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2019-06-21 Vancouver, BC
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the growing list of names for different generations; boomers, gen-X, millenials, zoomers and what follows? Here are a couple of links that may help.
Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver BC - June 6, 2021.
Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver BC - March 4, 2018
The $118 million announced consisting of $75 million new money plus redistribution of existing funds as a "stabilization fund" is an interim measure, a one-time handout over 4 months October 2022 to Jan. 31st, 2023, to help family physicians (FP) in the community, both longitudinal practices and walk-in clinics with overhead costs to keep their doors open until January 2023. This first step is intended to buy more time for the government and DoBC to develop a "new payment model" that will be introduced and implemented. According to DoBC President's letter, the new model will be based on compensation determined by a number of factors including time, patient encounters, and attachments/complexity.
Dr Carmen Eadie, Vancouver BC, Sep 4, 2022.
2019-03-12 Dr Z.Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC - May 20, 2022
A new one hour documentary by Aaron Gunn, "Waiting To Die - Canada's Health Care Crisis" was released yesterday (August 14, 2023) and in the first day it had more than 23,000 views and more than 700 comments from people sharing their own experiences and thoughts.News Items
Will the new BC Societies Act transition be a train wreck?
Public
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?
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.
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?
Do we need public oversight to the conduct of Judges?
Public
2016-10-05 Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
Before we reach a crisis with the Judiciary in Canada is it time for public oversight to the conduct of Judges?
Recently, we have seen the case in Alberta where justice has been delayed and could possibly be derailed because a Judge was not up to date with applicable laws.
We have also seen a case of inappropriate remarks by a Judge, on keeping legs together, raising questions as to him continuing as a Judge.
These are not isolated cases. The Canadian Judicial Council receives many complaints annually, 159 in 2014 and 173 in 2015, on the conduct of Judges from across the country. How do they deal with them?
Will the Federal Government introduce legislation to add public oversight to the Canadian Judicial Council and committee responsible for dealing with complaints on the conduct of Judges?
Don't get swept away by the spin on health care
Public
2016-08-22 Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
We better be careful not to get swept away by the spin of BC Liberals pre-election buzz.
And when it comes to the spin on health care they're not alone.
The same spin seems to be coming from the leaders of the medical association DoctorsOfBC. Is this the result of being co-managers of BC healthcare for almost a decade through the GPSC and other initiatives?
Is it any surprise they are all so complimenting of each other?
What are we to believe? That they have a plan? That it's going to work, someday, soon?
Yes, the plan to spend tax payer dollars is happening. Billions of dollars and hundreds of millions over budget. So where are the results?
The future of medicine and health care in BC and Canada: Where are we going?
Public
2016-07-21 Dr Z. Essak, MD - Vancouver, BC
What is the future of medicine and health care in BC and Canada? Where are we going?
While everyone is out having fun in the summertime, the Government and other organizations, use the time to put out information they know few people will have time to see or digest. Much like they also use the busy time of Christmas and the winter holiday season to slip through items. Some people may just consider it prudent timing, others may see it as deliberate avoidance of proper public consultation.
The Patient-Physician Covenant: An Affirmation of Asklepios from Annals of Internal Medicine
Public
Medicine is, at its center, a moral enterprise grounded in a covenant of trust. This covenant obliges physicians to be competent and to use their competence in the patient's best interests. Physicians, therefore, are both intellectually and morally obliged to act as advocates for the sick wherever their welfare is threatened and for their health at all times.
Today, this covenant of trust is significantly threatened.
Requirements to be Deputy Registrar at College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSBC) – Is something different?
Public
Z. Essak, MD – Vancouver, BC – 2015 Apr 23
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC is looking to hire a new Deputy Registrar with the deadline for applications of April 30, 2015 fast approaching.
Is there something different about the experience required in this job posting – “a career opportunity in medical regulation”?
The proven experience and qualifications all candidates should have begins with, "minimum 10 years of senior administrative experience in a complex health-related organization (e.g. regulator, health authority, association, etc.)"
Also the requirements, while including "medical degree preferred", are open to others with "master of business/health administration or law degree also accepted".
Is this a sign of changes or a shift underway at the College (CPSBC)?
Rick Mercer's 2013 Rant - Scientists Muzzled Again
Public
This is one of my favorite Rick's Rants. In less than 2 minutes he lays it all out. Beginning with the problem for scientists then in the middle he turns it up a notch, "Get over yourselves. It's not like scientists are the only ones being told to shut up. No, it's everyone." Then after some fine examples he ends with a polite, "Thank you for not talking." A great entertaining and thought provoking rant.
are you sure you want to drive this car ?
Public
You are done driving your bicycle, as you have successfully completed your race car driving school.
You decide that it is time to buy a car and put your training to use, driving people around, to feed your family, pay your student loans, mortgage etc …
You go to the only car dealerships available, all state owned dealerships, and you have no choice as they have a state sanctioned monopoly.
