Playing with fire: The forest fire that razed 244 homes around Kelowna, BC, last month also wreaked havoc on the mental and physical health of some of the region's 100 000 residents and some of the 600 firefighters who fought the blaze. Dr. Nelson Ames, medical officer for the Kootenays Region, said cases of mental and physical exhaustion have surfaced, and some people were exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. There was also a significant increase in demand at mental health services in the Barriere area north of Kamloops. Ames said that on top of mental issues, the dense smoke spread by the 20 000-hectare blaze posed a potential respiratory risk to thousands. “We don't know for sure what the long-term impact will be,” he said. — Brad Mackay, Toronto
Tuition up in US too: Medical students in the US can expect tuition fee increases of 10% or more this year. Nonresidents of California attending the University of California at Los Angeles this year face a 20% hike, to US$27 417. The State University of New York has raised fees by 13%, to US$16 800. The Association of American Medical Colleges says such hikes may have a serious effect on debt load, which may in turn affect specialty choices or determine whether students enter medicine at all. This year's crop of medical graduates will harbour an average debt load of US$103 844. Canada's new doctors aren't far off, with some reporting debts of more than $100 000 (CMAJ 2003;169:457-8).
South African AIDS policy a form of genocide? The chair of the South African Medical Association (SAMA) says his country's policy of “encouraging people to die of HIV/AIDS rather than live with it” is a form of genocide. “… All of us are involved in genocide, and all of us must stand up and stop the genocide of our people,” Dr. Kgosi Letlape told South Africa's Cape Times. Activists are also criticizing the government for its response to the disease, which has already infected about 5 million people. At 1 hospital in Durban, about 90% of patients are HIV positive. Meanwhile, the SAMA reports that hospital conditions are deteriorating throughout the country, and 85% of people are not receiving basic health care.
Saying thanks by bike: No sooner had Dr. David Snadden, the newly hired leader of the Northern Medical Program at the University of Northern British Columbia, arrived in Prince George from Scotland than he was off to Tumbler Ridge — 400 km away — on a bicycle. Snadden, an avid cyclist, wanted to thank the town for becoming the first of 19 northern communities to raise its pledged amount — $65 000 — for the Northern Medical Programs Trust, which will help train and retain doctors. So far $250 000 has been raised, and the goal is $6 million. The 4-day trip “was a nice way to see the countryside and thank the people who had made a big effort on our behalf,” says Snadden. — Heather Kent, Vancouver
Malpractice suit nets $2.3 million: Saskatchewan's Court of Appeal has upheld an award of $2.3 million to a former Regina resident whose condition was misdiagnosed. Ila Branscombe, then 26, underwent 32 radiation treatments for a malignant brain tumour and took 35 steroid pills daily. When her condition didn't improve, she went to a neurosurgeon who told her the tumour wasn't malignant and was operable. The tumour was removed May 30, 1995, but her condition did not improve, and was complicated by seizures. Branscombe sued the surgical pathologist who provided the original diagnosis. Branscombe, who now lives in a BC treatment home for patients with brain injuries, has cognitive and memory problems.
Florida sets malpractice cap: The Sunshine State has joined 6 others in setting a limit for noneconomic damages awarded in medical malpractice cases. Nineteen states are in the midst of a medical liability crisis that has physicians leaving, retiring or discontinuing some services because they cannot afford or cannot obtain malpractice insurance. In Florida, some obstetricians' insurance premiums exceed US$200 000 annually. The state decided in August to put a US$500 000 cap on noneconomic damages against individual physicians, although Republicans and the Florida Medical Association had wanted a US$250 000 cap. Texas, Idaho and West Virginia are the only states so far to set a US$250 000 cap. Nevada and Ohio's reforms included a $350 000 cap, while Mississippi enacted a US$500 000 limit.
“There she is…” Miss Wisconsin, an aspiring pediatrician, is promoting organ and tissue donation as she vies for the Miss America title. Dr. Tina Sauerhammer, who at 22 recently graduated from medical school, wants to help change the face of the Miss America pageants. “For so many years, Miss America was thought of as being a beauty pageant,” said Sauerhammer. She hopes her credentials may make people “question what this is about — it's not about beauty. It's about scholarships for women.” If she wins the contest, Sauerhammer plans to promote organ and tissue donation, since her father died awaiting a kidney transplant. Organizers say she is the second physician to compete for the tiara.
BC disciplinary registry: The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons is hoping to launch an online physician registry that will provide information on professional qualifications and any disciplinary action taken against a doctor. The college meets next month to decide the precise timing and scope of the initiative. The services are patterned after registries maintained by the Ontario college since 1997. In 2002, there were 1141 complaints against BC's 8500 practising MDs. Almost 700 involved ethical issues, 434 were related to medical performance and 33 alleged sexual misconduct. — Compiled by Barbara Sibbald, CMAJ
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Photo by: UNBC