Osteoporosis update.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that is estimated to affect more than 75 million people worldwide. The US Department of Health and Human Services projects that the disease will impact more than 10 million women by 2020 if efforts to prevent it are ineffective. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, prevention measures, and an update of the US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications that are used in the treatment of this widespread disease.

Findings from the analysis of the American College of Nurse-Midwives' membership surveys: 2006-2008.

Introduction: The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Core Data Survey is an annual membership survey that collects demographic and selected workforce data about certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified midwives (CMs), and students enrolled in midwifery education programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, who are members of the organization. This article presents findings from the analysis of membership data for the years 2006 to 2008.

Methods: An e-mail invitation to participate in the online survey was sent to all ACNM members who provided ACNM with an e-mail address.

Demographic profiles of certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners: reflections on implications for uniform education and regulation.

Topic: There is wide variability in regulatory authority, basic education requirements, and titling for nurses in advanced practice roles, that is, certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). There is current advocacy for a common identity for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including uniform entry into practice requirements (the doctor of nursing practice [DNP]).

Methods: Membership survey data were extracted to generate a contemporary profile of characteristics of these categories of practitioners.

The National Practitioner Data Bank: information for and about midwifery.

The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), mandated by federal legislation in 1986, serves as a mechanism to protect the public from unsafe practitioners who attempt to avoid discovery of prior negligent behavior or malpractice record(s) by moving from state to state. Reporting to the NPDB about malpractice payments on behalf of nurse-midwives began in 1990. Reporting of providers excluded from Medicare and Medicaid program participation began in September 1999.

Presidential priorities: 50 years of wisdom as the basis of an action agenda for the next half-century.

Each of the living presidents of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), past and current, was asked to select one or more issues that were of particular importance during her term(s) in office. Some of the issues identified by the presidents were amenable to review using existing quantitative data; this article presents those findings. The substantial increase in growth of ACNM membership in the 1980s and 1990s as well as the plateau that occurred at the beginning of the 21st century is documented.

Findings from the analysis of the American College of Nurse-Midwives' membership surveys: 2000-2003.

Findings from the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) membership data provide descriptive information about selected characteristics of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified midwives (CMs), and students enrolled in ACNM-accredited programs who are members of the organization. This article presents findings from the analysis of membership data for the years 2000 to 2003. Members remain predominantly white and female, with their age averaging in the mid-40s.