Editor's Note, Volume 14 Issue 5

D’Arcy Little, MD, CCFP, FCFP, FRCPC Medical Director, JCCC and HealthPlexus.NET

We are pleased to present the next edition of the Journal of Current Clinical Care, which as usual, features a collection of articles on important clinical topics across various specialities. Our aim is to provide you with practical insights and updates that can enhance your clinical practice.

In this edition, we have articles that cover Back Health, Dermatology, Ethics, and Medical Narratives.

The Back Health CME Resource article, written by Sagar Hanna and Dr. Perry Dhaliwal, focuses on Symptomatic Lumbar Canal Stenosis—A Review and Primer on Surgical Decision Making. Lumbar canal stenosis is an anatomical term used to describe narrowing of the spinal canal either congenitally or from age-related degenerative changes. It refers to a structural finding that may or may not be symptomatic. Family physicians should familiarize themselves with the various presentations of canal narrowing and the available diagnostic and treatment options.

In the Dermatology article, Dr. Joseph Lam, Dylan Hollman and Ou Jia (Emilie) Wang present Collodion Baby a condition that is estimated to occur in 1 in 100,000 newborns, and is a visually striking clinical presentation seen in neonates that is often a sign of an underlying autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. The baby is wrapped in a taut, translucent membrane, which is often compared to plastic wrap, saran wrap, a cocoon, or armour. A formal clinical diagnosis is often not reached until shedding of the membrane reveals the underlying phenotype. Patients may require ongoing monitoring and sometimes surgical intervention.

In his first Medical Narratives article, Lessons from Shakespeare for the Current World, Dr. Michael Gordon feels that there is a lot to be learned from Shakespeare for many generations of readers and attendees of live performances. In his second Medical Narratives, Let the Dance Begin, Dr. Michael Gordon shares some beautiful memories of his late mother and her love of dancing.

We also want to highlight three podcasts in this edition, which we hope you find interesting and informative. Dr. Marina Malak presents her ‘Back Pain’ series with her 3P: Pills, Pearls, and Patients podcast. Dr. Michael Gordon’s Medical Narratives podcast offers insights into Beyond the ‘Diagnosis: Navigating the Challenges of Cancer Care in the Elderly’ with guest, Dr. Selynne Guo, and Dr. D’Arcy Little’s Inside Radiology: A Primary Care Perspective offers an understanding of Oncologic Imaging in Primary Care.

We hope you find this edition informative and valuable in your clinical practice. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions.