SUMMER 2009

By Jonathan Carpenter

 “Professionalism lies at the heart of being a good doctor and it sets a standard for what our patients should expect from us. At its very core is the physician-patient relationship and the practice of putting our patient’s care above our own interests."

e x e c u t i v e   d i r e c t o r ' s   m e s s a g e
President Clinton’s message applicable to province’s health care sector

		By Rob Ritter President Bill Clinton’s discourse was brimming with thought-provoking and inspiring ideas. I reflected on whether any of this might be applicable to our own local circumstances in the health sector. In my mind, the answer is clearly yes.

By Dr. Susan King
Thyroid tests, NLPDP Assurance Plan and recommended websites.

By Jonathan Carpenter
In May, St. John’s plastic surgeon Dr. Arthur Rideout joined a team of 50 medical professionals from around the world in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa, to treat children born with facial clefts.

Submitted Article

The Contextualized Health Research Synthesis Program of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research aims to provide answers to some of the most pressing questions in our province’s health system.

By Jonathan Carpenter
The pressure to excel [in medical school] coupled with the long hours of study, emotional exhaustion and physical burnout can take a tremendous toll, not to mention the financial burden associated with rapidly increasing costs of medical education.

By NLMA Staff

Dean wins award; rural docs honored; honorary degree for Linda Inkpen.

By NLMA Staff

The “Pace Makers” will run the Tely 10 Mile Road Race on July 26 and the Family Medicine Unit at Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine will host the 9th annual Dr. John Ross Commemorative Walk on September 23.

Submitted Article

In January 2009, a Community Medical Advisory Committee was formed by a group of interested physicians for the St. John’s and surrounding region of Eastern Health and is an integral part of the policy-making process for provincial medical staff bylaws.

Submitted Article

 The new requisitions request information required to facilitate a standardized process to determine clinical priority for diagnostic imaging services. A package has been mailed to physicians.

F I N A N C I A L
Are your retirement savings protected?

		By Joan McCarthy What would happen to your future savings and retirement plan if today you were to become physically dependent, suffer a cognitive impairment, or if you became critically ill?

M E M B E R S H I P
Members satisfied with NLMA services: Membership survey

Online Only  H E A L T H   T E C H N O L O G Y Pharmacy Network – Coming to a pharmacy near you! Submitted Article The Pharmacy Network is on the province’s doorstep, with deployment to community pharmacies set to commence in the coming weeks, and will, over time, connect all pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador. Online Only  H E A L T H   P R O M O T I O N Weekly Pap test clinic works well for busy family doctor and her patients Submitted Article In September 2007, Dr. Roxanne Cooper walked into an incredible family practice opportunity both for herself and the province’s Cervical Screening Initiatives Program. Online Only  H E A L T H   A D M I N I S T R A T I O N Wait times the top concern: Eastern Health survey Submitted Article In May, Eastern Health released the results of a telephone survey component of the North East Avalon Community Health Needs Assessment in which 1,032 respondents who were asked to share their opinions on the province’s health care system. Online Only  H E A L T H   T E C H N O L O G Y Quick access to evidence about what works to influence behavior, promote optimal therapy Submitted Article Through the Rx for Change Interventions Database, CADTH provides an invaluable bridge between evidence-based research and the real-world use of research to influence drug prescribing and use. Online Only  D O C T O R S   I N   T H E   N E W S Memorial medical alumna named to Top 40 under 40 Submitted Article A professor of genetics in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University has discovered 45 genes involved in gaining weight. Dr. Guang Sun’s research was published in the Jan. 5 electronic version of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Online Only  H E A L T H   P R O M O T I O N Kids Eat Smart celebrates nutrition month Submitted Article Kids Eat Smart Clubs in Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated Nutrition Month 2009 by participating in the 2nd annual Kids Eat Smart Apple Day on March 19. One hundred and fifteen Kids Eat Smart Clubs served apples that day.

Online Only  D O C T O R S   I N   T H E   N E W S
First awards under healthy aging program

Online Only  G E N E R A L   C O U N C I L
Your opinions can make it to Saskatoon even if you can’t

Online Only  c l i n i c a l   p r a c t i c e Hepatitis C patients likely still contagious after treatment Submitted Article Patients with chronic hepatitis C that has been resolved through therapy or immune response may still be able to infect others with the virus. From a new study led by Dr. Thomas Michalak, Canada Research Chair in Viral Hepatitis/Immunology at MUN. Online Only  E D U C A T I O N Research reveals defects in standard body fat measure Submitted Article A new research paper from Memorial University genetics professor Dr. Guang Sun shows that body mass index (BMI) measurement is not accurate for over 30 per cent of men and women. Online Only  D O C T O R S   I N   T H E   N E W S Dr. James Rourke reappointed Dean of Medicine Submitted Article The review committee on the reappointment of Dr. James Rourke as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine has unanimously recommended that he be renewed for a second five-year term effective April 5, 2009.