17. Segmented information - Segmented Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues from external customers	$ 1,139,787	$ 1,444,267
Depreciation of fixed assets	34,559	44,274
Interest and fees expense	31,385	38,726
Segment loss	(623,064)	(376,132)
Segment assets	1,054,090	1,080,865
Gastrointestinal Clinical Services
Revenues from external customers	527,769	521,165
Depreciation of fixed assets	14,141	17,243
Interest and fees expense	3,349	4,052
Segment loss	(48,643)	(40,444)
Segment assets	614,707	560,620
Addiction and Rehabilitation Treatments
Revenues from external customers	612,018	923,102
Depreciation of fixed assets	20,418	27,031
Interest and fees expense	28,036	34,674
Segment loss	(404,419)	(312,241)
Segment assets	439,383	520,245
Other Segments
Revenues from external customers
Depreciation of fixed assets
Interest and fees expense
Segment loss	(170,002)	(23,447)
Segment assets