TAKE HOME MESSAGES for HEALTH CARE FIRST PRINCIPLES

1. See your family doctor regularly.
2. Listen to his/her advice.
3. You are the master of your own destiny.

There is much more to learn when you listen to our preventative care leaders. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, Dr. and Mrs. A squared

To be continued...

HEALTH CARE FIRST PRINCIPLES

"Listen to your doctor!"

The doctors on this week's show are all about cancer and preventative health care. Imagine, if you listened to your doctor how easy your life would be. I know that is a bit simplistic. But let us think through this. Stop smoking. I know it is not easy but there is no evidence that that smoking actually improves your health in any way. What about exercising more? I know it is not easy to do, but if everyone exercised 30minutes daily as recommended what kind of world would be be living in?

Okay let us talk about something harder. What about eating less meat and more vegetables? What about sleeping 7-8 hours per night? I am not going to go through all the evidence or find logical counter arguments for your excuses, just accept the advice and work toward it. These are well studied evidence based advice that will make a world of difference in everyone's life. How about getting your cancer screening tests done? Do the poop test. It's gross but it will save your life. Get your mammogram and pap test. Once again not a Kodak moment but necessary. We could go on and on. Go to the dentist regularly. Find balance in your life. Laugh more. Less salt. Wear sunscreen. Need I go on?

"Doctors are working hard to improve your health. Why are you working so hard to... It is not always about pills, surgeries, chemotherapy. Sometimes it requires good old fashioned COMMON SENSE and COMPLIANCE."

 Dr. Robin Boushey is a scientist, a surgeon, a director of research, international consultant in bowel cancer, a patient choice award winner, and a good friend. He came to our studio in between calls for abdominal trauma. He shared his vision for dealing with the exceptionally high burden of colon cancer in Ottawa. He has broken down the silos between primary care doctors, surgeons, cancer care, and community nursing. They meet regularly for best practices.

Dr. Lee Donohue is a family doctor, a primary care tour de force, past president of the Academy of Medicine Ottawa, cancer lead for our LHIN, and physician leader. She was filled with excitement and ideas to improve primary care cancer preventative strategy in Ottawa and environs. She has always been thoughtful and comprehensive in her deliberations.

Dr. David Esdaile is a family doctor, trained in medical acupuncture, public activist and past president of Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada. He has fought the battle valiantly for lowering smoking rates in Canada. And big tobacco has fought back. He has vim and vigour. Faiza and I enjoyed his agility and alacrity.

You will understand why you should see your family doctor regularly. You will follow the advice of your family doctor and gain innumerable benefits. You are the master of your own destiny.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

TAKE HOME MESSAGES for DOCTOR PASSION RELATIONSHIPS

1. Find activities that offer you skills and challenges different from your day to day work.
2. Be human. Make mistakes.
3. If you are lucky enough to find your passion, never let it out of your life!

There is much more to learn when you listen to our passionate physicians. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, Dr. and Mrs. A squared

To be continued...

DOCTOR PASSION RELATIONSHIPS

"I am trying to play; don't confuse me with work" my apologies to Plato

This is an excellent counterpoint to the last episode. Burnout happens when things are imbalanced. Our doctors in this episode show us that finding your passion(s) and spending time pursuing it often balances your life. I have canvassed my colleagues and the list is long. There are doctors who sing, dance, play musical instruments, build Lego robots or full size cars, run, ski, sew, read, travel, go to church or mosque to pray, watch TV or jump out of planes. This is not an exhaustive list just a smattering of activities. All of the doctors I met who had hobbies, outside pursuits, or passions were more relaxed, happier, balanced, and conversant.

“Doctors do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.”my apologies to Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

Dr. Ronald Weiss is a self made man. Musician for years before even contemplating medical school. Slowly and with persistence, he became a pioneer in no scalpel vasectomy (those words are music to the ears of squeamish men contemplating the path to sterility not castration). Canada's leading vasectomy doctor manages over 2000 procedures a year so he can follow his true passion - singer/songwriter/musician. And he is very good too! Within minutes of our conversation, I had lyrical pieces filled with soul and beat. He is a true gentleman. In fact, he thanked me for inviting him to the show. I enjoyed his passionate approach to music, life and love.

Dr. Eoghan O'Shea is a mentor to me. A prince among family doctors who is a well balanced and organized professor at the Civic branch of the Department of Family Medicine University of Ottawa. He treats all around him with respect and fatherly guidance. He is a strong Christian going to church regularly. He is participant in his Irish roots by playing a tin flute and dancing. He is an avid golfer. These passions enrich his life and allow him to unwind from the stressors of his professional demands. Faiza and I enjoyed his zeal for life and all things family.

You will hear performances from them.

You will understand that activities that challenge you, excite you, calm you or teach you are all empowering. You will understand that being human is making mistakes. And if you are lucky enough to find a passion that gives you happiness, you will never let it go from your life.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, DR. A squared.

To be continued...

TAKE HOME MESSAGES for DOCTOR LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

1. Burnout can happen to anyone.
2. If you need help...ask.
3. There are many around who are willing to listen and will not judge you.

There is much more to learn when you listen to our doctors. Feel free to post comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, DR. and Mrs. A squared.

To be continued...   

DOCTOR LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

"No one is an island. We are all susceptible to burnout."

This is a very important episode. It deals with physician burnout but actually equalizes us all. We can all get overwhelmed, overworked, and over stressed. Then without knowing it, we are tired, angry, unsatisfied in everything we do. I have seen it happen to every strata of society. No one is immune. Our doctors speak about this condition from various perspectives. We have an internationally renowned physician wellness expert and psychiatrist treating doctors in all specialties. We have an internist working in cancer who succumbed to this condition and bravely shares her story. And we have doctor who works with those that have the least in Ottawa while at the same time setting policy and framework to protect our health care providers at The Ottawa Hospital.

Dr. Mamta Gautam started as a psychiatrist to physicians with some serendipity. Over the years she has counseled hundreds of her colleagues in all manners of mental health issues. She has helped retrain, refocus or rebalance their lives. She has given many the opportunity to return to their profession with a new awareness of proportionality. She is highly regarded as a speaker, authour, and business woman. She left Faiza and I filled with tranquility and inspiration.

Dr. Susan Aitken started in the military, climbed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Order of Military Merit. In the military she did it all: going into the bush, jumping out of planes, evacuating out casualties. She moved into oncology and was involved at high level organization for Cancer Care Ontario's precursor and the province's Breast Screening Programme. She speaks candidly and unabashedly about her burnouts. She acknowledges her mistakes and offers advice for all. After adequate treatment, she returned to medicine as a coroner for the city of Ottawa. Her story is truly one of strength, then weakness; a doctor becoming the patient, then resurrecting as the mythological phoenix.

Dr. Jeff Turnbull is more than the story about physician wellness in The Ottawa Hospital. He is past president of the Canadian Medical Association, past president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, past president of the Medical Council of Canada. He is presently Chief of Staff of the Ottawa Hospital. He is the founder and medical director of the Ottawa Inner City Health Project. He is on call for the homeless in Ottawa! No wonder he is was awarded the Order of Canada. Warm, kind, approachable, friend to those with palaces and to those without homes. He is truly mindful of the value of life and how best to move the agenda forward in health care. He shares his thoughts in this episode.

You will learn that burnout can happen to anyone. If you need help, don't suffer silently. Ask for help. And you will learn that there are many around you that are willing to listen without judging.

I look forward to sharing their stories with you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

TAKE HOME MESSAGES for WORKING AT GROUND ZERO

1. Support your City and yourself by looking at HEAL, stop smoking, and take transit programmes
2. Don't be afraid for a house call. More and more doctors are offering this service.
3. Treat your doctor with kindness. They give you more than you see.

There is much more to learn when you listen to our primary care practitioners. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, Dr. and Mrs. A squared.
To be continued...  

WORKING AT GROUND ZERO

"Medicine at the bedside. Medicine in your community. Medicine for all of Ottawa."

The doctors in today's show are all working at ground zero. They work with dying patients in their home. They work in medical clinics inside grocery stores or travel to small communities to help those that have no one. They work with the whole city reducing health burdens like obesity, smoking, narcotic addiction and homelessness. These are the soldiers in the trenches. They are the infantry. They suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (to quote a relatively unknown bard that used to sell Avon products).

Dr. Vera Etches is Assistant Medical Officer of Health. She started as a family doctor, worked in Africa, in the Northwest, and recently moved to Ottawa. She has made Ottawa her home and her mission is to improve the health of Ottawans. You will hear her resolve.

Dr. Priscilla Bright is a family doctor extraordinaire. She actively looks after her aging population as she drives around town seeing them in their home. She is only a phone call away. She has been doing this house call service and palliative care (making the end as dignified and symptom free as possible) before it became popular. She was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her loyalty and warmth. She is truly an inspiration to those that believe in the full service family practitioner.

Dr. Victoria Udoeyop is also new to Ottawa. A Nigerian doctor working in the UK and then immigrated to Canada to work in Cornwall. Both her and her husband live in Ottawa but travel back and forth to Cornwall to deal with their patients that no one will absorb. She feels obligated to look after them despite the 60 to 75minute commute. Her commitment is more than an arrangement, it is a covenant.

You will learn that actions you do help you support yourself and this city. You will learn that more doctors are offering house call service. Finally, you should acknowledge that you should treat your doctor with kindness since they are giving more than you know.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, DR. A squared

To be continued...

TAKE HOME MESSAGES for HOW I STARTED MY MEDICAL CAREER...

1. Please let medical students be involved in your health care journey.
2. If you want to support the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine contact them to volunteer.

There is much to learn when listening to our students and the Vice Dean. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation. 

Humbly, DR. and Mrs. A squared.
To be continued...  

HOW I STARTED MY MEDICAL CAREER...

"I remember back to my early days in medical school..."

The students doctors and Vice Dean at the University of Ottawa medical school are an exceptional bunch. These young men and women are brilliant. They have achieved great academic achievements, traveled extensively, volunteered with the needy, published papers, and matured beyond their years. The Vice Dean finds their optimism and exuberance energizing. This is where it all begins. The journey in a medical career starts for all of us in medical school and it really is the best of times, the worst of times, the most challenging of times, and the most rewarding of times.

Your "metal" is heated to a white glow in medical school, then forged in residency, and finally plied in medical practice.

I recall how hard I worked and what I had to give up or delay. I recall my fears, my victories, and uncertainties. I never regretted the journey but it was not easy.

Dr. Melissa Forgie is a highly awarded teacher and physician at the Ottawa Hospital. She is a bilingual hematologist. She is an alumnus of this medical school and brings a great perspective to then, now, and the future. She has had her role as Vice Dean for around 2 years, but fits into the role with aplomb. With her and Dr. Bradwejn leading the way forward, our medical school will be the medical school to emulate.

Aliza Moledina is a first year student. She speaks with confidence. She is truly representative of the strong candidates that are attracted to U of O. She volunteered in Kenya and Sri Lanka. She is a hard working and talented student. She volunteers at her mosque. You will admire her story.

Ellyas Omar is a final year student that is excited to return to his home town to pursue a residency in family medicine. He is empathic, conscientious, and ethical. He is a well balanced athlete that will model great behaviour to his patients. You will revel in his candour.

These stories will endear you. Our future is in the hands of those that teach our medical students and the students themselves. They will be there to offer us judicious counsel, treat our medical conditions, and support us in times of illness. You will feel optimistic about our future when you hear these stories.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared.

To be continued...

TAKE HOME MESSAGES for VIRTUAL MEDICINE BEYOND BORDERS

1. Find medical counsel that you can trust for medical education and asking your questions.
2. Educate yourself with the facts so you don't have to rely on advertisements or sensationalism.
3. Track and record your own health concerns.

There is much more to learn when you listen to media gurus. Feel free to post comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation. 

Humbly, Dr. and Mrs. A squared
 To be continued...  

VIRTUAL MEDICINE BEYOND THE BORDERS

"There are many ways to connect with your patients"

The doctors in our social media show all participate in educating beyond clinical practice. They are all family doctors that have seen that one on one interactions, though necessary, only serve a small community. Reaching beyond the office, they have used the power of (social) media to educate, empower and connect with patients. We admire their trailblazing and wonder where they get the time.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is ubiquitous. He is more than a family doctor. He is more than an assistant professor. He is more than a bariatric medicine specialist, dealing with the "weighty matters" of medical conditions related to extra poundage. He is well spoken. Walks the talk, in fact he runs the talk. Check out his blog and see his commitment to nutrition, healthy eating and active living. He had no script. He spoke from the heart as he shared his stories and knowledge. He is truly motivated in making a difference in people's lives by teaching them what they learned as children. You are meant to be active and eat only what is necessary. Advertisers and marketing executives manipulate our atavistic instincts. They make things cheap, accessible, and highly tasty, so they can make money. They are not interested in our health and well being. Eat sensibly and not to excess. Stay active. Listen to Yoni.

Dr. Merrilee Fullerton is a twitter and blogging sensation. Of course, she also is a family doctor. She has real leadership credentials as a member of the City of Ottawa Board of Health, past president of the Academy of Medicine Ottawa, instructor at the Physician Management Institute and her involvement at Ontario Medical Association and Canadian Medical Association. Check out her blog and her opinions that suggest we should have the crucial conversations and make hard decisions. She is truly motivated in improving the dialogue in health care for ALL CANADIANS. Merrilee is provoking conversations that patients, physicians, politicians and all stake holders must have. Read and follow Merrilee.

Dr. Barry Dworkin is a powerhouse. As a family doctor, professor, writer, blogger, local celebrity on CFRA radio, he is a one man dynamo. His calming voice on the radio makes me laugh and think. I have admired his tenacity and vigour for some time. His raison d'etre to remove quackery and sensationalism in medicine is compelling. We need more doctors in media willing to challenge the musings and dire demonstrations of non scientific media types. I could do an entire show on Barry's opinions and inquisitions. Check out his blog and radio show. You will not be disappointed. And Dr. Dworkin still makes house calls!

You will learn to find a reliable source of evidence based medical counsel. You will learn to questions advertisements or sensationalistic stories. You will be be motivated to track your own health parameters.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared.

To be continued...

TAKE HOME messages for LEADING THE WAY THE WAY FORWARD IN MEDICINE

1. Seize opportunities when possible.
2. Value ethical decisions over expedient ones.
3. If you cannot figure something out, ask others for support.

There is much more to learn when you listen to our leaders. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD IN MEDICINE

 "Leadership is more than standing in front of the room and spouting platitudes."

The doctors in our leadership show are ones that have worked at various levels adding more value at every step. They worked in their own practices, as family doctors or psychiatrists. They worked in their local communities. Because of their humble personalities building consensus along the way and rewarding hard work and willing to do the dirty work, they were selected or promoted or they volunteered to lead when others stayed silent.  

"People lined up behind them"

Dr. Gail Beck is a psychiatrist, mother of 5, fluently bilingual, leader locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, recipient of the Order of Ontario and Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. I have known her for 6 years and she surprises me every time with her kindness and wisdom. She shares a story about her struggle with the Ministry in Labour negotiations then switches to a story about meeting Adrienne Clarkson and Margaret Atwood at the Diamond Jubilee Installation and then closes with her presentation at the United Nations on the Status of Women. I smile and gently shake my head. She is truly representative of the Great Canadian Doctor. 

Dr. Robert Cushman is well known to the citizens of Ottawa as Medical Officer of Health. But did you know he went to Harvard to do a BA in economics, worked in Canada's north serving the Cree and Inuit when it was not considered "in vogue", and started serving our Quebecois neighbours as a medical officer before serving in Ottawa. He helped start the wave of smoke free environments making Ottawa a world leader in this type of legislation. He also is humble. He acknowledged all of the workers at the filming. As he has climbed the ladder to CEO of the Champlain LHIN to now a Director at Health Canada, he has always remained true to those around him. He accepted my invitation to be on the show immediately. He was kind and graceful - a true gentleman.

 Dr. John Gray comes across as a quiet man. But he is a giant! Dr. Gray is past president of the Ontario Medical Association representing over 25,000 doctors in Ontario. He is past board director of the Canadian Medical Association. And today he is the CEO of the Canadian Medical Protection Association. He is responsible for the legal defence and liability protection of over 78,000 Canadian doctors. They are leaders in ensuring lower medical costs, and improving patient safety. These are very large medical organizations that need strong leaders with conviction, ethics, and people skills. Dr. Gray is like so many doctors - more than meets the eye.

You will learn about seizing the opportunities around you. You will learn to value ethical decisions over expedient ones. And you will ask for help when you need it.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

THE BEGINNING...

"I was nervous, enthralled, overwhelmed and eager to start the new TV show. "

Rogers TV wanted a medical show, but there were already too many medical shows and I did not want to be next Dr. Sanjay Gupta or the next Dr. OZ. It is not about marketing; it is about medicine.

In Ottawa, there was the famous Dr. Barry Dworkin who had an incredible show dealing with evidence based medicine. He taught people to critically think about the fantastic cures being touted by advertisers disguised as medical researchers. There was Dr. Peter Lin of CBC radio. The voice of medicine simplified with humour and panache every Wednesday morning. Of course, who can forgot the larger than life personality and medical documentaries of Dr. Brian Goldman. White Coat, Black Art is a staple in my life. These were mentors to emulate, but I wanted to do something different.

On another thought, society tends to value and idolize film and music celebrities, sports heroes and politicians. One can argue that media celebrities offer very little to our lives except escape and gossip. In many ways they are the antithesis to personal health and well being. Sports heroes perform miraculous physical achievements for their own fame and tremendous fortune but there are very few that exemplify the values for which we should all strive: preventative health measures, non promiscuity, balance in life, and public service. There are only a few Clara Hughes' and Daniel Alfredssons out there. Finally, politicians provide public service and intellectual challenge. They are involved in representing us while at the same time governing us. They are walking a fine line of special interest groups, popular opinion, loyalty to the their party, lobbyists, financial supporters, and their constituents. This is an extremely fine tight rope to balance upon.

Finally, I work day in day out with many great doctors that work extremely hard to improve people's lives. They share their patient's pains, sorrows, fears, joys, and bewilderment. These men and women work quietly in the background. They skip meals, finish paperwork late into the night, answer phone calls at there children's birthday parties, work on holidays, and use their free time to improve the lives of Ontarians with medical issues.

                                                 I am talking about doctors that let you in when they are having lunch to suture up your child's chin. I am talking about the doctor that visits homeless people under a bridge. I am talking about the doctor that goes to your home in the middle of the night because your wife is vomiting blood from metastatic liver cancer and is suffering from pain. I am talking about the doctor that holds your hand as you try your hardest to push out your first child and explains why you need a c-section after working with you all night to deliver your baby. I am talking about the doctor that explains why you don't need an antibiotic when you have a viral infection. I am talking about the doctor that goes to the crime scene with dismembered body parts and investigates what happened without throwing up.  

 "These are your true heroes."

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, DR A squared.

To be continued...