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September 2009 22 9 Issue of JAAPA

Editorial

How population-based practices can improve patient outcomes

When planning a patient's care, physician assistants should consider all the available options--treatment, cure, rehabilitation, and prevention.

Do physician assistants provide a "social good" for America?

Has the PA profession delivered on its promise to increase access to health care? This editorial's argument: The evidence shows that it has.

Letters

PAs need more independence in order to fill workforce gaps

Physician assistants are an asset to health workforce policy reform

Dermatology Digest

Should this periocular lesion be biopsied?

Choosing the appropriate biopsy—and getting the patient to agree to it—are crucial for diagnosing a facial lesion.

Clinical Watch

The PCMH: A model for primary care

The patient-centered medical home puts the patient's health management under the leadership of a primary care clinician. The concept has been adopted by major primary ...

CME

Five steps to more effective treatment of hypertension in primary care

Hypertension should be controlled early and aggressively. These pointers can help streamline decisions for optimal long-term care.

PTSD: How to recognize the many faces of this hidden disorder

A broad view of the etiology of PTSD can help clinicians take a more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.

CME Posttests

CME Posttest: Hypertension treatment; Posttraumatic stress disorder

September 2009

Case Reports

FAP: Recognizing the importance of family history and genetic testing

A young woman with a family history of abdominal scars presents with hematochezia, diffuse abdominal pain, and anemia.

Review Articles

Identifying and managing physeal injuries in the upper extremity

Understanding bone growth in young patients and knowing what to look for on imaging are key to managing upper-extremity injuries.

Critically Appraised Topic

Is black cohosh a safe and effective substitute for hormone replacement therapy?

A search of the literature found that patients who wish to avoid hormone replacement therapy are not likely to find relief of their symptoms with ...

Quick Recertification Series

Rotator cuff disease; Hyperparathyroidism

Rotator cuff disease and hyperparathyroidism are described, including signs and symptoms, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

POEMs

Use of vasopressin and corticosteroids improves cardiac arrest survival

Clinical question: Does adding vasopressin and corticosteroids to epinephrine improve survival in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest?

In-hospital PPI use associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia

Clinical question: Does use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase the risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in hospitalized patients?

CT colonography detects most large polyps in those at increased risk of cancer

Clinical question: How accurate is CT colonography for the detection of advanced neoplasia in patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC)?

Citalopram ineffective for reducing repetitive behavior in patients with ASD

Clinical question: Is citalopram useful in the management of repetitive behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)?

Characteristics of patients with H1N1 influenza

Clinical question: What are the typical presenting symptoms of patients with the novel H1N1 influenza initially detected in April 2009?

ARB treatment of high CV risk patients does not prevent renal failure

Clinical question: In patients with heart disease or advanced diabetes, does the use of angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) treatment prevent the development of renal failure?

When the Patient Asks

Should I be tested for the BRCA gene?

Patients whose family members have breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer will want to know their risk of disease and if there's anything the can do ...

Diagnostic Imaging Review

Anatomical variant found during catheter insertion

Catheter placement to address bleeding following repair of a duodenal ulcer leads to the discovery of a congenital cardiac anomaly in a 62-year-old woman.

Genomics in PA Practice

What PAs should know before they refer patients to a genetic counselor

A thorough understanding of the potential risks and benefits is necessary before referring a patient for genetic counseling.

Case of the Month

Cough steadily increases in severity

A student reports a progressively worsening cough that comes in spasms and is accompanied by a choking sensation and an inability to catch his breath.

Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian—September 2009

How do you find information on AAPA policy? What are good sources of patient information for older adults? This month's installment answers those questions.

Eliminating Health Disparities: What Works?

Eliminating health disparities: What works?—September 2009

This column examines recent literature on health disparities, emphasizing tools that can help clinicians to assess and address disparities in their own practices. This month's ...