CMAJ Podcasts

Philosophers on Medicine — What are delusions?

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jonathan Fuller and Prof. Matthew Parrott discuss delusions, a concept that raises several questions from a philosophical perspec...

Encounters Poem — Le fou Bonnet

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Harald Gjerde reads his poem called "Le fou Bonnet." The poem is written from the perspective of a man with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, whi...

Peanut allergy in infants: early introduction to reduce risk

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. George du Toit and Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran discuss how to safely reduce an infant’s risk of peanut allergy with early introd...

Value-based insurance design for pharmacare

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Steve Morgan and Dr. Kai Yeung discuss a possible framework for pharmacare. They argue and explain that setting copayments base...

Testicular torsion

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Hans Rosenberg and Dr. Melise Keays discuss testicular torsion, a condition in which the spermatic vessels twist and cut off ci...

Encounters — A medical student reflects on his father's illness

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Kacper Niburski remembers when, for a short while, his father was unrecognizable to him.Mr. Niburski is a medical student at McGill...

Measles outbreaks: systems-level and global issue

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Natasha Crowcroft comments on the measles outbreaks in Canada and globally, what many roots of the problem are, and what she th...

Encounters — An emergency doc learns a life lesson from his loyal companion

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Brian Deady reflects back on a time when a four-legged friend entered his life and instilled in him a sense of empathy he didn’...

From polio to cancer vaccines

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Robin Scheffler talks about the history of childhood cancer vaccine research. He explores the turn from polio vaccine research ...

Cost-effectiveness analysis and the science of value

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Murray Krahn discusses cost-effectiveness and optimal use of resources in health care. He talks about how it has evolved over t...

Encounters — A physician undergoes MAiD

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Lori-Ann Linkins shares how her dear friend and fellow physician, Dr. Shelly Sarwal, chose Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). ...

Marijuana and fertility

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Sara Ilnitsky talks about the latest evidence around how smoking marijuana affects fertility. She discusses the pharmacology an...

Assessing suicide risk for insurance

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Dorian Deshauer chats about the history of suicide risk assessment for insurance companies. In the past, the process included a...

Organ donation after MAiD

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. James Downar and Dr. Jennifer Hancock take listeners through some of the ethical considerations of having a patient who request...

Encounters — A medical student doesn't recognize her own body

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Sumedha Arya reflects back on a time while she was in medical school when her body felt foreign. Dr. Arya is an internal medici...

Doctors Without Borders on winning the Nobel Peace Prize — An interview from our archives

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview from our archives, Dr. John Hoey has a fascinating discussion with Dr. James Orbinski. The interview was first published in February...

Encounters — An internist thinks she is delivering good news

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, the Dr. Ellen Feld reflects back on a patient she encountered many years ago. Dr. Feld delivered what she thought was good news abo...

Encounters — A physician struggles to thank her neurosurgeon

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Debra Hamer reflects back on brain surgery she had many years ago, before she became a physician and a mother. She tries to fin...

Encounters — A medical student and a patient help each other hold on just a bit longer

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Calvin Santiago, who was a medical student at Queen’s University at the time, describes an encounter with a patient who was a...

Philosophers on Medicine — What are diseases, really?

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jonathan Fuller and Dr. Jeremy Simon discuss disease as a concept. Are diseases part of the natural world, like electrons and pho...

Overincarceration of Indigenous people

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Davinder Singh and Dr. Marcia Anderson discuss the problem of racism in the justice system which is in in part responsible for ...

Physician suicide

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Joy Albuquerque and Dr. Sarah Tulk talk about physician suicide, the only cause of death more common in physicians than the gen...

Med Life with Dr. Horton — Alan Alda and Dr. Deepu Gawda on feeling disconnected from patients

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this next "Med Life with Dr. Horton" podcast, Dr. Jillian Horton talks with both Dr. Deepu Gawda and actor Alan Alda.In the first segment...

Enhanced recovery after surgery

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Gregg Nelson and Dr. Alon Altman explain Enhanced Recovery After Surgery or ERAS, an evidence-based care pathway created to imp...

Loneliness in older adults

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Nathan Stall and Dr. Rachel Savage discuss loneliness in older adults. They talk about how to assess for loneliness, the detrim...

Encounters — A physician opts to listen to a friend rather than offer medical advice

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this fictional narrative, Dr. Carolyne Montgomery explores what happens when, as a doctor, your patients are also your friends...and your friends a...

Encounters — A rural physician has been overprescribing opioids, much to her surprise

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Judy Dercksen, a family physician in rural British Columbia, shares what it’s like to manage chronic pain in a busy rural off...

Nondisabling stroke or TIA from internal carotid artery stenosis: a medical emergency

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Varun Kapila explains why transient ischemic attacks or nondisabling stroke due to internal carotid artery stenosis require urg...

Philosophers on Medicine — Vaccine hesitancy

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jonathan Fuller and Dr. Maya Goldenberg discuss why vaccine hesitancy still persists, despite overwhelming evidence in support of...

Encounters — A GP remembers a cancer patient who struggled to be heard

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Iris Gorfinkel still thinks about a patient she treated 25 years ago whose quiet defiance was a cry to be helped on his own ter...

Vaccine allergy

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Derek Chu and Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman discuss the difference between true vaccine allergy and other normal or abnormal reactions t...

Med Life with Dr. Horton — Creative arts in the life of a doctor with Dr. Allan Peterkin

05 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this next "Med Life with Dr. Horton" podcast, Dr. Jillian Horton chats with Dr. Allan Peterkin about creative arts and playfulness as rel...

Foreskin care in childhood

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Ryan McLarty and Dr. Darcie Kiddoo discuss how to care for boys’ foreskin when they are babies and how to ensure boys are taugh...

Encounters — An internist is inspired by his dying patient, at a pivotal time in his own life

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Ariel Lefkowitz shares the story of Betty, a patient whose faith helped her be at peace with her fate in life.Dr. Lefkowitz is ...

High-dose flu vaccines

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jeff Kwong and Dr. Daniel Dalcin discuss high-dose influenza vaccines, which contain more antigen than standard-dose vaccines.Dr....

Encounters — A family physician says farewell to her practice

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Pauline Pariser has many emotions about retirement after 35 years in practice.Dr. Pariser worked as a family physician in Toron...

Encounters — A family doc feels unable to help her immigrant patient

04 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Sarah Stumbar is sad to say goodbye to her patient Ana who, despite trying her best, is unable to achieve the American dream.Th...

Penicillin allergy: commonly reported but rarely true

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. David McCullagh and Dr. Derek Chu discuss penicillin allergy: its prevalence, how to diagnose it, and how to confirm patient-repo...

Philosophers on Medicine — Precision medicine, narrative medicine, evidence-based medicine

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jonathan Fuller has a conversation with Miriam Solomon about different ways of knowing in medicine: precision medicine, evidence-...

Encounters — A medical student's patient is not easily categorized

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Zoe Lau, a graduating medical student at Queen’s University School of Medicine, remembers one patient who fell outside of any eas...

Encounters — A respirologist is diagnosed with cancer

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Clive Kearon reflects on his cancer diagnosis, and how life expectancy can change in one instant, sometimes for the better. Dr....

Encounters — A family physician's love for literature is intertwined in his career

04 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Peter Newman remembers with fondness a person who ignited his love for literature and influenced his choice of career. Dr. Pete...

Philosophers on Medicine — What is medicine?

28 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Jonathan Fuller, philosophy of medicine postdoctoral fellow and graduating medical student at the University of Toronto, has a ch...

Transgender-inclusive health care

21 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Professor Alex Abramovich and Dr. June Lam discuss considerations for transgender patients in primary care.Prof. Alex Abramovich is a...

Encounters — A palliative care physician blames herself after a patient dies by suicide

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Susan MacDonald reflects on her involvement in the end-of-life choices of one of her patients.Dr. Susan MacDonald is a palliati...

Disability and mental illness: social versus medical models of understanding

07 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Professor Andrew Hogan examines the history of the social and medical models of disability and mental illness. The social model chara...

Med Life with Dr. Horton — CaRMS interviews and ranking residency training programs

04 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this first "Med Life with Dr. Horton" podcast, Dr. Jillian Horton answers questions about CaRMS, the Canadian Resident Matching Service. ...

Lessons from early sex education efforts: The Health League of Canada

17 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Professor Catherine Carstairs tells listeners about one of the first sex education efforts in our country called the Health League of...

Guideline: screening for breast cancer in women aged 40–74 years who are not at increased risk

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Ainsley Moore discusses the latest evidence on screening for breast cancer in women aged 40–74 years who are not at increased r...

Lignes directrices : dépistage du cancer du sein chez les femmes qui ne sont pas à risque accru

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dre Guylène Thériault nous explique les recommandations clé des nouvelles lignes directrices sur le dépistage du cancer du sein chez les femmes â...

Encounters — A neonatologist considers what parents worry about

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In her narrative, Dr. Krishna Acharya reflects on importance of taking the time to learn what families worry about. Dr. Acharya is a neonatologist and...

Acute flaccid myelitis: what clinicians know and don't know about the polio-like syndrome

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Peter Gill, general pediatrician and researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, discusses the latest clinical infor...

Encounters — A family doctor reflects on the role of touch in medicine

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Martina Kelly reflects on the role of “touch” in medicine, a word that seems inappropriately intimate but also a routine pa...

Time to recall high-strength opioid formulations?

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, we hear from two experts who are calling on the Canadian minister of health to recall high-strength opioid formulations from the Cana...

Encounters — A psychiatrist and his patient who has been labeled a pedophile

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Jonathan Gray remembers a former patient who has been labeled a pedophile. This true story reminds us that it’s often easy to...

Buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) to treat opioid use disorder

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Tina Hu and Dr. Adam Pyle describe in detail how to treat opioid use disorder with buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone). They cover ...

How to pay for Canadian pharmacare

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Canada has long been the only high-income country with a universal health insurance system that excludes universal coverage of prescription drugs. In ...

Mindful practice in medicine with Dr. Ronald Epstein

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, we hear from Dr. Ronald Epstein, family physician, palliative care physician, author, musician, researcher. He is also an expert on i...

Nobel, Gairdner and other major health research prizes: Canada vs international winners since 1959

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Major prizes, such as the Gairdner or the Nobel, are one of the indicators of how well we’re doing in health and biomedical research in Canada. In t...

Engaging patients in health research: experiences, tips and challenges

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Two conversations about partnering with patients to improve health research. This podcast offers practical tips and lessons learned along the way.Firs...

Canadian burden of diseases and injuries (1990 to 2016)

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Heather Orpana and Dr. Justin Lang discuss the Canadian data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, a large and systematic effo...

Encounters — A medical resident contemplates the mysticism in Kullu Valley, India

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Shaurya Taran, recounts the time he did an observership in northern India where he was born. The Kullu Valley, as he says, is a...

Turmeric/curcumin versus placebo in anti-inflammatory response

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Amit Garg discusses curcumin, its anti-inflammatory properties, and its usage as a natural health product. He describes a randomi...

Diagnosing ovarian cancer

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Mara Sobel and Dr. Melissa Walker discuss screening, assessing, and diagnosing ovarian cancer, for the primary care physician.Dr....

Cardiovascular disease prevention and management in primary care: C-CHANGE guideline update

09 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Sheldon Tobe and Dr. Rahul Jain discuss the 2018 update to the Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonized National Guideline Endeavour (C...

Household disinfectants, gut microbiota and childhood obesity

17 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Prof. Anita Kozyrskyj explains the link between usage of household cleaning products, changes in the gut microbiota and increased ris...

Smart devices and AI for fast identification of children with sepsis

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sepsis can have devastating consequences. But it is a disease that it sometimes difficult to identify in a timely manner. In this podcast, Dr. Mark An...

Definitions of sepsis and septic shock for clinicians

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Bram Rochwerg and Dr. Shannon Fernando discuss Sepsis-3, the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shoc...

Treating seniors who have multiple high-burden chronic diseases

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Sharon Straus and Prof. Monika Kastner share the results of their research on effectiveness of interventions for managing multipl...

Intimate portrait of Sir William Osler by Michael Bliss — an interview from 1999

22 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring you an interview from almost 20 years ago. Michael Bliss, medical historian and celebrated scholar, dug deep into the life of legendary physi...

Encounters — A neurologist takes his dad to the Alzheimer clinic

20 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Donald Weaver takes his dad to the Alzheimer clinic for a check-up. He meets funny characters along the way.Dr. Weaver is a neu...

Encounters — A refugee camp physician remembers a young patient who survived a chemical attack

13 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Tony Bruno shares the story of a young patient he treated overseas during a humanitarian mission. Dr. Bruno is a family and eme...

Encounters — A surgeon reflects on assisted dying after his father's death

16 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Mike Gross shares the story of the death of his father and reflects on medically assisted dying in this context. Dr. Gross is a...

Encounters — An emergency physician heals his grief by helping others

09 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this narrative, Dr. Damon Dagnone shares how helping others with grief can be healing. Dr. Dagnone is an emergency physician at Kingston General Ho...

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: clinical practice guideline

09 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Ainsley Moore discusses a clinical practice guideline on behalf of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. This guidel...

Care of older adults with dementia and their caregivers

03 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Dallas Seitz explains community-based approaches to identifying and supporting older adults with dementia and their caregivers....

Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

18 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Susy Hota and Dr. Susan Poutanen explain fecal microbiota transplantation as an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium d...

Hepatitis C virus management: clinical practice guideline

04 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Hemant Shah and Dr. Jordan Feld discuss a clinical practice guideline from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver on...

Encounters — A psychiatrist is reminded of her position of power

28 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Beverly Goodwin, a community-based psychiatrist and former family physician in Smiths Falls and Carleton Place, Ontario, reads her article called ...

Patient-oriented research: a home in CMAJ Open

22 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Kirsten Patrick, deputy editor for the Canadian Medical Association Journal, discusses an editorial she co-authored on the topic ...

Failing women in psychiatry: examining a painful past

22 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Mary Koziol and Dr. Andrea Tone discuss the modern history of psychiatric treatments for women. This historical lens provides a uniqu...

Research among Indigenous Peoples

22 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Stacey Marjerrison and Dr. Chelsea Gabel discuss health research involving Indigenous Peoples. They explore opportunities for col...

Screening for impaired vision: clinical practice guideline

14 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Brenda Wilson discusses the new guideline on screening for impaired vision in community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older i...

The ethics of face transplants: medical versus societal needs

23 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, professor Sharrona Pearl explores the history of face transplants through an ethical and societal lens. She discusses the intrinsic...

Encounters — Perspectives on terminal cancer and what matters at the end of life

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this audio reading, we hear the perspectives of a patient, the spouse of another patient, and the oncologist who cared for both patients. They shar...

Premature atherosclerosis in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases

06 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Alexandra Legge discusses a review article she co-authored on managing premature atherosclerosis in patients with chronic rheumat...

Measles vaccination in Canada: apathy and hesitancy from 1963—1998

28 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, professors Heather MacDougall and Laurence Monnais discuss perceptions, apathy and opposition around vaccination. Specifically, the...

Encounters — A new parent turns to graphic medicine to help sort her thoughts

24 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sylvia Nickerson, an artist in Hamilton, Ontario, reads her article called "Seeking graphic medicine narratives." In the article, Dr. Nicker...

Sugar-sweetened drinks as the new tobacco: examining potential harms of a sugar tax

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Prof. Natalie Riediger and Prof. Andrea Bombak discuss their analysis article published in the CMAJ that looks at a proposed tax on s...

Encounters — A Métis medical resident ponders his identity

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ryan Giroux, a resident in pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, reads his article called "Bannock as medicine." In t...

Encounters — A pediatric emergency physician struggles to make sense of a child's death

11 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Samina Ali, a pediatric emergency physician in Edmonton, Alberta, reads her article called "A note to Aaron." In the article, Dr. Ali sh...

Troubles liés à l'usage des opioïdes : lignes directrices nationales sur la prise en charge clinique

06 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dre Julie Bruneau et Dre Marie-Ève Goyer nous expliquent les recommandations clé de nouvelles lignes directrices sur la prise en charge clinique du ...

Managing opioid use disorder: a national clinical practice guideline

04 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Dr. Evan Wood and Dr. Keith Ahamad discuss the new guideline on management of opioid use disorder published in the Canadian Medical A...

Encounters — A medical student struggles with internalized homophobia

24 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Koray Demir reads his article called "In the closet, again." In the article, Mr. Demir shares his struggles with internalized homophobia whi...

Brain injury: scientific records from 1918–1950 align with current knowledge of concussion and CTE

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Repeat concussion, traumatic encephalopathy, head injury, brain damage. These are hot topics, especially in the world of contact sports. While there h...

The Personal Genome Project Canada's initial 56 participants: findings from whole genome sequencing

02 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Genetic testing technology has advanced rapidly and it is becoming more affordable to perform whole genome sequencing. Whole genome sequencing can rev...

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: diagnosis and management guideline

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Neonatal care has improved greatly in recent years. As an unintended consequence of these advances, more babies born with malformations such as congen...

Encounters — A resident wonders about "code status" and how best to explain to patients

28 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Phillip Gregoire reads his article called "Late night decisions." In the article, Dr. Gregoire reflects on the term "code status&qu...

Physician burnout: how to recognize it and what to do about it

15 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, Dr. Shannon Ruzycki discusses the problem of physician burnout. She offers practical advice to help physicians recognize it in them...

Bullying and victimization in childhood: effects on mental health during adolescence

14 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, we hear from three of the authors of a prospective cohort study on childhood peer victimization and its effect on mental health dur...