I live in British Columbia and I am moving to Ontario. I am presently able to see my psychiatrist over FaceTime when I am unable to make it to her...
Personal Health Navigator
Paul Taylor retired from his role as Sunnybrook’s Patient Navigation Advisor in 2020. From 2013 to 2020, he wrote a regular column in which he provided advice and answered questions from patients and their families. Follow Paul on Twitter @epaultaylor
Why the annual check-up is falling out of favour
My family doctor says he doesn’t do annual check-ups and he will deal with only one or two of my questions at each appointment. I’m suspicious. Does...
Remote-monitoring homecare is reducing ER visits
My mother has been hospitalized several times for congestive heart failure. Is there any type of medical help she can get at home?
How to avoid common pitfalls of travel health insurance
I know I need private health insurance to cover medical emergencies when I'm outside of my home province. How do I make sure I'm properly covered?
Is it safe to use acetaminophen to treat arthritis pain?
Researchers have found evidence that acetaminophen may not be very beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis in the hips or knees.
Why some people don’t know they’re having a heart attack
A friend recently had a heart attack; his main symptoms were vomiting and sweating. I thought a heart attack produced really severe chest pain?
3 things to consider when choosing a family doctor
My family doctor is retiring. Her office sent me a list of doctors who are taking on new patients. How do I pick one?
Questions to ask the doctor before consenting to surgery
I am going to have an operation and I must admit I am nervous. Is it okay to ask the doctor how often he has done the surgery?
Why ‘superbugs’ pose extra challenges for hospital patients
My mother was put in a room without any other patients. The doctor said she was “colonized” by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Did the hospital...
Why do my cancer drugs cost more than gold?
I'm taking a cancer drug that costs $7,000 a month. If you look at the size of one pill, it costs more than its weight in gold! Why are they so...