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Family Medicine

Personality can be a factor in litigation

June 19, 2009

Winning a malpractice lawsuit requires more than proving your treatment was appropriate, prudent, and conformed to the standard of care.

Arizona top court OKs qualifications for expert witnesses

May 01, 2009

The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld a law that sets the minimum qualifications for expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases.

Clinic treats little girl like shuttlecock

By Ann W. Latner, JD May 01, 2009

A 6-year-old child suffers permanent disability. Could it have been avoided if the NP had picked up the phone?

Two erythematous leg rashes

By Noah S. Scheinfeld, MD, JD April 30, 2009

Two women with considerable comorbidities present with lower leg trouble.

Epileptic seizures in older adult patients

By Ann Schmidt Luggen, PhD, GNP April 30, 2009

The conclusion of this two-part report looks into the management and therapeutic options available to clinicians treating this population.

Chronic dysfunction of the eustachian tube

By Rose Lisano Valentino, MSN, FNP, BC April 29, 2009

Presenting complaints include hearing loss, persistent pain, or "clicking" in the ear. Patients must allow time for treatment (if required) to take effect.

Avoiding lactic acidosis

February 27, 2009

How high can creatinine go before you must...

Musculoskeletal effects of diabetes

February 26, 2009

A 48-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10 complains of stiffness in her wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.

Who should have carotid ultrasound?

February 25, 2009

More and more offices are performing their own carotid ultrasounds. In light of recent guidelines published by...

Skin tag removal

February 24, 2009

What is the best way to minimize scarring in the removal of skin tags? I find that cryotherapy results in...

Disinfecting fungus-contaminated shoes

February 20, 2009

Is spraying with diluted bleach solution or placing the shoes in moth balls effective?

Both sides of the fever coin

February 19, 2009

Is there any validity to statements by patients that their basal temperature is always low and...

H. pylori in the stool vs. the blood

February 18, 2009

Coalition of Pain Experts Offers Guidance on Measures to Prevent Misuse and Abuse of Pain Medications

February 17, 2009

An ad hoc coalition of leading pain specialists and representatives from key clinical and patient advocacy organizations convened in November 2008 to address the growing problem of misuse and abuse of pain medications.

Injection diversion

February 17, 2009

Nail pitting

February 11, 2009

Fibrate used in combination with statin approved

December 16, 2008

The FDA has approved Trilipix (fenofibric acid), a delayed-release capsule for use along with diet to treat dyslipidemia. Trilipix is the first fibrate to be approved for use in combination with a statin.

Can a statin reduce proteinuria in children?

November 11, 2008

Pediatric combination vaccine available

November 10, 2008

Pentacel is indicated for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive disease.

Stop Crohn's and arthritis meds for knee surgery?

September 02, 2008

We are treating a patient who is currently on infliximab (Remicade) and methotrexate for severe Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Because of severe joint pain, she would like to have her...

How Many Insulin Vials?

September 01, 2008

HIPAA Rules For Patient Charts

September 01, 2008

I belong to a group of three internists who have separate outpatient clinics attached to the hospital in the same building. When I am on call for a colleague, can I take a patient's chart from...

D-DIMER PLUS MULTIDETECTOR CT FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PE

Brian S. Alper, MD, MSPH August 31, 2008

D-dimer plus multidetector CT (D-dimer/CT) is as effective as D-dimer/CT plus venous compression ultrasound (US) for identifying pulmonary embolism (PE) and short-term...

LIMITED EVIDENCE ON CELL PHONES AND BRAIN TUMORS

Brian S. Alper, MD, MSPH August 31, 2008

A potential link between cell-phone use and brain tumors was recently discussed in the news, based on advice from...

KETOGENIC DIET MAY REDUCE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN WITH INTRACTABLE EPILEPSY

Brian S. Alper, MD, MSPH August 31, 2008

A recent trial evaluated the efficacy of the ketogenic diet for the treatment of seizures in children (Lancet Neurol. 2008;7:500-506). Children aged 2-16 years (N=145) with at least seven seizures per week and no response to at least two anti-epileptic drugs were randomized to the ketogenic diet vs. no change in...