CFP Podcast

Dr. Sarah Barclay arrived in the community of Stouffville, ON in 2002 as a young family medicine resident studying at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, never expecting to return. But under the influence of her then preceptor, Dr. Jane Philpott, two years later in 2004 she returned to start her own family practice and has spent her entire career caring for the people of Stouffville and immersed in the life of the community. Join CFP Associate Editor, Dr. David Ponka, and Editor, Dr. Nick Pimlott, as they explore Dr. Ian McWhinney’s sixth principle with Dr. Barclay – that family physicians should share a habitat with their patients – and how we can better teach and role model this important principle for learners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Dr Ian McWhinney’s fifth principle—the need for the family doctor to feel or see themselves as part of a broad community network of health and support services —belies the complexity of our lives from a biological, physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual point of view that compels us to understand the needs of various perspectives." So begins Sister Dr. Monique Bourget and colleagues’ reflection on McWhinney’s fifth principle in the June issue of CFP. Join Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka for a wide-ranging conversation with Sister Dr. Bourget about her essay, her pioneering collaborative work to help establish family medicine as a discipline in Brazil, and her more recent work in Benin in West Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dans cet épisode inaugurale en français du balado du Médecin de famille canadien , la Dre Marie-Dominique Beaulieu discute de l’évolution de la médecine familiale vers une approche davantage centrée sur la santé populationnelle et la responsabilité communautaire. L’entretien explore les défis liés à l’intégration des soins primaires et de la santé publique, l’importance du travail interprofessionnel ainsi que le rôle potentiel des outils numériques et de l’intelligence artificielle dans l’amélioration des soins. La conversation aborde également les tensions entre soins individualisés et gestion populationnelle, les risques d’inégalités et les raisons pour lesquelles plusieurs réformes en soins primaires peinent à être implantées. Enfin, la Dre Beaulieu partage sa vision d’une pratique exemplaire de la médecine familiale pour les prochaines années, ancrée dans la collaboration, la proximité avec les communautés et une meilleure prise en charge collective de la santé. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What should Dr. Ian McWhinney’s legacy be? Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka in a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Iona Heath about her essay “Continuity of care should be Dr. Ian McWhinney’s lasting legacy” . This layered essay is a contemporary reflection on Ian McWhinney’s third principle that the family physician sees every contact with his patients as an opportunity for prevention or health education. For 35 years Dr. Iona Heath practiced comprehensive family medicine in Kentish Town in London, UK. Dr. Heath is a past President of the Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdom. Her essays on the nature and the state of general practice have been published in the British Medical Journal , the British Journal of General Practice , Clinical Medicine, and Canadian Family Physician and elsewhere . The essay and the books discussed in the podcast can be found at the following links: https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/72/4/230.full.pdf ; https://canongate.co.uk/books/2244-a-fortunate-man-the-story-of-a-country-doctor ; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/395860/the-spirit-level-new-edition-by-richard-wilkinsonkate-pickett/9780241954294) . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For anyone who has practiced family medicine in Canada long enough, it can feel like the health care system lurches from crisis to crisis – from overcrowded emergency rooms to long wait times to see specialists to complete lack of access to a family physician or other primary health care professional for millions of Canadians. Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka in conversation with Dr. Maxine Dumas Pilon and Dr. Timothy Holland. They are the lead authors of a three-part series in the journal entitled “Health care crisis: Looking beyond the obvious”. In the articles and on the podcast, they explore how we got here, a new way of thinking about health care systems and our goals for health, and a way out of our perpetual crises. Links to the first two articles can be found here: https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/72/3/209.full.pdf ; https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/72/4/e131.full.pdf . The third and final article in the series will be published in the May issue of Canadian Family Physician . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka as they explore the meaning and importance of context in family medicine with Dr. Anna Stavdal. Dr. Stavdal is the lead author of the third article in the “Foundations for Tomorrow” series in the journal celebrating the centenary of Dr. Ian McWhinney’s birth. Dr. Stavdal’s essay is entitled “Understanding the Context of Illness”. Dr. Stavdal’s co-author of the piece is Dr. Susan Senstad. Listeners can find a link to the article here: https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/72/3/164.full.pdf . A link to the book “Core Values in Family Medicine: Inspiring Global Change” can be found here: https://www.routledge.com/Core-Values-in-Family-Medicine-Inspiring-Global-Change/Stavdal-Sigurdsson-Goodyear-Smith/p/book/9781032893280 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a time of rapid change and many challenges in the practice of family medicine, how do we maintain the heart of our discipline – our deep relationships with our patients? Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka in conversation with Dr. Alan Ng Cheng Hin from the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Ng is the author of the second essay in the series “Foundations for Tomorrow” entitled “Ian McWhinney and the doctor-patient relationship” in the February issue of the journal ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/72/2/84.full.pdf ). Listeners interested in some of the books discussed in the podcast can find them at these links: “A Fortunate Man: The Story of a Country Doctor” by John Berger ( https://canongate.co.uk/books/2244-a-fortunate-man-the-story-of-a-country-doctor/ ); “A Fortunate Woman: A Country Doctor’s Story” by Polly Morland ( https://www.pollymorland.com/books/a-fortunate-woman/ ); “McWhinney’s Textbook of Family Medicine” revised by Thomas R. Freeman ( https://www.oupcanada.com/catalog/9780199370689.html ); and “Patient-Centered Medicine: Transforming the Clinical Method” by Moira Stewart et al. ( https://www.routledge.com/Patient-Centered-Medicine-Transforming-the-Clinical-Method/Stewart-Brown-Weston-Freeman-Ryan-McWilliam-McWhinney/p/book/9781032480596 ). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year – 2026 – marks the centenary of Dr. Ian McWhinney’s birth. Ian McWhinney is considered the “father of family medicine” in Canada and founded the first academic Department of Family Medicine in Canada at Western University in 1970. Join CFP Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka and Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott as they interview Dr. Tom Freeman, Professor Emeritus at Western University to discuss an article in the January edition of CFP which they co-authored with Tom entitled “Finding safe harbour: reassessing 9 principles of family medicine in difficult times” ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/20 ). Tom, David and Nick discuss Tom’s first encounter with Ian McWhinney as a medical student and their long working relationship together; the launch of a new series in CFP entitled “Foundations for Tomorrow” reinterpreting McWhinney’s 9 principles for our current challenging times; and our partnership with the National Gallery of Canada to bring these principles to life on the journal’s covers from the Gallery’s extensive archival collection ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/8 ). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join CFP’s Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka for their final podcast of the year as they review some of their favourite articles published in the journal in 2025. Together they cover a wide range of topics from a report on the role of primary care in Ontario in the Covid-19 pandemic ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/71/1/31 ) to the Journey of a Pill ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/71/4/263 ) to how we can reclaim our precious time in family medicine ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/71/11-12/726 ) and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With climate change the distribution of ticks is extending throughout Canada and along with that the increasing risk of tick-borne infectious diseases. Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka as they discuss the rise in tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease along with previously less commonly seen diseases like Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan virus with Dr. Clarissa Ng and Dr. Pil Joo. Dr. Ngo and Dr. Joo are the authors of a Clinical Review in the October issue of Canadian Family Physician entitled “Anaplasmosis: Emerging Threat in Canada”. In the interview they discuss the common clinical presentations, the appropriate use of investigations and the increasing importance of considering tick-borne infections in the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illnesses both in the office and emergency room setting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Rourke Baby Record (RBR), a tool first developed by Drs. James and Leslie Rourke in their family practice in Goderich, ON to help them better care for babies and toddlers in their practice. The first version of the RBR was published in Canadian Family Physician in 1985 and since its initial publication it has gone on to be widely used in family medicine and primary care practices in Canada and around the world. Since its inception, Canadian Family Physician has published regular updates to the RBR. Join Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott as he interviews Dr. Imaan Bayoumi and Dr. Leslie Rourke about the most recent important updates to the Rourke Baby Record ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/71/9/553.full.pdf ). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered how commonly prescribed medications are manufactured and distributed, eventually making their way to your friendly neighborhood pharmacist and ready for you to prescribe? Have you ever wondered what the environmental and climate impacts are? Find out in this episode of the CFP Podcast as Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka talk to family physician Dr. Myles Sergeant and engineer Harjas Kaur. Along with their colleagues Fiona Parascandalo, Gail Krantzberg, Emma Ko, Neha Mathur, Amandot Singh Gill and Falisha Razack they are the co-authors of a unique and innovative research study published in the April edition of CFP entitled “Journey of a Pill”. Dr. Myles Sergeant is a family physician in the Hamilton Family Health Team and a Clinical Assistant Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton. He is also the McMaster University PGME Sustainable Healthcare Lead, the President of Trees for Hamilton ( www.treesforhamilton.ca ), the Partnership Lead for PEACH ( www.peachhealthontario.com ) and the Executive Director of Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care ( www.greenhealthcare.ca ). Harjas Kaur is an Engineer and Sustainability Consultant now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. To read their novel and important paper go to: https://www.cfp.ca/content/71/4/263 . Enjoy the podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The June 2025 issue of Canadian Family Physician is a special research-themed issue dedicated to the current crisis in family medicine in Canada and ways to address the many challenges – from ensuring that family medicine remains an attractive and rewarding career choice for medical students to placing the needs of patients at the heart of any future redesign of our primary health care system. Join CFP Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott and Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka as they interview Dr. Tara Kiran and discuss the importance of putting patients’ needs at the center of primary care reform in Canada. Dr. Kiran is the lead author on a paper published in the June issue of the journal entitled “Public priorities for primary care in Canada - Report on insights and actionable recommendations from 5 provincial reference panels”. Listeners can read the article in full here: ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/71/6/396 ). Dr. Kiran is the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto and Vice-Chair of Quality and Innovation at the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She practices family medicine at the St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team (SMHAFHT) in downtown Toronto. She is also an Associate Professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Dr. Kiran is the host of her own podcast called “Primary Focus” which we encourage our listeners to check out here: https://www.primaryfocus.ca/ . Enjoy the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadian Family Physician is pleased to bring listeners the last “Planet Family Doc" Podcasts hosted by Dr Clayton Dyck. “Planet Family Doc” is a production of the Besrour Center, formerly at the College of Family Physicians of Canada. In a two-part podcast Dr Dyck interviews Dr Sonia Tsukagoshi about integrative medicine. Dr Tsukagoshi is a family physician practicing in London, UK. She is the former EYFDM (European Young Doctors) Liaison Officer and the former Chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) Junior International Committee (JIC). She has completed a Masters in Medical Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Dr Tsukagoshi is the Chair of the WONCA special interest group on integrative medicine. In part two Dr Dyck and Dr Tsukagoshi discuss some of the difficult questions around integrative medicine – from how to address the spectrum of opinion, engender trust in patients, evaluate and share the evidence and avoid appropriation from different cultural traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadian Family Physician is pleased to bring listeners the last “Planet Family Doc" Podcasts hosted by Dr Clayton Dyck. “Planet Family Doc” is a production of the Besrour Center, formerly at the College of Family Physicians of Canada. In a two-part podcast Dr Dyck interviews Dr Sonia Tsukagoshi about integrative medicine. Dr Tsukagoshi is a family physician practicing in London, UK. She is the former EYFDM (European Young Doctors) Liaison Officer and the former Chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) Junior International Committee (JIC). She has completed a Masters in Medical Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Dr Tsukagoshi is the Chair of the WONCA special interest group on integrative medicine. In part one Dr Dyck and Dr Tsukagoshi discuss what integrative medicine is, what it is not, and how it differs around the globe. They discuss the fascinating origins of her interest in traditional and integrative medicine, her journey to practicing it and why it can be a natural fit for family medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this two-part “Planet Family Doc” podcast Dr Clayton Dyck interviews Dr Jane Philpott about her new book “Health For All” and her life-long work to make health care more socially accountable and to strengthen primary care. In part 2 of the podcast Dr Dyck and Dr Philpott discuss more personal issues such as the role of spiritual health in maintaining resilience as a physician in the Canadian context; why family physicians make for great leaders; and her advice to young family physicians interested in developing their leadership skills. Finally, Dr Philpott gives her recommendation on what to bring to the “Planet Family Doc” potluck dinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this two-part “Planet Family Doc” podcast Dr Clayton Dyck interviews Dr Jane Philpott about her new book “Health For All” and her life-long work to make health care more socially accountable and to strengthen primary care. In part 1 of the podcast Dr Dyck and Dr Phillpott discuss her work as the Dean in the Faculty of Medicine at Queen’s University, the ways to strengthen primary care in Canada by considering our current challenges, but also the things we can learn by looking globally at other primary care systems. They also discuss how Dr Philpott’s experience as a politician has influenced the work she is doing now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Editor Dr Nick Pimlott and Deputy Editor Dr Sarah Fraser for their year-end review of some of the best and most interesting content in Canadian Family Physician for 2024. Sarah and Nick each chose half a dozen (okay, well Nick cheats just a bit) of their favorite articles to review and discuss why they think they are a worth a second look for CFP readers. Together the articles cover everything from practical clinical content, to research, to more reflective commentary and interviews. Below are the links to the articles Nick and Sarah discussed: https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/1/10 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/5/325 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/7-8/476 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/4/259 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/10/617 https://cfppodcast.libsyn.com/quality-of-mind-an-interview-with-the-2023-ian-mcwhinney-lecturer-dr-iona-heath https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/7-8/491 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/3/212 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/5/303 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/1/7 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/11-12/689 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/5/329 https://www.cfp.ca/content/70/11-12/753 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is virtual care? What are the different types? Are some forms of virtual care better than others, depending on whether it is through the public or private system? In this CFP podcast, Dr Sarah Fraser and Dr Nick Pimlott interview Dr Sheryl Spithoff. She is the lead author of an important Commentary in our combined November-December issue, entitled “ A typology of virtual primary care in Canada: making the implications clear ”. Co-authors of the article were Dr Ewan Affelck and Dr Lindsay Hedden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a family medicine teacher or Program Director, have you ever had a highly capable resident learner fail the Simulated Office Oral (SOO) portion of the CCFP examination? Have you ever wondered why that might happen? In the September CFP Podcast, Editor Dr Nick Pimlott interviews Dr Kendall Noel from the University of Ottawa about his article in the September issue of the journal entitled Perennial post-examination surprises . Together they take a deep dive into Dr Noel’s work on clinical reasoning, dual process theory and his hypothesis that “the intermediate effect” might account for the perennial exam surprise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.