Features cont’d
15 Dangers of Abrupt Cessation
There may be unintended harms while
reducing opioid prescribing to safer levels.
Particularly, rapid tapers and abrupt cessation of opioids can cause patients serious
harm, including risk of overdose if they
resume opioids again.
19 Naloxone Availability an
Opportunity for Discussions
The recently expanded availability of naloxone provides an opportunity for doctors to
re-visit a discussion about overdose with
their patients who may be at higher risk.
27 The Newest Disposition – Remedial
Agreements
The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee
may now suggest remedial agreements in those
low risk cases where minor educational needs are
identified. We explain more in a Q&A.
Practice Partner
In Every Issue
5
35
Message from the President
Dr. Joel Kirsh welcomes the Ontario government’s
recent release of the Sexual Abuse Task Force
Report.
7 From the Registrar’s Desk
33 Doc Talk
No matter how simple or complex our illnesses
may be, the empathic connection between patients
and physicians is the moral core of medical care,
says family physician and bioethics consultant, Dr.
Philip Hébert.
35 Patient Safety
A Committee of the Chief Coroner reviews two
cases and provides timely reminders to those
physicians who treat elderly patients.
29 Medical Assistance in Dying: The Early
Lessons Learned
The Office of the Chief Coroner has shared with
us some of the key issues that have arisen in the
early days following the introduction of Medical
Assistance in Dying legislation. We share them
with you in order to assist you in fulfilling your
professional and legal obligations.
Dr. Rocco Gerace explains how the College is stepping up efforts to work with physicians to ensure
appropriate, safe opioid prescribing for patients.
21 Reports From Council
Council responds to the recently released report
from the Sexual Abuse Task Force.
25 Council Award – Dr. Martin White
We presented our 100th Council Award at the most
recent meeting. And we were delighted to present
it to a very worthy recipient, Dr. Martin White, a
general practitioner from Carleton Place.
39 Discipline Summaries
Summaries of the following cases are included in
this issue: W.A. Botros, T. Iqbal, E.H. Noriega, G.W.
Otto, B. Wing King, EFG