Editor's Note, Volume 13 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, A Diabetes Complications Case Study, and Ethics.

The Back Health CME Resource article, written by Dr. Eric Crawford, Ted Findlay, Dr. Robert Ravinsky, et al., focuses on Opioid Use in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery. Opioid medications have long been known for their analgesic properties and play an important role in the treatment of acute post-surgical pain. In this evidence-based review, they provide guidance for managing opioid and analgesic medications for patients on chronic opioid therapy from the preoperative assessment to post-surgical management including recommendations for appropriate opioid reduction.

In the Dermatology article, Dr. Joseph Lam and Mahan Maazi present Hyperhidrosis: A Brief Review. Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of the eccrine sweat glands causing excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis can have a significant impact on quality of life. Management includes identifying and avoiding triggers, the use of topical antiperspirants, and advanced therapies in recalcitrant cases.

In the Ethics article Medicine and the Humanities, Dr. Michael Gordon provides insights into the intertwined relationship between medicine and the humanities.

Dr. Aaron Izenberg offers a Case Study on Diabetes Complications: Diabetic Neuropathy. Although diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy is the most common neuropathy in diabetes, many subtypes exist that we need to be aware of. The key is to look for atypical features such as asymmetric proximal involvement and/or severe pain. As always, the most important aspect of management is optimized glycemic control.

We also want to highlight three podcasts in this edition, which we hope you find interesting and informative. Dr. Marina Malak presents her Insights into Mastering Hypertension with her 3P: Pills, Pearls, and Patients podcast. Dr. Michael Gordon’s Medical Narratives podcast offers insights into Type 2 Diabetes: Treatments, Complications, and Societal Impact with guest, Dr. Irving Gottesman, and Dr. D’Arcy Little’s Inside Radiology: A Primary Care Perspective offers an Understanding of Radiology Reports.

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