Medical research involving human subjects must conform to generally accepted scientific principles, be based on a thorough knowledge of the scientific literature, other relevant sources of information, and adequate laboratory and, as appropriate, animal experimentation. The welfare of animals used for research must be respected. - Helsinki Declaration, 1964

The South East Local Health Integrated Network and SECHEF (the South East Community Care Access Centre and Hospitals Executive Forum) have launched an initiative called Health Care Tomorrow, which invites comments from the public and professionals to “inform their strategic goals and initiatives (http://healthcaretomorrow.ca/).

When it comes to parasitic infestations, geography (or at least country of origin) is destiny. Billions of people have parasitic infections. They largely relate to social conditions and parasitic diseases will be eradicated when/if countries provide clean water, prevent public defecation and ensure people have shoes and are properly fed.

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all. Oscar Wilde  A guest blog featuring Dr. David Holland, Nephrology I asked Dr. David Holland, an esteemed nephrology colleague, to write the following blog after he delivered a thought provoking Medical Grand Rounds Presentation, the premise of which was that focusing Health Care of the patient was a disruptive innovation…and not in a bad way.

The Th.D. and Innovation at University Hospitals: Advice From The Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz: Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Every pusillanimous creature that crawls on the earth, or slinks through slimy seas has a brain! Back where I come from we have universities - seats of great learning - where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts, and with no more brains than you have. But - they have one thing you haven't got - a diploma!

Spoiler alert-this is a good news story (but it starts out with some depressing facts) When I was in Medical school (1977-81), Queen’s University had 3-4 dermatologists. When I returned to Queen’s late in 2012, a lot had changed. Hall and Oates no longer had 2 hits in the top 10, The Jeffersons were no longer “movin on up” on TV and Queen’s no longer had a Dermatology program. Although the population of Frontenac county (in which Kingston is situated) had increased from 105,000 to almost 150,000 there was now only one dermatologist, Dr.