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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Fred Voon
March 21, 2023
Meet Dr. Fred Voon, Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Fred Voon
March 21, 2023
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FRED VOON
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Site:
Victoria – Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital
Fred Voon, Clinical Assistant Professor with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
Can you share a little bit about your educational background and journey, and how you got to where you are today?
Life is full of curveballs! My work now is different than what I would have imagined for myself. I switched my shift work to every other week after becoming a single dad to three humans – offering a balance that not every field would allow. My other jobs (mentioned below) provide meaning, flexibility, remote work, passive income, plus ways to use the skills and hard lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Victoria has been home for over 15 years but before that, I trained and worked in Edmonton with a great group. I also did rural locums in Alberta, BC, and New Zealand. My Family Medicine training was through Dalhousie University in the Maritimes, which is an amazing part of the world to spend some time.
What inspired you to work in emergency medicine?
I was a teenage volunteer porter in the Emergency Department of the University of Alberta Hospital and that first exposure got me hooked on the team atmosphere, the controlled chaos, and the overall energy. Not only did I witness some iconic physicians in our field… I got really good at maneuvering a stretcher!
I’m not an adrenaline/trauma junkie, but rather a boy-scout at heart in that I like to be prepared – and so I only set my sights on the general knowledge plus advanced skills that the CCFP-EM combo offered. There are times that general license has come in handy. Furthermore, a large number of patients that roll through the ED benefit from the unique perspective of longitudinal and community training.
What impact would you like to see your work have on patients, communities, and society at large?
As an emerg doc: I aim to leave the world a bit of a better place than when I showed up to work.
As the business lead for our group of 50 physicians: to help run an efficient organization in a trustworthy, accountable, and reliable way.
As Medical Staff Association executive: to improve the culture between physicians in the hospital, their well-being, and their overall sense of belonging.
As a speaker: to promote evidence-based-happiness
As an author: to raise the health literacy of the public; guide them through the confusing ED environment on what might be a day of pain, suffering, or distress for them; and hopefully, to keep even one person from having to come to the Emergency Department that didn’t need to go.
As a volunteer (Our Place Society, YMCA Camp Thunderbird, BCHealthCareMatters): it’s not all about the money. We all have ways we can give back.
What excites you most about your work?
Just as our work is ever-changing, the answer to that question is always changing. I love being dynamic, innovating new things or new ways of doing things, and finding solutions to problems.
Right now I’m excited by a “Better Patient Discharge” project, a “Crazy Socks for Docs” campaign on physician mental health and suicide, and trialing short-term aftercare for ED patients that don’t have a family doctor.
What are you most proud of?
“I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize.
The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.” — Lao-Tzu
If I can continue to follow that lodestar, then I will be proud of myself.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to current trainees?
We are fortunate to have almost infinite lateral movement available to us in medicine, and with emergency training in particular. Don’t get stuck in a corner of medicine where you aren’t finding some joy. Be unafraid to reach out to a colleague, ask for help, or take risks to make changes. You can craft a life and work that integrates the best parts of you.
When you’re not working, where can we find you?
I’m a bit embarrassed to say… on TikTok. I posted a video with a couple of tips on handling nausea and vomiting at home, and it went viral with over 10 million views in the first 48 hours. Until recently, I tried to stay away from social media!
Dr. Fred Voon works at two urban hospitals in Victoria, B.C. and is a member of the Speakers Bureau of Canada. He was named an “Emerging Local Author” by the Greater Victoria Public Library, and listed in the “Who’s Who” section of BC Bookworld Magazine for his non-fiction guide for everyday Canadians, “Your Inside Guide to the Emergency Department–And How to Prevent How to Go!”
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What’s New in Toxicology? Find out on April 1 at the Department of Emergency Medicine’s Toxicology Conference!
March 21, 2023
Register now for What’s New in Toxicology? What Every Acute Care Practitioner Needs to Know, a joint conference hosted by UBC Department of Emergency Medicine with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre.
What’s New in Toxicology? Find out on April 1 at the Department of Emergency Medicine’s Toxicology Conference!
March 21, 2023
UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is proud to host What’s New in Toxicology? What Every Acute Care Practitioner Needs to Know.
A joint conference with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre, BC Centre for Disease Control, medical toxicologists will discuss recent changes in the management of drug overdose. Program highlights include presentation of difficult management cases and discussions of controversial management areas. Toxicologists will demonstrate why the management of each case is difficult and emphasize key management strategies while focusing on pearls and pitfalls in clinical management.
Participants will learn how to treat overdose patients with life threatening symptoms such as hyperthermia, seizures or cardiac dysrhythmias, assess when and how to administer potentially life-saving antidotes, and identify which drug overdose patients may benefit from transfer.
KEY DETAILS
When: Saturday, April 1, 2023; 8:00 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Where: Jim Pattison Pavilion, Vancouver General Hospital, Paetzold HEC Multi-Purpose Room (JPPS 1888) 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC
Who: Presenters include UBC DEM faculty members Dr. James Chomin, Dr. Christopher DeWitt, Dr. Jesse Goodwin, Dr. Roy Purssell and Dr. Adrianna Rowe, as well as Dr. Daniel Ovakim from the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre
Fee: Starts at $325
Credits: Up to 7.0 Mainpro+
To register for What’s New in Toxicology or to find more information, visit https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=390-whats-new-in-toxicology-what-every-acute-care-practitioner-needs-to-know
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- In Memory of Dr. Jill McEwen: A Tribute in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Registration is now open for 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
- Integration of CWL Authentication System with One45
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14th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day Event Program Now Available!
March 21, 2023
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day on April 12 at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium).
14th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day Event Program Now Available!
March 21, 2023
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day! We are excited to welcome audience members and presenters to join us at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium) for a full day of podium presentations on April 12.
Now in its 14th year, the event will include presentations by DEM or Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and trainees on completed or planned research in emergency medicine. In addition, we are honoured to be joined by visiting professor Dr. Eddy Lang for a plenary presentation.
While we are looking forward to seeing you all, we recognize that some may not be able to join us in person. A Zoom option will be available for those who can only attend virtually.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: UBC Department of Emergency Medicine Research Day 2023
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT
Location: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver BC (Zoom option available for virtual attendees)
EVENT PROGRAM
An up-to-date event program is now available to be downloaded using the link below.
VISITING PROFESSOR, DR. EDDY LANG
Dr. Eddy Lang is the Academic Department Head and a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and the Clinical Department Head for Emergency Medicine, Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services. He is also a senior researcher at Alberta Health Services. He co-chaired the 2007 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference on Knowledge Translation which remains an ongoing interest.
Dr. Lang is a member of the GRADE working group at the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. He has led the development of GRADE-based clinical practice guidelines in pre-hospital care in Canada and the US. Dr. Lang is also an award-winning educator having received recognition at both university, national and international levels.
He also serves as Senior Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, Associate Editor for ACP Journal Club and the International Journal of Emergency Medicine. He is also writes a quarterly column for the Calgary Herald on Evidence-Based Medicine.
He is the current Principal Investigator on two PRIHS projects with a Choosing Wisely connection: Improving the Stewardship of Diagnostic Imaging Resources in Alberta Emergency Departments, and Reassessment of Clinical Practices for Patients Presenting to the ED with Upper GI Bleed.
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Department Spotlight: Elizabeth Stacy
February 21, 2023
Meet Elizabeth Stacy, Operations Director with the BC Emergency Medicine Network.
Department Spotlight: Elizabeth Stacy
February 21, 2023
Elizabeth Stacy, Operations Director with the BC Emergency Medicine Network.
How long have you worked in the department or with UBC?
I started working in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC in 2004. In 2018 we moved to Washington DC for a couple of years (cut short by COVID), and when we came home, I was lucky enough to start up at UBC again in 2021.
Can you summarize what you do in the department?
My focus is on community-engaged health research, Indigenous reconciliation work, and health education.
Currently, I am the Operations Director at the BC Emergency Medicine Network (EMN), and in my role I ensure the smooth functioning of the Network. At the EMN, we develop accessible and trusted clinical resources, support sharing of resources, tools, and advice, and advocate for emergency practitioners. We connect emergency care providers and patients across BC so they can share knowledge and support each other to deliver better care. And, among other things, we support scientific innovations and real-time virtual support programs, while providing evidence and experience-based input on policy development.
What is your favourite thing about working in the department?
I’ve really enjoyed all the opportunities to learn new things, meet new people, and work on creative and impactful programs. It’s been a pleasure to be surrounded by people with such rich experiences and expertise who mentor and support others to grow. I get to work with so many amazing people, and I’ve developed a lot of strong relationships that I really value. I also really appreciate the importance that’s placed on growth and learning through an ever-expanding suite of training, webinars, and other professional development education to allow us to keep open minds to new things.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I was an exchange student right after high school, and had the incredible fortune to live in the Czech Republic (now Czechia) for one year. Funnily enough, my cohort was the first to be sent to that country after the fall of communism! Coming from a smaller town in BC, it was quite something to be afforded the opportunity to become very independently sufficient very quickly, learn another language and travel extensively at the ripe old age of 17.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I love to cook and eat (I did a stagier for a few weeks to try it out in a professional kitchen!), and I love to travel. I also have a fun and very busy 10 year old and a new dog, so there’s always a lot happening in our house!
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Registration now open for 14th annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
February 1, 2023
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day on April 12 at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium).
Registration now open for 14th annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
February 1, 2023
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The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day! We are excited to welcome audience members and presenters to join us at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium) for a full day of podium presentations on April 12.
Now in its 14th year, the event will include presentations by DEM or Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and trainees on completed or planned research in emergency medicine. In addition, we are honoured to be joined by visiting professor Dr. Eddy Lang for a plenary presentation.
While we are looking forward to seeing you all, we recognize that some may not be able to join us in person. A Zoom option will be available for those who can only attend virtually.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: UBC Department of Emergency Medicine Research Day 2023
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT
Location: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver BC (Zoom option available for virtual attendees)
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
We are now accepting abstracts for Research Day 2023. Please review the abstract guidelines using the button below, and submit your abstract to emergency.research@ubc.ca by Monday, February 27, 2023. Notification of selected presenters will be made within two weeks of this date.
Please register online if you will be attending the event in person or virtually, as an audience member or potentially as a presenter.
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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jared Baylis
January 23, 2023
Meet Dr. Jared Baylis, Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jared Baylis
January 23, 2023
Jared Baylis, Clinical Assistant Professor with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
Can you share a little bit about your educational background and journey, and how you got to where you are today?
My post-secondary educational journey began at Okanagan University College (now UBC Okanagan) in their Bachelor of Business Administration program. I completed my first year before realizing that, while I enjoyed my business courses and they’ve come in handy more than once, it was not the career path I was looking for. I switched into the Bachelor of Science program and transferred to UBC Okanagan where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Microbiology including a one year exchange at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Following that, I received my MD from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and was fortunate enough to match to Emergency Medicine at UBC based at the Interior Site in Kelowna, BC. I received my FRCPC designation in Emergency Medicine after completing residency which included a one year fellowship in Simulation and Leadership in Vancouver, BC.
What inspired you to work in emergency medicine?
This is such an interesting question when I reflect back on what inspired me originally and what continues to inspire me now. When I was exploring various career options within medicine, I found myself drawn to just about everything. There were aspects of surgery I enjoyed, parts of community pediatric care that were rewarding, and the complex clinical reasoning in internal medicine was stimulating. As I continued through clerkship, emergency medicine became the logical choice where I could combine a bit of everything in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
Beyond that, emergency medicine is a team sport that relies on everyone from nurses to RTs to porters to cleaning staff to MDs and more to function well together in providing for our patients, which I really enjoy. More and more as our health care system evolves, I find it satisfying to care for each individual patient where they’re at whether it be an acute resuscitation for a major medical problem to the patient that feels scared and didn’t know where else to go for their increasing suicidal thoughts. We truly see it all in EM and we provide care at the front line where our door is always open regardless of how the system is functioning.
What impact would you like to see your work have on patients, communities, and society at large?
I think of emergency medicine as a grassroots specialty in the sense that we benefit society as a whole at the individual patient level. We are the place that people go when they are in need of health care of any kind on an emergent basis. It is often said that anyone in the emergency department as a patient is likely having one of the worst days of their life otherwise they wouldn’t be there. I hope we change those individual’s lives for the better in the care we provide.
At a community level, this care provides a safety net in that the community can rest assured that if care is needed, their local emergency department is there to provide it regardless of social status, race, gender, religion, etc. And as a society at large I believe the emergency department is a place where systemic issues first arise, where solutions are sought/studied, and where change is first felt.
What excites you most about your work? What are you most proud of?
Like most emerg docs, I find a successful acute resuscitation to be exciting and meaningful. However, this is only a small part of what we do. The more day-to-day occurrences that excite me are usually centred around those times when somebody’s life is improved because of the care you provide, empathy you express, or the kindness you show. I am most proud of our entire emergency department, and all the different professions represented within it, for continuing to provide excellent care during difficult times. The ED team is truly inspirational!
What is one piece of advice that you would give to current trainees?
Your primary goal during residency should be becoming an excellent emergency physician. Opportunities will fly at you from nearly day one to start projects, help with teaching, do conference presentations, etc. These are all fantastic opportunities and should be considered. However, each opportunity should be thought about carefully and pursued only if time allows, if it will be valuable to you, if it’s something you’re passionate about, and if it still allows you to achieve the primary goal. It is very easy to find your calendar full with no time for self-care and balance if one isn’t intentional about how they spend their time.
When you’re not working, where can we find you?
You can find me climbing, trail running, hiking, mountain biking, and traveling with my family either in our van or somewhere farther.
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Emergency medicine resident Dr. Aidan McParland leads study on the impact of cannabinoids in patients with chronic neuropathic pain
January 23, 2023
UBC Department of Emergency Medicine RCPSC-EM resident Dr. Aidan McParland led a study evaluating the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and pain in patients with chronic neuropathic pain.
Emergency medicine resident Dr. Aidan McParland leads study on the impact of cannabinoids in patients with chronic neuropathic pain
January 23, 2023
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Cannabinoids have a role in treating chronic neuropathic pain as evidenced by significant improvements in sleep quality, pain intensity and patients’ global impression of change (PGIC), according to a new study led by UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) RCPSC-EM resident Dr. Aidan McParland. However, more research is needed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and analgesic efficacy.
The study, “Evaluating the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and pain in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”, was published in the BMJ’s Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. The systematic review and meta-analysis found a gradual improvement in both neuropathic pain and sleep in patients who have neuropathic pain when using varying combinations of THC and CBD, as well as improvements in overall functional capacity and quality of life.
“It is estimated that as many as 40 per cent of all patients seen in the Emergency Department (ED) have some form of chronic pain, and 70 per cent of ED visits are a result of some sort of pain, whether acute or chronic. Neuropathic pain specifically is thought to affect more than 10 per cent of the global population,” said Dr. McParland. “It is something that we see quite commonly in the ED, inpatient, and outpatient settings, and there is an ongoing need to develop further understanding of non-opioid analgesic options in the management of neuropathic pain states.”
In over 10 years of studying neuropathic pain, Dr. McParland recognized that there is little understanding of the interplay between sleep and neuropathic pain. Further to this, there is a paucity of literature that looks at this relationship as well as the benefits of using cannabinoids to treat neuropathic pain and its symptoms.
“Cannabinoids are potentially a much safer alternative to opioids or even other medications that we’re currently using for neuropathic pain, but we are still learning about their utility as a treatment for various chronic pain states.” added Dr. McParland.
This project was conducted during Dr. McParland’s time as a participant in the DEM’s Novel Education in Research and Design (NERD) block, a month-long research skills and critical appraisal education course. The course provides participants the opportunity to develop and advance their own research project with the support of academic faculty members.
Dr. McParland first developed an interest in chronic pain management as a first-year undergraduate student while studying in the U.S., where he played NCAA soccer and recognized how often opioids were prescribed to treat sporting injuries. Since then, he has devoted his career to combining his passion for emergency medicine and further investigating chronic pain, including the role of the ED in chronic pain management.
Dr. McParland hopes this work will lend some support for the use case of cannabinoids as one of several possible treatment modalities for neuropathic pain, as well as to promote more robust studies that look at the impact of sleep on neuropathic pain, and alternative chronic pain states, by developing research that monitors and measures sleep more objectively. Additionally, more research is needed to understand what specific dose combinations of CBD and THC can help optimize pain and sleep outcomes, while reducing side effects, such as fatigue and nausea.
This study was a partnership between researchers at the University of British Columbia, the University Health Network, University of Toronto Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and McMaster University. Co-authors include Anuj Bhatia, John Matelski, Chenchen Tian, Calvin Diep, Hance Clarke, Daniel Kapustin, Aditya Triveda, Richard Brull, and Mandeep Singh.
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UBC Department of Emergency Medicine Co-Interim Heads Extended to 2023
December 23, 2022
Dr. Roy Purssell and Dr. John Tallon will have their interim headship of the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine extended to June 30, 2023.
UBC Department of Emergency Medicine Co-Interim Heads Extended to 2023
December 23, 2022
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We are pleased to announce that Dr. Roy Purssell and Dr. John Tallon will have their interim headship of the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine extended to June 30, 2023.
Dr. Purssell and Dr. Tallon were appointed as co-interim heads of the department in January 2021. With their interim roles extended, they will continue to provide leadership to faculty, staff and learners while we initiate a recruitment plan and search for a new department head.
“We are looking forward to continuing our work with the Department of Emergency Medicine during these challenging times for emergency care in the province and the associated pressures on teaching and research.” – Dr. John Tallon and Dr. Roy Purssell
Dr. Purssell is a professor with the Department of Emergency Medicine. In addition to this role, he also serves as a Medical Lead of the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre at the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Dr. Tallon is a clinical professor with the Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as an adjunct professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University with cross appointments as adjunct professor in the Departments of Surgery, Anaesthesia and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University.
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Department Spotlight: Renmart Buhay
December 12, 2022
Meet Renmart Buhay, Lead Research Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
Department Spotlight: Renmart Buhay
December 12, 2022
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RENMART BUHAY
LEAD RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Site:
New Westminster – Royal Columbian Hospital Surrey Memorial Hospital
Renmart Buhay, Lead Research Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?
I have been working with the Department of Emergency Medicine since December 2021.
Can you summarize what you do in the Department?
I am currently a lead research research assistant at Fraser Health hospital sites (Surrey Memorial Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital) for the ATICO study led by Dr. Jeff Brubacher. The study identifies risk factors for the long-term health outcomes of injured active transportation (pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility device) users. This includes examining the road infrastructure details and participants injury circumstances.
My role involves screening and interviewing participants at EDs across multiple hospital sites and documenting accident locations using Google Maps. These accident location screenshots will then be shared with city planners and traffic safety engineers. I initially started as a research assistant for the National Drug Driving Study but transitioned fully onto the ATICO study after working on the pilot study at Vancouver General Hospital.
I have also been involved in various systematic and media reviews for our research team, and I manage a Twitter account for our road safety and public health research team where I post content about our lab’s research projects and the current research/news in the field of road safety.
What is your favourite thing about your work?
My favourite part of my work is the wonderful teammates, co-workers and mentors working on many different and interesting areas in road safety. I also enjoy being able to engage patients in public health research and promote knowledge translation of road safety and injury prevention research through social media.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I have a lot of different artistic hobbies but have recently been into creating and designing my own digital illustrations and cartoons. I will hopefully be able to publish my own comics one day!
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I like to be involved in community engagement projects. I co-founded a health promotion colouring book project for newcomers and refugees in partnership with the City of Surrey. Currently, I am working on a digital zine showcasing artwork and resources around the topic of youth eco-anxiety. I also have many artistic hobbies like drawing, graphic design and poetry, and enjoy outdoor activities like longboarding, surfing and hiking!
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RENMART BUHAY
LEAD RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Site:
City – Location
Renmart Buhay, Lead Research Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?
I have been working with the Department of Emergency Medicine since December 2021.
Can you summarize what you do in the Department?
I am currently a lead research research assistant at Fraser Health hospital sites (Surrey Memorial Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital) for the ATICO study led by Dr. Jeff Brubacher. The study identifies risk factors in the long term health outcomes of injured active transportation (pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility device) users. This includes examining the road infrastructure details and participants injury circumstances. My role involves screening and interviewing participants at ED across multiple hospital sites and documenting accident locations using google map. These accident location screenshots will then be shared with city planners and traffic safety engineers. I initially started as a research assistant for the National Drug Driving Study but transitioned fully onto the ATICO study after working on the pilot study at Vancouver General Hospital. I have also been involved in various systematic and media reviews for our research team, and I manage a Twitter account for our Road Safety and Public health research team where I post content about our lab’s research projects and the current research/news in the field of road safety.
What is your favourite thing about your work?
My favourite part of my work is the wonderful teammates, co-workers and mentors working on many different and interesting areas in road safety. I also enjoy being able to engage patients in public health research and promoting knowledge translation of road safety and injury prevention research through social media.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I have a lot of different artistic hobbies but have been recently into creating and designing my own digital illustrations and cartoons and hopefully will be able to publish my own comics one day!
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I like to be involved in community engagement projects. I co-founded a health promotion coloring book project for newcomers and refugees in partnership with the City of Surrey. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/refugee-colouring-book-by-sfu-students-1.5369087) Currently, I am working on a digital zine showcasing artworks and resources around the topic of youth eco-anxiety. I also have many artistic hobbies like drawing, graphic design and poetry, and enjoy doing outdoor activities like longboarding, surfing and hiking!
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DEM clinical instructor Niresha Velmurugiah leads national survey on collection of sociodemographic data in emergency departments
November 21, 2022
Dr. Niresha Velmurugiah published new research in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, which found that the majority of Canadian emergency departments do not collect patient race, ethnicity and language data
DEM clinical instructor Niresha Velmurugiah leads national survey on collection of sociodemographic data in emergency departments
November 21, 2022
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The majority of Canadian emergency departments (ED) do not systematically collect sociodemographic information such as race, ethnicity and language data on their patients, according to a new study led by UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) clinical instructor Dr. Niresha Velmurugiah.
The study, “Collection of patient race, ethnicity, and language data in emergency departments: a national survey”, was published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine (CJEM) and identifies the need for ongoing research and resources to address the paucity of race, ethnicity and language data collection in Canadian EDs.
While exploring a potential research study on how patients of different races and ethnicities and who speak different languages may receive different interventions or medical treatments for pain, Dr. Velmurugiah recognized that this topic could not be studied if the actual data does not exist.
How can we identify the problem if we don’t know the populations that we serve, she asked.
“In looking at research around racism in the health care system, I found that there was quite a lot of research in the US, UK and elsewhere but a paucity of research in Canada,” said Dr. Velmurugiah. “When I looked into this further, I realized that this was a national problem. Very little race and ethnicity data collection exists in many Canadian institutions, including hospitals.”
As an emergency physician, and given that the ED is a major point of contact for many patients accessing the health care system, Dr. Velmurugiah worked with a team of researchers to look specifically at EDs across the country and quantify the proportion that collect patient race, ethnicity and language data.
The team distributed a survey to all Canadian EDs and had a 32.8 per cent response rate. The results found that one fifth (20.3%) of responding EDs reported that they collected race and ethnicity data and 38.1% collected primary language data. Reported uses for these data included quality improvement, research, and direct patient care.
The survey results also found that EDs in areas with higher proportions of minority groups collected sociodemographic data at lower rates than EDs in other areas. The one exception was that EDs in areas with higher non-English/French populations collected language data, but not other sociodemographic data, at higher rates than EDs in other areas.
Dr. Velmurugiah notes that there are health care systems across the US and Canada that have adopted methods to collect patient sociodemographic data, and recognizes that there may be some discomfort around implementing new systems that would involve asking patients these types of questions.
“This is not something that there’s no precedent for,” she said. “If we’re transparent about the reasons why we’re collecting this data and how important it will be for advancing patient care and equity in patient care, then we could maintain patient trust and still obtain this crucial data.”
The study concludes that if Canadian hospitals prioritize improving their patient sociodemographic data collection systems, future studies that quantify the impact of race, ethnicity and language on patient health care treatment and outcomes will be possible.
“The issue of racism in Canada is not a new problem, but the acknowledgement of it is fairly new and many Canadian organizations have recently made commitments to addressing racism and discrimination in our health care system,” said Dr. Velmurugiah. “I hope this study brings about recognition that this type of data collection is something we’re lacking in our Canadian health care system and that we need to develop methods to allow for change to take place.”
To support ongoing emergency medicine research, please consider making a donation to the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
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Department Spotlight: Jenny Lam
November 17, 2022
Meet Jenny Lam! Jenny is the Department Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
Department Spotlight: Jenny Lam
November 17, 2022
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JENNY LAM
DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT
Site:
Vancouver – Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre
Jenny Lam, Department Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?
I have been working for the Department since July 2022 – it has been just four months but it feels longer!
Can you summarize what you do in the Department?
As a department assistant, I am mainly responsible for providing administrative support to the co-heads especially on facilitating calendar management and meeting arrangements. I also provide financial support to our residents and faculty members.
What is your favourite thing about working in the Department?
The encouraging and supportive culture of the team! There are challenges in every position, and with an encouraging and supportive team, I never feel alone when I got lost. I am really grateful for this.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
Apart from being an assistant, I am also a freelance yoga instructor. I started practising yoga in 2017 because of low back pain caused by scoliosis, and completed my yoga certification training in 2020 (it was an in-person training rescheduled three times because of lockdown measures, and finished right before the fourth wave/ lockdown commenced in Hong Kong – lucky me!). It has been five years since I started and I am still very passionate about it. There is just too much to explore.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Practising yoga for sure – just give me some space and I can play on my yoga mat for hours. I also enjoy being outdoors, particularly hiking and strolling. I love walking and walk a lot as long as the weather allows. Can’t wait for the next summer!
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Department of Emergency Medicine to Host Toxicology Conference
October 28, 2022
UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is proud to host What’s New in Toxicology? What Every Acute Care Practitioner Needs to Know, a joint conference with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre, BC Centre for Disease Control
Department of Emergency Medicine to Host Toxicology Conference
October 28, 2022
UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is proud to host What’s New in Toxicology? What Every Acute Care Practitioner Needs to Know.
A joint conference with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre, BC Centre for Disease Control, medical toxicologists will discuss recent changes in the management of drug overdose. Program highlights include presentation of difficult management cases and discussions of controversial management areas. Toxicologists will demonstrate why the management of each case is difficult and emphasize key management strategies while focusing on pearls and pitfalls in clinical management.
Participants will learn how to treat overdose patients with life threatening symptoms such as hyperthermia, seizures or cardiac dysrhythmias, assess when and how to administer potentially life-saving antidotes, and identify which drug overdose patients may benefit from transfer.
KEY DETAILS
When: Saturday, April 1, 2023; 8:00 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Where: Jim Pattison Pavilion, Vancouver General Hospital, Paetzold HEC Multi-Purpose Room (JPPS 1888) 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC
Who: Presenters include UBC DEM faculty members Dr. James Chomin, Dr. Christopher DeWitt, Dr. Jesse Goodwin, Dr. Roy Purssell and Dr. Adrianna Rowe, as well as Dr. Daniel Ovakim from the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre
Fee: Starts at $325
Credits: Up to 7.0 Mainpro+
To register for What’s New in Toxicology or to find more information, visit https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=390-whats-new-in-toxicology-what-every-acute-care-practitioner-needs-to-know
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- In Memory of Dr. Jill McEwen: A Tribute in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Registration is now open for 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
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Dr. Barinder Brar selected as newest Emergency Medicine Leadership fellow
October 24, 2022
Dr. Barinder Brar has been selected as the most recent fellow in the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellowship program.
Dr. Barinder Brar selected as newest Emergency Medicine Leadership fellow
October 24, 2022
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Dr. Barinder Brar has been selected as the most recent fellow in the University of British Columbia (UBC) – Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellowship program.
Dr. Brar is currently an emergency physician and co-head of Richmond Hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as a clinical instructor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
“I am looking forward to this timely opportunity to develop strategies for navigating the complex challenges facing the practice of emergency medicine given our current climate,” said Dr. Brar. “I am confident that the expertise of experienced clinicians and leaders will provide me with the tools necessary to contribute to medical leadership and sustainable health system change.”
The UBC-BWH Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellowship aims to develop health care leaders from BC who will become experts in emergency care delivery both at the institutional and system or regional levels through a combination of practice, financial and management education, collaboration, and personal development.
Applicants are reviewed by a selection committee led by the Co-Heads of the UBC DEM, Roy Purcell, MD and John Tallon, MD. The selection committee has equal representation from the UBC and BWH.
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Department Spotlight: Durr Al-Hakim
October 20, 2022
Meet Durr Al-Hakim, a clinical research assistant with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
Department Spotlight: Durr Al-Hakim
October 20, 2022
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DURR AL-HAKIM
CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Site:
Vancouver – VGH Research Pavillion
Durr Al-Hakim, Clinical Research Assistant with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
How long have you worked in the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM)/UBC?
I have been working with the Department of Emergency Medicine since August 2021.
Can you summarize what you do in the Department?
I’m currently a clinical research assistant working under the supervision of Dr. Jeffrey Brubacher, with a primary focus on the National Drug Driving Study at the Road Safety and Public Health (RSPH) lab. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of drug-impaired driving (e.g., alcohol, cannabis) among injured drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions across Canada, and can help policymakers and road-safety professionals to inform policies and programs that protect against driving after drug use. Beyond performing blood sample and data collection, and other study-related responsibilities, I’m involved in multiple systematic reviews to study specific risk factors associated with increased risk of motor vehicle collisions, in an effort to further promote injury prevention and road safety. It’s been exciting and I’ve certainly learned a lot thus far.
Before joining RSPH, I worked as a research assistant on the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN), led by Dr. Corinne Hohl. By helping to characterize COVID-19 ED visits and hospital admissions, this data was used to validate COVID-19 clinical decisions. Certainly rewarding to have been involved in this project at the height of the pandemic.
What is your favourite thing about working in the Department?
My team! I’m surrounded by great colleagues, and it’s been a pleasure working with and learning from Dr. Brubacher – an incredibly driven, inspiring, and supportive mentor.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
Often comes as a shock to most people, but I really love classical music. I try to go to “concerts” (e.g., orchestras/symphonies) whenever I have the chance! It’s usually what I’m listening to while working, studying, or even during my coffee walks.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I’m really interested in social advocacy and strive to improve the accessibility of basic necessities for individuals facing social marginalization in BC. In May 2021, I founded an NPO named The Good Day Charitable Society to help to carry out this mission. Since then, we’ve partnered with VGH Emergency Department and also offered support to women at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre!
As for hobbies, weightlifting is one of my top priorities and I’ve been consistently training for a few years now – it never fails to fill my cup up. I also love solo-travelling, baking, and going for long coffee walks with my close friends.
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Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 15, 2022
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is on Sept. 30. This is a day to honour and uphold the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families, and to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system.
Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 15, 2022
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, will take place on September 30. This is a day to honour and uphold the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families, and to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system. UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) staff, faculty and trainees are encouraged to participate in Orange Shirt Day, and to honour the intent of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, whether through personal reflection or education and awareness activities, on this day and beyond.
As people across Canada observe this day and acknowledge the painful history and legacy of residential schools, it is important to also recognize the ongoing impacts that colonialism, government policies and discrimination continue to have on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples.
As an academic institution committed to promoting excellence in emergency care, the objective of the DEM is to educate, develop and mentor current and future health practitioners to serve the health needs of various communities across the province.
“We know that health inequities exist for Indigenous Peoples due to many factors, including physician biases,” said Dr. John Tallon, Clinical Professor and Co-Head of the UBC DEM. “It is our job to optimize care and outcomes for Indigenous Peoples by providing high-quality, culturally sensitive training to current and future emergency care physicians.”
“It is important to recognize flaws of the past so we can make positive changes for a more inclusive and equitable future health care system that provides the best possible care to the culturally and geographically diverse population within our province,” added Dr. Roy Purssell, Professor and Co-Head of the UBC DEM.
In early 2022, Dr. Ka Wai Cheung and Dr. Gina Gill were appointed as UBC DEM’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) co-chairs. Part of their work involves ensuring that recruitment, selection and training practices of new emergency medicine residents are carried out under an EDI lens.
“We are learning together, and we believe we are taking the necessary steps to recruit, select and train the emergency physicians who will work to change the system for the better,” said Dr. Gina Gill, Clinical Assistant Professor and EDI Co-Chair of the UBC DEM.
“We know that changing the system is a tremendous undertaking and we have barely scratched the surface,” added Dr. Ka Wai Cheung, Clinical Associate Professor and EDI Co-Chair of the UBC DEM. “Acknowledging National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a significant first step as the DEM moves collectively to acknowledge the past and create a future where Indigenous Peoples will receive respectful, culturally sensitive care throughout the province.”
In addition to the EDI work under way, the UBC InterCultural Online Health Network (iCON) project works collaboratively with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Indigenous Health, as well as Vancouver Physician Staff Association (VPSA) leaders and the BC First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to prioritize and advance Indigenous cultural safety in health care settings. Part of this work involves planning and hosting Indigenous Health Rounds, which serve as a platform to introduce health care professionals to Indigenous traditional healing, patient stories, and dimensions of wellness. They also allow participants to reflect on their own practices and how they could apply cultural safety knowledge and skills to in-person and virtual clinical care settings.
The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at UBC addresses the colonial legacy of residential schools and other policies imposed by the Canadian government on Indigenous Peoples, and ensures that this history is acknowledged, examined and understood within the UBC community. Learn more about the Centre’s work, including how to visit the Centre in person and engage with events and programming, at irshdc.ubc.ca. To learn more about UBC’s Indigenous academic and administrative initiatives and resources, and to find out how you can support Indigenous Peoples and honour their healing journeys through allyship, education and self-reflection, visit https://indigenous.ubc.ca/.
UBC Faculty of Medicine will hold a virtual commemorative event on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together with Faculty leadership and community members, Dermot Kelleher, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President of Health at UBC, will reflect on the purpose of Orange Shirt Day and vow to reaffirm and deepen their commitment to advance their work in collaboration with First Nations and Indigenous peoples of British Columbia and beyond. The event will be guided by Derek Thompson, Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Initiatives Advisor, and Namaste Marsden, Masemtxoxw, Director, Indigenous Engagement. Event details are available at https://www.med.ubc.ca/2022-commemorative-event-for-orange-shirt-day-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/
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