D’Arcy Little, MD, CCFP, FRCPC
Medical Director, JCCC and HealthPlexus.NET

I am pleased to introduce the first edition for 2014 of the Journal of Current Clinical Care. In this edition, we are happy to announce the collaboration with the Canadian Spine Society and the launch of the new Back Health Educational Resource. The Canadian Spine Society (CSS), as part of its educational mandate, is partnering with www.healthplexus.net (HealthPlexus) and the Journal of Current Clinical Care (JCCC) to promote best practices and knowledge translation for fast and effective diagnosis and management of back pain.

Dr. Mohammed Shamji, et al., describes Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Management of Neuropathic Pain in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. In appropriately selected patients, spinal cord stimulation is a surgical technique that may offer reduced disability and pain, and improved economic outcomes for patients where medical management has been unsuccessful.

In his article Artificial Nutrition and Hydration: Is it Really What you Want?, Dr. Michael Gordon, from the Baycrest Centre of Geriatric Care in Toronto, asks an important question and examines the clinical, ethical, and legal aspects of the decision to undertake artificial nutrition and hydration in aging patients.

Dr. Shannon Humphrey from the University of British Columbia discusses Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne. There has been a dramatic rise in resistance to antibiotics that are usually prescribed to treat acne and is a public health concern globally. Clinical practice guidelines are aiming to curb the further development of antibiotic resistance without detracting from effective management of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.

Drs. Pradeep Shenoy and Lyew Warren from the Cambellton Regional Hospital in New Brunswick offer A Case of Large Nasal Vestibular Mass Presenting with Nasal Obstruction and Epistaxis not commonly seen in ENT practice. Differential diagnosis of similar growths in the nasal vestibule with the pathology and treatment options, have been reviewed from the literature.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Journal. As always, your comments are welcomed.