- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Treatment of tobacco dependence
In this narrative review, Le Foll and George describe the current state of knowledge regarding determinants of tobacco use and discuss the options available for the management of tobacco dependence.
See page 1373
Capacity and consent in Canada
This issue's Editorial criticizes the marked variation in capacity and consent legislation among Canadian provinces and illustrates how this creates challenges for patients and clinicians alike.
See page 1329
Subclinical tumours and thyroid carcinoma incidence
The incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is increasing. In this longitudinal study over 12 years from a large cancer registry, Kent and colleagues found that small (≤ 2 cm), subclinical tumours accounted for the increased incidence, suggesting that advances in medical imaging, rather than a change in disease pattern, may be responsible. In a related commentary, How and Tabah discuss how these findings fit within the global body of evidence on thyroid carcinoma incidence.
Primary care and emergency department use among elderly patients
In this population-based cross-sectional study of records for 95 173 elderly Quebec residents, Ionescu-Ittu and colleagues found that having no primary physician and having a low level of continuity of care with a primary physician were factors associated with increased emergency department use by elderly patients. In a related commentary, Rosser and Schultz argue for the importance of promoting continuity of care.
Research publication and Internet-based solicitation of lawsuits
In this prospective study, Juurlink and colleagues found that publication of an article documenting adverse effects of the drug gatifloxacin was followed by a rapid and persistent rise in websites soliciting plaintiffs for personal-injury litigation.
See page 1369
The Krever Commission — 10 years later
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Krever Commission investigating Canada's tainted blood tragedy, this stand-alone commentary by Wilson describes the profound public health impact of the Commission in successfully reforming the Canadian blood system.
See page 1387
Practice
Lim and Peddle describe a case of penetrating pharyngeal injury in an infant that developed after swallowing a foreign object (page 1351).
In this Public Health column, Siegrist discusses the likelihood of a vaccine being considered a trigger for a severe outcome (page 1352).