ACP InternistSM - January 2009
Featured Articles
Clinical Research
When trials are cut short, who benefits?
Does speeding a potentially effective drug to market benefit patients, or does it benefit drug companies? Internists are left to decide.
Colon Cancer Screening
Overcoming colonoscopy's image problem
Colon cancer screening saves lives, but internists have to overcome patients' initial unease with the test. They also need to sort through the multiple guidelines released in 2008 and help their patients choose among the many screening regimens.
Perspectives
Editor’s Note
A digest of this month’s issue, including the risks and drawbacks of stopping clinical trials early for benefit, colon cancer screening and an update on an early adopter of patient communication portals.
Letters to the Editor
Readers consider recent articles on futile cases, autism and payment reform
Mindful Medicine
Perils of diagnosing the physician-patient
A physician diagnoses himself, leaving a colleague to undo some of the mistaken thinking and come up with a simple diagnosis.
Mammography poses small benefits, latent risks in elderly
Like all screening exams, mammography has a potential adverse effect on comfort, function and psychological well-being.
Mammography a viable option for healthy women as they age
Function, not age, determines whether a woman will benefit from mammography.
ACP Highlights
What’s new from other College publications, including expanded online diabetes management offerings and MKSAP updates.
ACP programs provide best practices to ensure the best care
A number of quality improvement programs available from the College can help
Will President-elect Obama achieve true health care reform?
Four good reasons why President-elect Barack Obama may succeed in reforming health care.
Practice Management
After watching others, doctor pitches himself to local news
Inspired by some famous names, an internist pitches his expertise to local TV news stations.
Web portals attract small groups, 'fanatical' patient interest
A physician relates how online communication with patients has streamlined his health care delivery and even provided a trickle of revenue.
Practice Rx
Frequently used codes relocated throughout CPT for 2009
New CPT codes took effect Jan. 1, so our coding expert tells you where to look for commonly used codes.
CPII Tips
‘Show me the money’—by maximizing accounts receivable
Make sure your practice is collecting payments from patients and insurers.
Staff Columns
FDA Review
Recall of generic drugs, acne cream; depression device OK'd
A summary of approvals, recalls and a record number of deaths and serious injuries reported.
National Trends
Personal health care expenditures
The U.S. spent $2 trillion on health care (average: $6,700 per person), more of its Gross Domestic Product than any other developed country. What does it all buy?
College News
Governors-elect announced
Obituaries
Internist Archives Quick Links
ACP Career Connection
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New ACP Online Clinical Information Page
Sneak a peek at ACPs new and improved Clinical Information page! Test drive the beta version of our redesigned Clinical Information landing page, give us your feedback, and help us make it as easy to use as possible.
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