t controlled by over-the-counter medications are limited. With the opioid epidemic leading physicians to avoid prescribing narcotics, the anaesthetic drug, ketamine, is being reconsidered for the treatment of pain, as well as other indications. A practice article  in CMAJ argues that ketamine is an underutilized and effective analgesic and a safer alternative to opioids for the management of acute pain, with reported adverse effects at low doses occurring at the same frequency as placebo. In this episode, Blair and Mojola speak to Dr. William Silverstein, a co-author of the practice article “Five things to know about the use of ketamine in the treatment of acute pain” about ketamine’s indications and contraindications, how to prescribe it in the ambulatory care setting, and practical steps physicians can take to add ketamine to their pain-busting arsenal.They also speak with Dr. Marshall Ross, a physician who also uses ketamine as an emergency physician, but has also pioneered its use in patients with treatment-resistant depression, using cutting edge techniques.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

One in four women physicians report a diagnosis of infertility. One reason for this is physicians tend to delay attempts to become pregnant until “the time is right” for their career.  But, in the medical profession, it seems there is really no “good” time to have children. Parenthood, especially motherhood, is seen as an inconvenience during medical training and beyond. In this episode, Dr. Sophia Park speaks with hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham about her personal struggle with infertility. And, Dr. Andrea Simpson, the lead author of a commentary in the CMAJ titled, “The inconvenience of motherhood during a medical career”  calls for systemic change in medicine to support parenthood.Dr. Sophia Park is a medical biochemist at Royal Columbian Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor at the UBC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.Dr. Andrea Simpson is an obstetrician and minimally invasive gynaecologic surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Toronto.She co-authored her commentary with Drs. Maria Cusimano and Nancy Baxter. It is published in CMAJ: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/37/E1465Episode transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-211255-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Scotiabank Healthcare+. Learn more at: https://mdm.ca/promos/you-ve-come-a-long-way?utm_source=CMAJ&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=CTP&utm_content=PHD-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Audi Canada. Get details of the Audi incentive program for CMA members at www.audiprofessional.ca.-----------------------------------Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Button batteries, sometimes called coin batteries, are small round batteries that power various electronic devices such as watches, remote controls or small kid toys. They are small and shiny, which is why young children will sometimes grab them and put them in their mouths. But they can cause severe injury in a child if the button battery becomes lodged in the digestive tract. In this episode, Dr. Savithiri Ratnapalan talks about the dangers of swallowing button batteries, what parents can do immediately at home, and how button battery ingestion is managed in hospital.Dr. Savithiri Ratnapalan is a pediatric emergency physician at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She co-authored a practice article with Dr. Amy Zipursky. It is published in CMAJ: https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.210572Podcast transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-210572-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Scotiabank Healthcare+. Learn more at: https://mdm.ca/promos/you-ve-come-a-long-way?utm_source=CMAJ&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=CTP&utm_content=PHD-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Dr. Bill. Dr. Bill makes billing on the go easy and pain free. Start your 45-day free trial today: www.drbill.app/cmaj-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at: https://www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have transformed our lives. The adoption of AI in medicine has perhaps lagged its adoption in other areas, and machine learning in healthcare has had mixed results. In this episode, Drs. Muhammad Mamdani and Amol Verma discuss a series of three CMAJ articles on the development, use, misuse, and evaluation of machine-learned models in medicine. Dr. Muhammad Mamdani is vice-president of data science and advanced analytics at Unity Health Toronto, director of the Temerty Center for Artificial Intelligence Education and Research in Medicine, and professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Amol Verma is a physician and scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto, an AMS healthcare fellow in compassion and artificial intelligence and a provincial clinical lead in health quality improvement with Ontario Health. They are both two of the authors of the articles series published in CMAJ: Implementing machine learning in medicinehttps://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.202434Problems in the deployment of machine-learned models in health carehttps://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.202066Evaluation of machine learning solutions in medicinehttps://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.210036Podcast transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-202434-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Audi Canada. The Canadian Medical Association has partnered with Audi Canada to offer CMA members a preferred incentive on select vehicle models. Purchase any new qualifying Audi model and receive an additional cash incentive based on the purchase type. Details of the incentive program can be found at https://www.audiprofessional.ca.-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Dr. Bill. Dr. Bill makes billing on the go easy and pain free. Start your 45-day free trial today: https://www.drbill.app/cmaj-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at:https://www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit https://www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Many options exist nowadays for teenagers choosing to be on hormonal contraceptives. They are generally categorized into SARCs (short-acting reversible contraceptives) and LARCs (long-acting reversible contraceptives). LARC methods are recommended as first-line contraceptives. These include intrauterine devices and a new option that gets implanted into the arm and lasts up to three years.In this episode, Dr. Margot Rosenthal, a fifth-year obstetrics and gynaecology resident, explains the different contraception options, which choice is best, and what side effects to watch out for.She co-authored a practice article with Dr. Sarah McQuillan. The article is published in CMAJ: https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.202413Podcast transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-202413Calling all aspiring podcasters! Are you our next podcast host? CMAJ seeks a curious, astute and dynamic Canadian physician as the new voice of CMAJ Podcasts. For details and to apply:https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj-podcast-host-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Dr. Bill. Dr. Bill makes billing on the go easy and pain free. Start your 45-day free trial today: https://www.drbill.app/cmaj-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at:https://www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------Listen to Cold Steel, the official podcast of the Canadian Journal of Surgery: https://canjsurg.ca/podcasts-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit https://www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

In this episode, Dr. Kirsten Patrick, interim editor-in-chief, chats with Francine Buchanan about her experience as a patient partner. Francine is in a unique position at the intersection of caregiver for her medically fragile son, PhD candidate in health services research, and a patient and family advisor at The Hospital for Sick Children. She wrote a Humanities article published in CMAJ called "How are we going to do this?" https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.210457Dr. Kirsten Patrick also chats with Victoria Saigle, Lead of Patient Involvement at CMAJ. Victoria shares the different ways patients have been contributing to the journal in recent months and plans for the future.CMAJ is launching a new article type called 360 Cases. CMAJ's first 360 Case explores the end of life of a woman who passed away suddenly after an unexpected serious diagnosis. The article is co-written by the woman's husband, her social worker, one of her nurses and the ICU physician who treated her at the end of her life. You can read the article on our website: https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.210463If you're interested in learning more about patient involvement, patient peer review, or patient authorship, contact Victoria: victoria.saigle@cmaj.caMore details are in CMAJ’s Statement of Purpose for Patient Engagement https://www.cmaj.ca/statement-purpose-patient-engagementCMAJ's themed issue on patient engagement at the journal: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/27Podcast transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-210457-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Audi Canada. The Canadian Medical Association has partnered with Audi Canada to offer CMA members a preferred incentive on select vehicle models. Purchase any new qualifying Audi model and receive an additional cash incentive based on the purchase type. Details of the incentive program can be found at www.audiprofessional.ca.-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at:www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------Listen to Cold Steel, the official podcast of the Canadian Journal of Surgery: canjsurg.ca/podcasts-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

New research shows that Indigenous People living in rural Canada are 16 times more likely to have to travel long distances to give birth compared to non-Indigenous people living in rural areas. In this podcast, Dr. Janet Smylie and Evelyn George explain these striking findings.Dr. Janet Smylie is Métis-Cree, a family practitioner and professor of public health at the University of Toronto. Evelyn George is a Nbissing registered midwife living in Syilx territory of British Columbia.They were two of the authors of a research article published in CMAJ:www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.201903Podcast transcript: www.cmaj.ca/transcript-201903-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at:www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Dr. Bill. Dr. Bill makes billing on the go easy and pain free. Start your 45-day free trial today: www.drbill.app/cmaj-----------------------------------Listen to Cold Steel, the official podcast of the Canadian Journal of Surgery: http://canjsurg.ca/podcasts-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Dr. Malika Sharma and Dr. Rahel Zewude explain the tenets of critical race theory. They also share how it has helped them tackle racism in the practice of medicine and how they've applied it to their professional and personal lives as physicians in Canada.Dr. Malika Sharma is an HIV and infectious diseases specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Rahel Zewude is an internal medicine resident at the University of British Columbia and president of Black Physicians of British Columbia.They co-authored a humanities article published in CMAJ. Podcast transcript -----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at shingrix.ca-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit http://www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Anticraving medications are a lesser-known therapy for patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. In this podcast, Dr. Jon Mong and Dr. Paxton Bach explain how to recognize and diagnose moderate to severe alcohol use disorder and how to talk to patients about treatment options.Dr. Jon Mong is a general internist working at The Ottawa Hospital, with a clinical focus in addiction medicine. He is currently completing his Masters in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety through the University of Toronto's IHPME.Dr. Paxton Bach is a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at the University of British Columbia, and a general internist and addiction physician at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. He additionally serves as the program director for the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Clinical Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program.They co-authored, along with Dr. Keith Ahamad, a practice article published in CMAJ:www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.200895Podcast transcript: https://www.cmaj.ca/transcript-200895-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Shingrix. Learn more at:www.shingrix.ca/en-ca/index.html-----------------------------------This podcast episode is brought to you by Audi Canada. The Canadian Medical Association has partnered with Audi Canada to offer CMA members a preferred incentive on select vehicle models. Purchase any new qualifying Audi model and receive an additional cash incentive based on the purchase type. Details of the incentive program can be found at www.audiprofessional.ca.-----------------------------------Subscribe to CMAJ Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Overcast, Instacast, or your favourite aggregator. You can also follow us directly on our SoundCloud page or you can visit www.cmaj.ca/page/multimedia/podcasts.Comments or questions? Text us.Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @DrmojolaomoleX (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC FacebookInstagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions