Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 swings into New Orleans

The city of New Orleans welcomed ACP this April for Internal Medicine Meeting 2025. Thousands of attendees rushed to the Big Easy to brush up on their clinical knowledge, enjoy some great food and music, and spend quality time with their colleagues. As usual, there was a lot to choose from, with one- and two-day precourses, over 200 in-person scientific sessions, and a plethora of activities in the Clinical Skills Center, to name a few. Those who preferred to learn at home, meanwhile, were able to stream many of the sessions as they happened. As always, our staff was on site to cover the latest, and this issue is dedicated to stories from the meeting.

To lead off, we bring you one expert's advice on "delabeling" patients with penicillin allergy. Most people who think they are allergic to penicillin actually aren't, and while this may not seem too harmful in the overall scheme of things, the result can be suboptimal treatment, more side effects, and higher risk for antibiotic resistance. John Kelso, MD, explains how a careful, thorough history can help you determine when a patient has been mislabeled and remove that "allergy" from their chart. Another story, meanwhile, delves into the current status of gender-affirming care in the U.S. At a panel discussion, experts covered why gender-affirming care is an important part of primary care, reviewed evolving restrictions due to executive orders and state laws, and detailed ACP's work and positions in this area.

Our meeting coverage continues with I.M. Ready, which offers advice on thriving as an international medical graduate (IMG) early in your career. Most IMGs face specific challenges, including impostor syndrome and microaggressions, all while learning a new system of care in a new country. As three physicians who have been there note, building a sense of community, finding a mentor or two, and getting involved in professional organizations like ACP can go a long way toward establishing a fulfilling, rewarding career. Additional meeting coverage includes tips on improving clinical decision making and a report from ACP's 18th Global Forum, focusing on workforce challenges.

Also in this issue, our Pearls from I.M. Peers column explains why pain during sex should be addressed as a normal part of care, and the next installment of I.M. Puzzled offers you a chance to test your mastery of medical trivia. Finally, a moving column from ACP's President, Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, illustrates the unique relationship between primary care physicians and their patients, and the Washington Perspective describes how members made a difference on Capitol Hill during this year's Leadership Day.

If you attended Internal Medicine Meeting 2025, we'd love to hear what you thought. Let us know.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Kearney-Strouse
Executive Editor