June 2011
Evaluating ‘weekend warrior’ knee injuries
Knee injuries are a common complaint attended to in the primary care setting. Many diagnostic tests can be performed in under a minute, sparring unneeded referrals to orthopedists.
Well visits not just for kids anymore
Medicare now reimburses for annual physical exams, so prepare your office, your patients and yourself for the best way to accommodate this into your practice.
Manage diagnosis, follow-up of depression systematically
Improvements to treating depressive symptoms led to improvements in A1c levels and blood pressure in one internist's practice. A systematic, manageable approach exists to diagnosis and treatment.
Vulvovaginal disorders common but commonly misdiagnosed
Nearly one in eight women have chronic vaginal pain. Although there's a lack of regular training in internal medicine, the gold standards for diagnosis remain the history and physical, pH and saline wet mount, and a whiff test and biopsy (if indicated).
Integrate palliative care from early illness onward
The medical community has made progress in palliative care, moving it from the end of the line to a part of a terminal illness' earliest aspect of care.
Experts offer advice on oral drugs, insulin for diabetes
Any type 2 diabetic is eventually going to need oral medications, and some on oral medications may eventually progress to needing insulin. The regimens are complex and vary from patient to patient. Learn how to individually tailor such decisions.
Talking points on palliative care address public, patients
Experts decry “death panels” as a step backward for the public perception of palliative care. Clarifying its scope would help the profession move forward, according to speakers at a recent conference.
Discussing prognosis: The topic that patients and doctors dread
Physicians may try to overcome their discomfort in talking about death by delivering an overly optimistic prognosis. But the eventual, inevitable decline may actually make the patient feel much worse. An effective strategy incorporates the patient's expectations.
Shingles vaccine age range extended; aneurysm kit approved
Recalls, warnings, and approvals.
Don't look now, but you are surrounded
Skin, teeth and guts. Microbes live on or in each, and a new interest exists in how to manipulate the human microbiome to benefit human health.
Is this the end of Medicare and Medicaid as we know them?
President Obama and House Republicans have issued starkly different proposals on the future of Medicare and Medicaid.
Time away from the office an investment in the time spent in it
Politicians have markedly disparate visions for the government's role in health care. The outcomes of the 2012 elections will have an impact on what eventually happens.A recap of events at Internal Medicine 2011 provide insights into clinical knowledge and the problems facing internal medicine.
Internal Medicine 2011 covers topics new and old
Internal Medicine 2011 was held in San Diego this April, and as always, ACP Internist's staff was on hand to provide readers with updates through our daily newspaper, blog posts and e-newsletters.
Assess your ability to comply with version 5010 requirements
The pressure is on to switch to version 5010, and the process will require identifying changes, testing transactions and minimizing disruptions.
Coding made easy for annual wellness visits
Health care reform now reimburses for annual exams under Medicare. Now, physicians have to reform their practices and prepare patients for them, as well.
MKSAP Quiz: Rash, pain, fever and fatigue
A 48-year-old woman is evaluated for a rash on her legs, arthralgia and myalgia, low-grade fever, and fatigue of 4 weeks' duration.