Want to Solve Problems in Public Health? Here's How
Family physician Stewart Decker, M.D., is getting his master's degree in public health and wants you to come along for the ride. In this Fresh Perspectives blog post, he shares what he's learned so far.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180316fp-mph1.html
Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Treatment - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2018 - Stable coronary artery disease refers to a reversible supply/demand mismatch related to ischemia, a history of myocardial infarction, or the presence of plaque documented by catheterization or computed tomography angiography. Patients are considered stable if they are asymptomatic or ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p376.html
ACC/AHA Hypertension Guideline: What Is New? What Do We Do? - Editorials - American ...
Mar 15, 2018 - Choosing a threshold and target for treatment should be based on the science supporting CVD risk reduction, while considering the benefits and harms in individual patient circumstances and respecting patient choice.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p372.html
High Blood Pressure: ACC/AHA Releases Updated Guideline - Practice Guidelines - ...
Mar 15, 2018 - The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated their guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high BP in adults. The ACC/AHA recommendations were based on a systematic review that addressed four questions ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p413.html
Lesinurad (Zurampic) for Gout - STEPS - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2018 - Lesinurad taken in addition to a xanthine oxidase inhibitor reduces serum uric acid levels. However, it does not reduce the likelihood of experiencing a gout flare-up or completely resolving tophi.
American Family Physician : STEPS
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p374.html
AAFP News - Mar 15, 2018 - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2018 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p368.html
Medical Aid in Dying - Curbside Consultation - American Family Physician
Mar 1, 2018 - Requests for hastened death are not unusual from patients with life-limiting illness, and many primary care physicians encounter these requests over the course of their career. Medical aid in dying is the practice of a physician providing a competent, terminally ill patient—at the ...
American Family Physician : Curbside Consultation
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0301/p339.html
Coding: ICD-10 -- FPM Toolbox
Feb 23, 2018 - Download FPM's coding guides and cheat sheets to help you understand ICD-10 coding and select the right codes.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Coding: ICD-10
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=30
Acute Migraine Headache: Treatment Strategies - American Family Physician
Feb 15, 2018 - Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks. Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, antiemetics, ergot alkaloids, and combination analgesics have evidence supporting their effectiveness in the treatment of migraine. Acetaminophen ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0215/p243.html
Vitamin D Screening and Supplementation in Community-Dwelling Adults: Common Questions ...
Feb 15, 2018 - Measurement of vitamin D levels and supplementation with oral vitamin D have become commonplace, although clinical trials have not demonstrated health benefits. The usefulness of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to assess adequate exposure to vitamin D is hampered by variations in ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0215/p254.html
Beta Blockers Compared with Other Drug Options for the Treatment of Hypertension - ...
Feb 1, 2018 - Although beta blockers seem to have a positive impact on patient-oriented evidence that matters in patients with hypertension, they appear to be inferior when compared with other medications.
American Family Physician : Medicine by the Numbers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0201/od1.html
Effectiveness of ACL Injury Prevention Programs - FPIN's Help Desk Answers - American ...
Feb 1, 2018 - ACL injury prevention programs reduce the incidence of ACL injuries by at least 50% in a variety of sports, and should be used for all athletes. There is no evidence that any particular prevention program or component is superior.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Help Desk Answers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0201/od2.html
Coding & Documentation - Jan-Feb 2018 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2018 - Reciprocal billing during extended absences | ICD-10 coding for accidents without injury | Removal of impacted cerumen
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2018/0100/p33.html
OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections for Urge Incontinence - FPIN's Help Desk Answers - ...
Feb 1, 2018 - Detrusor muscle injections of onabotulinumtoxinA can be used to decrease the number of episodes of urinary incontinence in women for whom treatment with anticholinergic agents has been ineffective.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Help Desk Answers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0201/od3.html
Nebivolol/Valsartan (Byvalson) for Hypertension - STEPS - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2018 - Nebivolol/valsartan is an option for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed or poorly controlled hypertension. Although it offers a new beta-blocker option, no research has demonstrated its benefit over existing treatments.
American Family Physician : STEPS
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p124.html
Noninfectious Penile Lesions - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2018 - Noninfectious penile lesions are classified by clinical presentation as papulosquamous (e.g., psoriasis), inflammatory (e.g., lichen sclerosus, lichen nitidus, lichen planus), vascular (e.g., angiokeratomas), or neoplastic (e.g., carcinoma in situ, invasive squamous cell carcinoma). ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p102.html
Abrupt Onset of a Tender Rash on the Upper and Lower Extremities - Photo Quiz - ...
Jan 15, 2018 - ...Previous: Nebivolol/Valsartan (Byvalson) for Hypertension Next: H. pylori Infection: ACG Updates Treatment Recommendations View the full table of contents >> Home / Journals / afp / Vol. 97/No. 2(January 15, 2018) / Photo Quiz: Abrupt Onset of a Tender Rash on the Upper and...
American Family Physician : Photo Quiz
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p129.html
Screening for Preeclampsia: Recommendation Statement - U.S. Preventive Services Task ...
Jan 15, 2018 - The USPSTF recommends screening for preeclampsia in pregnant women with blood pressure measurements throughout pregnancy.
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/od1.html
Screening for Preeclampsia - Putting Prevention into Practice - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2018 - A 28-year-old white woman comes to your clinic for prenatal care reporting a new-onset severe headache. She is currently pregnant with twins at an estimated gestational age of 22 weeks. Her obstetric history is significant for one previous term singleton vaginal delivery at 24 years of ...
American Family Physician : Putting Prevention into Practice
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p117.html
AAFP News - Jan 15, 2018 - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2018 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0115/p72.html
New Year, Same Issues. Why Does Health Care Cost So Much?
We asked our new physician bloggers what issues concern them for their practices and patients in 2018. The cost of care to patients tops the list.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20180102fp-newyear.html
Ear Pain: Diagnosing Common and Uncommon Causes - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2018 - Otalgia (ear pain) is a common presentation in the primary care setting with many diverse causes. Pain that originates from the ear is called primary otalgia, and the most common causes are otitis media and otitis externa. Examination of the ear usually reveals abnormal findings in ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p20.html
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Outpatient Insulin Management - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2018 - In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin may be used to augment therapy with oral glycemic medications or as insulin replacement therapy. The American Diabetes Association suggests the use of long-acting (basal) insulin to augment therapy with one or two oral agents or one ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p29.html
Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Older Patients Can Decrease Renal Function - POEMs ...
Jan 1, 2018 - In this post-hoc analysis of the previously published SPRINT trial, lowering the systolic blood pressure of patients who are at increased risk of cardiovascular events (average age = 66 years) will decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease but increase their likelihood of developing...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p54.html
At Home or Abroad, ALSO Training Improves Maternal Outcomes
The Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics program has helped improve maternal outcomes in other countries around the globe. Carl Olden, M.D., writes that now it's time to improve U.S. outcomes.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20171218lv-also.html
Chronic Kidney Disease: Detection and Evaluation - American Family Physician
Dec 15, 2017 - Chronic kidney disease affects 47 million people in the United States and is associated with significant health care costs, morbidity, and mortality. Because this disease can silently progress to advanced stages, early detection is critical for initiating timely interventions. Multiple ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1215/p776.html
Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults - Putting ...
Dec 15, 2017 - L.D., a 66-year-old generally healthy white man, presents for his annual physical. He has no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD); he has had consistent systolic blood pressure measurements of 140 mm Hg; he is not taking any medications; he does not smoke; he exercises three times ...
American Family Physician : Putting Prevention into Practice
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1215/p805.html
Is "Precision Medicine" Ready to Use in Primary Care Practice? No: It Is Barely Ready ...
Dec 15, 2017 - Precision medicine is ultimately only a tool, and just as it might be used to facilitate better outcomes, if adopted prematurely, it may paradoxically increase inappropriate care. Therefore, primary care physicians must wait for carefully conducted randomized studies to demonstrate ...
American Family Physician : Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1215/p769.html
AAFP News - Dec 15, 2017 - American Family Physician
Dec 15, 2017 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1215/p760.html
Rural or Urban FP, We Both Handle Gamut of Patient Issues
A rural family physician and her inner-city counterpart find that their scope of practice and the issues their patients face are more similar than they expected.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20171205fp-urbanrural.html
Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for ...
Nov 15, 2017 - The USPSTF recommends that primary care professionals individualize the decision to offer or refer adults without obesity who do not have hypertension, dyslipidemia, abnormal blood glucose levels, or diabetes to behavioral counseling to promote a healthful diet and physical activity.
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1115/od2.html
Cardiomyopathy: An Overview - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2017 - The definition and classification of cardiomyopathy have evolved considerably in recent years. Cardiomyopathy can be separated into primary (genetic, mixed, or acquired) and secondary categories, which result in varied phenotypes including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1115/p640.html
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Diagnosis and Management - American ...
Nov 1, 2017 - Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, also referred to as diastolic heart failure, causes almost one-half of the 5 million cases of heart failure in the United States. It is more common among older patients and women, and results from abnormalities of active ventricular ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1101/p582.html
Disorders of Puberty: An Approach to Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician
Nov 1, 2017 - Disorders of puberty can profoundly impact physical and psychosocial well-being. Precocious puberty is pubertal onset before eight years of age in girls and before nine years of age in boys. Patients with early isolated pubertal changes, prepubertal linear growth, and no worrisome ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1101/p590.html
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - American Family Physician
Oct 15, 2017 - Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) result from intrauterine exposure to alcohol and are the most common nonheritable causes of intellectual disability. The percentage of women who drink or binge drink during pregnancy has increased since 2012. FAS ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/p515.html
Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Recommendation Statement - U.S. ...
Oct 15, 2017 - The USPSTF recommends that clinicians screen for obesity in children and adolescents 6 years and older, and offer or refer them to comprehensive, intensive behavioral interventions to promote improvements in weight status.
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/od4.html
A Burning Red Rash - Photo Quiz - American Family Physician
Oct 15, 2017 - A man presented with a painful rash that began on his left chest and spread to his left back. There are no lesions anywhere else on his body.
American Family Physician : Photo Quiz
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/p543.html
Preconception Care Is Primary Care: A Call to Action - Editorials - American Family ...
Oct 15, 2017 - Alarmingly, the United States is the only developed country with a rising maternal mortality rate; women are more likely to die in or around childbirth now than 20 years ago. Regardless of community, profession, or political affiliation, this should create a sense of urgency for action ...
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/p492.html
Influenza Vaccination Recommendations for 2017-2018: Updates from ACIP - Practice ...
Oct 15, 2017 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released its recommendations on influenza vaccination for the 2017–2018 season. In this update, ACIP announces the currently available vaccine products, reviews license and labeling ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1015/p545.html
Secondary Hypertension: Discovering the Underlying Cause - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2017 - Most patients with hypertension have no clear etiology and are classified as having primary hypertension. However, 5% to 10% of these patients may have secondary hypertension, which indicates an underlying and potentially reversible cause. The prevalence and potential etiologies of ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p453.html
Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: Strategies for Prevention - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2017 - Recurrent strokes make up almost 25% of the nearly 800,000 strokes that occur annually in the United States. Risk factors for ischemic stroke include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and obesity. Lifestyle modifications, including tobacco cessation, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p436.html
Testosterone Therapy: Review of Clinical Applications - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2017 - Testosterone therapy is increasingly common in the United States, and many of these prescriptions are written by primary care physicians. There is conflicting evidence on the benefit of male testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone. Physicians should not measure ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p441.html
Assessing Bleeding Risk in Patients Taking Anticoagulants - Point-of-Care Guides - ...
Oct 1, 2017 - Family physicians are often faced with the dilemma of balancing the benefit of stroke prevention with the risk of major bleeding when deciding on anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation. Over the past 10 years, several decision support tools have been developed ...
American Family Physician : Point-of-Care Guides
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p465.html
Technology Tools and Trends for Better Patient Care: Beyond the EHR -- FPM
Oct 1, 2017 - From remote monitoring of chronic diseases to virtual assistants in the exam room, technology will improve practice.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0900/p28.html
Coding & Documentation - Sep-Oct 2017 -- FPM
Oct 1, 2017 - ...Diagnosis coding for hypertension and heart failure Medicare payment for telemedicine home visits ICD-10 code updates for Oct. 1 Q What changes to ICD-10 codes for 2017–2018 will affect family medicine the most? A About 750 total changes will be implemented on Oct. 1, 2017 – many...
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0900/p34.html
Reducing Frustration and Increasing Fulfillment: Reframing -- FPM
Oct 1, 2017 - To better handle challenging patients or situations, try modifying the way you view them.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0900/p12.html
Finding the Bright Spots in Value-Based Care -- FPM
Oct 1, 2017 - Taking one small step at a time, primary care practices can lead the way as the health care system begins to reward value.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0900/p21.html
Pet Therapy: Helping Patients Cope - Close-ups - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2017 - Animal-assisted therapy and the medical use of the human-animal bond can be thought of as a form of alternative/complementary therapy.
American Family Physician : Close-ups
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p464.html
Clues That Your High Blood Pressure Is Due to Some Underlying and Treatable Condition -...
Oct 1, 2017 - ...related article on secondary hypertension What causes high blood pressure? Most of the time when people have high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. This is called primary hypertension. However, a few people may have something called secondary hypertension. This means that there...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p453-s1.html
Aseptic and Bacterial Meningitis: Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention - American ...
Sep 1, 2017 - The etiologies of meningitis range in severity from benign and self-limited to life-threatening with potentially severe morbidity. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt recognition and treatment. Mortality remains high despite the introduction of vaccinations ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0901/p314.html