Meningomyelocele: early detection using 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging in the family medicine center.

A young primigravida presented to the family medicine clinic 7 weeks pregnant. Standard 2-dimensional ultrasound at 9 weeks revealed a grossly abnormal posterior brain and 2 adjacent sonolucent structures: 2 yolk sacs versus a yolk sac and cyst. Imaging by 3-dimensional ultrasound distinguished these structures, revealing a caudal cyst with continuity of fetal tissue consistent with a meningomyelocele. To date there is no documentation in the literature of a meningomyelocele diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy. Identification of neural tube defects early in pregnancy offers increased options to the mother and may impact long-term fetal prognosis.

A comparison of unsedated colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy in the family medicine setting: an LA Net study.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy visualizes more of the colon than flexible sigmoidoscopy. This study compares the outcomes of an unsedated modified colon endoscopy (MCE) with flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) in family medicine practice. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of existing clinical data to compare outcomes for 48 patients undergoing MCE and 35 patients undergoing FS at 3 family medicine practices in Los Angeles. Outcomes of interest included completion rates, number of complications, depth reached, anatomic site visualized, and information about the number and nature of clinical findings. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between MCE and FS regarding completion rates (83.3% vs 75%, respectively). Expected statistically significant differences were found between the 2 procedures in the anatomic site visualized (P<.01) and depth reached (P<.01). Clinical pathologies were identified in 58% of MCE patients and 37% of FS patients. Four adenocarcinomas were identified in the MCE group in the proximal region of the colon that could not have been detected by FS. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study suggest that MCE can be an acceptable alternative to FS in office settings for colorectal cancer screening.

Evaluation of poststreptococcal illness.

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever, and rarely asymptomatic carrier states are associated with a number of poststreptococcal suppurative and nonsuppurative complications. As in streptococcal pharyngitis, acute rheumatic fever, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection, and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis most often occur in children. The hallmarks of rheumatic fever include arthritis, carditis, cutaneous disease, chorea, and subsequent acquired valvular disease. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders encompass a subgroup of illnesses involving the basal ganglia in children with obsessive-compulsive disorders, tic disorders, dystonia, chorea encephalitis, and dystonic choreoathetosis. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is most frequently encountered in children between two and six years of age with a recent history of pharyngitis and a rash in the setting of poor personal hygiene during the winter months. The clinical examination of a patient with possible poststreptococcal complications should begin with an evaluation for signs of inflammation (i.e., complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) and evidence of a preceding streptococcal infection. Antistreptolysin O titers should be obtained to confirm a recent invasive streptococcal infection. Other important antibody markers include antihyaluronidase, antideoxyribonuclease B, and antistreptokinase antibodies.

Slow progress: predoctoral education in family medicine in four Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Many countries in Latin America are seeking to expand primary care services provided through their health care systems. Family physicians are an essential component of an effective primary care workforce, but we know little about the status of family practice training in Latin America. This study examines predoctoral training in family practice in four Latin American countries and identifies factors affecting its incorporation into medical training institutions. METHODS: A Spanish language survey was mailed to the heads of all medical schools in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama (n=100), asking about the status of family practice training at the school and factors perceived as facilitating or impeding its acceptance by the institution. Quantitative data were analyzed for frequency, and qualitative data were analyzed for content and theme. RESULTS: Sixty-five of the 100 schools responded to the survey. Of these, only 34 (52%) provide training in family practice at the predoctoral level, and only nine (14%) have established departments of family medicine. Barriers to inclusion of family medicine include lack of financial and human resources, definition of family practice as a subject rather than a specialty, and a perceived lack of interest among students. DISCUSSION: Inclusion of family medicine into medical education in Latin America has been slow. Unless strategies can be developed to increase training for family physicians in Latin American countries, governments in the region will have difficulty expanding primary health care services in their systems. Support is needed from governments, public health officials, funding agencies and organizations, and the academic community to increase training of family physicians in Latin America.

Impact of the limited generalist (no hospital, no procedures) model on the viability of family practice training.

BACKGROUND: Some doubt the desirability and cost-effectiveness of continuing to provide an expanded scope of primary care practice. Additionally, there has been concern about declining reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare. Although an expanded scope of patient care services are required for training, we wanted to determine whether these services drain resources and time from other primary care activities. METHODS: To determine the financial impact of deleting services other than office visits from an urban primary care practice, we tabulated charges, economic case mix, and actual collections during 12 consecutive months. Using regional and national norms, the practice set charges for hospital services, office visits, and procedures at approximately 50th percentile as a maximum. Common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were tabulated, and gross charges per item per year were tabulated. To validate net collection predictions for a predominately TennCare (Medicaid) practice and compare these with projected net collections from private practice, charges were compared with projected collections using two expectations (40% net and 80% net). Overall collections were projected and then compared with actual collection. For hospital services and office procedures, costs were attributed to equipment, training, liability insurance, and lost opportunity for office visits. The setting was an urban family practice teaching program providing hospital services, hospital deliveries, newborn care, office visits, and a variety of office procedures. There were 30,262 office visits, 510 non-pregnant hospitalizations, 252 deliveries, 1,352 office radiographs, and a variety of common office-based diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as electrocardiograms (408), skin surgeries (265), gastrointestinal endoscopies (306), diagnostic obstetric sonograms (525), non-stress tests (95), and colposcopy (161). The main outcome measures were the financial values calculated after subtracting costs for hospitalist services, office visits, and procedures. RESULTS: After lost opportunities for office visits are deducted, hospital services created positive revenue ranging from $167,306 to $340,612, depending on the net collection scenario chosen (ie, worst case versus best case). CONCLUSIONS: Revenue was adequate for reimbursement of equipment, staff, and physician time in either case. For procedural activities in the office, there was a net gain of $372,974 in charges once opportunities for lost office visits were deducted. Even within the 40% net collection scenario, revenue was more than adequate to pay for overhead and equipment. For this practice with 84% Medicaid-Medicare accounts, projected collections of 40% underestimated slightly the actual net revenue.