J Am Board Fam Med
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This study describes a large database of closed medical professional liability (MPL) claims involving family physicians in the United States. The purpose of this report is to provide information for practicing family physicians that will be useful in improving the quality of care, thereby reducing the incidence of patient injury and the consequent frequency of MPL claims. ⋯ MPL issues are common and are important to all practicing family physicians. Knowledge of the details of liability claims should assist practicing family physicians in improving quality of care, reducing patient injury, and reducing the incidence of MPL claims.
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Myofascial pain is a common syndrome seen by family practitioners worldwide. It can affect up to 10% of the adult population and can account for acute and chronic pain complaints. In this clinical narrative review we have attempted to introduce dry needling, a relatively new method for the management of musculoskeletal pain, to the general medical community. ⋯ However, over areas with potential risk of significant adverse events, such as lungs and large blood vessels, we suggest using the superficial technique, which has also been shown to be effective, albeit to a lesser extent. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling. There also is a great need for further investigation into the development of pain at myofascial trigger points.
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Unprecedented federal interest and funding are focused on secure, standardized, electronic transfer of health information among health care organizations, termed health information exchange (HIE). The stated goals are improvements in health care quality, efficiency, and cost. Ambulatory primary care practices are essential to this process; however, the factors that motivate them to participate in HIE are not well studied, particularly among small practices. ⋯ The potential for HIE to reduce costs and improve the quality of health care in ambulatory primary care practices is well recognized but needs further empiric substantiation.
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The efficacy of rewarding physicians financially for preventive services is unproven. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physician pay-for-performance program similar to the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative program on quality of preventive care in a network of community health centers. ⋯ We found no evidence for a clinically significant effect of financial incentives on performance of preventive care in these community health centers. Based on our findings and others, we believe there is great need for more research with strong research designs to determine the effects, both positive and negative, of financial incentives on clinical quality indicators in primary care.
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A senior medical student grapples with her patient's end-of-life decisions, which are in stark contrast to the decisions made by her own grandfather facing a similar disease. As she explores her role and responsibility to her patient, she considers what it means to provide futile care and how to negotiate her own beliefs with the demands of her patient's family.