- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Disasters: health consequences for rescue workers
![Figure](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/176/9/1255.1/F1.medium.gif)
Figure. Photo by: Associated Press
After working to rescue people and secure a disaster area, rescue workers may find that months or years pass before they experience psychological and physical health problems. Following a major explosion in the Netherlands, Morren and coworkers analyzed sickness absences in a large group of local rescue workers and a control group of distant (i.e., uninvolved) workers over 4 years, including the 6 months preceding the disaster. In a related commentary, Galea reflects on the implications of this research for population health and clinical practice.
Wait times for cataract surgery
In this systematic review, Hodge and colleagues ask whether the length of the wait for cataract surgery affects patient outcomes. Indeed, they found that patients who waited less than 6 weeks experienced better outcomes than those who waited longer than 6 months.
See page 1285
A new role for pharmacists
Pharmacist prescribing is scheduled to begin in Alberta in April 2007. In this commentary, Pearson describes the historical role of pharmacists and the transition to the new prescribing model.
See page 1295
Sleep disorders in an aging population
Early to bed and early to rise: this pattern may be a sign of aging rather than of health! In this, the first of 2 articles, Wolkove and colleagues review sleep-related disorders that are commonly found among older patients. (Principles of treatment will be summarized in part 2.)
See page 1299
Practice
![Figure](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/176/9/1255.1/F2.medium.gif)
Figure.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: an often fatal, yet misdiagnosed, condition. Using a case report as an example, Weir and Cohen highlight the signs and treatments of this disease (page 1271).
![Figure](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/176/9/1255.1/F3.medium.gif)
Figure.
Behçet's syndrome: McDonald and colleagues present the case of a man displaying several symptoms and signs of this condition (page 1273).