White Coat, Black Art

Past Podcasts

Subscribe using RSS (help) Click this URL, then copy it, and paste it into your podcatching program. Subscribe in iTunes (help)

November 14, 2009 WCBA - Moral Distress

Most of us can say there's at least one task at work we find distasteful or uncomfortable. But what if every day you faced the possibility of moral distress on the job? That's when you believe you know what's the ethical thing to do....but for one reason or another, can't make it happen. It's the reality for health care workers. And a shock for young nurses when they first come into the system.

Right click to Download November 14, 2009 WCBA - Moral Distress
[mp3 file: runs 28:46]

November 7, 2009 WCBA - Reinventing Family Medicine

It's not hard to find something to complain about in our health care system. Many people have no family doctor, for instance. And those who do often have trouble getting in to see them when they need to. A problem made worse by the panic over swine flu. This week on White Coat, Black Art, we look at some innovative steps taken by GP's to give quicker, and better, care. Nurses in family practice? Max loading? Group visitations, anyone?

Right click to Download November 7, 2009 WCBA - Reinventing Family Medicine
[mp3 file: runs 28:04]

October 31, 2009 WCBA - Military Medicine

This week on White Coat, Black Art.....host Brian Goldman talks to those work on the REAL front lines of medicine, in Afghanistan, where he explores how the Hippocratic Oath sometimes clashes with the rules of engagement. And he finds out what doctors and nurses here at home can learn from medicine practiced under fire.

Right click to Download October 31, 2009 WCBA - Military Medicine
[mp3 file: runs 33:09]

October 24, 2009 WCBA Violence & Paramedics

They come at a moment's notice to help when you're scared and in pain. Paramedics - they're modern knights in shining armour, right? Surprisingly not everyone seems to think that. Or at least they don't alway act that way. This week on White Coat, Black Art, host Brian Goldman walks a mile in the shoes of a couple of paramedics in Toronto. And some of what he saw was not pretty.

Right click to Download October 24, 2009 WCBA Violence & Paramedics
[mp3 file: runs 28:20]

October 17, 2009 WCBA - Good Samaritans

We've all heard the call go out — is there a doctor in the house? And we take for granted that if there is one, he or she will spring into action. Because taking that Hippocratic Oath is like putting on the white coat and never being able to take it off. But is that fair? And what if the doctor doesn't really have the skills to deal with the problem...should they get involved anyhow?

Right click to Download October 17, 2009 WCBA - Good Samaritans
[mp3 file: runs 27:55]

WCBA Oct 10, 2009 (Mental Health)

This week, Dr. Brian Goldman takes a look at the medical system from a slightly different perspective...that of someone struggling with a mental illness. He finds that there's a definite 'restrain first, ask questions later" attitude out there. Some of it is grounded in stereotypes and ignorance. And some of it is based on bad experiences with people acting out in the throes of mental illness.

Right click to Download WCBA Oct 10, 2009 (Mental Health)
[mp3 file: runs 28:45]

WCBA Oct 3, 2009 (Orphan Patients & DIY)

This week on White Coat, Black Art....a solution for Canada's perennial problem of orphan patients....the people who can't find a family doctor. There are about 4 million of them across the country. The Ontario government is opening up about 25 nurse-practioner run clinics, and that's got some GP's riled up. Plus, tales from the Do It Yourself world of surgery.

Right click to Download WCBA Oct 3, 2009 (Orphan Patients & DIY)
[mp3 file: runs 27:48]

WCBA Sep 29, 2009 (Fat Doctors)

It's taboo these days to discriminate based on the colour of someone's skin, or where they're from; whether they're a man or a woman, and whether they love men or women. But there's some people we still make fun of with impunity. Fat people. And the insensitivity doesn't stop at the hospital door. This week, how the health system treats obesity. From the surgeons who operate, to the doctors who are fat themselves. That's on WCBA.

Right click to Download WCBA Sep 29, 2009 (Fat Doctors)
[mp3 file: runs 28:19]

WCBA Sep 19, 2009 (Swinefeld)

We've heard a LOT about the global pandemic of swine flu in recent months. Experts are predicting a deadly second wave of the illness this fall. Accordingly, Canadian health officials are scrambling to put plans in place to handle the expected health crisis. It's costing us millions and millions of dollars. But not everyone believes it's necessary. This week, we ask the question: could this be a pandemic about nothing?

Right click to Download WCBA Sep 19, 2009 (Swinefeld)
[mp3 file: runs 28:04]

WCBA Sep 12, 2009 (Sleepy Residents)

A trainee doctor in Canada is expected to work 80, 90 -- sometimes even 100 hours a week -- week after week, year after year. And while they're doing that, they're taking care of you and your loved ones. In the US and European Union they've limited the hours residents can work, to help protect patients from serious medical errors. But not yet in Canada. In this week's edition of White Coat, Black Art, Dr. Brian Goldman talks to residents about their chronic overwork and sleep deprivation:

Right click to Download WCBA Sep 12, 2009 (Sleepy Residents)
[mp3 file: runs 31:26]