Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 269–70
Sylvie Dodin, MD, MSc, is a gynaecologist, clinical scientist and senior professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada. For the last 3 years, she has been titular chair of the integrated approach in prevention dedicated to promote teaching and research in CAM with an evidence-based approach and transfer information to the general public. She is principal investigator and co-investigator of several clinical trials supported by national grants for a complementary approach to conventional therapy.
For over 15 years, through her activities as a clinician, researcher and teacher, Sylvie Dodin has devoted her energies to promoting the health of women in general and of middle-aged women in particular. Her holistic and integrated vision was actualised recently by several major achievements for women’s health. She and her collaborators are currently conducting several clinical trials evaluating various complementary approaches, such as flaxseed, hypnosis, massage and omega-3 fatty acids.
As principal or co-investigator, Sylvie Dodin has received funds from several national and provincial agencies. She has published over 40 original papers and 170 communications in provincial, national and international congresses. She has been invited to several national and international symposia and she has given over 40 public and continuous medical training presentations.
Q What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
SD: In clinical research, the first stages of writing a new clinical research protocol: beginning with a research idea and formulating the research hypothesis, defining the objective and brainstorming with my research team regarding the feasibility of the future study. In clinical practice, I am really happy when I discuss with a patient the beneficial health effects of incorporating good lifestyle habits and when I see her again, a few months later, she announces to me with pride that she walks with her husband 30 to 45 min a day, takes 10 min per day to relax and eats fish twice a week.
Q What is the greatest danger to CAM?
SD: A CAM practitioner who goes beyond his or her professional competencies, who is considered a guru and takes advantage of the great vulnerability of ill people.
Q If you had not entered your current profession, what would you have liked to do?
SD: Be a theatre actress.
Q What do you feel is your highest professional achievement?
SD: Being able to combine research, teaching and clinical practice.
Q What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
SD: The most beautiful lesson of life was offered to me by a very close friend, who died recently of breast cancer.
Q What would you have liked to have invented?
SD: I would like to have invented a vaccine to eradicate gastroenteritis in Africa.
Q What is the most treasured possession in your life?
SD: My family.
Q What makes you happy?
SD: A full day of biking in summer or cross-country skiing in winter and finishing it with a great supper with my friends.
Q What do you deplore in others?
SD: Lack of listening to others and narrow-mindedness.
Q What do you deplore in yourself?
SD: Not having any musical talent.
Q What is your favourite book?
SD: Ensemble C’est Tout by Anna Gavalda. This French book does not tell anything else but a history of love. The action takes place in Paris, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to be exact, and covers 1 year. The book tells of the meetings, frictions, tenderness, friendship and reconciliation that occur between four people living under the same roof; four people who at the beginning did not have anything in common and who should never have met. I hope this book will be translated into English very soon.
