Commentaries, More Care is Not Always Better

Our expert advisors have written opinion pieces on important health policy topics, published in leading media outlets across the country. We are making these articles available to everyone, free of charge, with a Creative Commons license, so that you may use them in your publication or on your website. See also our Commentaries in French.

Evidence is important to us, and we are committed to getting the evidence right — even when it can be interpreted in a number of ways. If you feel we have not represented the evidence accurately or fairly in these opinion pieces, please let us know. Browse our Commentaries by category, below, or view them all here.

Obstetricians and gynecologists target reductions in unnecessary care that may harm patients and cost the health system Obstetricians and gynecologists target reductions in unnecessary care that may harm patients and cost the health system
By George D. Carson and Wendy Levinson
Canadians have more than one million unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures every year Canadians have more than one million unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures every year
By Wendy Levinson
Why I continue to get the flu vaccine for myself and my children Why I continue to get the flu vaccine for myself and my children
By S. Michelle Driedger
Are you getting the flu shot this year?
By John Muscedere

Here’s why you should

The Canadian public needs to know more is not always better when it comes to healthcare
By Wendy Levinson

If you knew that virtually the entire medical community was talking about an issue causing risk and harm to patients across the country, wouldn’t you want to know what it is and take part in the conversation?

What should be covered by our publicly funded healthcare system What should be covered by our publicly funded healthcare system?
By Brian Rotenberg

I am privileged to help patients deal with a variety of common disorders such as ear infections, pharyngitis and sinus inflammation. People suffer a great deal from these problems, especially when they are in the acute phase.

Canada’s chance to catch up on drug safety for children Canada’s chance to catch up on drug safety for children
By Martin Offringa and Terry P. Klassen

Almost a year has passed since an important report was released on ways Canada needs to improve medicines for children. The report was commissioned by Health Canada and undertaken by the Council of Canadian Academies after many alarms were sounded by experts in the community.

Antibiotics – overprescribed and under-effectiv Antibiotics — overprescribed and under-effective
By Brian Rotenberg

I am privileged to help patients deal with a variety of common disorders such as ear infections, pharyngitis and sinus inflammation. People suffer a great deal from these problems, especially when they are in the acute phase.

FRANK_Are we medicalizing health people? Are we medicalizing healthy people?
By John Frank

Modern medical practice is engaged in a battle, not for hearts and minds, but for the conversion of perfectly healthy people into patients, labelled “at high risk” of various diseases in the name of prevention.

Why I decided to get the flu vaccine for myself and my children
By S. Michelle Driedger

It’s time again for the familiar “Get the shot, not the flu” campaign. I regularly get the flu shot and I vaccinate my children too, but every so often, I question these decisions.


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