June Observer Contents

Annual Session

Is it time for universal HIV screening?
With HIV becoming a chronic disease, internists need to manage complex care.
June '05

'I feel dizzy' doesn't have to mean a long workup
For most patients with dizziness, a thorough history should provide the diagnosis.
June '05

No easy answers when managing financial conflicts
Physicians must navigate a barrage of conflicts in market-driven health care.
June '05

Weight loss drugs: Give your patients facts, not lectures
Addressing the pros and cons of medications may be the best way to get patients on track for lifestyle changes.
June '05

Empathy, engagement are key to treating alcoholism
It is important to screen and identify every patient for substance abuse.
June '05

Owning up to a mistake takes courage—and practice
Role-playing a conversation in which you disclose an error can help prepare you for an unexpected response.
June '05

The doctor is out: When the job must come first, make sure kids know why
The children of physicians said understanding their priorities didn't come easy during childhood.
June '05

Hospital medicine: New factors drive dramatic growth
Managing greater numbers of surgical and post-op patients are just two of many forces expanding the field.
June '05

End-of-life care

Dying patients deserve to live final days with dignity
Physicians should be consensus builders, laying out the available options and working with family members.
June '05

Fear factor: DVT and the hospitalized medical patient
Lowering the "threshold for suspicion" is a good way to improve patients' odds of avoiding a fatal embolism.
June '05

Special focus

Migraine
More prevalent than asthma or diabetes, migraine is the most common headache disorder found in a medical setting.
June '05

College Watch

ACP News
New College initiative aims to transform diabetes care
This massive new project—the single largest one undertaken by the College with a pharmaceutical company—is now underway.
June '05

Alliance adopts a uniform set of clinical pay-for-performance measures
The measurement set could be incorporated into nationwide pay-for-performance programs by next year.
June '05

President's Column
Maintaining our professionalism in the face of change
The major medical organizations that help define us as physicians are placing a new emphasis on the concept of professionalism.
June '05

College leaders weigh in on upcoming Medicare reform
Regents also approve recommendations for retooling Medicaid and for offering CME online through chapters.
June '05

Fixing flawed payment system tops Governors' agenda
The Governors approved a wide range of resolutions, including several related to physician compensation.
June '05

Outstanding chapters lauded with Evergreen Awards
Sixteen ACP chapters are recognized for starting new programs that strengthen the chapter.
June '05

Washington Perspective

Politics calls for a compromise in tactics, not principles
Physicians need to help develop a value-based purchasing program that can improve quality.
June '05

College Briefs

College promotes new technology bill.
June '05

ACP awards and Mastership nominations due July 1.
June '05

College dues payment now available online.
June '05

ACP announces this year's Recruit-a-Colleague winner.
June '05

Quiz

The MKSAP Challenge
A 39-year-old executive had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure one week ago, and returns for an office visit.
June '05

Commentary

Letters
Readers discuss drug safety, physician titles, sleep disorders.
May '05

CME

June

Chapter Meetings

June

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This Month's Poll:

• Apr 2013
• Mar 2013
• Feb 2013
• Jan 2013
• Nov/Dec 2012

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