Review Article

Psychiatric Condition Management in Primary Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Psychiatric conditions are prevalent among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), with studies estimating that 33% of this population experiences psychiatric disorders such as mood, anxiety, and behavioral issues. These rates are significantly higher than the general population, underscoring the need for proper management within primary care settings. Although…

New Physicians-In-Training Podcast is Available: Insights of a Rural Primary Care Physician

In this episode of SMA’s Physicians-in-Training Podcast explores Matthew Holmes, BS, a medical student at UAB Heersink School of Medicine interviews Shane Lee, MD, of Marion, Alabama about Dr. Lee’s experiences providing healthcare service in rural Perry County, Alabama.

Acute Flank Pain in Primary Care: POCUS Alters Management Decisions

A 47‑year‑old woman with a 3‑day history of dysuria, urinary frequency, and urgency presented to her primary care physician. She noted chills that she treated with acetaminophen. She reports that a colicky pain in her right flank woke her up from sleep this morning. In the clinic, she was afebrile…

Review Article

A Primary Care Approach to Visual Screening in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This article explores the unique challenges faced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) and proposes ways in which primary care physicians can improve ocular health in this patient population. The existing literature does not offer specific guidelines for vision screening in adults with IDDs in the primary care…

Original Article

Comparison of Burnout and Fulfillment Rates between Physicians in Direct Primary Care and Other Practice Models

Objectives: Primary care internal medicine and family medicine physicians experience the second and sixth highest rates of burnout among all medical specialties. Direct primary care (DPC) is an understudied model of practice in which physicians are believed to have lower rates of burnout. In this study, we surveyed primary care…

Real-Time Screening for AAA: POCUS Helps Bridge the Preventive Care Gap

Case Presentation A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and smoking presents to the primary care office for a routine visit—his first in over five years. Known for avoiding doctors, he came in at the encouragement of his daughter, who noted his blood pressure had been elevated at home….

Did You Know? POCUS Can Help Detect Increased Intracranial Pressure

POCUS is a valuable addition to the primary care provider’s toolkit for evaluating headaches. In cases where idiopathic intracranial hypertension or increased ICP is suspected, ocular POCUS provides a fast, reliable method to assess ONSD and guide the next steps.

“The Ins and Outs of Point-of-Care Ultrasound for DVT Evaluation in Primary Care” — Southern Medicine Podcast is Now Available

POCUS is a transformative tool for diagnosing DVT in primary care. After this podcast, during which Tatiana Havryliuk, MD, and Randy Glick, BSB/PM, MCP discuss this important element of care, you will understand the benefits of POCUS for DVT rule-out, basic techniques, and strategies to mitigate liability.

POCUS in Primary Care: A Game-Changer for Differentiating CHF from COPD Exacerbations

Distinguishing between CHF and COPD exacerbations can be challenging in the primary care setting, as both conditions present with similar symptoms: dyspnea and wheezing. Traditional diagnostic tools may not always be readily available or conclusive. POCUS has emerged as a highly sensitive and cost-effective tool to aid in this differentiation.

Original Article

Few Patients Are Treated for Both Obesity and Depression

Objectives: Understanding the epidemiology of treatment for patients with co-occurring depression and obesity can inform care quality. The objective of the study was to identify how patients with obesity and newly diagnosed depression are treated and whether treatment is associated with body mass index change. Methods: This cohort study included…

A 57-Year-Old Woman with Calf Pain: The Role of POCUS in Primary Care

This case highlights how POCUS simplifies DVT evaluation, especially when traditional imaging or lab tests are not immediately available.

“Point of Care Ultrasound in Primary Care: Time to Get on Board” — Southern Medicine Podcast is Now Available

This episode of the Southern Medicine podcast explores the growing role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary care. Tatiana Havryliuk, MD, and Randy Glick, BSB/PM, MCP, discuss practical applications, challenges in implementation, and tips for providers looking to adopt POCUS in their practice.

Beyond the Stethoscope: Why Point-of-Care Ultrasound is a Game-Changer for Primary Care

This case highlights how POCUS can revolutionize diagnostics in primary care settings, providing real-time, actionable insights at the bedside.

Original Article

Improving Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Control with a Dedicated Patient Navigator

Objectives: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the leading causes of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. They affect an estimated 47% and 11% of Americans, respectively. In this study, we assessed whether a dedicated patient navigator embedded within a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) using a structured panel management and…

Original Article

Contraception Initiation after Early Abortion in a Family Medicine Setting: A Retrospective Chart Review

Key Points The primary care setting is uniquely equipped for providing early abortion and postabortion contraception. We aimed to describe postabortion contraception provision in a family medicine office. Although the providers offered all contraceptive options to eligible patients, continuity patients were more likely to receive more effective contraception in their…

Review Article

CME Article: Comprehensive Care for Adults with Down Syndrome in Primary Care Settings

This review article aims to bridge the knowledge gap in providing comprehensive care to adults with Down syndrome (DS) in primary care settings. Despite the increasing prevalence of adults with DS, there is a significant lack of familiarity and comprehensive guidelines for their health care among primary care physicians. This…

Original Article

Internal Medicine Residents’ Perceptions of Their Continuity Clinic Training

Objectives: Internal Medicine (IM) residents have reported dissatisfaction with continuity clinic (CC) training, which may contribute to the increasing shortage of primary care physicians. Studies show balancing inpatient and outpatient duties as a driver of dissatisfaction, but few studies have compared CC with inpatient (IP) training, following transition to an…

Original Article

An Educational Needs Assessment of Telehealth in Primary Care Among US Internal Medicine Residents

Objectives: As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many Internal Medicine (IM) residency programs converted to telehealth for primary care. Our objectives in this study were to better understand resident past and present telehealth education, their perceived barriers to telehealth practice, and their perceived solutions to improving telehealth…

Original Article

OPEN ACCESS: Impact of Policy Change on Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care

Objectives: The opioid overdose epidemic is escalating. Increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder in primary care is crucial. The impact of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ policy change removing the buprenorphine waiver training requirement on primary care buprenorphine prescribing remains unclear. We aimed to investigate…

Original Article

A Survey of Louisiana Pediatricians’ Approach to Parenting Teens and Adolescent Reproductive Health

Objective: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians provide a medical home for adolescent parents, and this study sought to determine pediatricians’ compliance with this recommendation within the context of other adolescent reproductive health services provided. Methods: An Internet-based survey was administered to Louisiana pediatricians. The survey contained 17…