JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from May 2003

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from May 2003

The nursing shortage is everyone's problem.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Health care reform is on the back burner indefinitely. By the time you read this, we will have been in Iraq for 2 months. The top priorities now are the safety of our troops and our homeland. In the nation's capital, we've been encouraged to...

Patients' and physicians' attitudes regarding the disclosure of medical errors.(Ethics)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Gallagher TH, Waterman AD, Ebers AG, et al. JAMA. 2003;289: 1001-1007. * Despite our best efforts, medical errors are inevitable. However, little is known about how patients and physicians think these errors should be discussed. Using...

Predictors of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in adult primary care.(Infectious Disease)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Steinman MA, Landefeld CS, Gonzales R. JAMA. 2003;289:719-725. * Unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics for common acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) has been linked to higher levels of bacterial resistance and high health care...

Timing intercourse to achieve pregnancy.(Obstetrics)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Stanford JB, White GL, Hatasaka H. Obstet Gynecol. 2002; 100:1333-1341. * Giving couples proper information regarding the optimal timing of intercourse early in the course of trying to achieve pregnancy may reduce both the time to...

Safety profile of frequent short courses of oral glucocorticoids in acute pediatric asthma: impact on bone metabolism, bone density, and adrenal function.(Respiratory Disease)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Ducharme FM, Chabot G, Polychronakos C, et al. Pediatrics. 2003; 111:376-383. * Inflammation of the airways is a predominant component of asthma, a common pediatric ailment. A short course of high-dose oral glucocorticoids is often used to...

When to suspect--and how to manage--pelvic inflammatory disease: a timely diagnosis and swift treatment can prevent the devastating sequelae of PID. Always consider this condition in a woman who has lower abdominal pain.(Recertification Refresher)
May 1, 2003... Learning objectives * Understand the causes, risk factors, and epidemiology of pelvic inflammatory disease * Become familiar with the role of the physical examination, laboratory testing, and laparoscopy in the diagnosis * Review...

Daily dosing works for postpartum endometritis.(POEMs *)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Clinical question Is once-daily dosing with clindamycin and gentamicin as effective as standard dosing (3 times daily)? Setting Inpatient (ward only) Study design Randomized controlled trial (double-blinded) Synopsis The...

Antioxidants don't prevent dementia.(POEMs *)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Clinical question Are antioxidants associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease? Setting Outpatient (any) Study design Cohort (prospective) Synopsis In this cohort study, patients completed diaries of diet and vitamin...

Understanding the array of presentations: reflex sympathetic dystrophy: a clinical presentation that is out of kilter with the history and mechanism of injury following trauma could signal this devastating condition.
May 1, 2003... Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a potentially debilitating condition that occurs primarily in the upper extremity--most commonly in the hand after distal radius fracture, although it can follow any type of trauma. (1,2) In RSD, the pain,...

Assessing facial fractures in the emergency department: facial fractures are easily identified using screening questions, a meticulous physical examination, and appropriate imaging studies.
May 1, 2003... Facial trauma, although rarely fatal, can have a dramatic and alarming presentation. The complexity of the facial anatomy and concern for the cosmetic outcome can intimidate and even distract emergency department (ED) providers who must...

Current approaches to the management of epistaxis: treatment of nosebleed varies according to the cause, location, and severity of the hemorrhage. The first step is to thoroughly evaluate the patient.
May 1, 2003... Learning objectives * Understand the potential causes of epistaxis and the influence of nasal anatomy on the condition * Know emergency management procedures for patients who are and are not actively bleeding * Become familiar...

CME Post-test.(continuing medical education)
May 1, 2003... EXPIRATION DATE MAY 2004 Please take this CME Post-test online at www.aapa.org. Messner M. When to suspect--and how to manage--pelvic inflammatory disease. JAAPA. 2003;16(5):18-20, 22,25. Bishow RM. Current approaches to the...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2003... JUNE 2-6 Certification and Recertification Exam Review Provider: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey PA program. Location: Piscataway, NJ. Contact: Tara Salaks, (800) 522-3439. JUNE 4-7 Third Annual Summer...

Charting the use of nonphysician clinicians.(PA watch: brief reports on items from the medical literature relevant to PAs)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Druss BG, Marcus SC, Olfson M, et al. Trends in care by nonphysician clinicians in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2003:348:130-137. * The authors used two nationally representative surveys to examine trends in outpatient care provided by...

Provider attitudes and HIV.(PA watch: brief reports on items from the medical literature relevant to PAs)(Author Abstract)
May 1, 2003... Martin JE, Bedimo AL. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and physician assistant attitudes and care practices related to persons with HIV/AIDS. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. February 2000;12:35-41. * Many studies of nurses' attitudes toward people...