CMAJ Podcasts
by Canadian Medical Association Journal
CMAJ Podcasts: Exploring the latest in Canadian medicine from coast to coast to coast with your hosts, Drs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham. CMAJ Podcasts delves into the scientific and social health advances on the cutting edge of Canadian health care. Episodes include real stories of patients, clinicians, and others who are impacted by our health care system.
Episodes
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Designing and enforcing safe social media for children
A new bill moving through Parliament aims to reduce the harms from social media for children under the age of 16. Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, advances a multipronged framework for regulation. It includes restrictions on social media for children under 16 unless social media companies...
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One in 20 physicians live with a disability, with little support from the system
One in 20 practising physicians in Canada report a disability always or often, a figure that rises to 17% when intermittent disability is included. These findings come from Prevalence and characteristics of disabilities in physicians in Canada: an analysis of Canadian Census data, a new study in...
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PMOS: a new name for PCOS, and why it matters
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is shifting to a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. A CMAJ commentary, Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: A new name to support better treatment, argues that the old name was framed too narrowly around fertility. The new moniker...
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What drug decriminalization in British Columbia could and could not achieve
On January 31, 2023, the government of British Columbia implemented a temporary, three-year drug decriminalization policy. Under the policy, adults (18 and older) could possess up to a combined 2.5 grams of specified illegal drugs—including opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA—for personal...
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ENCORE: Rising psychosis, youth mental health, and what’s driving the trend
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore new evidence suggesting that rates of psychotic disorders are increasing in younger generations in Canada. Drawing on population-level data and broader psychiatric research, the episode examines how generational...
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ENCORE: Updated HIV prophylaxis guidelines: what clinicians need to know
Despite a range of effective prevention tools, HIV incidence continues to rise in Canada, with stark disparities across ethnicity, gender, Indigeneity and geography. Updated Canadian guidelines on HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis reflect scientific advances since 2017 and address both new...
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Emergency physician burnout and attrition
Emergency departments across Canada are seeing record patient volumes, bed shortages and overcrowding. A new longitudinal study in CMAJ, "Emergency physician burnout and attrition in Canada: a longitudinal study," finds physician burnout now above pandemic-era levels and driving reduced hours and...
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The narrow promise of lecanemab for Alzheimer disease
Lecanemab arrived in Canada in January 2026 as an anti-amyloid therapy meant to slow Alzheimer disease. A new practice article in CMAJ, "Lecanemab use for early Alzheimer disease in Canada," lays out key challenges with the drug including narrow eligibility, a modest effect that may not be...
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Rethinking the contrast allergy label
A contrast allergy note on the chart can trigger delays, unnecessary steroids and avoided scans, yet often these labels are not clinically justified. A new practice article in CMAJ, “Hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast media,” examines how the labels arise and why the standard...
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Summer encore: Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children
It’s been nearly two decades since the last Canadian clinical practice guideline on managing obesity in children. In that time, the science has advanced, treatment options have expanded, and the need for updated guidance has grown increasingly urgent. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts…
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Relieving the symptoms and stigma of female urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence affects about a third of adult women in Canada, yet many never receive a diagnosis or treatment. On this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss the CMAJ review “Diagnosis and management of urinary incontinence in females,” which outlines how physicians can...
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Understanding near-death experiences
Near-death experiences (NDE) are often described in spiritual, personal or even supernatural terms. But a new CMAJ article offers physicians a clinical entry point into understanding them as a distinct phenomenon that patients may report after cardiac arrest, critical illness or other...
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Endometriosis and the devastating risks of untreated disease
Two articles in CMAJ look at endometriosis from sharply different angles. One shows how devastating delayed recognition can be, following a patient whose deep infiltrating endometriosis led to renal atrophy, bowel obstruction, sciatic nerve impingement and a permanent ostomy. The other offers a...
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Cancer rates improve but troubling gaps persist for younger patients
While overall cancer rates in Canada continue to decline, reflecting decades of progress in screening and treatment, younger survivors face troubling gaps in their follow-up care. In the research article “Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2026” overall cancer incidence and mortality…
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Toward a cure for sickle cell disease
Transformative therapies for sickle cell disease are redefining what is possible for patients, offering the potential for cure alongside substantial risks. In CMAJ, the article Transformative therapies for sickle cell disease outlines how stem cell transplant and emerging gene therapies are...
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Maternal risk beyond delivery and across populations
Two research articles in CMAJ examine gaps in how maternal risk is captured and how it varies across populations in Canada. One study shows that extending surveillance beyond delivery reveals a higher burden of severe maternal morbidity, particularly in the postpartum period. A second examines...
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Treatment of adult ADHD is on the rise. Why?
New prescriptions for stimulant medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the years before it, with the largest increases among adults aged 18 to 34 and among women. Dr. Tara Gomes, a professor at the University of...
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High stakes: Online gambling and the rise in harm
Ontario’s expansion of online gambling and legalization of single-event sports betting were followed by a sharp rise in help-seeking for gambling problems, particularly among young men. A new CMAJ study, Help seeking for gambling problems following expansion of Ontario's online gambling market…
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Sentinel injuries and severe maltreatment in young children
Child physical abuse often presents first with injuries that appear minor, but missing these early warning signs can have devastating consequences. Two recent CMAJ papers examine how sentinel injuries in infants may signal escalating risk and how patterns of severe maltreatment shifted during the...
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Rising psychosis, youth mental health, and what’s driving the trend
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore new evidence suggesting that rates of psychotic disorders are increasing in younger generations in Canada. Drawing on population-level data and broader psychiatric research, the episode examines how generational...
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World Cup exposes vulnerabilities in Canada’s health care system
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham examine how large-scale events expose weaknesses in Canada’s health care capacity. The discussion draws on the CMAJ editorial Mass gathering events underscore serious vulnerabilities in health care capacity in Canada…
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Moral distress and the ethics of involuntary treatment
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham examine the issues raised in a recent CMAJ commentary on Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act, which explores the ethical and clinical implications of this approach to involuntary treatment. As governments across…
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ENCORE: New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
On this ENCORE of our most popular episode of 2025, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults in primary care” The discussion reflects a shared urgency: despite past...
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Updated HIV prophylaxis guidelines: what clinicians need to know
Despite a range of effective prevention tools, HIV incidence continues to rise in Canada, with stark disparities across ethnicity, gender, Indigeneity and geography. Updated Canadian guidelines on HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis reflect scientific advances since 2017 and address both new...
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Diagnosis and management of celiac disease
Celiac disease affects between one and two percent of Canadians, yet many patients wait years before receiving a clear diagnosis. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, the hosts speak with two contributors to the CMAJ review article Diagnosis and management of celiac disease about the condition’s...
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How physician identity influences income
This episode of the CMAJ Podcast explores how physician identity can influence patient expectations, and how those expectations may contribute to gender, race, and immigration status pay gaps. The discussion builds on the CMAJ article “Family physician pay inequality: a qualitative study…
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Black youth and access to mental health care
A recent article in CMAJ, Mental health service use among Black adolescents in Ontario by sex and stress level: a cross-sectional study, reveals how patterns of mental health service use among Black youth shift with the level of psychological distress. Lead author Mercedes Sobers, a PhD candidate...
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Depression guideline: why universal screening isn’t recommended
Rates of depression in Canada are rising, but a new CMAJ guideline advises against universal screening in primary care. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care found no evidence that routinely administering depression questionnaires to all adults improves outcomes and raised concerns...
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What to know about cannabis-induced psychosis
Evidence is mounting that cannabis use can trigger first episode psychosis, particularly among young people. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with researchers and a patient with lived experience about what the data show, who is most at risk…
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Guideline offers roadmap for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy care
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy’s disease, is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder that is often misdiagnosed and diagnosed late. A new CMAJ guideline offers Canadian-specific recommendations for its recognition and management. On this episode we hear from...
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Understanding and supporting pregnant people facing homelessness
Homelessness among pregnant and parenting people in Canada is rising, with grave consequences for both parents and children. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore the scope of the problem and the supports that can improve outcomes for parents and...
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Guideline on smoking cessation: what works in practice
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. A new clinical practice guideline published in CMAJ on tobacco smoking cessation outlines evidence-based behavioural and pharmacological interventions to help patients quit. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr.…
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ENCORE: New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
—This is an encore presentation of an episode previously published June 30— On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults in primary…
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Fixing the flag: A new standard for diagnosing iron deficiency
Iron deficiency affects as many as 40% of women of reproductive age, yet the problem often goes undetected—even when patients have symptoms and complications. On this episode, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole speak with hematologists Dr. Michelle Sholzberg and Dr. Rita Selby about their...
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Measles in pregnancy and beyond
Measles is resurging in Canada, with particularly serious implications for pregnant patients and newborns. A recent CMAJ article, Five things to know about measles in pregnancy, outlines the risks and clinical considerations. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, we speak with one of the article’s...
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New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults in primary care” The discussion reflects a shared urgency: despite past successes…
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Dengue and Oropouche infections are rising—what physicians need to know
The rising global burden of mosquito-borne viral infections has important implications for Canadian clinicians—particularly those assessing febrile patients returning from tropical and subtropical regions. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, infectious diseases specialists Dr. Maxime Billick and...
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A history of medical mistrust and its echoes today
This two-part episode of the CMAJ Podcast explores the roots and repercussions of medical mistrust. It begins with a historical lens, revealing echoes of today’s strained relationships between patients and the medical system, then narrows the scope to focus on a pressing clinical example. In part...
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How mifepristone changed abortion access, and how to prescribe it
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore how changes to mifepristone regulation have reshaped abortion access in Ontario. Unlike most other countries, Canada allows the drug to be prescribed by any physician or nurse practitioner and dispensed by…
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Stepping up: Canadian research in the shadow of cuts in the United States
This episode of the CMAJ Podcast examines how recent changes to U.S. federal research funding are affecting the global scientific landscape—and what they could mean for Canada. The discussion focuses on indirect costs, talent retention, and whether Canada is positioned to step into any gaps left...
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Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children
It’s been nearly two decades since the last Canadian clinical practice guideline on managing obesity in children. In that time, the science has advanced, treatment options have expanded, and the need for updated guidance has grown increasingly urgent. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts…
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How short-term opioid prescriptions affect long-term outcomes
A recent article in CMAJ entitled Effect of emergency department opioid prescribing on health outcomes examines a key concern facing many clinicians: can a single opioid prescription for acute pain lead to long-term harm? This study aimed to clarify the risks and inform safer prescribing…
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The mortality risk and therapeutic potential of hallucinogens
A research article in CMAJ examines mortality risk among people hospitalized for hallucinogen use. The study found that individuals who required acute hospital care for hallucinogen-related issues had a nearly fivefold increase in mortality risk compared to the general population. Dr. Daniel…
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More access, more deaths: alcohol’s impact in the COVID-19 pandemic
A new CMAJ study has found that alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths in Canada surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While overall alcohol consumption increased only modestly, the toll on the healthcare system was severe, with a 14% rise in hospitalizations and a 24% increase in deaths…
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The major benefits of exercise for older adults
An article in CMAJ, "Move more, age well: prescribing physical activity for older adults," found that regular physical activity can reduce all-cause mortality by 31%. As Canada’s population ages, maintaining physical activity is becoming an increasingly critical factor in healthy aging. On this...
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Making healthcare accessible for patients with disabilities
Medicine remains frequently inaccessible to people with disabilities, despite their higher-than-average need for healthcare services. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole tackle the systemic barriers that patients with disabilities face, from inaccessible...
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Diagnosing and managing necrotizing fasciitis
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham discuss necrotizing fasciitis, a diagnosis that can strike fear into the hearts of clinicians due to its rapid progression and devastating consequences. The discussion builds on insights from the CMAJ practice article,...
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Antimicrobial resistance and the shift to shorter courses of antibiotics
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance and how shorter courses of antibiotics are reshaping prescribing practices. The conversation builds on insights from the CMAJ practice article “Five things to know...
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ENCORE: AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients?
On this encore episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) significantly improves the identification of hospital patients at risk of clinical deterioration compared to physician assessments alone. They are joined by Dr. Amol Verma, a...
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Scurvy and the challenge of food insecurity
On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham explore a surprising case of scurvy. The conversation builds on the CMAJ practice article “Scurvy in a 65-year-old woman with severely limited function and social supports,” co-authored by Dr. Sally Engelhart, an internal...
About this show
CMAJ Podcasts: Exploring the latest in Canadian medicine from coast to coast to coast with your hosts, Drs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham. CMAJ Podcasts delves into the scientific and social health advances on the cutting edge of Canadian health care. Episodes include real stories of patients, clinicians, and others who are impacted by our health care system.
Hosted by
Canadian Medical Association Journal