Storylines of family medicine IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation.

is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation', authors address the following themes: 'Relational connections in the doctor-patient partnership', 'Feminism and family medicine', 'Positive family medicine', 'Mindful practice', 'The new, old ethics of family medicine', 'Public health, prevention and populations', 'Information mastery in family medicine' and 'Clinical courage.' May readers nurture their curiosity through these essays.

Disseminated strongyloidiasis after prolonged treatment with corticosteroids.

is a helminth found in the soil and transmitted to humans through larval penetration of the skin. It is endemic across most of the tropical regions of the world. Infection with commonly causes minimal or mild symptoms.

Effective Communication with Refugees and Immigrants.

Immigrant and refugee patients may have limited English proficiency. Effective use of professional interpreter services reduces clinically significant errors and increases the quality of care. A multitude of professional interpreter services are available, and clinicians should carefully select the preferred modality of interpretation based on the type of encounter.

Health Care for Refugee and Immigrant Adolescents.

This article describes the current scope of immigration to the United States, defines the different categories of immigrants, and describes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-mandated overseas and postarrival medical assessment of adolescent refugees. Guidelines for primary care physicians who care for refugee youth are provided, including diagnosis and treatment of common medical and mental health conditions. Special considerations in caring for this vulnerable population include acknowledging prior traumas, acculturation and challenges to education such as bullying, and adjustment to a new health care system that emphasizes preventive care in addition to curative medical care.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: An evidence-based approach.

This review provides the latest advice on the screening and management of hyperbilirubinemia in term infants.

Oh rats! Fever, rash and arthritis in a young woman.

A 17-year-old girl presented with worsening right-sided hip and low back pain for 2 days. She had also experienced intermittent fevers and a recurring maculopapular rash over the past 2 weeks. Social history revealed the presence of three domestic rats living in the girl's home.

A collaborative approach to achieving NCQA PCMH recognition within family medicine residency practices.

Background And Objectives: The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) developed a statewide Residency Program Collaborative (RPC) to facilitate family medicine residency practices in Pennsylvania becoming recognized patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). This report outlines the methods and a brief evaluation of the RPC, which included 20 residency practices. Participants attended tri-annual learning sessions and monthly conference calls, received physician faculty mentorship, and reported clinical quality data monthly on diabetes and ischemic vascular disease.