Trials and Trends in Caring for Patients with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivities at Ontario’s Environmental Health Clinic, with Dr Riina Bray, Medical Director, Ontario Environmental Health Clinic, University of Toronto
Original English version with French introduction and question period - download Dr Bray's Powerpoint PDF here and the transcript here.
Visionner la version avec traduction simultanée en français ici.
Over the past 15 years the number of patients seen at the EHC has risen dramatically. It has been noted that these patients have health vulnerabilities and intrinsic and extrinsic predisposing factors that leave them at risk to the effects of radio/microwave exposures. Common symptoms, diagnostic testing challenges and mitigating measures will be reviewed in this talk. Biomarkers of exposure and limitations in this field will also be reviewed. There are gaps in knowledge in the medical community and general public, as well as large gaps in research regarding this medical phenomenon. Environmental assessments both at home and at work need to be interpreted and acted upon appropriately, so guidance from experts and support groups is essential. Cost of mitigation can also be a large hurdle and therefore pearls to reduce exposures are discussed. Finally, future research, public health initiatives and what health care providers can do, will be addressed.
Dr. Riina Bray BASc, MSc, MD, FCFP, MHSc
Dr. Bray achieved first-class honors in chemical engineering, then earned her Masters of Science degree in pharmacology in the area of addictions and toxicology. She then studied medicine at the University of Toronto and did her specialty in Family Practice at UBC. She then completed a fellowship in Environmental Health at the University of Toronto. For more than a decade, she has been Associate Professor in the Univesity of Toronto's Department of Family and Community Medicine as well as Medical Director of the Environmental Health Clinic at Women’s College Hospital (which only serves Ontarians). She was Chair of the Environmental Health Committee of the Ontario College of Family Physicians for ten years and holds a Master’s of Health Sciences (Public Health) in Family and Community Medicine. She has taught University level courses, mentored and taught hundreds of medical students, residents and peers in the area of environmental health.
