Table of Contents
Medical Grand Rounds
- Cardiovascular disease myths and facts
Physicians need to overcome the myths that cardiovascular disease is going away and is a good way to die, as these myths are undermining research and prevention efforts.
- Kuru and mad cow disease: Understanding the prion theory
With the recent controversy in England over mad cow disease, there is a growing understanding that prions are not just a medical curiosity, but a grave public health threat. With an illustration explaining how proteins can mutate and become infectious.
Trends in Medicine
- The hospitalism Will inpatient specialists improve care
The number of practitioners specializing in inpatient medicine is growing as a response to managed care’s push for better health outcomes and cost control.
Current Drug Therapy
- Sildenafil (Viagra) for treating male erectile dysfunction
A brief overview of sildenafil, the first oral drug for treating erectile dysfuntion. With an illustration showing how the drug works.
Review
- Infectious disease and transplantation: Messages for the generalist
With more patients receiving transplants and surviving longer afterward, their primary care physicians are called on to evaluate problems as they arise.
- Managing solitary pulmonary nodules
The goals of management are to resect malignant tumors while avoiding unnecessary thoracotomy of benign nodules. But sometimes this is not easy.
Internal Medicine Board Review
- A 61-year-old woman with edema, shortness of breath, and pleuritic chest pain
What is the likely cause of this patient’s symptoms? A self-quiz on a clinical case.
Editorial
- Some perspective on Viagramania
The sales of Viagra are not surprising, given that the search for a drug to enhance sexual performance is as old as written history.
- The promises and risks of inpatient specialization
Much of the benefit of hospitalist care will be lost if we place the emphasis on wringing every last nickel out of the cost of providing care.
