January 2016
Weighing the options for bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery may be an option for severely obese patients for whom lifestyle changes are not enough. Internists can set up expectations that may improve postsurgical outcomes.
A neighborhood approach to better health
Doctors treating patients who live in lower-income urban areas may need more in-depth understanding of how environment might shape their patients' health, and may even need to venture outside the office to better understand their patients' life circumstances.
Primary care-staffed transition clinic may cut readmissions
A postdischarge transition clinic staffed by a primary care physician and other clinicians appeared to reduce readmission risk in a vulnerable patient population.
CDC seeks more testing for ‘huge uptick’ in HCV incidence
Screening everyone born from 1945 to 1965 at least once would be able to diagnose 75% of people who are living with chronic hepatitis C, according to one expert at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Common palliative care practices may lack benefits
Recent research has shown that some of the things physicians thought they were doing to help patients at the end of life are actually ineffective and even potentially harmful.
ACP expands its global reach
ACP is providing access to leading clinical resources and facilitating local interaction and education through its international chapters, which continue to expand. The College's total international membership now exceeds 13,000, an increase of almost 8% from 1 year ago. Currently, there are 18 international chapters.
Must telemedicine disrupt the patient-doctor relationship?
Telemedicine will be highly disruptive to patients and physicians. Like other technological advances, such disruption can be a good thing, leading to improvements in patient care. It can also be disruptive in a bad way if it undermines that patient-physician relationship.
Successful bariatric surgery requires planning, prep
This issue covers topics such as bariatric surgery, care for patients in an urban environment, and screening options for hepatitis C.
Positioning your practice for a new payment system
In 2019, new Medicare incentive programs take effect. There will be 2 avenues from which to choose: participation in an alternate payment model or the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.
Warning on HCV treatments; more cancer drugs approved
This update also covers a warning that combination drugs can cause serious liver injury and approval of new drugs for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer that has progressed after other treatments.
MKSAP Quiz: 7-year history of plaques
A 48-year-old man is evaluated for a 7-year history of spreading plaques associated with dry, itchy skin. He has no other significant medical history and takes no medications. Following a physical exam and chest radiograph, what is the most appropriate management?.