Primary care
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Primary care is poised to become the latest field to widely adopt Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). POCUS offers many benefits for efficient diagnosis and treatment of common conditions encountered in the clinical setting. This article reviews POCUS basics and presents evidence and best practices for the use of POCUS for musculoskeletal-guided injection and clinical evaluation of the heart, lungs, abdominal aorta, lower extremity deep veins, soft tissue infection, and foreign bodies.
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Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technique that allows in vivo magnification of the skin structures and helps in visualizing microscopic features that are imperceptible to the naked eye. Dermoscopy is not a substitute for biopsy and histopathologic evaluation, but is an important tool that can help increase diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of cutaneous lesions. Dermoscopy increases the diagnostic sensitivity compared with naked eye examination. A significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy for benign and malignant lesions has been reported among family medicine physicians after an introductory training course on dermoscopy.
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Small joint, peritendinous, and myofascial injections can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This article reviews injections for carpal tunnel, first dorsal compartment, trigger finger, ganglion cysts, trigger point, and plantar fascia. Necessary equipment should be gathered before the procedure and informed consent should be obtained. ⋯ Complete understanding of anatomy before injection is paramount. The injection technique should minimize risk of infection. There are no evidence-based postinjection protocols, and outcomes vary depending on the site and medication injected.
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Clinicians in the primary care setting will encounter various different skin conditions requiring procedural intervention. There are many different procedural approaches to treatment. Knowing which modalities are available and best suited to handle a particular skin lesion allows for flexibility for patient and clinician. Although some treatment modalities may be used more than others, it is helpful to be at least familiar with basic in office skin procedures such as removal of foreign bodies, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, and treatment of keloids, as these procedures are helpful in addressing the wide variety of the most commonly encountered skin issues in primary care.
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Primary care physicians are often the first to evaluate patients with extremity injuries. Identification of fractures and sprains and their proper management is paramount. After appropriate imaging is obtained, immobilization and determination of definitive management, either nonoperative or operative, is critical. ⋯ Nonsurgical management of upper extremity fractures often uses slings, short-term splinting, gutter splints, and/or short or long arm casts. Initial fracture stabilization of the lower extremity is usually accomplished with a posterior splint. Definitive management usually uses controlled ankle movement walker boots, hard-sole shoes, or casting.