Original Articles

Is there an entity called a Caribbean Family Doctor?

Submitted by docsonia on Sun, 2011-11-06 12:17

Our Regional President,Dr.Wilmoth “Andy” Shillingford has asked us to examine this question in his article published on October 18th where he invited comment.

No one so far has  replied to his query except for Dr. Colin Alert.

Family Medicine Awards & Honours

Submitted by docsonia on Tue, 2011-10-25 22:30

The Caribbean is replete with doctors that can qualify for Wonca "Five Star Awards" and similar honours. Because of our British and old world reticence,however,this information may be difficult to obtain but it is all there.
Our College must seek to highlight this kind of behaviour in all of our territories for many reasons:

‘Caribbean’ Family Physicians?

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2011-10-18 19:31
Is there a thing called a Caribbean Family Physician?

Should we legislate for healthy Lifestyles?

Submitted by Colin Alert on Tue, 2011-10-04 05:39
Many people dislike the thought of governments intruding into their (our) personal lives. They think that governments are too intrusive and society over regulated with well intentioned programs. On the other hand, many governments are quick to point out that unhealthy lifestyles invariably end in one or more of the chronic non-communicable diseases.

Chronic Disease and the Barbadian National Health Budget.

Submitted by Colin Alert on Thu, 2011-07-07 21:42

Chronic Disease and the Barbadian National Health Budget.
Dr. C. V. Alert. MB BS, DM (Family Medicine)
Fellow, Caribbean College of Family Physicians (FCCFP).

Is silence (on the chronic diseases) golden?

Submitted by Colin Alert on Fri, 2011-05-20 16:35

At the conclusion of the special meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Port –of-Spain, Trinidad on September 15th 2007, a declaration was issued: “Uniting to stop the epidemic of Chronic NCDs (non communicable diseases)”.

Ref: www.caricom.org/jsp/communications/meetings-statements/declaration-port-...

CCFP_quo vadis?

Submitted by docsonia on Wed, 2011-05-04 22:18

I am sitting here in Trinidad and wondering just how I would try to explain to another doctor anywhere in the Caribbean just what the CCFP is presently trying to do and I ask myself if when I try to explain it to myself whether I am on the same page as everyone else.
So I have tried to break it down to first principles and wonder if my colleagues will agree.

Should we treat back pain as a preventable disease?

Submitted by Colin Alert on Sun, 2011-04-17 03:17

Should we treat back pain as a ‘preventable disease’?.
Dr. C. V. Alert.
Family Physician.
April 2011

Low back pain is a major health problem among populations in western industrialized countries and a major cause of medical expenses, absenteeism, and disablement.[1,2]. Barbados has no specific immunity in this regard.

Pharmacovigilance Newsletter Jan/Feb 2011

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-02-21 02:00

Dear fellow healthcare professional,

Do we need the “Old” Drug Formulary format in Barbados?

Submitted by Colin Alert on Mon, 2011-01-10 22:38

In his recent presentation of the 2010 to 2011 Budget, the Minister of Finance in Barbados Mr. Chris Sinckler noted that, from April 1st 2011, persons who have their prescriptions filled in private pharmacies will pay a dispensing fee as follows:

Table 1.

Drug cost. Amount to be paid by patient (Dispensing fee).