• Articles

    Acute Finger Injuries: Part I. Tendons and Ligaments

    JEFFREY C. LEGGIT, CHRISTIAN J. MEKO

    A basic understanding of the anatomy of the finger, common finger injury mechanisms, and when referral is necessary will ensure optimal outcomes after a finger injury. Part II of this two-part article focuses on the evaluation of finger fractures and dislocations, as well as...

    Acute Finger Injuries: Part II. Fractures, Dislocations, and Thumb Injuries

    JEFFREY C. LEGGIT, CHRISTIAN J. MEKO

    Family physicians can adequately treat most finger fractures and dislocations and thumb injuries, but they must recognize when referral is necessary. Part I of this two-part article focuses on the evaluation of common ligament and tendon injuries of the finger.

    Diagnosis and Management of Diastolic Dysfunction and Heart Failure

    CHHABI SATPATHY, TRINATH K. MISHRA, RUBY SATPATHY, HEMANT K. SATPATHY, EUGENE BARONE

    Distinguishing diastolic from systolic heart failure is essential because the optimal therapy for one may aggravate the other. Although the two are clinically and radiographically indistinguishable, certain features may confirm a diastolic heart failure diagnosis.

    Discharge Procedures for Healthy Newborns

    ROBERT C. LANGAN

    When a healthy newborn is discharged from the hospital, physicians should give the parents a checklist covering key aspects of infant care. Parents should be encouraged to discuss their concerns and questions with their physician.

    The Challenge of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

    STEVEN H. CROSSMAN

    Pelvic inflammatory disease ranges from asymptomatic to severe with serious sequelae; diagnosis generally is clinical, although further testing is available. Treatment should cover Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and some patients may require initial...

    Inside AFP

    Peer Review Ensures Continued AFP Quality

    JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    Clinical review articles published in AFP go through a rigorous peer review process before they are accepted for publication. This type of review process is one of the hallmarks of a highly respected, accurate, credible publication. Every clinical review article is...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Newsletter

    LIZ SMITH

    Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    LISA GRAHAM

    Swimming with the dolphins may be more than just a summer vacation activity. According to authors of a study published in the British Medical Journal, swimming with dolphins may alleviate depression more effectively than swimming alone. Scientists studied 30 patients with...

    Editorials

    Effective Guidelines for Counseling Parents Before Discharging a Newborn

    VIRGINIA A. MOYER

    Taking a newborn home is an exciting and anxious time. This may be an opportunity for physicians to educate patients, or it may be a time when the mother is tired and the family is too distracted to benefit from physician counseling. In this issue of American Family Physician...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Oral Appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

    VANESSA COOK, MICHAEL SCHOOFF

    Although oral appliances provide improved subjective sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is more effective. Oral appliances should not be used as a first-line treatment but rather should be reserved for patients who cannot...

    Improving Outpatient Referrals to Secondary Care

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    The interventions that have the best supporting evidence are the distribution of guidelines with standard referral forms and the involvement of specialist consultants in education. Disseminating guidelines without forms and providing physicians with feedback on referral...

    Cyclic vs. Continuous or Extended-Cycle Combined Contraceptives

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    Cyclic vs. Continuous or Extended-Cycle Combined Contraceptives

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Genetic Risk Assessment and BRCA Mutation Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility: Recommendation Statement

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility and the supporting scientific evidence. Explanations of the ratings and of the strength...

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Altitude Sickness

    DAVID R. MURDOCH

    What are the effects of treatments and interventions to prevent acute mountain sickness?

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Treatment of Herpes Zoster

    KEITH B. HOLTEN

    Resolution of acute pain related to herpes zoster is accelerated with any of the following: oral acyclovir (Zovirax) 800 mg five times daily for seven days; valacyclovir (Valtrex) 1,000 mg three times daily for seven days; or famciclovir (Famvir) 750 mg once daily, 500 mg...

    Photo Quiz

    Painful Scalp Lesions and Hair Loss

    MATTHEW GAMMONS, M.D. BRIAN WOLTER

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

    POEMs

    Heparin Treatments for Acute Coronary Syndrome

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Lipid Lowering with Statins Unnecessary with Stable CAD

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Guideline for Management of Dyspepsia

    MARK EBELL

    Low-Allergen Maternal Diet Decreases Colic in Infants

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Tips from Other Journals

    Use of Acupuncture to Improve Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Starting Anticoagulation Levels Lower in Older Patients

    KARL E. MILLER

    Fluticasone vs. Montelukast for Mild Persistent Asthma

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in Pregnant Women

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Curbside Consultation

    Implementing the New Model of Family Medicine

    BRUCE BAGLEY

    The New Model of family medicine, introduced in the Future of Family Medicine report,1 offers physicians the opportunity to increase the efficiency and reliability of their practices and improve clinical care, patient satisfaction, and the “bottom line.”

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Releases Guidelines on Identifying and Referring Persons with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

    CARRIE A. MORANTZ

    Prenatal exposure to alcohol can damage the developing fetus and is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Despite the known adverse effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, children who experience these effects often do not receive a...

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Updated AAP Guidelines for Meningococcal Immunization in Children and Adolescents

    CARRIE A. MORANTZ

    Guidelines for the routine use of the newly approved tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and updated guidelines for the use of the standard tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) have been issued in a policy statement from the Committee on...

    ACOG Recommendations for Medical Management of Abortion

    AMBER HUNTZINGER

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released evidence-based guidelines for medical abortion.

    Letters to the Editor

    Empiric Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Patients with Tick Bites

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Mallet Finger: What You Should Know

    Mallet finger is an injury to your fingertip that usually happens when a ball hits the end of your finger while playing sports (see drawing).

    Exercising Your Finger After an Injury: What You Should Know

    Exercising an injured finger can help make it stronger and easier to move. You shouldn’t start these exercises until your doctor says it is safe.

    Caring for Your New Baby

    Most babies have six to eight wet diapers per day.

    Corrections

    Corrections

    Corrections



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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