Question: My brother suffers from depression and he must wait 6 to 9 months to see a psychiatrist. That’s an awfully long wait. He needs help now.
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
Delaying childhood vaccinations can be just as risky as not getting them at all
So-called “alternative” schedules aren't based on any studies or scientific evidence. They are simply made up.
Why more of us likely will be troubled by tinnitus
Tinnitus is a ringing in my ears that may interfere with sleep, leading to stress and anxiety. It's something more of us may be suffering from in the...
Why OCD is so misunderstood
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a misunderstood condition, with lack of understanding extending to the medical community. Why?
You have a right to say “No” to CPR. And you may want to.
On a few of my husband's hospital stays, doctors asked him if he wants CPR should his heart stop beating. I'm worried they'll give up on him if he...
Should you avoid your doctor’s office in cold and flu season?
Could I catch the flu in the doctor's waiting room from patients seeking treatment? Should I postpone my appointment until after flu season has...
What you need to know about planning to die at home
I am dying, and I’d like to die at home. What kind of support can I get at home when my time comes?
Should patients pay when they miss a doctor appointment?
Protecting the doctor’s income is not the sole motivation for imposing a “no-show” fee. When one patient is a no-show for an appointment, another...
Why we need to put more ‘customer focus’ into the delivery of medicine
I recently had an appointment with a medical specialist at a hospital clinic. It was booked for after lunch. By 4 p.m., the doctor had still not seen...
Other options for the dreaded colonoscopy ‘prep’
Almost everyone who has had a colonoscopy complains about the preparation. A few alternatives to make the preparation more bearable.