Care for psychological problems. Collaborative approach in primary care.

Patients look at their primary care providers as gatekeepers to health information and interpreters of the science of health, and, as such, family doctors are well positioned to ensure that patients have a good understanding of the best information available. West Nile virus is a disease-causing organism that may be best understood and controlled at a population level, but it is clear that the best chance of preventing individual cases lies in well informed people who are aware of the appropriate precautions and take them. That is where family physicians can be most effective in this epidemic. Be prepared to provide your patients with accurate and up-to-date information about WNV. Th e primer by MacDonald and Krym in this issue of Canadian Family Physician (page 833) can help. Contact your local public health department for additional resources and to fi nd out how to report suspected cases. And, of course, remember the mantras of prevention: “Remove standing water” and “Cover up.” Dr Kabasele is a Community Medicine Specialist, President of K31 Consulting, and an on-air medical specialist in Toronto, Ont.