January 2013


Illustration by David Cutler

Taking a drink: what patients should know

Alcohol is associated with so many benefits and harms that it's hard to know where to start talking to patients about using it. One place might be alcohol misuse and abuse. Teach patients where they fall on the continuum of drinking behavior.

Finesse required to treat anxiety in the elderly

Elderly patients may have many concerns on their mind. Maintaining their independence and managing their finances are two. But when does worry become anxiety? And how can internists not only manage chronic diseases but also ensure that patients are able to care for themselves?.

A few tips can improve older patients' memory

Most complaints of memory problems aren't related to cognitive impairments, and as such they can be alleviated with a few simple tips.

Creating a practice that's open to GLBT patients

A gay physician offers advice on how to adapt a medical practice to make it more accessible to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered patients. The effort begins in the waiting room and continues through a sometimes complex set of needs for this population.

Expanded approval on rivaroxaban, reassurance on dabigatran

This regulatory update covers an expanded indication for rivaroxaban and an announcement that bleeding rates do not appear to be higher with dabigatran than with warfarin.

What peers are made of and why it matters to medical education

A resident reflects on the importance of his peers to the learning process##mdash;guiding, helping and supporting one another.

Together internal medicine and the subspecialties are stronger

Members of the American College of Physicians met with the leaders of subspecialty societies to develop ways to better coordinate care, redesign medical education and support the medical profession.

Addressing dissatisfaction in internists' day-to-day practice

As a direct result of ACP's advocacy efforts, internists will see higher Medicare and Medicaid payments and relief from intrusive administrative requirements.

Letters to the Editor

A reader questions blood pressure measurement as it is performed clinically and during medical research.

Explaining the risks and benefits of alcohol

Learn the current recommendations on alcohol use and abuse, the reasoning behind them, and how doctors can best talk to patients about the subject.

Transitional care management services change in 2013

Learn how to recoup the increased reimbursement offered in the 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by using two new codes and modifications.

Tool simplifies quality measure reporting

The Physician Quality Reporting System recently switched from incentive payments for adopting it to penalties for not doing so. To avoid future penalties, use ACP's registry tool, the PQRIWizard, to fulfill the requirements.

Chapter awardees

In recognition of their outstanding service, exceptional individuals received chapter awards in the fall of 2012.

MKSAP Quiz: 3-year history of low back pain

A 67-year-old man is evaluated for a 3-year history of low back pain, which is of moderate intensity and worsens during activities, and a 10-year history of neck pain accompanied by 20 minutes of morning stiffness. Following a physical and neurological exam, and a radiograph of the spine, what is the most likely diagnosis?.