Bare Arm Best for Blood Pressure Measurement - POEMs - American Family Physician
Jun 1, 2017 - To get the most accurate measure, let patients sit for a few minutes, and then measure their blood pressure on a completely bare arm. Does a difference of 4 mm systolic and 6 to 7 mm diastolic matter?
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0601/p733.html
Perioperative Cardiovascular Medication Management in Noncardiac Surgery: Common ...
May 15, 2017 - Several medications have been used perioperatively in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery in an attempt to improve outcomes. Antiplatelet therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular events should generally be discontinued seven to 10 days before surgery to avoid increasing the ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0515/p645.html
Venous Leg Ulcers - Clinical Evidence Handbook - American Family Physician
May 15, 2017 - What are the effects of treatments for venous leg ulcers? What are the effects of various interventions for venous leg ulcers?
American Family Physician : Clinical Evidence Handbook
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0515/p662.html
Free Clinics Need Our Help to Heal Patients, Communities
Leonard Reeves, M.D., shares a patient story that illustrates the powerful impact free clinics can have for those in dire need of help.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/free_clinics_need_our_help.html
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension: ACP and AAFP Release Recommendations for ...
May 1, 2017 - The American College of Physicians (ACP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have made recommendations for all clinicians to treat hypertension in persons 60 years and older, based on the benefits and harms of higher (less than 150 mm Hg) and lower (140 mm Hg or less) ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p588.html
Top 20 Research Studies of 2016 for Primary Care Physicians - American Family Physician
May 1, 2017 - This article summarizes the top 20 original research studies and four practice guidelines of 2016, based on regular literature surveillance and as selected by members of the Canadian Medical Association. The studies, known as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters), were rated ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p572.html
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older: A Guideline ...
May 1, 2017 - A high standard must be met when guidelines recommend lifelong preventive medications, knowing that at best, a small minority of patients will benefit and that all are risking harm.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p547.html
Health Maintenance in Postmenopausal Women - American Family Physician
May 1, 2017 - Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in postmenopausal women older than 50 years. Clinicians should use the pooled cohort risk assessment equations or another risk calculator every three to five years to estimate a woman’s 10-year risk of atherosclerotic ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p561.html
Estimating Cardiovascular Risk - Point-of-Care Guides - American Family Physician
May 1, 2017 - The primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) depends on accurate estimation of cardiovascular risk. However, a recent systematic review identified 363 prediction models.
American Family Physician : Point-of-Care Guides
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p580.html
Beta2 Agonists for Acute Cough or a Clinical Diagnosis of Acute Bronchitis - Cochrane ...
May 1, 2017 - There is insufficient evidence to determine whether beta2 agonists can improve symptoms for children with acute cough or bronchitis with wheeze. Beta2 agonists are not likely to benefit and may cause adverse effects in adults who do not have evidence of airflow restriction (number ...
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p551.html
One-Third of Adults with Diagnosed Asthma Can Be Weaned Off All Asthma Medications - ...
May 1, 2017 - This study found that current asthma was ruled out after repeated testing in one-third of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma. Patients ruled out for current asthma were less likely to be using asthma medications or daily controlling medications and less likely to have undergone ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p586.html
Waterborne Illnesses - American Family Physician
May 1, 2017 - ...Previous: Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension: ACP and AAFP Release Recommendations for Adults 60 Years and Older Next: Oral NSAIDs for Perineal Pain in the Early Postpartum Period View the full table of contents >> Home / Journals / afp / Vol. 95/No. 9(May 1, 2017) /...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p554-s1.html
AAFP News - May 1, 2017 - American Family Physician
May 1, 2017 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0501/p546.html
Severe Asymptomatic Hypertension: Evaluation and Treatment - American Family Physician
Apr 15, 2017 - Hypertension affects one-third of Americans and is a significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease, and death. Severe asymptomatic hypertension is defined as severely elevated blood pressure (180 mm Hg or more systolic, or 110 mm Hg or more ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p492.html
Peritonsillar Abscess - American Family Physician
Apr 15, 2017 - Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck, occurring primarily in young adults. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of clinical presentation and examination. Symptoms and findings generally include fever, sore throat, dysphagia, trismus, and a hot ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p501.html
Preventing Sports Injury and Illness: Key Resources for Family Physicians - Editorials ...
Apr 15, 2017 - Given the limited attention paid to the role and importance of physical activity in medical schools and the limited exposure to sports medicine and musculoskeletal problems during residency, many physicians would likely benefit from additional knowledge to improve their ability to ...
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p479.html
Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment - American Family Physician
Apr 1, 2017 - Postpartum hemorrhage is common and can occur in patients without risk factors for hemorrhage. Active management of the third stage of labor should be used routinely to reduce its incidence. Use of oxytocin after delivery of the anterior shoulder is the most important and effective ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0401/p442.html
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Diagnosis and Management - American Family ...
Apr 1, 2017 - The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be suspected in patients with risk factors (primarily a history of smoking) who report dyspnea at rest or with exertion, chronic cough with or without sputum production, or a history of wheezing. COPD may be suspected ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0401/p433.html
What Is the Best Approach to Annual Wellness Visits for Seniors? -- FPM
Apr 1, 2017 - Maybe it is time to change the way I do things - yet again.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0300/p3.html
Coding & Documentation - Mar-Apr 2017 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2017 - ...those that affected management decisions at the current encounter are pertinent to medical decision-making (e.g., a patient's controlled hypertension has little to no impact on treatment decisions if a patient presents with sore throat). You should be able to alter the documentation...
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0300/p36.html
Effects of Altered Dietary Salt Intake in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease - ...
Apr 1, 2017 - Reducing salt intake lowers blood pressure and reduces proteinuria in patients with CKD, but there is no evidence to determine whether lowering salt consumption leads to clinically significant reductions in end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular events, or all-cause mortality.
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0401/p423.html
AHCA Won't Help Patients Who Need It Most
We asked our new physician bloggers how the American Health Care Act would affect their patients. Most said the legislation would hurt the poor, the elderly and the disabled.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/ahca_won_t_help_patients.html
Preterm Labor: Prevention and Management - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2017 - In the United States, preterm delivery is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and is the most common reason for hospitalization during pregnancy. The rate of preterm delivery (before 37 weeks’ gestation) has been declining since 2007. Clinical diagnosis of preterm labor is made if ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p366.html
Palliative Care Through Illness Trajectory - Curbside Consultation - American Family ...
Mar 15, 2017 - Persons with multimorbidity often have unmet multidimensional needs related to their health. For example, Y.S. may also be experiencing poorly controlled symptoms, financial distress, and increasing anxiety. His family is likely distressed by his decline in health and unsure about what ...
American Family Physician : Curbside Consultation
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p386.html
Eye Pain in a Contractor Working in Iraq - Photo Quiz - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2017 - A contractor in Iraq presents with unilateral eye pain and redness a cloud of dust blew into his face while fixing an old generator
American Family Physician : Photo Quiz
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p389.html
Semaglutide Reduces CV Events in High-Risk Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - ...
Mar 15, 2017 - Semaglutide significantly reduced the composite outcome of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke (number needed to treat [NNT] = 43 over 2.1 years). It was generally well tolerated, and it reduced body weight by approximately 6.4 to 9.5 lb (2.9 to 4.3 kg).
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p396.html
AAFP News - Mar 15, 2017 - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2017 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p348.html
Primary Care Needs a Raise -- All of Us
Family physicians and the rest of the primary care team deserve better compensation. Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., writes that investing more money in primary care would benefit not only physicians, but also their patients, staff and communities.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/primary_care_needs_a_raise.html
Syncope: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis - American Family Physician
Mar 1, 2017 - Syncope is an abrupt and transient loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. It accounts for 1% to 1.5% of emergency department visits, resulting in high hospital admission rates and significant medical costs. Syncope is classified as neurally mediated, cardiac, and ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0301/p303.html
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: Current Therapy - American Family Physician
Mar 1, 2017 - Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis are the two most important manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the third most common life-threatening cardiovascular disease in the United States. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of VTE treatment. Most patients with deep...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0301/p295.html
Out of Control: What I Learned From 36 Hours in Labor
Physicians like to be in control in health care settings, but Beth Oller, M.D., says doctors -- like all patients -- relinquish much control when they are admitted to a hospital.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/out_of_control_what_i.html
Proteinuria in Children: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis - American Family Physician
Feb 15, 2017 - Although proteinuria is usually benign in the form of transient or orthostatic proteinuria, persistent proteinuria may be associated with more serious renal diseases. Proteinuria may be an independent risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease in children. Mechanisms of ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0215/p248.html
Acute Coronary Syndrome: Current Treatment - American Family Physician
Feb 15, 2017 - Acute coronary syndrome continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Family physicians need to identify and mitigate risk factors early, as well as recognize and respond to acute coronary syndrome events quickly in any clinical setting. Diagnosis ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0215/p232.html
Dizziness: Approach to Evaluation and Management - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2017 - Dizziness is a common yet imprecise symptom. It was traditionally divided into four categories based on the patient’s history: vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and light-headedness. However, the distinction between these symptoms is of limited clinical usefulness. Patients have ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p154.html
Acute Coronary Syndrome: Diagnostic Evaluation - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2017 - Myocardial infarction (MI), a subset of acute coronary syndrome, is damage to the cardiac muscle as evidenced by elevated cardiac troponin levels in the setting of acute ischemia. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Chest pain is a common ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p170.html
New Codes, New Payment Opportunities for 2017 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2017 - This year's changes include opportunities to get paid for some services that were previously not billable.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0100/p7.html
Coding & Documentation - Jan-Feb 2017 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2017 - ...Coding for Hypertension: Painting a Picture of the Severity of Illness Coding Level 4 Office Visits Using the New E/M Guidelines Coding Changes for Family Medicine in 2018 Editor's Collections Documentation Guidelines Coding & Documentation Related Topic Searches...
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2017/0100/p35.html
The Health Hazards of Air Pollution—Implications for Your Patients - Editorials - ...
Feb 1, 2017 - Air pollution has many deleterious health effects. Physicians can encourage their patients to recognize the health cobenefits of actions to support the environment.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p146.html
Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: ...
Jan 15, 2017 - The USPSTF recommends that adults without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (i.e., symptomatic coronary artery disease or ischemic stroke) use a low- to moderate-dose statin for the prevention of CVD events and mortality when all of the following criteria are met: (1) they are ...
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/od1.html
Hyperlipidemia: Drugs for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Adults - American Family ...
Jan 15, 2017 - Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) indicate that lipid-lowering drugs have benefit for primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/p78.html
Taking Care of Disadvantaged Patients - Curbside Consultation - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2017 - No single person can be responsible for the health of a population. However, there are a number of strategies for taking care of members of disadvantaged populations. These range from targeted compassion and interventions for the individual patient to broad advocacy for disadvantaged ...
American Family Physician : Curbside Consultation
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/p118.html
ADA Updates Standards of Medical Care for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus - Practice ...
Jan 1, 2017 - The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently updated its standards of care to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. Key changes in the 2016 update include new screening recommendations, clarification of ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0101/p40.html
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Primary Care Principles - American Family Physician
Dec 15, 2016 - Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, or activities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., created an umbrella diagnosis that includes several previously ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1215/p972.html
Diabetes Mellitus: Management of Gastrointestinal Complications - American Family ...
Dec 15, 2016 - Gastrointestinal disorders are common complications of diabetes mellitus and include gastroparesis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic diarrhea. Symptoms of gastroparesis include early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting of ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1215/p980.html
Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Recommendation Statement - ...
Dec 15, 2016 - The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents 20 years or younger.
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1215/od1.html
Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments for Symptoms of Menopause - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2016 - The results of large clinical trials have led physicians and patients to question the safety of hormone therapy for menopause. In the past, physicians prescribed hormone therapy to improve overall health and prevent cardiac disease, as well as for symptoms of menopause. Combined ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1201/p884.html
Coding & Documentation - Nov-Dec 2016 -- FPM
Dec 1, 2016 - ...Coding for Hypertension: Painting a Picture of the Severity of Illness Skin Deep: How to Properly Code for Biopsies and Lesion Removal Coding Level 4 Office Visits Using the New E/M Guidelines Editor's Collections Documentation Guidelines Coding & Documentation...
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/1100/p31.html
Erectile Dysfunction - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2016 - Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is common, affecting at least 12 million U.S. men. The five-question International Index of Erectile Function allows rapid clinical assessment of ED. The ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p820.html
Acute Monoarthritis: Diagnosis in Adults - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2016 - Acute monoarthritis can be the initial manifestation of many joint disorders. The most common diagnoses in the primary care setting are osteoarthritis, gout, and trauma. It is important to understand the prevalence of specific etiologies and to use the appropriate diagnostic modalities....
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p810.html
Initial Management of Patients with HIV Infection - American Family Physician
Nov 1, 2016 - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a treatable chronic disease with near-normal life expectancy when patients receive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Family physicians and other primary care clinicians commonly provide long-term comprehensive care for persons with HIV...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p708.html