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"Chest pain" is a broad symptom, but every patient who claims this ailment should be examined for coronary artery disease using their pain characteristics and their risk factor profile, said Daniel S. Clark, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and Robert J. Dachs, MD, of St. Clare's Family Medicine Residency, Albany Medical College, Schenectady, NY.

When testing for osteoarthritis in the knee, be sure to take a standing radiograph, said David E.J. Bazzo, MD, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

The more than 150 guidelines for recognizing and treating heart failure issued by the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) are way too numerous and complicated, said Theodore G. Ganiats, MD, of the University of California at San Diego.

If your practice has an electronic health record (EHR), the time has come to collect prospective health data on patients, said Bruce Bagley, MD, Medical Director of Quality Improvement, American Academy of Family Physicians.

The lifestyles of many women baby boomers has now placed them at risk for cardiovascular disease, said Mary Elizabeth Roth, MD, Associate Chief Academic Officer, Geisinger Health System, Wilkes Barre, Pa.

"We know that there's a strong relationship between depression and heart disease, and we need to know a lot more about it," said Lee Green, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan and Director of the Great Lakes Research and Practice Network.

Patient registries and group visits are "on the verge of becoming part of the standard of care" in diabetes management, said Edward Shahady, MD, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee.

Medical office staff should meet monthly and discuss medical errors as a team, said Corey Evans, MD, MPH, Director of Medical Education, St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida.

When Edward G. Zurad, MD, offers advice for avoiding malpractice litigation, you'd better listen. He's speaking from experience.

If you do not get a patient's care right, then get the caring right, said Richard Roberts, MD, JD, at a session on reducing the risk of malpractice lawsuits.

An imminent influenza pandemic is inherently unpredictable, but preparation is justifiable, said Jonathon Temte, MD, Associate Professor, Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Today's men tend to favor laser treatments, or at least the quickest treatment possible, for their GU, but fast isn't necessarily the best option, said Richard G. Roberts, MD, JD, Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison.

Sept. 28 - Washington, D.C. - Contrary to conventional wisdom, heparin and warfarin are not effective in preventing recurrence of ischemic stroke, Dan Brewer, MD, associate professor of family medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, told attendees at the AAFP Scientific Assembly.

Sept. 28 - Washington, D.C. - Chronic NSAID users who are at high risk for gastric and duodenal ulcers should be placed on gastroprotective therapy immediately, Edward Zurad, MD, clinical assistant professor of family medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, told attendees at the AAFP Scientific Assembly.

After a terrorist attack, the majority of mental health patients will first present to a primary care physician, Thomas Rosenthal, MD, professor and chair, family medicine, University at Buffalo told listeners at the AAFP's annual meeting.

Sept. 28 - Washington, D.C.- We are on the edge of a revolution in scientific knowledge, said Newt Gingrich, keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the American Academy of Family Physicians' Scientific Assembly and former U.S. Congressman and speaker of the House of Representatives.

Society cannot afford the consequences of child abuse and neglect, said Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, MD, of Wasilla, Alaska, and adults who were abused as children are more likely to suffer from disorders such as obesity and depression. Three million reports of child abuse are filed each year, about 1 million of which are substantiated. One in every 3 to 5 girls and 1 in every 5 to 10 boys experience abuse before age 18.

Chronic disease is a growing global problem that doesn't get the attention it deserves in the health care industry, said Alvin B. Lin, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Kay M. Nelsen, MD, Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, Davis.

New technologies including the Internet, cellular phones, and handheld devices such as smart phones can enhance the management of your practice when you are either traveling or away from the office, said Mrunal Shah, MD, Vice President, Physician IT Services, Ohiohealth, Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to the traditional lipid panel, novel biochemical markers can be used strategically by the clinician in evaluating and treating patients with cardiovascular risk, said John Holman, MD, Program Director, Camp Pendleton, San Diego.

Some remarkable people have taught the author that being "cured of disease" and being "healed" are not the same thing.

This doctor's hospital threatened to terminate her privileges because of her husband's interest in a competing hospital.

A summary of the "must-read" articles from the journals in that pile on your desk.

Just say No when friends ask for a quick diagnosis at the supermarket or golf course.

Find out which diagnosis code changes affect your practice.

Battery recall underscores image problem

If a patient can't pay for his prescription drugs, it can undermine your treatment. Here's how to help.

Coding Consult

Sponges beep, surgeons retract.