Respiratory Ill-Health and Welding Exposures: A Canadian Cohort Study.

Introduction: Respiratory ill-health in welders is well documented but without a clear indication of exposures responsible.

Methods: In a Canadian cohort study of welders and electrical workers, we collected self-reports of asthma/wheeze and rhinitis at each 6-monthly contact for up to 5 years. Physician diagnoses of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD/bronchitis) were extracted from the Alberta administrative health database (AHDB).

Development and validation of a rheumatoid arthritis case definition: a machine learning approach using data from primary care electronic medical records.

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is primarily diagnosed and managed by rheumatologists; however, it is often primary care providers who first encounter RA-related symptoms. This study developed and validated a case definition for RA using national surveillance data in primary care settings.

Methods: This cross-sectional validation study used structured electronic medical record (EMR) data from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN).

Characterizing dose changes and tapering among opioid users: A brief report on a population-level study in Alberta, Canada.

Objective: Monitoring changes in oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) is an important parameter to understand how opioids are being used at the population level. However, changes in opioid doses and tapering have not been well defined.

Design: We conducted a population-based exploratory data analysis (EDA) to characterize changes in opioid doses and tapering of opioids among patients in Alberta (AB).

Human Factor Health Data Interoperability.

Comprehensive health data interoperability is recognized as an essential element of high-functioning and accountable health service. Canada is lagging in health data interoperability compared to international comparators, and lacks a comprehensive approach to human factor interoperability, defined as system-level relationships that impact the capacity of health sector stakeholders to adopt harmonized health data standards and technology. Without addressing these system-level relationships, the adoption of harmonized health data standards and technology will be obstructed and Canadians will be underserved.

Mindfulness-based Practices in Workers to Address Mental Health Conditions: A Systematic Review.

The effectiveness of mindfulness techniques in addressing mental health conditions in workers is uncertain. However, it could represent a therapeutic tool for workers presenting with such conditions. Our objective was to assess the effects of mindfulness-based practices for workers diagnosed with mental health conditions.

Defining opioid naïve and implications for monitoring opioid use: A population-based study in Alberta, Canada.

Purpose: Reducing initial exposure of "opioid naïve" patients to opioids is a public health priority. Identifying opioid naïve patients is difficult, as numerous definitions are used. The objective is to summarize current definitions and evaluate their impact on opioid naïve measures in Alberta.

High-dose opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews.

Background: This overview was originally published in 2017, and is being updated in 2022.  Chronic pain is typically described as pain on most days for at least three months. Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is any chronic pain that is not due to a malignancy.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Estimate Risk of Adverse Outcomes Within 30 Days of Opioid Dispensation.

Importance: Machine learning approaches can assist opioid stewardship by identifying high-risk opioid prescribing for potential interventions.

Objective: To develop a machine learning model for deployment that can estimate the risk of adverse outcomes within 30 days of an opioid dispensation as a potential component of prescription drug monitoring programs using access to real-world data.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study used population-level administrative health data to construct a machine learning model.

Inequity in Digital Health Planning in Canada.

An evaluation of the paper by Falk (2022) in this issue using a word count method found that it omits consideration of substantial efforts, inherent data rights and experiences with virtual care from certain jurisdictions, professions and Indigenous groups. Although equity is positioned as a core policy pillar of virtual care, it is not defined, nor are factors underlying digital health inequity described. Deficits in health informatics training, regulation, pedagogy and research in Canada likely contribute to an inequitable approach to health informatics planning.

Sports-Related Concussions in Adults Presenting to Canadian Emergency Departments.

Objective: To document the occurrence and recovery outcomes of sports-related concussions (SRCs) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) in a community-based sample.

Design: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in 3 Canadian hospitals.

Setting: Emergency Department.

Content of physical activity documentation in Canadian family physicians' electronic medical records.

The purpose of this study was to examine the content of physical activity inputs in Canadian family physician electronic medical records. Of 1 225 948 patients aged 18-64 years, a sample of 1535 patients' charts were reviewed. A minority ( = 148; 9.

Navigating Design Options for Large-Scale Interprofessional Continuing Palliative Care Education: Pallium Canada's Experience.

To be effective, palliative care education interventions need to be informed, among others, by evidence and best practices related to curriculum development and design. Designing palliative care continuing professional development (CPD) courses for large-scale, national deployment requires decisions about various design elements, including competencies and learning objectives to be addressed, overall learning approaches, content, and courseware material. Designing for interprofessional education (IPE) adds additional design complexity.

Exploring Content Relationships Among Components of a Multisource Feedback Program.

Introduction: A new multisource feedback (MSF) program was specifically designed to support physician quality improvement (QI) around the CanMEDS roles of Collaborator , Communicator , and Professional . Quantitative ratings and qualitative comments are collected from a sample of physician colleagues, co-workers (C), and patients (PT). These data are supplemented with self-ratings and given back to physicians in individualized reports.

Reducing prescribing of benzodiazepines in older adults: a comparison of four physician-focused interventions by a medical regulatory authority.

Background: The inappropriate and/or high prescribing of benzodiazepine and 'Z' drugs (BDZ +) is a major health concern. The purpose of this study was to determine whether physician or pharmacist led interventions or a simple letter or a personalized prescribing report from a medical regulatory authority (MRA) was the most effective intervention for reducing BDZ + prescribing by physicians to patients 65 years of age or older.

Methods: This was a four-armed, one year, blinded, randomized, parallel-group, investigational trial in Alberta, Canada.

Survey of physician attitudes to using multisource feedback for competence assessment in Alberta.

Background: The use of multisource feedback (MSF) for assessing physician performance is widespread and rapidly growing. Findings from early very small research studies using highly selected participants suggest high levels of satisfaction and support. However, after nearly two decades of experience using MSF to evaluate all physicians in Alberta, we are sceptical of this.

"Keep it short and sweet": Improving risk communication to family physicians during public health crises.

Objective: To identify recommendations from family physicians in Canada on how public health agencies and professional organizations might improve future crisis and emergency risk communications.

Design: Qualitative content analysis.

Setting: Canada.

Medical Cannabis Authorization in Patients With Cancer in the Prelegalization Era: A Population-Based Study.

Context: Studies show that patients with cancer use cannabis to manage symptoms and side effects. Medical cannabis is regulated by Health Canada; authorization patterns among cancer patients have not been well described.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to describe medical cannabis authorization in Alberta, Canada.

Course participation and the recognition and reporting of occupational ill-health.

Background: The Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine for community-based physicians was started in Alberta in 2012 and has since been implemented across Canada. As part of the evaluation of the first 4 years, two studies were initiated to assess the impact of the course on assessment of work-relatedness and case-reporting.

Aims: To determine whether assessment of work-relatedness, intention to report cases and number of cases reported to the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) changed during/after the course.

Experiential knowledge of risk and support factors for physician performance in Canada: a qualitative study.

Objective: To identify, understand and explain potential risk and protective factors that may influence individual and physician group performance, by accessing the experiential knowledge of physician-assessors at three medical regulatory authorities (MRAs) in Canada.

Design: Qualitative analysis of physician-assessors' interview transcripts. Telephone or in-person interviews were audio-recorded on consent, and transcribed verbatim.

Concussion diagnoses among adults presenting to three Canadian emergency departments: Missed opportunities.

Objectives: Patients with concussion commonly present to the emergency department (ED) for assessment. Misdiagnosis of concussion has been documented in children and likely impacts treatment and discharge instructions. This study aimed to examine diagnosis of concussion in a general adult population.