Primary care
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Concerns over infraglottic and bronchial infections have been a source of anxiety and lost sleep for many children, parents, and physicians. The annual incidence of lower respiratory tract infections in children younger than 6 years old exceeds 5 million in the United States. Despite the frequency of these infections, the often common and nonspecific clinical symptomatology, variable severity, and changing epidemiology over time all have contributed to our understanding and misunderstanding of these disorders.
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The ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder are sites of frequent injuries for which clients will seek care from their physician, and this article briefly reviews the normal functions of these sites. Range-of-motion exercises for rehabilitation of these joints are introduced. An understanding of basic exercises for rehabilitation of common injuries occurring at the ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder will enhance the management of occurring problems.
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The role of humor in medicine is becoming increasingly apparent. Humor helps individuals narrow interpersonal and cultural gaps, communicate difficult messages, express frustration and anger, and cope with anxiety. Primary care providers need to be able to interpret humor used by patients and can learn to use humor to create a healing environment. This article reviews the roles played by humor in the doctor-patient relationship and provides a brief guide to using one's sense of humor to improve and enrich patient care.
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Cost-effectiveness and cost containment are becoming increasingly more important in medicine as health care costs continue to rise and as public attention continues to focus on these costs. This article examines the major issues and terminology of cost-effectiveness and cost containment in the context of primary care. A review of basic terminology and a quick reference glossary are included; relevant literature is reviewed. The goal of this article is to provide a beginning step for physicians to become more knowledgeable and enthusiastic participants in cost-effectiveness and cost-containment efforts.
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This article focuses on people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and the Pacific Islands. Health care providers must be aware of cultural differences, language obstacles, poverty, social isolation, and genetic conditions when treating these ethnic groups.