Budget Neutrality, Not Primary Care, Is Subspecialties’ Enemy
The 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule final rule increases E/M payment as planned on Jan. 1, but Congress is weighing action that puts your long-overdue raise at risk.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20201208itt-mpfs.html
First COVID-19 vaccine CPT codes published -- FPM
The first COVID-19 vaccine and administration codes are for products produced by Pfizer and Moderna.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_vaccine_codes.html
Regulatory relief coming for Stark and anti-kickback self-referral laws -- FPM
The changes include new safe harbor protections for coordinated care and value-based payment arrangements.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/regulatory-relief-for-stark-and-anti-kickback-self-referral-laws.html
Four things your team can do to help you save time and avoid burnout -- FPM
While there are many problems in the health care system causing physicians to burn out, one possible solution is to lean on your care team as much as possible.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/prevent_burnout_tips.html
Coding COVID-19 exposure -- FPM
Use this diagnosis code for encounters with patients who have suspected exposure to the coronavirus but do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coding_covid_exposure.html
When to speak up: A guiding principle for public advocacy -- FPM
Family physicians have a distinct mission that extends outside the clinic to matters of public concern.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/patient_advocacy_principle.html
Telemedicine II: What We’ve Learned So Far
This spring our new physician bloggers told us about their experiences with implementing telemedicine. Several months later, we asked for an update regarding their lessons learned.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20201203fp-telehealth.html
Parkinson Disease - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - Parkinson disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. Most patients consult with their primary care physician about Parkinson disease symptoms before seeking care from a specialist. The diagnosis of Parkinson disease is clinical, and key...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p679.html
Coronary Artery Disease/Coronary Heart Disease - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease (CHD) and related issues, including acute coronary syndrome, angina, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. This collection features AFP content on coronary artery disease ...
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Complications and Special Situations
- Editorials and Letters
- Improving Practice
- Patient Education, Self-Care
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=4
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Common Questions and Answers - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder that is a subtype or qualifier of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is characterized by depressive symptoms that occur at a specific time of year (typically fall ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p668.html
Abdominal Pain, Acute - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on acute abdominal pain and related issues, including acute pelvic pain, appendicitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and pancreatitis. This collection features AFP content on acute abdominal pain and related ...
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=73
Top POEMs of 2019 Consistent with the Principles of the Choosing Wisely Campaign - ...
Dec 1, 2020 - In this article, we discuss the POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) of 2019 judged to be most consistent with the principles of Choosing Wisely, an international campaign to reduce unnecessary testing and treatments. We selected these POEMs through a crowdsourcing strategy of...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p673.html
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - Advertisement AFP BY TOPIC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Editors' Choice of Best Available Content Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by an enveloped single-stranded RNA novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2...
- General
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Complications and Special Situations
- Other AFP Content
- Other Resources from AAFP
- Other Resources
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=117
Kidney Disease - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on kidney disease and related issues, including acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, dialysis, hematuria, proteinuria, and renal disease. This collection features AFP content on kidney disease and related issues, including acute renal ...
- Overview
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Complications and Special Situations
- Editorials and Letters
- Patient Education, Self-Care
- Other AFP Content
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=15
Immunizations (excluding Influenza) - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on child and adult immunizations (excluding influenza) and related issues, including travel immunizations and specific immunizations (hepatitis A and B, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus, meningococcus, pertussis, pneumococcus, rotavirus, smallpox,...
- Overview
- Specific Immunizations
- Editorials and Letters
- Improving Practice
- Patient Education, Self-Care
- Other AFP Content
- Other Resources from AAFP
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=63
The 2021 Office Visit Coding Changes: Putting the Pieces Together -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Simplified guidelines for coding and documenting evaluation and management office visits are coming next year. Learn how to apply the guidelines to some common visit types.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p6.html
Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Practical Guide for Primary Care -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Ultrasound has head-to-toe applications for primary care, and the newest machines are portable and affordable enough to fit into almost any practice.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p33.html
Understanding and Improving Risk Adjustment in Team-Based Care -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Understand the basics of risk adjustment and how it is used in value-based payment (VBP) arrangements. Learn strategies to thrive in VBP and risk-adjustment models to optimize payment while providing high-quality patient care.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p29.html
Management of Acute Pain from Non–Low Back Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidelines from ...
Dec 1, 2020 - The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians have published guidelines based on a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 207 studies involving 32,959 patients that evaluated treatments for acute musculoskeletal pain other than low back pain.
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p697.html
Tobacco Cessation Telehealth Guide -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Smoking cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy options are cost-effective ways to help patients quit smoking. Learn the role telehealth can play in your practice’s efforts, along with billing, coding, and documentation tips.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p13.html
Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis - Medicine by the Numbers - American ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Learn more about the benefits and harms of antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis.
American Family Physician : Medicine by the Numbers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/od2.html
What Can a Scribe Do for You? -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Evidence suggests that documentation support provided by scribes can help relieve physician burnout and increase practice productivity.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p17.html
Incorporating Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Into Practice -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Incorporating alcohol screening and brief intervention benefits your patients and family medicine practice. Follow these steps to reduce risky alcohol use by choosing a screening test, establishing a practice workflow, and appropriately coding and billing.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p41.html
Beta Blockers for Suspected or Diagnosed Acute Myocardial Infarction - Cochrane for ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Compared with placebo, beta-blocker use in patients with acute MI reduces short-term (less than three months) risk of MI and long-term (more than three months) risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p666.html
Management of Acute Pain from Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidance for Family Physicians ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Primary care plays a large role in the management of acute pain; therefore, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians developed a clinical practice guideline for the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management of acute pain from non–low back, ...
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p649.html
Shoulder Pain and Stiffness with Abnormal Imaging Findings - Photo Quiz - American ...
Dec 1, 2020 - A 51-year-old patient presented with several years of diffuse shoulder pain and abnormal imaging findings.
American Family Physician : Photo Quiz
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p695.html
Improving Physician Well-Being Through Organizational Change -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Wellness Wednesdays and yoga breaks aren’t sufficient. Here’s how health care organizations can begin to address physician well-being.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p23.html
Low-Protein Diets for Adults Without Diabetes Mellitus Who Have CKD - Cochrane for ...
Dec 1, 2020 - In patients without diabetes mellitus who have chronic kidney disease, is a low-protein diet effective at preventing progression to end-stage renal disease or the need for dialysis?
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p665.html
Fecal Occult Blood Testing Is Inaccurate as Part of Diagnostic Workup - POEMs - ...
Dec 1, 2020 - In this well-conducted systematic review, FOBT, although useful in screening for colorectal cancer, is not highly accurate in evaluating patients with clinical indications.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p692.html
Some Drugs Slightly Improve Cognition in People with Dementia; Effects on Behavioral or...
Dec 1, 2020 - Some treatments can improve cognition on research scales, but daily function will not be affected in a noticeable way. Managing behavioral or psychological issues with medication is not supported by current evidence
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p694.html
Easy Rule Identifies Patients with Low-Risk Penicillin Allergies - POEMs - American ...
Dec 1, 2020 - A label of penicillin allergy clears the shelves of many effective treatments for various infections. A simple rule outlined in the synopsis effectively identifies (without allergy testing) low-risk penicillin allergies in patients with a history of a penicillin allergy event.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p692a.html
Cirrhosis, Ureteral Stones, Depression, Sleep Apnea, Scoliosis - AFP Clinical Answers -...
Dec 1, 2020 - Key clinical questions and their evidence-based answers directly from the journal’s content, written by and for family physicians.
American Family Physician : AFP Clinical Answers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p664.html
Coding & Documentation - Nov-Dec 2020 -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Suspected exposure to communicable disease | Diabetes type 1.5 | Remote patient monitoring | Tetanus immunization due to injury | Performing venipuncture on a child
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p45.html
Vaginal Bleeding Decreases over Time with a Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System - POEMs ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Bleeding decreased over time for most women after the insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p693.html
What Primary Care Physicians Want for Christmas -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Dear Santa, all we want is some help to do our jobs.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p52.html
Patient Advocacy: Family Medicine's Founding Principle, and Still Its North Star -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - The pandemic and protests have underscored family physicians’ enduring role as a voice for patients in and out of the clinic.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p5.html
Immunogenicity of Childhood Vaccines after Pediatric Cancer - FPIN's Clinical Inquiries...
Dec 1, 2020 - Children treated for cancer do not retain full immunity from previous vaccinations; therefore, it is likely beneficial for children who survive cancer to be revaccinated six to 12 months after immunosuppressive therapy.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Clinical Inquiries
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/od1.html
Practice Pearls - Nov-Dec 2020 -- FPM
Dec 1, 2020 - Ask three questions before using race-based clinical algorithms | What to do when a patient makes a discriminatory remark | Address inequity by supporting Black-owned businesses
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/1100/p47.html
Case Reports: Rhabdomyolysis Associated with COVID-19 - Letters to the Editor - ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Dec 1, 2020 Issue Letters to the Editor Case Reports: Rhabdomyolysis Associated with COVID-19 Am Fam Physician. 2020 Dec 1;102(11):645-648. Published online September 25, 2020. To the Editor: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes...
American Family Physician : Letter
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p645a.html
Is Cutaneous Cryosurgery the Best Treatment Option for Cutaneous Warts? - Letters to ...
Dec 1, 2020 - << Previous article Next article >> Dec 1, 2020 Issue Letters to the Editor Is Cutaneous Cryosurgery the Best Treatment Option for Cutaneous Warts? Am Fam Physician. 2020 Dec 1;102(11):648. Original Article: Cutaneous Cryosurgery for Common Skin Conditions Issue Date: April 1, 2020...
American Family Physician : Letter
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p648.html
Case Reports: Rhabdomyolysis Associated with COVID-19 - Letters to the Editor - ...
Dec 1, 2020 - Dec 1, 2020 Issue Letters to the Editor Case Report: Need for Vigilance in Recognizing Neurologic Presentations of COVID-19 Am Fam Physician. 2020 Dec 1;102(11):645. To the Editor: Case reports and clinical studies have suggested neurologic consequences of severe acute respiratory...
American Family Physician : Letter
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1201/p645.html
Advance care planning: do’s and don'ts -- FPM
If you’ve been avoiding these difficult but important conversations, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you get started.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/advance_care_planning_tips.html
How organizations cause burnout — and what can be done -- FPM
A National Academy of Medicine report identified numerous factors that contribute to physician burnout, many of which were organizational in nature.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/burnout_organizational_causes.html
Correcting CMS’ Suggested Correction for Value-based Systems
Here’s what CMS Administrator Seema Verma’s recent op-ed gets wrong about accountable care organizations and value-based models.
AAFP News : In the Trenches : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/inthetrenches/entry/20201124itt-vbs.html
Tips for using total time to code E/M office visits in 2021 -- FPM
Some tips for coding using total time under the new rules for E/M office visits that take effect Jan. 1, plus an example of a visit well-suited for time-based coding.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/total_time_tips.html
Haven't received your AAPM bonus? There's still time to fix your billing info -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline to Dec. 13. Check this public notice to find out if you need to verify your info.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/aapm_bonus_extension.html
Five simple procedures for point-of-care ultrasound beginners -- FPM
Ultrasound devices are more portable and affordable than ever and have head-to-toe applications for primary care. But primary care physicians shouldn’t start with complicated, high-stakes procedures.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/beginner_pocus.html
Three questions to ask before using race-adjusted clinical algorithms -- FPM
There is mounting evidence that race is not a reliable proxy for genetic variation and some race corrections may make health disparities worse.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/race_based_algorithms.html
A Model for Connecting Primary Care in COVID-19 Era
Kyle Leggott, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Colorado explain in the Fresh Perspectives blog how their state is using Project ECHO to share information primary care practices need to navigate the pandemic.
AAFP News : Fresh Perspectives: New Docs in Practice | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20201118fp-echo.html
A different way to measure primary care performance -- FPM
The Person-Centered Primary Care Measure survey has a low data collection burden for physicians.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/pcpcm_survey.html