Erik Greb
@medscapeerik.bsky.social
Erik is a health editor for Canada and Australia at Medscape.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care “strongly” recommends against screening all adults with a standardized tool for depression, stating instead that doctors should ask patients about their well-being and be vigilant for symptoms. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Canada Nixes Routine Screening of Adults for Depression
The new adult depression guideline ‘strongly’ recommends against routine screening but says clinicians should ask patients about their well-being and be vigilant for symptoms.
www.medscape.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care “strongly” recommends against screening all adults with a standardized tool for depression, stating instead that doctors should ask patients about their well-being and be vigilant for symptoms. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, received Royal Assent more than a year ago. So far, only four bilateral agreements have been signed. What hurdles or objections are standing in the way of extending drug coverage to more Canadians? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Canada’s Pharmacare Act: Still a Work in Progress
The pharmaceutical industry and healthcare advocates are expressing concern that a single-payer pharmacare program could compromise drug access.
www.medscape.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, received Royal Assent more than a year ago. So far, only four bilateral agreements have been signed. What hurdles or objections are standing in the way of extending drug coverage to more Canadians? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Among Canadian children, each additional hour of daily screen time was associated with roughly 10% lower odds of achieving a higher level in reading and math in elementary school, according to a new study. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
High Pediatric Screen Time Tied to Low Academic Achievement
High levels of total screen time in young Canadian children are associated with lower reading and math test scores in elementary school.
www.medscape.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Among Canadian children, each additional hour of daily screen time was associated with roughly 10% lower odds of achieving a higher level in reading and math in elementary school, according to a new study. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Nearly half of Canadian physicians report high levels of burnout, according to preliminary data from the 2025 National Physician Health Survey. The findings are disappointing, according to CMA President @drmargotburnell.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
About Half of Canadian Physicians Report High Burnout Levels
Five years after the start of the COVID pandemic, burnout levels have decreased slightly but remain significantly above 2017 levels.
www.medscape.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Nearly half of Canadian physicians report high levels of burnout, according to preliminary data from the 2025 National Physician Health Survey. The findings are disappointing, according to CMA President @drmargotburnell.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
TBI in late life is associated with a significant increase in the risk for new-onset dementia. The risk is especially elevated (by as much as 69%) within the first 5 years following the injury, according to newly published study findings. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Late-Life Traumatic Brain Injury Ups Dementia Risk
Intervening early and providing appropriate support could mitigate other risk factors that could worsen cognitive decline, said one expert.
www.medscape.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
TBI in late life is associated with a significant increase in the risk for new-onset dementia. The risk is especially elevated (by as much as 69%) within the first 5 years following the injury, according to newly published study findings. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Clinical trials often attract people with more trust in medical organizations (e.g., those with more education). New guidelines for research consent forms could broaden study populations by making the forms easier to understand. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Canadian Guidelines Seek Clarity in Research Consent Forms
New guidelines emphasize the need for clarity in consent agreements for clinical trials and aim to broaden participation in medical research.
www.medscape.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Clinical trials often attract people with more trust in medical organizations (e.g., those with more education). New guidelines for research consent forms could broaden study populations by making the forms easier to understand. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make up more than 1 in 5 patients who have been in mental health beds in Ontario for 1 year or more. New data suggest that these patients' support needs are going unmet. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Adults With IDD Make Up 1 in 5 Long-Stay Psych Inpatients
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make up 22% of psychiatric inpatients who stay in the hospital for a year or longer, according to new research.
www.medscape.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make up more than 1 in 5 patients who have been in mental health beds in Ontario for 1 year or more. New data suggest that these patients' support needs are going unmet. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
The family physician shortage in Alberta goes beyond the problem of fewer doctors providing services and includes patient factors that demand more time and resources, a new study revealed. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Alberta’s Family Doctor Shortage Involves More Than Numbers
Sicker, more complex patients, limited funding for team-based care, and fewer medical school students choosing family medicine are among the factors affecting the shortage.
www.medscape.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The family physician shortage in Alberta goes beyond the problem of fewer doctors providing services and includes patient factors that demand more time and resources, a new study revealed. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
A new Medscape survey of 1000+ Canadian physicians shows a sharp generational split on retirement: younger doctors expect to leave medicine earlier due to burnout, while older colleagues see medicine as their identity and plan to work much longer. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Most Canadian Physicians Envision Working Past Age 60 Years
Almost 30% of survey respondents expect to leave medicine in their 70s.
www.medscape.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new Medscape survey of 1000+ Canadian physicians shows a sharp generational split on retirement: younger doctors expect to leave medicine earlier due to burnout, while older colleagues see medicine as their identity and plan to work much longer. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
The Canadian Medical Association and the Association of Faculties of Medicine announced the transition from a joint US-Canada medical school accreditation system to a wholly Canadian system. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Canada Breaks From US on Accreditation of Medical Schools
Canada is transitioning from a method of joint US-Canada medical school accreditation to a purely Canadian accreditation system.
www.medscape.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Canadian Medical Association and the Association of Faculties of Medicine announced the transition from a joint US-Canada medical school accreditation system to a wholly Canadian system. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
If your patient has type 2 diabetes, then you can recommend daily behaviors that will improve their cardiometabolic health. Listen to the new episode of Medical Mentor, in which @drkevinfernando reviews these behaviors. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Improving Cardiometabolic Health in Type 2 Diabetes
Primary care physicians can counsel patients with type 2 diabetes about daily behaviors that have cardiometabolic benefits for them.
www.medscape.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
If your patient has type 2 diabetes, then you can recommend daily behaviors that will improve their cardiometabolic health. Listen to the new episode of Medical Mentor, in which @drkevinfernando reviews these behaviors. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Mount Gambier is only one symptom of the widening cracks in Australia's healthcare system. This crisis results from systemic underfunding and a lack of long-term planning, writes Dr. Toby Gardner. How do we resolve this crisis? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Primary Care in Rural Australia: A System Under Strain
A massive deficit in healthcare funding implies that the life of a rural patient is worth less than the life of an urban patient.
www.medscape.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Mount Gambier is only one symptom of the widening cracks in Australia's healthcare system. This crisis results from systemic underfunding and a lack of long-term planning, writes Dr. Toby Gardner. How do we resolve this crisis? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Even though French is an official language in Canada, "getting care in French is almost impossible" for Francophone patients in the western provinces, said Nour Enayeh, executive director of RésoSanté. What solutions to this public health problem have been proposed? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Healthcare in French Difficult to Access in Western Canada
A federal investment may improve access to healthcare for Francophones in Western Canada, and parallel initiatives are underway.
www.medscape.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Even though French is an official language in Canada, "getting care in French is almost impossible" for Francophone patients in the western provinces, said Nour Enayeh, executive director of RésoSanté. What solutions to this public health problem have been proposed? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Ontario has launched a $12M Health Innovation Pathway to speed adoption of new health tech. Early projects include AI-powered eye screening, digital wound care, surgical navigation, and new abdominal supports. Designed to get innovation to patients faster. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Ontario Promotes the Adoption of New Health Technologies
Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health have partnered to bring new health technologies to Canada’s healthcare system more quickly.
www.medscape.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Ontario has launched a $12M Health Innovation Pathway to speed adoption of new health tech. Early projects include AI-powered eye screening, digital wound care, surgical navigation, and new abdominal supports. Designed to get innovation to patients faster. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Advances in neonatal care have improved survival and heightened the need to understand long-term outcomes. During their first five years, children born prematurely have significant morbidity and medication needs, new data suggest. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Data Underscore Premature Infants’ Poor Childhood Outcomes
Advances in neonatal care heighten the importance of understanding premature infants’ major health needs.
www.medscape.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Advances in neonatal care have improved survival and heightened the need to understand long-term outcomes. During their first five years, children born prematurely have significant morbidity and medication needs, new data suggest. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
In Canada, climate change is increasing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus. How is Ontario adjusting its surveillance and intervention strategies to deal with this challenge? @isaacbogoch.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Is Ontario Prepared for More West Nile Virus Cases?
When it comes to West Nile virus, warming temperatures and changing bird migration spell trouble for Ontario residents.
www.medscape.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
In Canada, climate change is increasing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus. How is Ontario adjusting its surveillance and intervention strategies to deal with this challenge? @isaacbogoch.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Black adolescents with psychological distress are less likely to report using mental health care than their White counterparts, data suggest. “We need to make sure that our mental health system is working for everyone,” said researcher Mercedes Sobers. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Black Teens Use Mental Health Services Less Than White Teens
Mental health professionals suggest that stigma and lack of culturally competent care are barriers to mental health care for Black adolescents.
www.medscape.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Black adolescents with psychological distress are less likely to report using mental health care than their White counterparts, data suggest. “We need to make sure that our mental health system is working for everyone,” said researcher Mercedes Sobers. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Depression impairs a patient's ability to actively avoid unpleasant events, new data suggest. What guidance can the study offer clinicians who seek to help their patients with depression? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Depression Curbs Ability to Actively Avoid Unpleasant Events
Depression in young patients is linked to difficulty in taking action to avoid something unpleasant, while the ability to withdraw and not act remains intact.
www.medscape.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Depression impairs a patient's ability to actively avoid unpleasant events, new data suggest. What guidance can the study offer clinicians who seek to help their patients with depression? www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease. Up to 25% of Canadian cases affect nonsmokers — many diagnosed late because they aren’t screened. Researchers say awareness & earlier detection are critical. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Lung Cancer Rises in Nonsmokers, Experts Call for Screening
Lung cancer researchers are emphasizing the importance of combating the misconception that only smokers are at risk for lung cancer.
www.medscape.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease. Up to 25% of Canadian cases affect nonsmokers — many diagnosed late because they aren’t screened. Researchers say awareness & earlier detection are critical. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Lifeblood's new donation criteria will mean that around 626,500 more people will now be eligible to donate plasma in Australia, data suggest. Gay and bisexual men can now donate without undergoing a waiting period after sexual activity. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Australian Plasma Service Drops Sexual Activity Wait Times
Australian blood supplier Lifeblood drops sexual activity wait times for most plasma donations and adopts gender-neutral sexual activity questions for blood donors.
www.medscape.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Lifeblood's new donation criteria will mean that around 626,500 more people will now be eligible to donate plasma in Australia, data suggest. Gay and bisexual men can now donate without undergoing a waiting period after sexual activity. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Manitoba's Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit was associated with improved birth and early development outcomes. But as inflation rose, the cash benefit stayed the same, and the association with improved outcomes weakened. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Manitoba Maternal Benefit Program Improves Infant Health
A monthly stipend for pregnant women with low-income benefits children up to kindergarten age, provided the stipend keeps up with inflation, data suggest.
www.medscape.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Manitoba's Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit was associated with improved birth and early development outcomes. But as inflation rose, the cash benefit stayed the same, and the association with improved outcomes weakened. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
The publication of the 2021 Canadian guidance on prescribing methadone was associated with higher starting doses and a decrease in monotherapy. The provision of rapid dose titration, however, has remained limited. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Canada’s Methadone Prescribing Changes With Drug Supply
Canadian doctors are using higher methadone doses without rapid titration, risking loss to follow up and fentanyl overdose, researchers say.
www.medscape.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The publication of the 2021 Canadian guidance on prescribing methadone was associated with higher starting doses and a decrease in monotherapy. The provision of rapid dose titration, however, has remained limited. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
GPs across Australia are taking on an expanded role in diagnosing and treating ADHD. While this policy change may help reduce treatment delays, it also entails risks, as pediatricians and psychiatrists say. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Australian GPs Gain Expanded Role in Treating ADHD
Some specialists urge caution about relying too heavily on general practitioners to diagnose and treat ADHD.
www.medscape.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
GPs across Australia are taking on an expanded role in diagnosing and treating ADHD. While this policy change may help reduce treatment delays, it also entails risks, as pediatricians and psychiatrists say. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Japanese encephalitis virus is spreading in Australia. Experts are calling for increased awareness of this potentially dangerous disease. Protection against mosquitoes, which bear the virus, is encouraged. @mozziebites.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Japanese Encephalitis Continues to Spread in Australia
The Japanese encephalitis virus, once confined to the far north, is now threatening Australia’s cities, and public awareness is lagging.
www.medscape.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Japanese encephalitis virus is spreading in Australia. Experts are calling for increased awareness of this potentially dangerous disease. Protection against mosquitoes, which bear the virus, is encouraged. @mozziebites.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
What's the biggest obstacle to the use of the most effective form of contraception? Recent data from British Columbia suggest that it's cost. Full reimbursement was associated with an increase in LARC uptake. @drlschummers.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Long-Acting Contraception Rates Rose 49% With No-Cost Policy
Data suggest the importance of removing the cost barrier for the most effective form of contraception as Canada debates birth-control coverage policies, researchers say.
www.medscape.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
What's the biggest obstacle to the use of the most effective form of contraception? Recent data from British Columbia suggest that it's cost. Full reimbursement was associated with an increase in LARC uptake. @drlschummers.bsky.social www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...