Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · May 2024
The Role of Primary Care in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Epidemic.
The United States is facing a social isolation and loneliness crisis. In response, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory in May 2023 recommending actions that health care, community programs, and social services can take to collaboratively improve social connection. ⋯ We present social isolation and loneliness as medical issues and highlight next steps for the primary care sector to combat this epidemic. Annals Early Access article.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2024
A Stratified Approach for Managing Patients With Low Back Pain in Primary Care (SPLIT Program): A Before-and-After Study.
To determine the effects of stratified primary care for low back pain (SPLIT program) in decreasing back-related disability for patients with low back pain (LBP) in primary care. ⋯ Patients in the SPLIT program for LBP showed greater benefits regarding health-related outcomes than those receiving UC.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2024
Does Examination Table Paper Use Mitigate the Risk of Disease Transmission in a Family Medicine Clinic?
Reducing examination table paper (ETP) use may help curb carbon emissions from health care. Six participants applied Glo Germ (DMA International) to their hands before a common physical examination (abdominal, cardiorespiratory, hip and knee) both with and without ETP. ⋯ Despite covering more surface area, participants touched areas without ETP significantly more than ETP-covered areas (P <.05). Despite its continued use, patients do not have much hand contact with ETP during common clinical examinations.