Why do so many doctors still think they are invincible to the influence of the pharmaceutical industry? Attractive, well-dressed, charismatic drug reps with pearly smiles and shiny flow charts still wait in waiting rooms. Lectures and conferences still occur where lunch is paid for by the pharmaceutical industry. Canada has banned the use of TV, print and radio advertising of drugs directly to consumers because we recognize that this information should come from unbiased sources. Why then do we allow so much drug promotion to physicians? As a medical community, we have to say no to pharmaceutical influences on our practice.

How do we get more doctors to practice in rural communities? This has been a long standing challenge in Canada -- getting physicians to work where we need them -- especially in provinces with large rural populations. Policy makers have created and implemented some promising solutions, but until recently, there has been little evidence on whether or not the solutions are working. Unfortunately, new research indicates that some programs aimed at retaining doctors in rural areas across the country may not be as successful as we'd hoped.

We live in an age when the stethoscope, one of modern medicine's oldest tools, and the microchip, the device powering the digital revolution, are now linked. It presents the most exciting healthcare breakthrough we have today.

WINNIPEG - Premier Greg Selinger focused on health care Thursday while Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen tried to woo voters with more on ...