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

A 74-year-old woman has continued left-sided hemiparesis after having a stroke one week ago. She is about to be discharged from the hospital, and her son has some questions about the benefit of outpatient occupational therapy to improve her function at home.

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. Explanations of the ratings and of the strength of overall evidence are given in Table 1 and Table 2,...

Bulimia Nervosa

PHILLIPA J. HAY, JOSUE BACALTCHUK

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) identified by a systematic review found that CBT for bulimia nervosa improved the clinical effects of bulimia compared with a control group on a waiting list or no treatment. One RCT found no significant difference in remission rate or...

Monitoring Therapy for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

JAQUELINE RAETZ

How do you monitor patients with Alzheimer's disease to determine if they are benefiting from receiving a cholinesterase inhibitor?

New-Onset Seizures

BRYCHAN M. CLARK, BRIAN K. AGAN

A 35-year-old woman presented to the emergency department in status epilepticus with new-onset seizures. She was immediately intubated for airway protection. Her temperature was 98.4° F (36.9° C); respiratory rate, 22 breaths per minute; pulse, 102 beats per minute; and blood...

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

IDSA Releases Guidelines on Travel Medicine

AMBER HUNTZINGER

Guideline source: Infectious Diseases Society of America

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

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.