January 1, 2013

The health maintenance examination should focus on disease prevention and health promotion. Topics such as drug and alcohol abuse, depression, sexually transmitted infections, coronary heart disease, and osteoporosis should be discussed, with screening performed as appropriate…

Hearing loss affects more than 25 percent of adults older than 50 years, and more than 50 percent of those older than 80 years. Audiometry is a relatively simple screening procedure that can be conducted in the family medicine clinic setting. Tests such as pure-tone audiometry…

Latino persons have disproportionately higher rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus. However, language barriers; lack of insurance; different cultural beliefs; and in some cases, illegal immigration status, mistrust, and illiteracy have resulted in striking disparities in…

Given the lack of evidence to support annual pelvic examinations, it would be better for patients if we spend that time addressing screening, counseling, and other preventive services for which strong evidence exists.

Although screening increases the proportion of newborns who are treated for DDH, there is insufficient evidence that targeted or universal ultrasound screening improves long-term orthopedic outcomes.

Overall, there appears to be a small but clinically significant benefit to adding caffeine to analgesic therapy for various types of acute pain. More research is needed to determine the optimal dosing.

Proposed Rules to Address Various Provisions of the Affordable Care Act | Survey Compares Effectiveness of Private and Public Health Information Exchanges | Childhood Psoriasis and Obesity Linked | Anticompetitive Market Conditions Are Common in U.S. Health Insurance Markets…

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first published guidelines on the diagnosis and evaluation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2000, with recommendations for treatment published in 2001. Based on new data collected since then, the AAP released new…

The best way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes keeping a healthy weight by eating a diet high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. It also includes exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. You should not use tobacco products, and you…