DISABILITY INSURANCE WOES
I'm a 64-year-old ER physician from Nova Scotia who's in his 25th year of doing solely 12-hour ER nightshifts. I used to work four shifts a week but for the last 10 years or so I've cut down to three per week. In July 2001, because of health reasons, I cut my workweek to two 12-hour ER nightshifts, and applied for partial disability benefits (OMA disability insurance). My claim was accepted. During the summer of 2002 my health improved, and on my own volition, I returned fulltime to the ER, working three 12-hour nightshifts per week.

In the spring of 2004, my health deteriorated and I again reduced my workweek to two nightshifts and again applied for partial disability benefits (same insurance company, same grounds), but my claim wasn't accepted. The insurance company's solution was for me to work every second night instead of three nights in a row. Both my family physician and my ER director stated that, for health reasons, I shouldn't work more than two 12-hour ER nightshifts a week. My ER director won't book me for more than two 12-hour ER nightshifts a week. When I said to my very competent family doctor that the insurance company appears to have ignored his opinion, his response was "that happens all the time."

Despite my vigorous objections, the insurance company stood firm on its decision. My only recourse now is the courts. I've tried to "let it go", but my anger is just too intense. So, how good is your disability insurance? Will it be there for you when you need it?

Dr Michael Hebb
Dartmouth, NS

Look for an in-depth feature on physician disability insurance in our next issue — Ed

DOLLARS AND PER-CENTS
Just wanted to point out an error on the article "Act now to cut your taxes this year — and next" (Vol 2 No 1) by Theo Sands that appeared in the January 15 issue of the Personal Finance section regarding loans to spouses. The prescribed rate for the first quarter of 2005 is 3%, not 2.433%. The rate you should be using is the one used to calculate taxable benefits for employees and shareholders.

Dorothy Kelt
Boat Harbour Investments Ltd
Nanaimo, BC

SIMULATOR MIXUP
I just finished reading the article "Birth simulator lets trainees get their feet wet — without risk of a bloody mess" (Vol 2 No 3) in the February 15 issue. I was surprised to see the article describing the birthing simulator as being a new product. As the assistant dean, I'm currently in the process of acquiring birthing simulators for the Schulich School of Medicine (University of Western Ontario) rural-regional program that will be unveiled in the near future. We will be using these simulators with high school students, medical students and other paramedics in southwestern Ontario. We will also be using simulators that change from blue to pink as you resuscitate them. These products have been available for some time internationally from a US company named Gaumard. (I am in no way affiliated with this company or product). Their birthing simulator, Noelle, is remarkably lifelike. However, I would concede that it isn't as sensor laden as the Hopkins product described in your article.

Dr Thomas B Lacroix
London, ON

The article was indeed referring to the Hopkins' birth simulator as a new product, not simulators in general. — Ed

Doctors, we want to know what you think. If you have any comments, criticisms or congratulations on anything you have read in the paper, send us a letter. Email us at [email protected]