Screening for Breast Cancer: Current Recommendations and Future Directions

DOUG KNUTSON, ELIZABETH STEINER

Although breast cancer screening is an important component of health maintenance, recent studies have generated questions about the appropriateness of traditional screening modalities.

Dystocia in Nulliparous Women

SARA G. SHIELDS, STEPHEN D. RATCLIFFE, PATRICIA FONTAINE, LARRY LEEMAN

Dystocia may be caused by inadequate uterine contractions, fetal malposition, or cephalopelvic disproportion, and it is responsible for more than 50 percent of pri-mary cesarean deliveries. Physicians providing maternity care should be skilled at diagnosing, managing, and...

Medical Emergency Preparedness in Office Practice

SETH L. TOBACK

Primary care physicians report at least one emergency presenting to their office per year, and most offices are not prepared to handle such emergencies. Offices can decrease the risk of unfavorable outcomes in medical emergencies by acquiring the correct equipment, ensuring...

Ginger: An Overview

BRETT WHITE

One of the more commonly used herbal supplements, ginger has been shown to be effective for pregnancy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. There is less evidence to support its use for nausea and vomiting from other causes, and evidence regarding its use for the...

Breast Cancer Screening, Authors' Guide, and Clinical Quiz

Joyce A. Merriman, Matthew J. Neff

The ideal treatment strategy or best diagnostic tool for a disease often changes as new techniques or technologies are developed. The various methods of screening for and diagnosing breast cancer have been no exception over the years, and the recommended modalities will most...

Newsletter

Legislation Seeks to Enhance Access to Cancer Screenings | Alaska Medicare Environment Highlights Payment Crisis | Speakers Say Medicare Payment Rates Major Reason for Physician Shortages | AAFP Asks CMS to Increase Estimation of Notice of Noncoverage Burdens | Former House...

Quantum Sufficit

Sherri Damlo

According to results from a National Sleep Foundation poll, 60 percent of American women get enough sleep only a few nights each week, and 67 percent frequently have problems sleeping. Although women of all ages experience sleep problems, working mothers and single working...

Screening for Breast Cancer: What to Do with the Evidence

RUSSELL HARRIS

For many of the conditions we encounter in primary care, there is insufficient evidence to tell us the best course of action. Breast cancer screening is different. We now have nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and numerous case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort...

Use of Patient Registries in U.S. Primary Care Practices

Patient registries are necessary for high-quality health care, but even in innovative practices, their presence and utilization is inadequate. Registry uptake in primary care may be enhanced by improving the functionality of electronic health records (EHRs) and implementing...

Occupational Therapy Improves Activities of Daily Living After Stroke

Nathan Hitzeman, Mimi Reiss

Compared with standard rehabilitation, ADL-based occupational therapy significantly decreases death or institutionalization and deterioration in the ability to perform ADL after stroke. The optimal length and type of therapy is not well defined.

Cochrane Briefs

CHRISTOPHER W. WALKER

Fecal Occult Blood Tests Reduce Colorectal Cancer Mortality

Cochrane Briefs

CHINASA ANUGWOM, SHERYL SULANGI, ROBERT DACHS

Adenosine vs. Calcium Channel Blockers for Supraventricular Tachycardia

Screening for Hemochromatosis: Recommendation Statement

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for hemochromatosis and the supporting scientific evidence.

Bulimia Nervosa

PHILLIPA J. HAY, JOSUE BACALTCHUK

What are the effects of treatments for bulimia nervosa in adults? What are the effects of discontinuing treatment in persons in remission?

Monitoring Therapy for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

JAQUELINE RAETZ

Patients with Alzheimer's disease who undergo treatment of any kind should be monitored eight weeks after initiation of therapy and at least every six months thereafter.

New-Onset Seizures

BRYCHAN M. CLARK, BRIAN K. AGAN

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

IDSA Releases Guidelines on Travel Medicine

AMBER HUNTZINGER

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released recommendations on travel medicine standards based on evidence, expert opinion, and clinical experience.

Practice Guideline Briefs

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

CDC Changes Treatment Guidelines for Gonorrhea

Practice Guideline Briefs

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

ACS Recommendations on MRI and Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening

Principles to Help Prevent Youth Sports-Related Injuries

MARK B. STEPHENS, ANTHONY BEUTLER

Physical Activity Alone May Not Reduce Obesity in Children

ANNE D. WALLING

Does Cognitive Training Improve IADL in Older Patients?

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Does Depression Impact Heart Failure?

KARL E. MILLER

Emergencies in the Family Medicine Office

An office emergency is when someone in the doctor's office needs emergency medical care. For example, a patient may have a stroke, or a child may be brought in with meningitis.