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A talk on burnout in doctors at a recent conference in Vancouver provided good information and stimulated further exploration.
On June 2, 2011 US First Lady Michelle Obama and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the federal government's new food icon, MyPlate. MyPlate is a new generation icon with the intent to prompt consumers to make healthier food choices and to seek more information by going to 
Mistakes were made (but not by me): Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts... a book co-authored by Elliot Aronson.
When it comes to the privacy of personal health information everyone in British Columbia needs to know how FIPPA (also known as FOIPPA) is different from PIPA, and the same may apply in other jurisdictions across Canada and elsewhere.
Vancouver, BC - Z. Essak, April 22, 2014
2016-08-22 Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
News Items
Dr. James Busser
Public
I enjoyed the privilege of attending the celebration of the life of the late Jim Busser on this Friday past. I was already aware that he had been an exceptional human being, yet it was a remarkable revelation to listen to the recollections of those who rose to speak of their connections with him.
VMA and WMA hosting debate July 12 with President Elect candidates
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The VMA website, http://vancouvermedicalassociation.ca/ has a notice of a Special Event on July 12, 2017 featuring the candidates for DoctorsOfBC President Elect, Dr Cadesky and Dr Mahy, with Dr Arun Garg as moderator.
The event will be held at the Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver with pre-dinner cocktails at 17:30, dinner at 18:30 and the debate from 19:30 to 21:00.
The deadline to register for this event is Wednesday July 5th. I think this will be a very interesting event to attend.
With limited seats available I am happy to have mine confirmed and would encourage others interested in attending in person to get their reservations in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment or the risk of forgetting to register in time with the long weekend almost upon us followed by a short week that is bound to be busy as the deadline to register approaches.
Why BC needs a change of Government in this election
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Dr. Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC - May 5, 2017.
Yes - this is an important election. Some people have already voted at early polls ahead of the general election day on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Meanwhile, many are still undecided how they will vote.
After 16 years of the same party, the BC Liberals in office since 2001, there are compelling reasons for a change.
Will the new BC Societies Act transition be a train wreck?
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Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC - February 13, 2017.
No one can deny the importance of BC societies to communities large and small throughout the province, assisting all kinds of people as charitable and not for profit societies, including associations that represent occupations and professions.
What can we learn from the early example of transition by the Doctors of BC, the BC Medical Association, formerly a Reporting Society, declaring themselves to be a member-funded society and escaping public disclosure. Do they even meet the required criteria?
When we ask, it may come as a shock to learn the BC Registry is not confirming compliance requirements are met. Is the BC Government failing to provide proper leadership and oversight to the tasks of government?
Is the public trust being neglected? Will there be havoc on public interest and individual rights? Are we going to see a train wreck?
Viscose rayon and health effects on workers during manufacturing
Public
Paul Blanc, University of California professor of medicine, chair of occupational and environmental medicine and author of the book "Fake Silk - The Lethal History of Viscose Rayon" has written about the dangers and health effects to workers in the manufacturing of these materials.
In a recent radio interview on CBC The Current he talks of the dangers and medical effects of exposure to carbon disulfide used in the manufacturing process and the diversity of products. He speaks of places where there are better working conditions and worker safeguards while there are other places where this is not so.
The toxic effects of carbon disulfide are dramatic and onset early. It easily travels into brain tissue and causes insanity along with other medical problems.
Opinion: B.C. doctors have been kept in the dark about Doctors of BC bylaw amendments
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Dr Caroline Wang, Vancouver BC. January 18, 2017.
Doctors of BC members are being encouraged by the association’s leadership to vote in favour of proposed bylaw amendments to relinquish their democratic right to elect the board of directors. If passed, the new policies and governance structure would, in effect, disenfranchise the approximately 12,000 physician members as the owners of the sole representative association for the medical profession in B.C.
Most worrisome, the majority of doctors appear to be unaware of the profound implications and risks of the proposed changes that would impact physicians, patients and the health-care system. It’s little wonder that the vast majority of doctors, who are interested in practising medicine and not trained in matters of policy governance, would choose to ignore the governance referendum as irrelevant to their practice. They don’t know what they don’t know.
New Governance with Representative Assembly for Doctors of BC - Part 1
Public
Voting on the Doctors Of BC, BC Medical Association, proposed Bylaws change will close in a few days. Voting on the Governance Referendum began on December 6, 2016 and closes on midnight January 18th, 2017.
The Doctors of BC information provided to members on the proposed bylaws change was also released as news to the public on the Internet and urges members to support the changes.
Cannabis, marijuana, what do we know?
Public
2016-10-16 Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
Cannabis is a plant that has been part of human history for thousands of years and on every continent. The uses of cannabis are far beyond just medical and recreational use.
Legalizing cannabis with regulations and taxation may simply perpetuate a narrow view rather than create greater openness, understanding and economic growth.
The Canadian Medical Association 2016 survey showed that almost 40% (39.7%) of doctors agreed or strongly agreed that people should be allowed to grow their own plants, another 22.7% didn't know, and less than 40% (37.6%) of doctors disagreed or strongly disagreed.
What will be the recommendations of the Task Force on Marijuana Legalization and Regulation? Chaired by Anne McLellan, former deputy prime minister under Paul Martin and former health and justice minister.
What will Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the federal Liberal party, and the Government of Canada decide to do?
What do we really know about cannabis?
Is cannabis more than just good for medical and health use, is it also good for the economy and the environment?
