- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Residency match: In a break with tradition, first-round results of the 2007 match of medical school graduates to discipline and residency positions weren't publicly released at the conclusion of the first iteration (Mar. 14) on the grounds that it would be unfair to students forced to seek spots in the second iteration, says Canadian Resident Matching Services (CaRMS) Executive Director Sandra Banner. “We've worked with the AFMC [Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada] on this and we all feel this is the best way to approach this very new matching reality.” Earlier this year, CaRMS announced that for the first time it is running a national 2-iteration match for international medical graduates, although Alberta is not participating (CMAJ 2006;175[3]:236). A traditional 2-iteration match is being held for Canadian medical graduates. Manitoba and Quebec, however, have opted to throw both Canadian medical graduates and international graduates (whether Canadian-or foreign-born) into 1 competition hopper. Roughly 5% of Canadian medical graduates remained unmatched after the first iteration in 2006.
Managing patients at risk of thromboembolic events: Point-of-care monitoring devices can be effective in managing patients on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy, resulting in significantly fewer deaths and thromboembolic events, according to a recent assessment by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Compared with laboratory testing, using point-of-care devices in a clinic or for self-testing at home results in better control of anticoagulation status. Point-of-care devices in anticoagulation clinics are cost saving for Canada's publicly funded health-care system, compared with conventional laboratory testing. View the report at www.cadth.ca/pocjnews or contact Kirsten Gartenburg at kt{at}cadth.ca.
Wanted: budding research superstars: Must be willing to relocate to Alberta to oversee lucrative $20 million, 10-year research program, on subject within 12 broad categories. Negotiable salary. Excellent skiing. Three positions available, commencing in 2008; more positions possible in the future. Contact: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research for details regarding new Polaris Awards to be established at the universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge. The awards, says AHFMR Chair Gail Surkan, are a “signal that Alberta is ready for the world stage.”
Prenatal genetic screening: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is recommending that all Canadian women, irrespective of age, be offered the option of noninvasive prenatal genetic screening during pregnancy. The results would help physicians determine whether to use more invasive screening methods, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling, or whether to offer health counseling to pregnant women who discover their children may have genetic disorders, the SOGC argued.
ED shift in NB: About a dozen community physicians are filling shifts at the Saint John Regional Hospital's emergency department after 4 ED physicians resigned in January despite incentives negotiated with the New Brunswick government. Fourteen ED doctors originally tendered their resignations citing understaffing and overcrowding; 10 agreed to stay after the province offered an overtime bonus. The ED now employs about 13 doctors but needs 20. — Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon, Saint John, NB
Quebec elects CMA presidential candidate: The Quebec Medical Association has nominated its president, Dr. Robert Ouellet, as CMA president-elect. If the Laval radiologist is ratified at CMA's annual meeting in August he will become CMA's president in 2008–09. Ouellet defeated family physicians, Dr. André Senikas and Dr. Daniel Wagner, to win the nomination.
$139-million AIDS initiative: The federal government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are establishing the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative. The government is contributing up to $111 million; Gates has pledged $28 million. The initiative will support Canadian researchers working with international partners through the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an alliance of international organizations.
Colorectal kits: Manitoba and Ontario are both introducing broad screening programs for colorectal cancer. This spring Manitoba will mail screening kits to about 20 000 people between the ages of 50 and 74 in 2 health regions. In 2008 Ontario family physicians and pharmacists will provide home screening kits to Ontario residents. Alberta, BC and Quebec are contemplating similar programs. Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada President Barry D. Stein stated that such programs are past due and will result in a decrease in mortality. Some 8500 Canadians died last year from the disease.— Compiled by Wayne Kondro, CMAJ