EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EST, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1998
January 15, 1998, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians (ACP), an organization of more than 100,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For a copy of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656. The full text of selected articles can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals on Jan. 15, 1998.
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Computer Helps Remind Physicians to Discuss End-of-Life Decisions
A one-year study of 1009 seriously ill elderly patients cared for by 147 primary care physicians found that simple computer-generated reminders to physicians during regular office visits substantially increased discussion of advance directives and completion of advance directive forms. (Articles, p. 102.) Previous studies have found that most patients want to establish advance directives, but few actually do.
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Difficulty and Dependence Are Both Useful In Defining Disability in the Elderly
Assessing both the level of difficulty and the degree of independence in performing basic activities of daily living (BADL) provides a more complete picture of the continuum of elderly disability than looking at either determinant alone, a new analysis of 1065 people shows. (Articles, p. 96.) Authors support a disability instrument with three response options for each BADL item: independent without difficulty, independent with difficulty, and dependent. The current practice of defining BADL disability solely in terms of either difficulty or dependence may represent a false choice, authors say.
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Intensive Training Improves New Doctors' Interviewing Skills
An intensive one-month course improved new physicians' knowledge, attitudes and skills in interviewing patients, a randomized, controlled study of new physicians and real and simulated patients shows. (Academia and Clinic, p. 118.) An editorial emphasizes that interviewing, the "crux of competent medical care," is a teachable skill worthy of serious study and practice. (Editorial, p. 139.)
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ACP Recommends Changes in Physician Workforce and Funding Graduate Medical Education (Position Paper, p. 142.)
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Obesity and Even Modest Adult Weight Gain Substantially Increase Risk for Hypertension, an Analysis of Data Reported by 82,473 U.S. Women Shows (Articles, p. 81.)
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