Sarah Fraser is a family physician who can be reached at her self-titled site, Sarah Fraser MD. She is author of  Humanities Emergency.

These 2 Canadian provinces are getting it right in the COVID-19 pandemic

Conditions
February 26, 2021

I recently returned from Northwest Territories, where I’d been working as a physician for six months. Now, back in Nova Scotia, I’m reflecting on what it’s been like to have worked in areas of Canada with relatively few cases of COVID-19.

A large part of my work is hospital medicine. As the name implies, a hospitalist is a doctor who cares for patients admitted to the hospital. Often, we work …

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These 2 Canadian provinces are getting it right in the COVID-19 pandemic

The bittersweet post-COVID life for this physician

Physician
April 25, 2020

This week, I opened my planner and came across a list of my goals for Spring that I’d written back in early January: attend a Latin dance festival; get my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; travel. These sorts of activities open my mind, allowing me to make progress in areas of my life outside of medicine. Maybe that list was a tad ambitious at the concept stage, for my plans …

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The bittersweet post-COVID life for this physician

How long does coronavirus stay on surfaces?

Conditions
March 25, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases now exceeds 378,000 worldwide. This new coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is having unprecedented global effects. The number of deaths in Italy surpasses 6,000, and there is a lock-down in many countries. The number of worldwide cases of COVID-19 increases each day, and it is important we do everything we can to prevent the spread of disease. To achieve this, we need …

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How long does coronavirus stay on surfaces?

Medicine needs to buy into the idea of storytelling

Physician
January 1, 2020

The theme of the conference is the medical humanities. After Lawrence Hill’s keynote speech, the lineup of people waiting to speak with him is long. At the end of the day, I’m inspired by the lectures I attended, but disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to speak with Dr. Hill. I should have just stood in line. While waiting on my Uber outside in Hamilton, Ontario, Dr. Hill emerges from the …

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Medicine needs to buy into the idea of storytelling

CBD oil: Natural does not mean it is safe

Meds
December 30, 2019

At the age of three months, Charlotte Figi had her first seizure. She was later diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. Her seizures continued, increasing in both frequency and severity. In a CNN interview, Charlotte’s mother Paige said that at the age of three, Charlotte was having up to 300 seizures per week. They could last for up to four hours.

After all other medical treatments had failed, …

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CBD oil: Natural does not mean it is safe

In medicine, use a strong lede

Physician
October 18, 2019

In journalism, the lede is the first part of a news story. A good lede will entice the reader to read more. It contains the key points and gives the general idea of the article. Ledes are also crucial in the field of medicine. As a graduate student in journalism and a general practitioner, I can appreciate the value of ledes in both fields.

When health care professionals communicate with each …

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In medicine, use a strong lede

The language of medicine can be complicated. Does it need to be this way?

Physician
September 14, 2019

Several weeks ago, I began my studies for a master’s degree in journalism. I’m continuing to work as a physician, but for the next two years, I’ll also be gaining knowledge in an important field: health communication.

I recall being a medical student and observing the different ways in which my supervising doctors spoke with their patients. Some doctors communicated clearly and were easily understood. Others used words that I had …

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The language of medicine can be complicated. Does it need to be this way?

Become more than a clinician. Be a healer.

Physician
March 6, 2019

When a patient goes to the doctor, they usually have a specific health problem in mind. Sometimes, the treatment is straightforward; a urinary tract infection warrants antibiotics. A laceration can be sutured. Other issues, however, are more complex. For example, communicating a terminal diagnosis to a patient. Consoling his grieving widow two months later. In circumstances like these, even if there is no cure, there is still space for healing.

Central …

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Become more than a clinician. Be a healer.

The worst-case scenario question you must ask patients: even healthy ones

Physician
November 24, 2017

The last few passengers filter in and buckle themselves up before takeoff. The emergency exit row is occupied by an elderly couple, and I am seated behind them. The flight attendant asks whether they are comfortable in those seats, given that they’d have to respond in the case of an emergency.

“Not that I expect anything bad to happen,” the flight attendant adds with a smile.

I, too, am familiar with discussing …

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The worst-case scenario question you must ask patients: even healthy ones

How to improve primary care for trans patients

Physician
September 22, 2017

This year, I stood on the curb at the 2017 Halifax Pride Parade and watched high-energy floats pass by. Leading the parade was the indigenous float. The vibrant trans youth float warmed my heart. The prime minister waved and called out “Happy Pride!” to the spectators. It was a stream of enthusiastic faces, song, dance, and brightly colored banners.

I love pride. It’s is a special time for a lot of …

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How to improve primary care for trans patients

Doctor, we can’t read your writing

Physician
July 23, 2017

“Dr. Fraser, the pharmacy is on the phone for you. Line one.”

I answer the call, pressing the gray, rectangular button with one hand while writing in a patient’s chart with the other.

“Sarah Fraser speaking.”

“Oh, hi, Doctor, we just got in a prescription of yours, but we are not quite sure what it says.” The pharmacist is gentle in her words.

It was the first time this had happened. I’d promised myself …

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Doctor, we can’t read your writing

The real reason we think plastic surgery is just boob jobs and tummy tucks

Physician
July 14, 2017

Be honest. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words “plastic surgery?” Breast implants? Nose jobs? Or maybe you’ll think about one of the numerous television programs out there that have featured the discipline: “Nip/Tuck?” “Botched?” “Grey’s Anatomy?”

If so, you aren’t alone. Plastic surgery as a discipline is poorly understood by many, including primary care physicians, nurses, medical students and the public. Plastic surgeons perform many …

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The real reason we think plastic surgery is just boob jobs and tummy tucks

Doing no harm to addicts might be doing a lot of harm

Physician
June 2, 2017

“Do no harm.”

This is a key phrase in the Hippocratic Oath; one that I announced with conviction at my medical school graduation. I swear to do no harm. What would Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine, think about the concept of harm reduction?

Canada has a drug problem. We are one of the world’s largest per-capita opioid consumers. The country is facing what has become known in the media as the …

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Doing no harm to addicts might be doing a lot of harm

It’s bad luck to say that in a hospital

Physician
May 10, 2017

Doctors and nurses like facts. After all, we’re evidence-based thinkers — rational scientists. Yet, we can be surprisingly superstitious.

Many of us believe in a thing called “call karma,” which is when certain doctors attract sick patients while working on call (these people are said to have bad call karma). Other doctors attract less sick patients, meaning they have good call karma.

As a medical student, I quickly learned that I fell …

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It’s bad luck to say that in a hospital