January 2009


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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.

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.

Jury is out on truth in clinical trials

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.

What's new in 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.

After watching others, doctor pitches himself to local news

Inspired by some famous names, an internist pitches his expertise to local TV news stations.

A physician who e-mails patients—and likes it

A physician relates how online communication with patients has streamlined his health care delivery and even provided a trickle of revenue.

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.

‘Show me the money’—by maximizing accounts receivable

Make sure your practice is collecting payments from patients and insurers.

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

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?.

Governors-elect announced

The Governors' Subcommittee on Nominations is pleased to announce the Governor-elect Designees.

Obituaries

John H. Stone, III, MACP; Mark E. Silverman, MACP; and Robert E. Tyson, FACP.

MKSAP Quiz

A 30-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department of a community hospital for a 2-week history of fatigue, malaise, low-grade fever and intermittent epistaxis.

Ask questions to get past social stigma of pelvic floor disorders

John H. Stone, III, MACP; Mark E. Silverman, MACP; and Robert E. Tyson, FACP.

Texas internist finds time to lead Joint Commission and run marathons

A number of quality improvement programs available from the College can help.

Cancer, cardiovascular risks assessed at rheumatology meeting

A summary of approvals, recalls and a record number of deaths and serious injuries reported.