M e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 0

Right Brain Released - 2011 - Members Art Show

W i n t e r / 11

Painting by Dr.Dryer

An old anecdote is told about the famous Canadian writer, Margaret Lawrence. While attending a cocktail party, she is introduced to a surgeon.During conversation, the surgeon tells Lawrence that upon retirement, he hopes to write. She retorts similarly, and shares that upon retirement,she intends to practice surgery.

Today’s modern physicians and surgeons no longer pine away their medical practice years waiting to unleash their inner artist at retirement.Our generation of medical practitioners has learned that medical careers are enhanced by participation in the arts. Medical schools now recognizethis, and favour candidates who possess a broad range of interests and hobbies outside of science and medicine.

Active participation in the visual or performance arts, music, or writing can be a relaxing break from the heavy demands and daily toil of ourwork. In the words of the late American writer, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., “'The arts are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicingan art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.”

PEI boasts a large number of highly-talented and creative doctors, many of whom who have already had gallery exposure of their works. Thesecond annual Medical Society of PEI, Art Exhibit by Island Docs, “'Right Brain, Released,” was initiated to showcase local medical artistictalent.

The purpose of the event is multifold: first, it is intended to be a non-judgmental, friendly environment for all artistic talents and styles. Secondly,we hope to share this creative output with each other - and with our larger community, including our patients. We wish to show the artistic sidebehind the doctors in PEI. We also want this event to start a dialogue about art itself, and its role in creative living. Participating in art engagesthe senses in a way that broadens one’s mind and imagination. Lastly, and most importantly, the plan is to have fun! The opening night galaevent on March 31, 2010, at the Art's Guild in Charlottetown. The show will be open from March 29 until April 12.

oneM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Time to get ready for the MSPEI art show, Right Brain,Released 2011. Many of you have showed interest andmay we offer some responses to your FAQs:

Q. Can poetry/prose be submitted?A: This is primarily a visual arts show and is intended forpaintings, drawings, pottery, crafts, and other forms ofvisual media. As much as we love all forms of creativity,we would prefer to focus on the visual arts for this showand welcome any and all interest in forming another venuefor other forms of member creativity. Having said that,if you are able to present poetic art forms in a visualmanner, such as in a frame suitable for hanging, pleasediscuss this with one of our committee organizers.

Q. Can my spouse/child enter the show?A: We do not doubt that our members have highly creativeand talented family members, but we do ask thatsubmissions be limited to MSPEI members only.

Q. How many pieces may I enter in the show?A: There is no limit on submissions by members. Pleasediscuss your submissions with a committee organizer.

Q. May I submit a piece that was entered inl ast year's show?A: Yes, but of course, new works are encouraged - wewould love to have a truly original show every year.

Q. When are submissions due?A: The show is to run from Tuesday March 29 untilSunday April 10, 2011. We need all submissions by 9:00amMONDAY MARCH 21, 2011 - this date is earlier thanyou think!

Q. Where is the show to be held?A: The fabulous Guild gallery in the heart of downtownCharlottetown!

Q. Who is on this Committee?A: The committee is Dr. Jenn Ashby, Heather Mullen andDr. Jenni Zelin (see photo below). Any questions can besent to heather@mspei.org.

Bring your Family to the Gala Opening March 29.Dr. Amanullah, Artist in 2010 show with his family.

Dr. Ashby and grandson Sebastien Nguyen examineDr. Wong’s exhibit at the 2010 opening Gala.

Dr. Dryer with one of her paintings at our 2010 Gala. Herartwork is displayed on the cover of the newsletter.

twoM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Mark your Calenders!!!FEBRUARYFebruary 2, 2011: CAEP Roadshow, Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, Halifax, NS.Infectious Disease Management in Emergency Medicine. See: www.caep.ca

Wednesday, February 23 - 9am-4pm:Clinical Day - Don't Have a STROKE: Miss Daisy's Still Driving? Best Western Charlottetown - Stanhope Room• Dr. Gregg MacLean, Neurologist, Saint John Regional Hospital - Embolic Stroke, Q & A - MS, Q & A• Dr. Tim Stultz, Geriatrician - The Elderly and Driving with Dementia• Trevor Lynch, Speech Pathologist, QEH - Aphasia• Graham Miner, Registrar of Motor Vehicles - Medical Fitness & Age-related Driving• Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Health Officer - 2011 Flu Update (to be confirmed)

Saturday, February 19, 2011Family Sleigh Ride, 2:00 p.m. at: Great Northern Adventures located at 924 Fort Augustus Road in Mount Herbert.Enjoy a 40 minute sleigh ride through the trails. After your ride a nice cup of hot chocolate and a cookie will be waitingfor you by the woodstove in the cabin. Also included is a visit in their petting zoo where the kids can feed a horse, cow,or play in the goat pen. RSVP to robin@mspei.org or call 368-7303.

MARCHMarch 29 - April 9, 2011Medical Society Members’ Art Show: RIGHT BRAIN, RELEASEDThe Guild Gallery, Grafton Street, CharlottetownSubmissions due: 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2011Gala opening: Evening - Thursday, March 31th

APRILApril (date TBA- look for Fax Alert, E-Mail Alert and posters):Clinical Day - Everything You Need to Know about Organ Transplants:The Transplant Team from Halifax has been invited to present a whole day on Transplants. We are in communicationwith them and the date is dependent on their availability.

JUNEJune 18, 2011: Medical Student Bursary Golf Tournament at Fox Meadows, Stratford: 1:00pm Shotgun startCME breakfast: Topic TBA - Awarding of prizes and Fun night to follow at the Culinary Institute, Charlottetown

JULYFriday July 15, 2011 - Noon- Annual Medical Student, Residents, & Members BBQLocation: Medical Society Gardens, 2 Myrtle Street, Stratford

SEPTEMBERSeptember 10, 2011:AGM, Shaw’s Hotel, Brackley Beach CME Sessions: TBA

Reminder to submit CME Supplementary Funding RequestsA friendly reminder to submit your CME Supplementary Funding for 2010.Funding applications and invoices must be received by Monday, February 28, 2011, to the Medical Society office, inorder to be eligible for 2010 funding.

threeM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Health literacy targeted in new CME course by Patrick Sullivan, January 4, 2011"You talk to your patients, but do they understand?"

That is the blunt premise behind a new online CME course on health literacy that was launched in November by the Public HealthAgency of Canada, the CMA and several other groups. The goal is to teach physicians to recognize that the literacy levels of their patientsaffect the effectiveness of the care doctors provide, and to provide ways to ease this burden.

According to the course outline, 20% of Canadians lack the basic literacy skills needed simply to "participate in daily activities.""Overall, six in 10 patients who come to see us will not play a meaningful role in their care because they cannot understand what

we tell them," says Dr. Sam Shortt, the CMA's director of knowledge transfer and practice policy. "That's the message we're trying todeliver - patient health literacy is a problem, so let's recognize it and do something about it. If you give patients handouts about a disease,are you sure they can read it? Is it at a writing level they can understand? When you point them to a website, are you sure they know howvisit it?"

Shortt, who practises in Ottawa, compares the problem to an iceberg that remains well hidden because many patients do not wanttheir doctor to know the extent of their problem.

"They develop coping mechanisms," he says. "They cannot read the instruction sheet you gave them because they 'forgot theirglasses' or they'll 'read it at home.'"

The course, which takes 1.5 hours to complete and is eligible for CME credits, uses both video and case studies to discuss theliteracy issue. The goals are: * to outline the evidence that patient literacy affects the effectiveness of health care * to show why literacy affects the effectiveness of the work physicians do * to provide tools and strategies for dealing with the problemThe course stresses the need for clear written and verbal communication, and tools such as the "teach-back" technique are taught.

With that method, the physician is able to determine how well a concept has been explained. For example, the doctor can ask:"Can you show me how you're going to do this when you get home? I want to make sure I did a good job explaining this to you."

Shortt, who served on the course organizing committee, says many physicians are simply unaware of the extent of the literacyproblems facing their patients.

"The impact on patients can be huge, especially when it comes to management of chronic diseases such as diabetes," said Shortt."We know that active and informed patient participation in treating chronic illness will produce better outcomes. Doctors need to be awareof this and they should know how to screen for the problem."

Physicians can sign up for the free course at www.cma.ca/healthliteracy.The CME initiative ties in well with two 2010 resolutions passed by General Council. One called on the CMA to conduct an

"intensive awareness campaign" to make physicians aware of the impact of health literacy on the care they provide, and the other calledfor development of a national strategy to target the problem. Both projects would be completed in concert with provincial/territorialmedical associations.

(to be confirmed)

What’s our Role??

fiveM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Physicians’ involvement in smoking cessation counselling is KEY. As PEI’s physician spokesperson for SmokersHelpline, I applaud those of you who understand the importance of that quick office visit intervention. Researchcontinues to show that physician intervention increases smokers’ quit success rates. Unfortunately only a smallpercentage of physicians are making this important ‘ask’. Perhaps we do not fully appreciate how integral we areto patients’ decisions to attempt quitting.

The following is an edited for privacy version of an email I received from a staff member of the Medical Society.With permission, I would like to share it with you.

Recently, I was pleased to learn that you had suggested the use of the Smokers Helpline as a resource tomy husband to help with his struggle to remain smoke-free. Thank you! I write to share my personalexperience as it was rather humorous/incredible to have him come home and tell me about his “doctor’ssuggestion.”

You may know that a large part of my job is acting as MSPEI’s liaison on various health-related committeeswith government and NGOs. A large amount of time is designated to tobacco related issues. I sit onPETRA, Council for a Smoke-Free PEI, Smokers Helpline Advisory Committee, and the Cancer ScreeningInitiative Steering Committee.

Although my husband would argue otherwise, despite my knowledge and involvement, I have not beena nag about him quitting his 40 year + addiction (realizing it had to be HIS decision) but I certainly sharedeverything I possibly could about available cessation programs in PEI. If you could see his work area,garage and other places around our home, you would know how many prompts he has received aboutSmokers Helpline (posters, magnets, business cards etc. etc.). All I could do was be stunned at his perceptionof this being a “new idea.” I just smiled, bit my tongue and supported the idea.

All this to say, thanks!

At the time of this submission, this MSPEI staff member is happy to report that her husband has been smoke-freefor over 4 months.

SMOKERS HELPLINE, is a free service the Canadian Cancer Society provides to help people quit smoking.

Smokers Helpline is a confidential, non-judgmental program that provides practical information, coping techniques,inspirational comments and stories about others who are trying to quit smoking. Individual can register on-line at or calltoll-free 1-877-513-5333 for the one-on-one telephone counseling service.

Doctors are urged to use the FAX REFERRAL system. Have patients sign the form, fax it to the program and SmokersHelpline will contact the person directly. This provides the incentive many people need to get started. Fax Referral formsare available at . Click on HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, then on the SMOKERS HELPLINE box, then click the words FAXREFERRAL.

Your patients listen to your advice. Giving them information and connecting them directly to SMOKERS HELPLINE willget them on the road to a healthier life.

Submitted by PEI Physician Spokesperson, Smokers Helpline, Family Physician, Dr. Ed White

sixM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Read upon Radon

Read up on Radon - CMA advisesCanadians to get their house tested

The Canadian Medical Association andthe Canadian Lung Association havejoined forces with Health Canada to raiseawareness among Canadians of the effectradon exposure can have on their health. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactivegas that is invisible, odourless and tastelessand present in all homes.

Did you know?

o Eight to 15 percent of lung cancersare attributable to long term radonexposure.

o Radon exposure causes approximately2,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada everyyear.

o Exposure to radon is the leading causeof lung cancer in non-smokers, and thesecond leading cause (behind tobacco)for smokers.

o The combined effects of radon exposureand smoking create a risk greater than thetwo separately.

o Lung cancer risk due to radon exposuredepends on a combination of the level ofradon, the length of exposure to it, andan individual’s smoking habits.

Fact sheets for physicians and theirpatients about the health risks of radonhave been distributed to physician officesand clinics across the county. Additionalresources and a video on how to test forradon in the home can be found on theHealth Canada website.

eightM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Changes @ 2 Myrtle Street:You are invited to extenda warm welcome to Bobon Tuesday, January25th, here at the MedicalSociety building, 2 MyrtleStreet, Stratford, from4:00-8:00 p.m. You willalso have the opportunityto say your good-byes toDoug Lefurgey, who willbe returning to MD’sEdmonton office. Wethank Doug for hisprofessionalism andcamaraderie, and wishhim all the best in hisfuture endeavours.

Phot

o: J

ude

Woo

d

Welcome Robert (Bob) Burke, MD Management’snewest Financial Consultant!

nineM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

December 17, 2010 CBC Lobby - Dr. Charlie Trainor delivered a safedriving message and announced the final tally from MSPEI memberdonations to the 2010 CBC Turkey Drive. This year, Island physiciansand MSPEI staff collectively donated $9,545. The money provided 270families with an Island-grown turkey, assorted vegetables and cranberrysauce. Gratitude is extended to Dr. Trainor for his tireless efforts andever-improving success collecting donations - and of course to all whogave so generously.

A well attended Clinical Day entitled “Head2Toe” was held November 8th at Credit Union Place,Summerside. Left photo: Dr. Huy Nguyen, Dr. Derek Chaudhary, who spoke on “Renal Failure”,and Dr. Chris MacNearney. Right photo: Dr, Rachel Kassner, Dr. Dianne Theriault, guest speakeron “Osteoporisis”, and Dr. Chris MacNearney, Clinical Day host.

Dr. Scott Cameron’s daughter - Emily Cameron is on the 2012 OlympicRowing Team. (we ask ourselves what these Summerside Doc’s do toraise Oplympians!). Dr. Cameron has inspirational team calendersavailable. Help support the Olympic Dream locally!

All the best in the Summer of 2012, Emily!!!

ten

Notices:

M e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

We recently discovered that the urine drug testing done at the QEH is not very sensitive for picking up hydromorphone on the opiatescreen. In an effort to find a more sensitive method, Dr. Amy Lou is running a clinical trial of other available methodologies. Inorder to do so, she needs to gather as many samples as possible. If you order urine drug screening, and are looking for hydromorphonespecifically, could you please put "Attention, Dr. Lou" on the requisition and include patient age, sex, list of medications used anddosing, and opiate used with daily amount and time of last dosing. hopefully we will then get a screen result which is sensitive forhydromorphone. - Dr. Colohan

The second joint Canadian Conference on Physician Leadershipwill be co-hosted by the CMA and the Canadian Society ofPhysician Executives on May 11–14, 2011, in Vancouver. Theconference theme is “Effecting Change Through Influence.” Theaim of the conference is to engage physicians at all levels ofleadership, from physician executives to students and residents.The conference will feature a combination of interactive, practicalworkshops and engaging keynote speakers, including DavidMaxfield, co-author of Influencer: The Power to Change Anything.For further details and registration, visit www.2011leadership.ca.

The new 2010 Canadian Best Practice Recommendations forS t r o k e C a r e a r e r e l e a s e d :

www.strokebestpractices.ca

The Alzheimer Society of PEI is hosting FREE informationaland educational events from Jan 4th-31st. Join us for our spotlighton research evening! Thursday January 20th, 2011 6:00 pm -“Alzheimer Research: Where are we now” – Dr. JackalinaVanKampen, “Neurodegenerative Disease: PresymptomaticBiomarkers” - Dr. Andrew Tasker, “Living the Journey: Weneed Research Now” - Linda Boyle. Pre-registration required– 628-2257 or 1-866-629-2257. Location confirmed upon

registration. View a complete list of events at www.alzpei.ca

The 12th Annual Canadian Collaborative Mental Health CareConference is being held in Halifax, NS on June 23, 24, 25,

2011. More information is available at www.shared-care.ca.

Important Urine Drug Test

elevenM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Dr. Charles Dewar has been awarded the 2010Family Physician of the Year for Prince EdwardIsland. The Family Physician of the Year awardis awarded to the doctor who is recognized forhis or her outstanding qualities, includingexceptional care of patients, combined with asignificant contribution to the health and wellbeing of communities and/or societies.Dr. Charles Dewar has practiced the entiretyof his 56 year career in O'Leary, Prince EdwardIsland. Dr. Dewarís dedication to his familypractice is witnessed on a daily basis in theloyalty his patients have shown to him. Thissame loyalty is clearly matched by that whichhe has given back to his large ongoing fulltime practice.

“Dr. Dewar is an extremely dedicated andtalented family physician,” said MinisterBertram. “He has helped to shape the careersof many Island physicians and has touched thelives of many Islanders in West Princethroughout his 56 year practice. On behalf ofthe Government of Prince Edward Island, Iwant to thank Dr. Dewar for his contributionsand congratulate him on this outstandingaward.”

In addition to the Family Physician of the Yearaward, the CFPC has recognized two Islanderswith their Award of Excellence: Dr. GeorgeCarruthers and Dr. Mona Reck. The Award ofExcellence recognizes CFPC members whoin the last 12 -24 months have made anoutstanding contribution to family medicine.

Dr. Carruthers has demonstrated tremendousinitiative and commitment to the Island'smedical community and is being commendedfor a very successful first year as programdirector of the Prince Edward Island ResidencyProgram.

Dr. Reck is dedicated to her work withoncology, palliative care and geriatrics. Shehas written the CFPC exams via practiceeligible route. She is a very skilled clinicianwho serves her practice well, and is a resourceto her community.

Family Physician of the Year - 2010

Award of Excellence & Fond Farewell

Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram (left) was joined by Presidentof the PEI College of Family Physicians, Dr. Andrew Wohlgemut (right) to

congratulate Dr. Charles Dewar (centre) on his accomplishment.

Dr. Jill Cunniffe gives Dr. Mona Reck a gift at her informal retirement party.

tenM e d i c a l S o c i e t y o f P r i n c e E d w a r d I s l a n d - P u l s e N e w s l e t t e r - W i n t e r 2 0 1 1