CFP Podcast
Canadian Family Physician (CFP) is Canada's only peer reviewed family medicine journal. Join Dr. Nick Pimlott, Editor of CFP, and Dr. Sarah Fraser, Deputy Editor of CFP, as they interview contributing authors to the journal each month.
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Navigating the landscape of health data, health informatics and digital health: a conversation with Dr Rashaad Bhyat
07/11/2024
Navigating the landscape of health data, health informatics and digital health: a conversation with Dr Rashaad Bhyat
In this episode of the CFP Podcast, join Deputy Editor Dr Sarah Fraser and Editor Dr Nick Pimlott in a wide-ranging discussion about health data, health informatics and digital health with Dr Rashaad Bhyat, a family physician and Senior Clinical Leader at the Centre for Clinical Innovation in Digital Health, a branch of Canada Health Infoway.
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Deprescribing sedatives: a discussion with two pharmacists
06/13/2024
Deprescribing sedatives: a discussion with two pharmacists
When are sleep aids indicated? What is the evidence behind melatonin? Why do sedatives put patients at risk for pneumonia? Learn all this and more in this week’s episode of the CFP Podcast. Drs Sarah Fraser and Nick Pimlott interview two pharmacists about the topic of insomnia and deprescribing sedatives. Dr David Gardner is a pharmacist and the Director of Research in Community Psychiatry at Dalhousie University and Dr. Stephanie Lynch is a pharmacist with a Family Health Team in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen’s University in Belleville, Ontario. In this podcast, the guests share their expertise on the topic of insomnia. Topics covered range from the evidence on the effectiveness of sedatives, important side effects of these drugs, and approaches to deprescribing them for your patients. Below you can find links to two of the resources mentioned by the guests:
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Staying human during residency training
05/30/2024
Staying human during residency training
Join CFP Editor, Dr. Nick Pimlott, and Deputy Editor, Dr. Sarah Fraser, as they interview Dr. Alan Peterkin on the release of the 25th anniversary edition of the book “Staying Human During Residency Training: How to Survive and Thrive after Medical School”, which he co-authored with Dr. Derek Puddester. They discuss topics ranging from the pervasiveness of burnout in medicine, the value of the medical humanities and narrative medicine, continuing to find meaning in medicine, and why the book, now in its seventh edition, remains a valuable resource on being and staying well, not just for residents, but for all physicians. Dr. Peterkin is a Professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Toronto, where he founded the Program in Health, Arts and Humanities. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Psychiatric Association and Senior Fellow at Massey College, co-founder of Creating Space-Canada’s annual medical humanities meeting, a co-founder of the award-winning Canadian literary journal Ars Medica, and has been a humanities editorial consultant to CMAJ and Medical Humanities(BMJ). Links to Drs. Peterkin and Puddester’s book can be found at . More information about Dr. Peterkin’s work in narrative medicine can be found at .
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Planetary health lens for primary care
05/16/2024
Planetary health lens for primary care
Join CFP Deputy Editor, Dr. Sarah Fraser, and Editor, Dr. Nick Pimlott, as they interview Dr. Samantha Green and Dr. Ilona Hale about the concept of planetary health and the role that family doctors can and must play in ensuring it. Dr. Green is an academic family doctor in Toronto and the President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Dr. Hale is a rural family physician in Kimberley, BC with a longstanding interest in and commitment to planetary health. The interview is based on a Commentary that Drs. Green and Hale co-authored with Dr. Meghan Davis and Dr. Jessica Nowlan entitled in the of Canadian Family Physician.
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The future of family medicine in Canada
03/14/2024
The future of family medicine in Canada
Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott as he interviews Dr. Alan Katz and Dr. Alex Singer, family physicians and family medicine researchers at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Dr. Katz is a Professor in the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Family Medicine. Dr. Singer is an Associate Professor and the Director for the Office of Research & Quality Improvement, and the Director of the Manitoba Primary Care Research Network. The interview is based on a Commentary article in the March issue of the journal entitled “The Future of Family Medicine in Canada”. Together they discuss four key ways to address the current crisis in Canadian family medicine to strengthen primary care.
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Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia
02/22/2024
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia
In this episode of the podcast, Dr Sarah Fraser interviews Dr Shayna Watson about CBT for insomnia. They delve into the ins and outs of a non-pharmacologic approach to insomnia management, including the things you can do to help patients in your busy family medicine clinic.
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Quality of Mind – An Interview with the 2023 Ian McWhinney Lecturer Dr. Iona Heath
02/01/2024
Quality of Mind – An Interview with the 2023 Ian McWhinney Lecturer Dr. Iona Heath
Join Dr. Nick Pimlott and Dr. Sarah Fraser as they interview Dr. Iona Heath, the 2023 Dr. Ian McWhinney Lecturer at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University. Dr. Heath’s McWhinney Lecture was published in the December 2023 issue of the journal. They discuss Dr. Heath’s discovery of Ian McWhinney’s “Quality of Mind” – the title of her lecture – when she first read his Textbook of Family Medicine as a young general practitioner, his lifelong influence on her thinking and practice, and how his ideas about the essential values of family medicine can help guide the profession through one of most challenging periods in its recent history. Dr. Heath’s September 20th, 2023 Dr. Ian McWhinney Lecture can accessed here: The published lecture can be accessed here:
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Thoughtful prescribing for patients with difficult-to-treat depression
11/30/2023
Thoughtful prescribing for patients with difficult-to-treat depression
Join Dr Nick Pimlott for this episode of the CFP Podcast as he interviews Alex Crawley and Amy Soubolsky from the Rx Files Academic Detailing Program in Saskatchewan about the management of difficult-to-treat depression in primary care. The interview is based on an article published in the November issue of the journal entitled “”. Mr. Crawley and Ms. Soubolsky are co-authors of the article with their colleague Jessica Visentin. Together they discuss a case-based careful step wise approach to this challenging area of clinical practice.
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PEER simplified lipid guideline 2023 update
10/26/2023
PEER simplified lipid guideline 2023 update
Join Drs Nick Pimlott and Sarah Fraser as they co-host this CFP podcast on the new PEER Simplified Lipid Guideline: 2023 Update. They interview Dr Mike Kolber, lead author on the paper, which is published in October’s issue of the journal. They discuss the process of how he and his team developed these guidelines, and they take a deep dive into the evidence behind dyslipidemia screening, prevention, and treatment. Read the guidelines in English: . Access the guidelines in French: . Check out the systematic review that informed the guidelines: .
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Social accountability in family medicine
10/05/2023
Social accountability in family medicine
Join Dr Sarah Fraser in this podcast with 4th year medical student Nusha Ramsoondar and Dr Alex Anawati. They discuss their recent publications in September’s issue of CFP, on the themes of social accountability and anti-racism in medicine. You can find the original publications here: Nusha Ramsoondar is a 4th year medical student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s Thunder Bay campus. She hopes to practice in Northern Ontario. Alex Anawati is a primary care and emergency room physician advancing social accountability as an equity-oriented health policy strategy. He is co-lead for the SAFE for Health Institutions Project at the Dr Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity.
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Screening for primary prevention of fragility fractures: how much time does it take?
08/31/2023
Screening for primary prevention of fragility fractures: how much time does it take?
Providing preventive care can be time consuming, and potential benefits have to be weighed against risks and costs. Dr Nick Pimlott interviews Drs Roland Grad, Donna Reynolds, and Guylène Thériault about their work on a new guideline on screening for fragility fractures and how the concept of “time needed to treat” is gaining importance in guideline development. Read their Prevention in Practice review article in the August 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician in English () or French (). Access the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care’s Fragility Fracture Decision Aid at: .
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Third Rail: Physician Wellness
07/20/2023
Third Rail: Physician Wellness
In this Third Rail edition of the podcast Dr. Sarah Fraser has a conversation with Dr. Shane Neilson about mental illness in physicians as well as Dr. Neilson's new book . Shane Neilson is a physician, poet, and critic from New Brunswick, now practising in Guelph, Ontario. He published Saving: A Doctor's Struggle to Help His Children, a memoir about intergenerational disability in conversation with professional medical practice, with Great Plains Publishing in 2023. Shane completed his Ph.D at McMaster where his dissertation on the representations of chronic pain in Canadian literature received the Governor-General's Gold Medal. An adjunct professor of family medicine at the Waterloo Regional Campus of McMaster University, Shane's academic interest concerns disability, non-neurotypicality, and chronic illness in the profession of medicine.
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Third Rail: Gender-affirming care and 2SLGBTQ+ health, part 2
06/15/2023
Third Rail: Gender-affirming care and 2SLGBTQ+ health, part 2
The importance of language to the care of 2SLGBTQ+ patients, the discrimination that 2SLGBTQ+ health care professionals face, and the current political climate shape part 2 of this conversation that Dr Sarah Fraser hosts with Drs Robyn Moxley, Andrew Organek, and Thea Weisdorf. These podcast guests and Toronto-based family doctors contributed the following articles to the June 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician: “Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ patients in your practice”: « Soutenir les patients 2SLGBTQ+ dans votre pratique »: “Affirming pregnancy care for transgender and gender-diverse patients”: “Should all family physicians provide gender-affirming primary care?”:
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Third Rail: Gender-affirming care and 2SLGBTQ+ health, part 1
06/08/2023
Third Rail: Gender-affirming care and 2SLGBTQ+ health, part 1
The care of 2SLGBTQ+ patients is a natural fit for family practices, yet many family doctors fear they lack relevant skills and instead refer patients to other providers. Dr Sarah Fraser discusses such barriers to care and how family physicians can create safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ patients with Drs Robyn Moxley, Andrew Organek, and Thea Weisdorf.
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Importance of symptoms to the practice of family medicine
06/01/2023
Importance of symptoms to the practice of family medicine
Symptoms drive patients to seek primary care, but the fact that up to half never lead to a diagnosis is a challenge; it’s also an opportunity to refresh how symptoms are viewed in family medicine. Dr Nick Pimlott hosts a discussion with Dr Thomas Freeman and Dr Moira Stewart about the implications of paying greater attention to symptoms for patient care, research, and teaching. Check out their research on abdominal pain symptoms in the May 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician: . Their informative essay on studying symptoms in family practice appeared in the March 2020 issue: .
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The value of family medicine
04/27/2023
The value of family medicine
Continuous, longitudinal care results in better patient outcomes and health care savings, so how can this evidence be leveraged to address the crisis in family medicine? Dr Nick Pimlott Interviews Drs Michael Kolber, Tina Korownyk, and Jennifer Young about the case for investing in primary care. Read their article in the April 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician: .
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Team-based care for patients with chronic noncancer pain
04/13/2023
Team-based care for patients with chronic noncancer pain
The success of an innovative nurse-led program points to a way to rethink how family practices help patients manage chronic noncancer pain. Dr Nick Pimlott interviews Dr Hillel Finestone about the initiative and how other clinics could adopt this approach. Dr Finestone is a Professor in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa and a physiatrist at Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital. Read his article in the March issue of Canadian Family Physician and go to the CFPlus tab to access the tools highlighted in this episode: .
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Third Rail: Data dispel myths about generational practice patterns
03/30/2023
Third Rail: Data dispel myths about generational practice patterns
The popular narrative about newer cohorts of family physicians working less than their predecessors is disputed by data published in 2022. In this Third Rail edition of the CFP Podcast, Dr Sarah Fraser interviews Dr Ruth Lavergne, a researcher at Dalhousie University, about her findings and ideas for strengthening primary care—which include supporting longitudinal care, addressing administrative workloads, and moving away from the unhelpful focus on generational differences. Read Dr Lavergne’s research article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal at .
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Proper timing of medication use in older patients
03/16/2023
Proper timing of medication use in older patients
With polypharmacy common among older patients, proper administration of medications and avoidance of drug-food interactions are extremely important. Dr Nick Pimlott interviews pharmacists Alex Crawley and Erin Yakiwchuk about everyday pitfalls, practical tips, and the value of team-based care in addressing these issues. Alex Crawley is Associate Director and Erin Yakiwchuk is a member of the RxFiles Academic Detailing Program at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Read their article, “,” in the February 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician.
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Third Rail: What is lifestyle medicine?
03/02/2023
Third Rail: What is lifestyle medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is an innovative form of primary care that could help shift our system to focus on wellness and prevention rather than disease. Dr Sarah Fraser hosts a chat with Dr Sheila Lakhoo about the benefits of this approach as well as barriers that exist in accessing and practising lifestyle medicine. Dr Lakhoo is a family physician in Toronto, Ont, who received a diploma in lifestyle medicine from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine in 2020.
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How primary care transformation could enhance the entire health system
02/16/2023
How primary care transformation could enhance the entire health system
Solutions to the health care crisis exist if political will can be found to change. Dr Rick Glazier shares inspiring insights on both the challenges and opportunities before us in this conversation with your host, Dr Nick Pimlott. Among his many roles, Dr Glazier is a family physician in Toronto, Ont, a renowned researcher, and a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Read his related in the January 2023 issue of Canadian Family Physician.
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Meaningful steps toward improving Indigenous health
02/02/2023
Meaningful steps toward improving Indigenous health
Concrete actions designed to ensure health care aligns with the needs of Indigenous people and communities are the focus of this conversation that Dr Nick Pimlott hosts with Drs Mandy Buss and Veronica McKinney. They discuss the CFPC’s Declaration of Commitment to cultural safety and humility, key resources that support related learning in family medicine, and new tools being developed. Drs Buss and McKinney are members of the CFPC’s Indigenous Health Committee. Resources: Declaration of Commitment English: French: CanMEDS–Family Medicine Indigenous Health Supplement English: French:
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Third Rail: Secrecy and stigma; supporting older adults who use substances
01/19/2023
Third Rail: Secrecy and stigma; supporting older adults who use substances
Older people are using substances at a high rate, yet stigma and ageism often prevent them from obtaining appropriate and compassionate care. Dr Sarah Fraser chats with Dr Lara Nixon and Dr Cathy Scrimshaw about what physicians and the system at large can do to enhance access to services, reduce harm, and treat patients with dignity. Dr Nixon is an FP in Calgary and Dr Scrimshaw is Medical Director of the Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction with the Alberta College of Family Physicians.
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Perseverance of family medicine amid war in Ukraine
01/05/2023
Perseverance of family medicine amid war in Ukraine
Almost 1 year after the Russian invasion of his country, Ukrainian family physician Dr Oleksii Korzh shares his experiences with host Dr Sarah Fraser. Dr Korzh talks about how medical needs and care have changed during the conflict. Find out why family doctors have never been more important to Ukraine’s health care system in this special episode of the CFP Podcast. Dr Korzh is Head of the Department of General Practice and Family Medicine at the Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. Read Dr Korzh’s related .
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Family physician practice patterns during COVID-19 and future intentions
12/15/2022
Family physician practice patterns during COVID-19 and future intentions
New research shows that family practices were open and seeing patients at the height of the second wave of the pandemic—despite media reports to the contrary. Dr Nick Pimlott interviews Dr Tara Kiran about her important findings and opportunities to rethink how primary care is organized in Canada. in the November 2022 issue of Canadian Family Physician and share your thoughts on this episode at .
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Third Rail: Problems with medical publishing and peer review, part 2
11/17/2022
Third Rail: Problems with medical publishing and peer review, part 2
Flaws in the peer review process and opportunities for improvement are covered in part 2 of our interview with Dr Richard Smith, a well-known former editor of the BMJ. Hosts Dr Sarah Fraser and Dr Nick Pimlott ask Dr Smith about discrimination in peer review and the future of open access publishing.
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Maturation of the Rourke Baby Record
11/10/2022
Maturation of the Rourke Baby Record
The Rourke Baby Record, used across Canada today, is an early example of a clinical resource developed by family physicians for family physicians. Your host Dr Nick Pimlott chats with Drs Leslie and James Rourke about the tool’s origins, challenging aspects of its evolution, and its next iteration coming in 2024. Read the related commentary, “,” in the October 2022 issue of Canadian Family Physician.
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Third Rail: Problems with medical publishing and peer review, part 1
11/03/2022
Third Rail: Problems with medical publishing and peer review, part 1
Hard truths about medical journals are examined with unflinching honesty in part 1 of this discussion with Dr Richard Smith, a well-known former editor of the BMJ. Hosts Dr Sarah Fraser and Dr Nick Pimlott get Dr Smith’s take on how physicians consume journal articles, research quality, and what publications should strive to do.
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A vision for the development of primary care research
09/19/2022
A vision for the development of primary care research
As the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) celebrates its 50th anniversary, Dr Nick Pimlott hosts Dr Vivian Ramsden in a chat about the organization’s success and plans for the future. Dr Ramsden, NAPCRG’s incoming president and the first nurse to serve in the role, shares insights about the evolution of patient-led research and the value of relationships in this work. Read Dr Ramsden’s commentary, “,” in the September 2022 issue of Canadian Family Physician.
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Third Rail: Incorporating psychotherapy into family medicine training: Part 2
09/06/2022
Third Rail: Incorporating psychotherapy into family medicine training: Part 2
How to use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to address medically unexplained symptoms is explored in part 2 of this discussion between Dr Sarah Fraser and Dr Peter MacKean. They examine the 5 areas of CBT that family doctors should be attuned to and how applying CBT principles can also benefit physicians—including prevention of burnout.
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