Best Canadian Medical Association Journal Podcasts (2024)

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Misdiagnosed and misunderstood: premenstrual dysphoric disorder 34:33

1h ago34:33

34:33

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a debilitating condition affecting 5% of people who menstruate, yet it is often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. The conversation builds on insights from the CMAJ article, “Five things to know about…: PMDD,” co-aut…

1
Exploring the link between diet and depression 30:42

2h ago30:42

30:42

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham discuss the growing evidence around the impact of diet on mental health, particularly depression. The conversation is inspired by the CMAJ practice article, “Diet and depression,” co-authored by Dr. Nicholas Fabiano. Dr. Fabiano explains how the mechanistic co…

1
Compassionate and comprehensive care for early pregnancy loss 45:31

10d ago45:31

45:31

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with Dr. Sarina Isenberg and Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass about the emotional and systemic challenges surrounding early pregnancy loss care in Canada. The conversation builds on themes from the recent CMAJ article, “Diagnosis and management of early pregnancy …

1
Building support for pregnancy and parenthood in surgery 33:05

1M ago33:05

33:05

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore the structural and cultural barriers faced by surgical residents and early career surgeons in balancing parenthood with their careers. The conversation centers around the points raised in the CMAJ article “Policies to better support childbearing surgeo…

1
Breaking the mold: embracing neurodiversity in medicine 29:01

2M ago29:01

29:01

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Kirsten Patrick speaks with Dr. Shane Neilson, the author of a CMAJ Encounters article entitled, “Professional stigmatizations.” Dr. Neilson is a physician, writer, and academic, who shares his experiences navigating medical school and practice as a neurodiverse physician with bipolar disorder…

1
Prioritizing pain management during IUD insertions and other gynecologic procedures 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore effective ways to manage pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertions. They also address a broader issue: how women’s pain is often neglected during gynecologic procedures, and the failure of physicians to adequately seek consent. They are joined b…

1
AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients? 32:53

2M ago32:53

32:53

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) significantly improves the identification of hospital patients at risk of clinical deterioration compared to physician assessments alone. They are joined by Dr. Amol Verma, a general internist at St. Michael’s Hospital …

1
Meningitis B outbreaks: vaccination and risk in university settings 30:49

3M ago30:49

30:49

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore the ongoing public health concern of meningococcal disease, focusing on meningitis B outbreaks in Canadian universities. They are joined by Dr. Cristin Muecke, a medical officer of health in Halifax, and Dr. Savita Rani, a public health specialist at t…

1
ENCORE: Confronting the high stakes of incivility in health care 37:55

3M ago37:55

37:55

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Eve Purdy makes it clear what’s at stake when it comes to incivility in medicine. "It's very simple. Incivility kills patients, and that needs to be the single line of every healthcare leader responsible for managing and leading teams.” Dr. Purdy joins Dr. Sarah Kim and hosts, Drs. Blair Bigha…

1
Managing the serious risks of vaping among youth 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole address the increasingly urgent issue of adolescent vaping. Rates of use of e-cigarettes containing nicotine by youth in Canada continue to be among the highest in the world. They speak with Dr. Madelynn Hannah, a clinical pharmacist, and Dr. Trisha Tulloch, a…

1
Innovative solutions to a vexing issue: “social admissions” 36:15

4M ago36:15

36:15

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole tackle the complex issue of "socially admitted" patients, sometimes uncharitably referred to as "granny dumping." They explore the factors leading to these non-acute medical admissions, the challenges faced by healthcare providers and innovative solutions to t…

1
Groundbreaking advancements in HIV treatment and prevention 44:54

5M ago44:54

44:54

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore groundbreaking advancements in HIV treatment and prevention. They examine various innovative approaches that are transforming the landscape of HIV care. Dr. Darrell Tan, a clinician scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and associate professor at the Uni…

1
Understanding and Preparing for H5N1 31:05

5M ago31:05

31:05

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the latest concerns surrounding the H5N1 virus. They explore the current state of its transmission, symptoms and treatments. They also assess our pandemic preparedness and whether we are applying the lessons learned from COVID-19 to this new potential …

1
Integrating exercise into depression care 33:10

6M ago33:10

33:10

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the evidence supporting exercise as an effective treatment option for mild to moderate depression. They explore how exercise might be used effectively and the challenges involved in implementing it for patients. Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a second-year psyc…

1
Responding to rising measles rates in Canada 31:38

6M ago31:38

31:38

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole tackle an unexpected yet urgent topic: the resurgence of measles. With rising cases globally and in Canada, they discuss the implications and necessary actions for healthcare professionals. Dr. Sarah Wilson, a public health physician at Public Health Ontario, …

1
Constructive conversations on CanMEDS revisions 43:32

7M ago43:32

43:32

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the heated debate over proposed updates to the CanMEDS framework. The controversy ignited when an interim report placed principles of equity, social justice, and anti-racism at the heart of the framework, rather than medical expertise. Dr. Kannin Osei-…

1
Navigating the complex relationship between palliative care and MAiD 34:55

7M ago34:55

34:55

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore the intricate relationship between medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and palliative care in Canada. They focus on a qualitative study titled "Perspectives of Canadian healthcare leaders on the relationship between medical assistance in dying and palli…

1
Confronting the high stakes of incivility in health care 37:19

7M ago37:19

37:19

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Eve Purdy makes it clear what’s at stake when it comes to incivility in medicine. "It's very simple. Incivility kills patients, and that needs to be the single line of every healthcare leader responsible for managing and leading teams.” Dr. Purdy joins Dr. Sarah Kim and hosts, Drs. Blair Bigha…

1
Diagnosis and treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescent males 38:10

8M ago38:10

38:10

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole closely examine anorexia nervosa in male adolescents, a topic that frequently escapes notice. Their discussion highlights the disorder's prevalence, especially among high-risk groups like LGBTQ+ individuals and those from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds. …

1
Diagnosing rare and common infections in returning travellers 30:33

8M ago30:33

30:33

Send us a text On this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore a clinical case involving a rare infection in a returned traveler, highlighting the critical role of travel history in diagnosing unusual diseases. They discuss the case of a woman in her 60s who presented with fever and ankle pain after returning from India. Initial conc…

1
Building patient trust in health care 38:40

9M ago38:40

38:40

Send us a text On this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole explore two articles in CMAJ focused on the critical importance of trust in the health care system. They speak with Louis Lochhead, who shares his experiences navigating the health care landscape as a caregiver after his wife's serious accident, which resulted in a coma lasting n…

1
Opioid poisonings: shortfalls in treatment and new threats 38:22

9M ago38:22

38:22

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Catherine Varner, deputy editor of CMAJ, sits in for Dr. Blair Bigham and joins Dr. Mojola Omole to explore two articles published in the journal that highlight troubling findings concerning the treatment of opioid use disorder. They begin with a study that revealed significant gaps in treatme…

1
Exclusion of people with disabilities in medicine 38:03

10M ago38:03

38:03

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole examine an article published in CMAJ titled, 'Tackling barriers to Canadian medical school admissions for students with disabilities.' The analysis highlights how medical education has historically devalued or excluded trainees with disabilities and emphasizes…

1
More than just novel obesity treatments 37:31

10M ago37:31

37:31

Send us a text On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the practice article in the journal entitled, “Five things to know about…Novel obesity treatments". They discuss the impact of new medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide in treating obesity with Dr. Shohinee Sarma, the lead author. Dr. Sarma expl…

1
ASA: a simple, effective and underused treatment for preeclampsia 36:47

11M ago36:47

36:47

Send us a text On this episode, Dr. Emmanuel Bujold addresses the gross underutilization of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in Canada during pregnancy, a treatment highly effective in preventing preterm preeclampsia among those at risk. Dr. Bujold is an OB-GYN in Quebec City and a professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Laval University's School of Medi…

1
ENCORE: Smartphones, social media and poor mental health 35:21

11M ago35:21

35:21

Send us a text On this episode, we revisit and update one of the most-read articles on the CMAJ website. The article is titled, “Smartphones, social media use, and youth mental health.” It reviews the extensive literature linking poor mental health in adolescents with smartphone and social media use. The article details a variety of studies that im…

1
Pharmacogenomic testing: billion-dollar savings in depression treatment 26:55

12M ago26:55

26:55

Send us a text On this episode, Drs. Blair Bigham and Mojola Omole discuss the CMAJ paper "Cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomic-guided treatment for major depression". The paper examines the potential of pharmacogenomic testing in the treatment of major depression and its implications for health care costs. The study suggests that implementing pha…

1
The rapid evolution and enhanced capabilities of virtual urgent care 36:11

1y ago36:11

36:11

Send us a text On this episode, Drs. Blair Bigham and Mojola Omole delve into the evolution and advancements in virtual urgent care since the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion centers around the study published in CMAJ entitled "Healthcare utilization and outcomes of patients seen by virtual urgent care versus in-person emergency department care," …

1
Recommendations on SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV vaccinations 32:04

1y ago32:04

32:04

Send us a text On this episode, Drs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham speak with two vaccine experts about the necessity, timing and availability of vaccines as we move into the season when influenza, RSV and COVID-19 are on the rise. Dr. Scott Halperin, co-author of a CMAJ practice paper on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnancy, emphasizes the importan…

1
New guidelines for alcohol use disorder 30:24

1y ago30:24

30:24

Send us a text In this episode, Drs. Blair Bigham and Mojola Omole delve into the pressing issue of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Canada with Dr. Evan Wood, the lead author of the “Canadian guideline for the clinical management of high risk drinking and alcohol use disorder” published in CMAJ. They explore the concerning prevalence of AUD in Canada…

1
Promoting health equity in primary care 34:36

1y ago34:36

34:36

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole speak with two co-authors of a new guideline published in CMAJ entitled "Preventive care recommendations to promote health equity". Dr. Nav Persaud and Dr. Aisha Lofters explain the importance of embedding health equity into healthcare and discuss specific ways public policy and …

1
Tick-borne illnesses: an evolving health concern 32:58

1y ago32:58

32:58

Send us a text In this episode, Drs. Blair Bigham and Mojola Omole speak with two leading experts: Dr. Samira Jeimy, an allergist, and Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a specialist in infectious diseases, about the increasing prevalence of allergies and infections in Canada attributed to insects. Dr. Jeimy authored the article in the CMAJ titled “Five things to k…

1
EDs in crisis: causes and solutions 34:28

1y ago34:28

34:28

Send us a text Canada’s emergency departments are in crisis: hospital occupancy rates exceed 90% for many days in a row, and many Canadian hospitals have been exceeding 100% occupancy for months on end. As a result, quality of care has decreased, staff retention has become problematic and overcrowding of emergency departments, a symptom of the prob…

1
Smartphones, social media and poor mental health 36:33

1y ago36:33

36:33

Send us a text On this encore episode, we revisit and update one of the most-read articles on the CMAJ website. The article is titled, “Smartphones, social media use, and youth mental health.” It reviews the extensive literature linking poor mental health in adolescents with smartphone and social media use. The article details a variety of studies …

1
Encore: Diagnosing, treating and living with migraine 36:38

1+ y ago36:38

36:38

Send us a text == This is an encore presentation of an episode originally published on Jan 30, 2023 == Migraine is a common condition that affects around 12% of adults, with a higher prevalence in women (18%) than men (6%). Global burden of disease estimates in 2019 found migraine to be the leading cause of disability in women aged 15-49 years and …

1
The power of narrative medicine 32:37

1+ y ago32:37

32:37

Send us a text The award-winning essay in the CMAJ, "Sometimes, often," beautifully showcases the power of narrative to forge a deep connection between physicians and patients. The article clearly resonated with our readers, as it was the most-read humanities piece this year. On this episode, the author, Dr. Simran Sandhu, delivers a powerful readi…

1
Radon and lung cancer: A call to action for physicians and policymakers 35:15

1+ y ago35:15

35:15

Send us a text Radon gas exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, accounting for approximately 3,000 cases annually in Canada. A “Five things to know about…” paper in CMAJ entitled “Radon and lung cancer risk" encourages physicians to ask patients to test their home and workplace for the invisible gas. Dr. Silvina Mema and Greg …

1
Optimizing nonsurgical management of major hemorrhage 29:16

1+ y ago29:16

29:16

Send us a text Major hemorrhage is life-threatening and can occur in a variety of clinical settings. A review paper in CMAJ, entitled "Nonsurgical management of major hemorrhage," advocates for the implementation of massive hemorrhage protocols across all types of hospitals to optimize patient care. Dr. Jeannie Callum, the article's lead author and…

1
Time for a reset: menopause and hormone replacement therapy 32:26

1+ y ago32:26

32:26

Send us a text Many women complain that physicians are reluctant to treat menopause with the full range of available therapies, often dismissing symptoms as 'natural' and something to be endured. A review article in CMAJ finds that physician fears around menopausal hormone therapy and lack of knowledge regarding treatment options often impede patie…

1
Expanding screening of hypertension patients for primary aldosteronism 21:45

1+ y ago21:45

21:45

Send us a text On this episode, Dr. Greg Hundemar, co-author of the practice paper in CMAJ “Screening for primary aldosteronism in primary care” discusses primary aldosteronism, its implications and the need to expand screening guidelines. Primary aldosteronism, also known as primary hyperaldosteronism or Conn's syndrome, is an endocrine disorder w…

1
Genetic Perils: Allopurinol Hypersensitivity Syndrome and Personalized Medicine 33:22

1+ y ago33:22

33:22

Send us a text Allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) affects approximately 1 in 1,000 patients prescribed allopurinol, with reported mortality rates between 20% and 25%. The risk of AHS is nearly 100 times higher in carriers of the HLA-B*58:01 allele than in noncarriers. Populations with a high allele frequency include Han Chinese (6%-8%), Ko…

1
How to Prevent Fragility Fractures: A Guideline for Family Doctors 23:12

1+ y ago23:12

23:12

Send us a text Fragility fractures are a major health concern for older adults and can result in disability, admission to hospital and long-term care, and reduced quality of life. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care guideline published in CMAJ provides evidence-based recommendations on screening for primary prevention of fragility fra…

1
Rethinking preoperative anemia: Challenging WHO guidelines and targeting hemoglobin levels in major elective surgery 35:29

1+ y ago35:29

35:29

Send us a text An estimated 23%-45% of patients undergoing major surgery have anemia, with the most common causes being iron deficiency anemia and anemia of inflammation or chronic disease. In this episode, Drs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham speak with Dr. Clarissa Skorupski and Dr. Yulia Lin, two authors of the practice paper in CMAJ, "Five things…

1
Diagnosing, treating and living with endometriosis 38:02

1+ y ago38:02

38:02

Send us a text Many patients report their symptoms of endometriosis are often dismissed by healthcare providers as “normal” dysmenorrhea. This worldwide trend results in delays to diagnosis that are estimated to range from 6 to 11 years from symptom onset. On this episode, Drs. Bigham and Omole speak with Dr. Catharine Allaire, a clinical professor…

1
How to diagnose and manage polyneuropathy 25:50

1+ y ago25:50

25:50

Send us a text Clinicians may find diagnosing polyneuropathy challenging due to the vague and insidious onset of symptoms. Identifying signs consistent with polyneuropathy and determining which investigations to conduct and when to be concerned can be daunting. Polyneuropathy involves simultaneous dysfunction of multiple peripheral nerves, with the…

1
Redesigning streets to make them safe for bikes, e-scooters, and pedestrians 34:47

1+ y ago34:47

34:47

Send us a text The use of electric scooters (e-scooters) has witnessed a substantial surge globally. However, the presence of these motorized vehicles on sidewalks poses a significant risk to pedestrians. A recent practice paper published in CMAJ describes the case of a 68-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries while walking on a city sidewal…

1
Understanding parents’ concerns about vaccinating their children against SARS-CoV-2 32:39

2y ago32:39

32:39

Send us a text Uptake of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for children aged 5–11 years has been lower than anticipated in Canada. Although research has explored parental intentions toward SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for children, the drivers of parents’ decisions to seek vaccination for their children - or not - have not been studied in-depth. A research paper pu…

1
Virtual versus in-person consultation: getting the mix right 34:50

2y ago34:50

34:50

Send us a text Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario saw a 5600% increase in virtual visits to health care practitioners, while in-office visits decreased by 79% from the previous year. In 2018, only 4% of family physicians in Canada were offering video visits while, at the peak of the pandemic, about 80% of primary care visits were being deliver…

1
Diagnosing, treating and living with migraine 36:33

2y ago36:33

36:33

Send us a text Migraine is a common condition that affects around 12% of adults, with a higher prevalence in women (18%) than men (6%). Global burden of disease estimates in 2019 found migraine to be the leading cause of disability in women aged 15-49 years and the second leading cause of disability overall. On this episode, Drs. Mojole and Bigham …

1
Diagnosing, assessing and treating long COVID 33:27

2y ago33:27

33:27

Send us a text Diagnosing long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is challenging for clinicians. With up to 200 possible symptoms, heterogeneous presentations and no definitive diagnostic test, the diagnosis is a clinical one. In this episode, Dr. Kieran Quinn, a general internist and palliative care physician at Mount Si…

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Canadian Medical Association Journal Podcasts

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