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 Countdown to the E/M Coding Changes Coding Changes for Family Medicine in 2018 Editor's Collections Documentation Guidelines Coding & Documentation Related Topic Searches Evaluation and...
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 Countdown to the E/M Coding Changes Skin Deep: How to Properly Code for Biopsies and Lesion Removal Editor's Collections Documentation Guidelines Coding & Documentation Related Topic Searches...
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
Hypertensive Urgency Not Really an Urgent Problem - POEMs - American Family Physician
Nov 1, 2016 - It seems that rapid treatment of patients with hypertensive urgency is unsuccessful and unnecessary. In this study of almost 60,000 patients, 80% did not have controlled blood pressure (less than 140/90 mm Hg) after one month of treatment, including patients who were hospitalized. On ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p750a.html
Primary Care for Patients with HIV Infection: It’s Not Who Should Provide It, It’s How ...
Nov 1, 2016 - The major challenge is not to address whether primary care clinicians without substantial HIV experience should provide HIV care, but to create a framework that allows all primary care clinicians to provide the best possible care for their patients living with HIV infection.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p687.html
High-Deductible Plans May Reduce Ambulatory Care Use - Graham Center Policy One-Pagers ...
Nov 1, 2016 - Although rates of uninsured Americans are declining because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is growing concern about out-of-pocket expenditures associated with private high-deductible insurance plans.
American Family Physician : Graham Center Policy One-Pagers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p727.html
Prescribing for Opioid Addiction Is My Responsibility
Federal law requires physicians to pass an eight-hour course and apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. Alan Schwartzstein, M.D., explains why he thinks it's a worthwhile investment.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/prescribing_for_opioid_addiction_is.html
The Pretravel Consultation - American Family Physician
Oct 15, 2016 - Key components of the pretravel consultation include intake questions regarding the traveler’s anticipated itinerary and medical history; immunizations; malaria prophylaxis; and personal protection measures against arthropod bites, traveler’s diarrhea, and injury. Most vaccinations that...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p620.html
ACE Inhibitors or ARBs to Prevent CKD in Patients with Microalbuminuria - FPIN's ...
Oct 15, 2016 - ACE inhibitors reduce the risk of progression to macroalbuminuria in normotensive patients with microalbuminuria and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Clinical Inquiries
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p652.html
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer:...
Oct 15, 2016 - The USPSTF recommends initiating low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in adults aged 50 to 59 years who have a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk, are not at increased risk for bleeding, have a life expectancy of at ...
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/od1.html
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer ...
Oct 15, 2016 - S.L. is a 55-year-old man who presents to your office for a routine refill of his antihypertension medication. He also takes a statin and an antidepressant. Although he smokes, his blood pressure and cholesterol are well controlled. His history and physical examination are unremarkable.
American Family Physician : Putting Prevention into Practice
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p661.html
ACIP Updates Influenza Vaccination Recommendations for 2016-2017 - Practice Guidelines ...
Oct 15, 2016 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released its annual recommendations for routine influenza vaccination in the 2016–2017 season.
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p668.html
Top POEMs of 2015 Consistent with the Principles of the Choosing Wisely Campaign - ...
Oct 1, 2016 - The authors applied a novel method to identify recent clinical studies that showed results consistent with the principles of the Choosing Wisely campaign. The method, based on crowdsourcing studies known as POEMs (patientoriented evidence that matters), involved analyzing POEM ratings ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1001/p566.html
Practical Ways to Improve Medication Adherence -- FPM
Oct 1, 2016 - Half of our patients do not take their medications, but we can change that.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/0900/p52.html
Coding & Documentation - Sep-Oct 2016 -- FPM
Oct 1, 2016 - ...Coding for Hypertension: Painting a Picture of the Severity of Illness Countdown to the E/M Coding Changes Editor's Collections ICD-10 Coding Coding & Documentation Related Topic Searches ICD-10 MOST RECENT ISSUE Sep-Oct 2020 Access the latest issue of FPM...
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/0900/p40.html
Exercise Is Effective Therapy for Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic ...
Oct 1, 2016 - ...CNP/CPPS; men with this condition at the start of the surveys in 1986 were excluded. The surveys also included questions on tobacco use, hypertension, duration of weekly screen time in 1988, amount of physical activity, and type of physical activity. Based on symptoms, 689 men...
American Family Physician : Letter
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1001/p533.html
Pulmonary Hypertension: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Pulmonary hypertension is a common, complex group of disorders that result from different pathophysiologic mechanisms but are all defined by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 25 mm Hg or greater. Patients often initially present to family physicians; however, because the symptoms ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p463.html
Medications for Chronic Asthma - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Chronic asthma is a major health concern for children and adults worldwide. The goal of treatment is to prevent symptoms by reducing airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. Step-up therapy for symptom control involves initiation with low-dose treatment and increasing intensity at ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p454.html
Diagnosis and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Atrial fibrillation is a supraventricular arrhythmia that adversely affects cardiac function and increases the risk of stroke. It is the most common arrhythmia and a major source of morbidity and mortality; its prevalence increases with age. Pulse rate is sensitive, but not specific, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p442.html
Clinical Diagnosis of Gout Without Joint Aspirate - Point-of-Care Guides - American ...
Sep 15, 2016 - Gout is ideally diagnosed through identification of characteristic negatively birefringent crystals under polarized light microscopy in fluid aspirated from end-organ deposits, typically from a joint. However, fewer than 10% of patients with gout see a rheumatologist, and most cases of ...
American Family Physician : Point-of-Care Guides
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p505.html
AAFP Releases Position Paper on Preconception care - Practice Guidelines - American ...
Sep 15, 2016 - The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released a position paper providing evidence-based recommendations that address reproductive health care.
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p508.html
Preventing Diagnostic Errors in Primary Care - Editorials - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Taking specific steps to make diagnosis more reliable is something we should all consider. We will never be perfect, but we owe it to our patients and our profession to improve. A diagnostic checklist is included.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p426.html
Healthy Aging with Intimations of Mortality - Close-ups - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - End-of-life discussions in moments of excellent health may pose as much of a challenge as waiting until illness arrives.
American Family Physician : Close-ups
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p474.html
AAFP News - Sep 15, 2016 - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p420.html
Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults - American Family Physician
Sep 1, 2016 - Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes patients to temporarily stop or decrease their breathing repeatedly during sleep. This results in fragmented, nonrestful sleep that can lead to symptoms such as morning headache and daytime sleepiness. Obstructive sleep apnea ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p355.html
Update on Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity - American Family ...
Sep 1, 2016 - Obesity is a common condition that is associated with numerous medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus. Primary care physicians have an important role in helping patients develop a successful weight loss plan to improve their overall ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p361.html
Physicians, Wellness Should Begin With Us
Venis Wilder, M.D., writes that when physicians neglect their own needs, their ability to care for others suffers, as well.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/physicians_wellness_should_begin_with.html
How to Recognize OSA and What It Means for Your Health - American Family Physician
Sep 1, 2016 - ...Hypertension (not controlled with medicine) Depression Increased risk of motor vehicle crashes Overall increased risk of death Where can I get more information? Your doctor American Sleep Apnea Association http://www.sleepapnea.org/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p355-s1.html
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Primary Care Approach to Diagnosis and Management - ...
Aug 15, 2016 - Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects many systems, including the skin, musculoskeletal, renal, neuropsychiatric, hematologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and reproductive systems. Family physicians should be familiar with the manifestations of lupus to aid ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p284.html
Screening for Depression in Adults - Putting Prevention into Practice - American Family...
Aug 15, 2016 - A.B., a 29-year-old man, presents to your office for a routine visit. He has a history of being overweight and has hypertension that is controlled by diet and exercise.
American Family Physician : Putting Prevention into Practice
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p305.html
Behavioral Disorders in Dementia: Appropriate Nondrug Interventions and Antipsychotic ...
Aug 15, 2016 - Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia pose management challenges for caregivers and clinicians. Firstline nonpharmacologic treatments include eliminating physical and emotional stressors, modifying the patient’s environment, and establishing daily routines. Family members ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p276.html