July/August 2010


James R ODell FACP examines a patient at the University of Nebraska Cancer risks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are part of his work-up as is smoking cessation counseling Photo by

Rheumatoid arthritis hurts the whole body

Taking care of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis involved a partnership between internists and subspecialists, agree physicians managing cardiovascular risks, cancer or infections.

Doctors debate the ethics of assisted suicide

The medical community and the world at large are looking at how physician-assisted suicide has played out in Washington, Oregon and Montana. Are these states a bellwether or a death knell for legalizing the issue elsewhere? And how should physicians respond when presented with such requests from their patients?.

‘Year of the Lung’ draws attention to COPD, asthma

Chronic respiratory disease is projected to be the third most common cause of death by 2020, but it currently underestimated. This year's American Thoracic Society meeting focuses on issues to bring them to the attention of the rest of the medical community.

Not sleeping but not sleepy with asymptomatic apnea

As many as 25% of apnea sufferers don't complain of daytime sleepiness. Compliance is a problem because these patients may not see the value of treatment, according to researchers at the American Thoracic Society.

Recalls expanded on defibrillators, infusion pumps

Recalls, warnings, approvals and other regulatory news.

Systemic problems common with rheumatoid arthritis

A look at rheumatoid arthritis finds that its risks aren't always recognized for the constellation of effects it can lead to.

Attribution error confounds a diagnosis after colon cancer

A rapid deterioration in mental status confounds a gastroenterologist following a patient for colon cancer. Following a hospital admission, the internal medicine resident reviews the patient's history for the clue to the right diagnosis.

ACP can be a medical home for all aspects of internal medicine

Physicians with widely disparate backgrounds and interests can function together and share a passion for expanding primary care under the auspices of a patient-centered medical home.

Changing health care from the ground up

Health care reform will play out in doctors' offices, not in Washington, D.C. Patients and physicians will determine how costs change in the upcoming years.

Help ACP determine Medicare's physician service payments

ACP will invite random members to provide feedback that could influence Medicare reimbursement on services common to internal medicine.

A primer in safe vaccine management

Common sense, easy-to-implement practices can be easily worked into a practice to ensure safety for patients, employees and the vaccines themselves.

Obituaries

Winthrop Fish, FACP; Coy D. Fitch, MACP; and Edward D. “Ted” Harris, MACP.

Call for Spring 2011 Board of Governors Resolutions

The deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Spring 2011 Board of Governors Meeting is Monday, October 4, 2010.

Leadership Day brings internists to Capitol Hill

Lawmakers who thought that health care reform was completed earlier this year were reminded how much work still needs to be done.

MKSAP: Vision loss in one eye

A 68-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department for difficulty seeing out of her left eye. The symptoms were first present upon awakening 45 minutes earlier. What is the most likely diagnosis?.