CMAJ Podcasts
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
CMAJ Podcasts: Exploring the latest in Canadian medicine from coast to coast to coast with your hosts, Drs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham. CMAJ Podcasts delves into the scientific and social health advances on the cutting edge of Canadian health care. Episodes include real stories of patients, clinicians, and others who are impacted by our health care system.
Episodes
- Endometriosis and the devastating risks of untreated disease
Two articles in CMAJ look at endometriosis from sharply different angles. One shows how devastating delayed recognition can be, following a patient whose deep infiltrating endometriosis led to renal atrophy, bowel obstruction, sciatic nerv…
- Cancer rates improve but troubling gaps persist for younger patients
While overall cancer rates in Canada continue to decline, reflecting decades of progress in screening and treatment, younger survivors face troubling gaps in their follow-up care. In the research article “ Projected estimates of cancer in…
- Toward a cure for sickle cell disease
Transformative therapies for sickle cell disease are redefining what is possible for patients, offering the potential for cure alongside substantial risks. In CMAJ , the article Transformative therapies for sickle cell disease outlines how…
- Maternal risk beyond delivery and across populations
Two research articles in CMAJ examine gaps in how maternal risk is captured and how it varies across populations in Canada. One study shows that extending surveillance beyond delivery reveals a higher burden of severe maternal morbidity, p…
- Treatment of adult ADHD is on the rise. Why?
New prescriptions for stimulant medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the years before it, with the largest increases among adults aged 18 to 34 and amo…
- High stakes: Online gambling and the rise in harm
Ontario’s expansion of online gambling and legalization of single-event sports betting were followed by a sharp rise in help-seeking for gambling problems, particularly among young men. A new CMAJ study, Help seeking for gambling problems…
- Sentinel injuries and severe maltreatment in young children
Two CMAJ papers discuss sentinel injuries in infants as indicators of escalating risk for child physical abuse, noting that over a quarter of children with catastrophic abuse had prior minor injuries. The papers also analyze changes in chi…
- Rising psychosis, youth mental health, and what’s driving the trend
The CMAJ Podcast episode examines a potential increase in psychotic disorders among younger generations in Canada, referencing studies by Dr. Daniel Myran and Dr. Dafna Kahana. It explores factors such as substance use, social changes, and…
- World Cup exposes vulnerabilities in Canada’s health care system
This episode discusses how major events like the World Cup highlight issues with Canada's health care system capacity. Physicians share experiences of hospitals operating over capacity, the challenges of surge planning, and the impact on p…
- Moral distress and the ethics of involuntary treatment
This episode of CMAJ Podcasts examines Alberta's Compassionate Intervention Act regarding involuntary treatment and its ethical challenges. Guests discuss patient autonomy, physician roles, and experiences with similar legislation in Massa…
- ENCORE: New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
CMAJ Podcasts revisits its most popular episode featuring authors of the updated Hypertension Canada guidelines. The discussion focuses on simplifying hypertension diagnosis and treatment for primary care, introducing a lower diagnostic th…
- Updated HIV prophylaxis guidelines: what clinicians need to know
Updated Canadian guidelines address HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, incorporating new formulations and access barriers. Dr. Darrell Tan explains available options like daily oral medication and long-acting injectables, while Natash…
- Diagnosis and management of celiac disease
This episode of CMAJ Podcasts discusses celiac disease, affecting 1-2% of Canadians. Experts Jedid-Jah Blom and Dr. Maria Ines Pinto-Sánchez cover its varied symptoms, diagnostic testing including TTG antibodies and biopsies, and the impor…
- How physician identity influences income
This CMAJ Podcast episode examines a study on how physician identity, shaped by gender, race, and immigration status, influences patient expectations and contributes to pay disparities. Experts discuss how fee-for-service models can penali…
- Black youth and access to mental health care
This episode discusses a study on mental health service use among Black adolescents in Ontario. Findings indicate differences in access based on sex, distress levels, and race, with Black male youth having different odds of access compared…
- Depression guideline: why universal screening isn’t recommended
A new CMAJ guideline recommends against universal depression screening in primary care, as the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care found no evidence that routine questionnaires improve outcomes. Experts cite concerns about false…
- What to know about cannabis-induced psychosis
This episode of CMAJ Podcasts explores the connection between cannabis use and first episode psychosis, particularly in young individuals. Hosts speak with researchers and a patient about data, risk factors, and clinical responses, noting…
- Guideline offers roadmap for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy care
This episode discusses a new CMAJ guideline offering Canadian-specific recommendations for the recognition and management of Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). It features Richard Paul, who shares his experience living with the rar…
- Understanding and supporting pregnant people facing homelessness
CMAJ Podcasts addresses the growing issue of homelessness among pregnant and parenting individuals in Canada. The episode explores the scope of the problem, health consequences for children, and the importance of affordable housing, integr…
- Guideline on smoking cessation: what works in practice
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. A new clinical practice guideline published in CMAJ on tobacco smoking cessation outlines evidence-based behavioural and pharmacological interventions to help pa…
- ENCORE: New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
—This is an encore presentation of an episode previously published June 30— On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast , hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “ Hypertension Canada guideline for the diag…
- Fixing the flag: A new standard for diagnosing iron deficiency
Iron deficiency affects as many as 40% of women of reproductive age, yet the problem often goes undetected—even when patients have symptoms and complications. On this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole speak with hematologists…
- Measles in pregnancy and beyond
Measles is resurging in Canada, with particularly serious implications for pregnant patients and newborns. A recent CMAJ article, Five things to know about measles in pregnancy , outlines the risks and clinical considerations. On this epis…
- New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast , hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “ Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults in primary care ” The discussi…
- Dengue and Oropouche infections are rising—what physicians need to know
The rising global burden of mosquito-borne viral infections has important implications for Canadian clinicians—particularly those assessing febrile patients returning from tropical and subtropical regions. On this episode of the CMAJ Podca…
- A history of medical mistrust and its echoes today
This two-part episode of the CMAJ Podcast explores the roots and repercussions of medical mistrust. It begins with a historical lens, revealing echoes of today’s strained relationships between patients and the medical system, then narrows…
- How mifepristone changed abortion access, and how to prescribe it
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast , hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore how changes to mifepristone regulation have reshaped abortion access in Ontario. Unlike most other countries, Canada allows the drug to be prescribed…
- Stepping up: Canadian research in the shadow of cuts in the United States
This episode of the CMAJ Podcast examines how recent changes to U.S. federal research funding are affecting the global scientific landscape—and what they could mean for Canada. The discussion focuses on indirect costs, talent retention, an…
- Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children
It’s been nearly two decades since the last Canadian clinical practice guideline on managing obesity in children. In that time, the science has advanced, treatment options have expanded, and the need for updated guidance has grown increasi…
- How short-term opioid prescriptions affect long-term outcomes
A recent article in CMAJ entitled Effect of emergency department opioid prescribing on health outcomes examines a key concern facing many clinicians: can a single opioid prescription for acute pain lead to long-term harm? This study aimed…
- The mortality risk and therapeutic potential of hallucinogens
A research article in CMAJ examines mortality risk among people hospitalized for hallucinogen use. The study found that individuals who required acute hospital care for hallucinogen-related issues had a nearly fivefold increase in mortalit…
- More access, more deaths: alcohol’s impact in the COVID-19 pandemic
A new CMAJ study has found that alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths in Canada surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While overall alcohol consumption increased only modestly, the toll on the healthcare system was severe, with a 14%…
- The major benefits of exercise for older adults
An article in CMAJ , " Move more, age well: prescribing physical activity for older adults ," found that regular physical activity can reduce all-cause mortality by 31%. As Canada’s population ages, maintaining physical activity is becomin…
- Making healthcare accessible for patients with disabilities
Medicine remains frequently inaccessible to people with disabilities, despite their higher-than-average need for healthcare services. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole tackle the systemic barriers t…
- Diagnosing and managing necrotizing fasciitis
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham discuss necrotizing fasciitis, a diagnosis that can strike fear into the hearts of clinicians due to its rapid progression and devastating consequences. The discuss…
- Antimicrobial resistance and the shift to shorter courses of antibiotics
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance and how shorter courses of antibiotics are reshaping prescribing practices. The conversation builds on ins…
- ENCORE: AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients?
On this encore 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 physici…
- Scurvy and the challenge of food insecurity
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast , Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore a surprising case of scurvy. The conversation builds on the CMAJ practice article “ Scurvy in a 65-year-old woman with severely limited function and social…
- Misdiagnosed and misunderstood: premenstrual dysphoric disorder
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 c…
- Exploring the link between diet and depression
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 a…
- Compassionate and comprehensive care for early pregnancy loss
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 conversat…
- Building support for pregnancy and parenthood in surgery
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 cent…
- Breaking the mold: embracing neurodiversity in medicine
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 expe…
- Prioritizing pain management during IUD insertions and other gynecologic procedures
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 gyn…
- AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients?
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 asse…
- Meningitis B outbreaks: vaccination and risk in university settings
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 Muec…
- ENCORE: Confronting the high stakes of incivility in health care
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 respon…
- Managing the serious risks of vaping among youth
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…
- Innovative solutions to a vexing issue: “social admissions”
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-acut…
- Groundbreaking advancements in HIV treatment and prevention
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.…