Nurse Practitioners Are Stepping Up to Meet Access to Primary Care Services Across the United States: A Time for Policy Change.

This month's column highlights the need for access to primary care services across the United States and how nurse practitioners (NPs) have risen to meet this need. The authors discuss the modernization of licensure laws that will remove unnecessary barriers to full and direct access to NP healthcare services.

Proctitis in Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are transmitted from one person to another person through acts of vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. The increased presence of STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) results in a higher rate of STI-related diagnoses, such as proctitis. Proctitis is a common, but often misdiagnosed condition experienced by MSM who present to primary care, urgent care, and emergency settings. It is important that health care providers be knowledgeable of the pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of proctitis among MSM for accurate and timely management.

Update on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

It has been more than 38 years since the first reported case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Over this period of time, there has been an evolution in the care, management, and survival of those living with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current efforts to stabilize HIV incidence have targeted pharmacologic management with antiretroviral therapy (ART) coupled with programs that focus on individual characteristics, social norms, and structural barriers. It is important that clinicians are knowledgeable of prevention efforts and up-to-date clinical practice guidelines in order to best provide care for people living with HIV.