Cover Story
Calmer talk needed about mammography
Controversy about implementing new mammography guidelines shouldn’t cloud talks between doctors and the women they counsel. Clarify what the guidelines really say, and share the decision-making with patients, experts counsel.
Latest Blog Posts
- You can date your patients after all.
- Posted Feb 08 at 12:59 PM by Stacey Butterfield
- QD: News Every Day--Obama calls for a health reform summit
- Posted Feb 08 at 10:11 AM by Ryan DuBosar
- Medical News of the Obvious
- Posted Feb 08 at 8:00 AM by Stacey Butterfield
Featured Articles
Online Exclusive
Expert lays out controversies for cardio care
February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month, and the field is wide open to controversies seemingly without resolution when it comes to invasive versus therapeutic regimens. Bill Kussmaul, FACP, an associate editor of Annals of Internal Medicine, addressed some of the hottest controversies in cardiology.
Medical Education
Med schools promoting care for underserved
To encourage primary care careers, medical schools are offering students shortened specialty rotations in favor of fast-track graduation, half-tuition forgiveness and having students follow patients wherever they go in the health system. Different teaching models emphasize continuity of care over snapshots of diagnoses, and place students in the clinics where they can fulfill the nation’s need for rural care.
Infectious Diseases
Army physicians on the front line of infectious disease research
Walter Reed’s infectious disease unit travels the globe to identify and combat the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Initiated to find vaccines that protect troops stationed overseas, the work quickly benefits civilian populations, too.
Perspectives
Practical Genomics
Filling in the GAPPs will strengthen evidence-based medicine
Few data support the use of genomic testing in areas such as warfarin dosing. Paradoxically, that lack of evidence leaves open the potential for the misuse of direct-to-consumer genomics tests, or for their premature adoption by clinicians.
President’s Message
Best patient care gets lost amid the health care delivery system
A primary care doctor measures the benefits that he can provide to his patients: continuity of care and a complete “story” to tell about each one.
Practice Management
Quality Improvement
Practice uses ACP survey for peer review, quality improvement
True North Health Center in Maine surveyed every patient who came through the doors from March through May last year to give each of its 28 practitioners information on outcomes. Proprietary surveys are expensive, so True North turned to ACP’s tools. The results helped those performing best to teach their peers about best practices.
Practice Rx
Making sense of CMS’ new policy on consultation billing
CMS stopped recognizing CPT consultation codes and issued instructions to physicians only a few days before the new policy took effect. ACP’s practice management staff digest what internists need to know to stay on top of billing for 2009, documentation, the “3-year rule” and crosswalks for services previously billed as consultations.
College Watch
Obituaries
Obituaries
Notes on John J. Hoesing, FACP, and Stephen M. Ayres, FACP.
Test Yourself
From the MKSAP case studies
A 30-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department of a community hospital for a 2-week history of fatigue, malaise, low-grade fever, and intermittent epistaxis. Her husband states that she has been forgetful and occasionally confused during this period. Physical examination reveals bruises over the upper and lower extremities and palatal petechiae. Laboratory studies indicate a hemoglobin of 7.2 g/dL (72 g/L), leukocyte count of 9600/μL (9.6 × 109/L), platelet count of 12,000/μL (12 × 109/L), and serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration of 1700 U/L. The peripheral blood smear is shown. Plasma exchange is unavailable. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
ACP Internist Weekly
From the February 9, 2010 edition
- Proteinuria predicts mortality in kidney patients
- Federal government expands mental health parity coverage
Cartoon Caption Contest
ACP Internist wants readers to create captions for this cartoon and help choose the winner. Pen the winning caption and win a $50 gift certificate good toward any ACP product, program or service.
Join ACP Internist on Twitter
Get updates automatically and connect with members and other doctors by following ACP Internist's Twitter feed.
More medical news
ACP Hospitalist provides news and information for hospitalists, covering the latest trends and issues in the field.
Chapter Meetings
Connect with your colleagues at your area ACP Scientific Meeting.
CME Bulletin Board
Find continuing medical education events for physicians.