ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2022 Update
Every year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) updates its evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. This article summarizes the changes most relevant to primary care practice.
Update to the American College of Cardiology Guidelines for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain
Although acute chest pain is the presenting complaint in less than 1% of primary care office visits, it requires immediate decisions on evaluation and management. After injuries, chest pain has been the second most common reason for adults to present to the emergency department (ED) in the United States.
Resources for the Recognition and Management of Long-COVID in Primary Care
Medical knowledge on the recognition and management of what is variously called “post-COVID syndrome”, “long COVID”, and multiple other descriptions is accumulating rapidly in response to an “epidemic within the pandemic”. The focus of this blog is to identify useful resources for primary care. Many of these resources are being continuously updated as knowledge evolves.
New Recommendation for Prediabetes Screening and Intervention from USPSTF
On August 24, 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised their recommendations for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes screening. The revision includes a recommendation that screening of all overweight and obese adults should begin at age 35 rather than age 40, per their previous recommendation in 2015.
2020 Updated Asthma Guidelines
Asthma is one of the most common conditions we see in primary care and can result in significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and managed optimally. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has sponsored a consensus panel to develop clinical practice guidelines for child and adult asthma since 1989. The guidelines were updated at the end of 2020 for the first time in over a decade.
Telemedicine in Primary Care
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to alter our approach to patient care. Telemedicine has a century-long history of evolution, but the infrastructure for real-time broadband communication between providers and patients has only become widespread in the US over the past two decades.
Federal Support of COVID Care for the Uninsured
There is little good news about the coronavirus pandemic in the United States; however, there are new federal government programs to reimburse healthcare providers for coronavirus testing, counseling associated with testing, and treatment of individuals not covered under any other health insurance policy.
View of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental illness that has affected millions of people all over the world. Schizophrenia is defined as a psychotic thought disorder characterized by a mixture of symptoms. These symptoms may involve alterations in perception, cognition, emotions, behavior, attention, concentration, motivation, and judgment.
Mental Health Impact in the Midst of the Coronavirus
As the world continues to face the growing issue of the coronavirus, it is important for the mental health status of all individuals who find themselves at the frontline of this pandemic to be assessed on an ongoing basis. The mental health of all individuals is important and may require evaluation.
The Growing Concern over Vaping
While research on the health effects of vaping is ongoing, preliminary data indicates that it can pose risks to the heart as well as impair the normal lung function in those who were previously considered to be healthy. Ultimately, the continued use of electronic cigarettes will be determined by the ability of healthcare professionals to appropriately educate the public concerning its use and possible long-term effects.
