CMAJ Podcasts

Canadian Medical Association Journal
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 4D AGO

    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 trends in psychosis intersect with substance use, social change, and the ongoing youth mental health crisis. Dr. Daniel Myran, a family physician and public health researcher at North York General Hospital, discusses findings from his CMAJ study, Incidence of psychotic disorders by birth cohort: a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada. He explains how overall rates of psychosis appear stable when populations are viewed as a whole, but mask a substantial rise among people born in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. Dr. Myran outlines possible contributors, including substance exposure, changes in diagnostic practices, and social determinants, and emphasizes the implications for early intervention psychosis programs and frontline care. The conversation then widens with Dr. Dafna Kahana, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto and staff psychiatrist at CAMH, who draws on her article in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Are the kids alright? Making sense of the current youth mental health crisis in Canada through heuristic and data. She unpacks how social media use, sleep disruption, physical inactivity, pandemic-related isolation, and exposure to global crises may interact to affect youth mental health, while cautioning against oversimplified explanations or single-factor solutions. For clinicians, the takeaway is twofold: emerging generational shifts in psychosis warrant attention in both primary care and mental health planning, and addressing youth mental health requires a coordinated, multi-pronged approach that spans early identification, family support, and system-level investment rather than reliance on any single intervention. Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    29 min

  2. JAN 26

    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, which argues that Canada’s hospitals lack the flexibility to absorb even modest surges in demand. With the FIFA World Cup approaching, the episode asks how prepared the system really is. Dr. Catherine Varner, deputy editor of CMAJ and an emergency physician, explains why she wrote the editorial now. Drawing on her frontline experience during major events in Toronto, she describes hospitals that routinely operate over capacity, with little ability to create space when demand rises. She distinguishes between mass casualty events and mass gatherings, noting that while catastrophic incidents are rare, sustained influxes of visitors predictably increase emergency department use. Varner also describes how prolonged overcrowding worsens patient outcomes and contributes to moral distress among clinicians forced to triage care daily. The conversation then turns to national surge planning with Dr. Rob Fowler, chief of the trauma program at Sunnybrook Hospital and director of critical care at the University of Toronto. Fowler describes insights from tabletop exercises, including Canada Paratus, which examined how civilian and military health systems might respond to a large influx of casualties. He explains how hospitals already operating at or near capacity struggle to respond to sudden surges, particularly when care depends on moving patients across the system. For physicians, the takeaway is stark: Canada’s health care system is already operating at or beyond its limits. Without meaningful capacity to flex or coordinated mechanisms to redistribute patients, even predictable increases in demand risk tipping routine strain into crisis. For more information from our sponsor, go to medicuspensionplan.com Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    31 min

  3. JAN 12

    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 Canada turn to coercive measures in response to the overdose crisis, the episode considers what these policies mean for patient autonomy, clinical practice, and the role of physicians in enforcing care. Dr. Bonnie Larson, a family physician and addictions medicine specialist at the University of Calgary, joins the conversation to unpack the legislation. She explains how the Act allows individuals to be detained and treated even when they are deemed capable of making their own medical decisions. Dr. Larson describes how this represents a substantial departure from established principles of consent and autonomy, placing physicians in ethically complex positions and reshaping their role in care. The discussion then turns to Massachusetts, where involuntary treatment for substance use has existed for decades under Section 35. Dr. Keren Ladin, a bioethicist and health services researcher at Tufts University, reveals the experiences of clinicians working within this framework. Drawing on her research, she describes how Section 35 has shaped clinical practice, contributed to moral distress among healthcare providers, and often resulted in people being treated in carceral rather than therapeutic settings. Together, the guests reflect on what these policies reveal about how societies respond to addiction, the limits of coercive care, and the risks of prioritizing control over evidence-based, patient-centred treatment. Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    38 min

  4. 2025-12-29

    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 successes, Canada’s hypertension control rates are declining. The new guidelines aim to reverse this trend by simplifying diagnosis and treatment for frontline clinicians. Dr. Rémi Goupil, a nephrologist and clinician researcher at Sacré-Cœur Hospital in Montreal, and Dr. Greg Hundemer, a nephrologist and clinician scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, explain that the updated guideline is deliberately designed for primary care providers. They highlight key shifts: lowering the diagnostic threshold for hypertension to  ≥ 130/80 mm Hg, simplifying blood pressure targets, and emphasizing accurate, standardized measurement techniques both in clinic and at home. The guidelines were created with input from a majority-primary care committee—including family physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and patient partners—to ensure clinical applicability. Together, the panel outlines a streamlined nine-step treatment algorithm, emphasizing combination therapy as first-line pharmacologic management. They explain the evidence supporting ARB–thiazide combinations, discuss cost considerations for drug selection, and address adherence challenges. They also explore red flags for secondary hypertension and how the algorithm supports—but does not replace—clinical judgment. For physicians, this guideline offers a clear and practical roadmap: measure blood pressure correctly, aim for systolic pressure below 130 mm Hg, and use the simplified treatment sequence to improve adherence and outcomes. Designed to be easy to implement, the new approach aims to empower primary care providers to act with confidence Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    28 min

  5. 2025-12-15

    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 formulations and persistent barriers to equitable access. Dr. Darrell Tan, lead author and clinician scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, outlines several prophylaxis options now available. Daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with emtricitabine is close to 100 per cent effective with perfect adherence and remains forgiving of occasional missed doses. Long-acting injectable cabotegravir, administered every two months, shows even greater effectiveness in trials largely because it reduces the adherence challenges associated with daily pills, though cost and availability continue to limit uptake. Natasha Lawrence, a community health worker at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre in Toronto, reports that most women she serves have never heard of pre-exposure prophylaxis. Many people perceive their HIV risk as low until discussions explore relationship dynamics, including uncertainty about partner fidelity or difficulty negotiating condom use. She highlights how power imbalances and gender-based violence shape women’s risk and may limit the practicality of daily pills. Long-acting injectables can offer greater privacy and autonomy for some women, reducing the risk of partner detection. Public health messaging, she stresses, must be co-designed with communities to ensure cultural relevance and avoid stigma. Clinicians should initiate sexual health conversations routinely, not only when patients raise concerns. Pre-exposure prophylaxis can be discussed during visits for contraception, mental health or other routine care. When patients express interest, access should not be limited by rigid criteria. Long-acting options may be especially helpful for women who face safety or privacy concerns in their relationships. For more information from our sponsor, go to medicuspensionplan.com Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    37 min

  6. 2025-12-01

    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 diverse clinical presentations, appropriate testing strategies, and the practical realities of long-term dietary management. Jedid-Jah Blom, a registered dietitian at the McMaster Celiac Disease Clinic and researcher at the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Unit at McMaster University, shares her own experience being diagnosed and living with celiac. She explains how patients must identify hidden gluten sources in ingredients like dextrin and malt, and why cornmeal or corn flour products may be contaminated. Blom outlines the risks of cross-contamination and dining out challenges, emphasizing whole gluten-free grains over processed products that lack fortification. Dr. Maria Ines Pinto-Sánchez, a gastroenterologist at Hamilton Health Sciences and director of the Celiac Clinic at McMaster University, explains why celiac is called a chameleon disease. She notes that about 30 percent of patients present with gastrointestinal symptoms, while others may have brain fog, fatigue, or anemia. She describes how TTG antibodies plus total IgA are used for screening, with positive results requiring endoscopy and biopsies for confirmation. Dr. Pinto-Sánchez emphasizes that patients should not start a gluten-free diet before testing. She discusses ongoing monitoring including TTG levels, bone density, and nutrient deficiencies. For physicians, the discussion highlights the need for a low threshold when testing TTG antibodies in patients with unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Both guests stress the importance of completing diagnostic testing before patients begin a gluten-free diet and arranging early dietitian referral. Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    27 min

  7. 2025-11-17

    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 exploring how physician responses to perceived patient expectations may explain gender, race, and immigration status pay differences”. Dr. Monika Dutt, a family physician, public health and preventive medicine specialist, and PhD candidate in health policy at McMaster University, explains how the study’s interviews with 55 family physicians across Ontario revealed patterns linking patient expectations to physician identity. She describes how gender and cultural background influence the types of visits physicians are asked to provide, and how these interactions may affect their earnings under fee-for-service models. Dr. Meredith Vanstone, professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, outlines how physicians adapt to explicit and inferred patient expectations and the income implications that follow. She discusses how these expectations are shaped by identity and why the resulting adjustments in care can lead to financial penalties for some physicians while improving patient relationships and trust. The guests highlight how remuneration structures can either amplify or mitigate these inequities. They suggest that moving toward salary or time-based models could help reduce the impact of physician identity on income while supporting equitable, patient-centred care. For more information from our sponsor, go to medicuspensionplan.com Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    28 min

  8. 2025-11-03

    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 in epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and research coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, joins the podcast to unpack the findings and their implications. The study found that Black male youth had higher odds of accessing services than white male youth when at low levels of distress but lower odds of accessing services at high levels. Black female youth had lower odds of service use than white female youth at both low and high distress levels. Mercedes explains how these patterns may reflect how behaviour is interpreted: Black boys may be referred to services more often at lower distress levels but steered toward more punitive responses when distress rises. For Black girls, she points to adultification and cultural mismatches in care. Dr. Amy Gajaria, a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and associate scientist in the Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health, describes how programs like AMANI aim to provide culturally adapted care and build trust with Black youth. She shares how early encounters with the system can shape future engagement with care. For physicians, the discussion underscores the importance of culturally sensitive care that embraces and reflects the experiences of Black youth, creating more meaningful and effective pathways to support. Comments or questions? Text us. Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast. You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole X (in English): @CMAJ X (en français): @JAMC Facebook Instagram: @CMAJ.ca The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Canadian Medical Association Journal
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    442
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 424441
  • Show Website
    CMAJ Podcasts

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