Competency in musculoskeletal and sports medicine: evaluating a PGY-1 curriculum.

Background And Objectives: The introduction of a prescribed curriculum and a clinical rotation in the PGY-1 year of family medicine training can enhance learning in musculoskeletal and sports medicine. Combining learning experiences in sports medicine and musculoskeletal medicine in the early stages of training establishes a base to master the required competencies by the completion of the training program.

Methods: All PGY-1 residents from 2006 to 2009 were assigned to a clinical rotation in sports medicine.

Preliminary results of the Australasian Regional Anaesthesia Collaboration: a prospective audit of more than 7000 peripheral nerve and plexus blocks for neurologic and other complications.

Background And Objectives: Peripheral nerve blockade is associated with excellent patient outcomes after surgery; however, neurologic and other complications can be devastating for the patient. This article reports the development and preliminary results of a multicenter audit describing the quality and safety of peripheral nerve blockade.

Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, patients who received peripheral nerve blockade had data relating to efficacy and complications entered into databases.

First-line pharmacotherapy for tobacco use and dependence.

First-line pharmacotherapies for tobacco use and dependence (namely, nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine nasal spray, and sustained-release bupropion) are safe and have been empirically determined to be efficacious and should always be considered part of a tobacco treatment intervention program unless contraindicated. Studies published subsequent to the literature synthesized in TTUD support previously determined efficacy of first-line pharmacologic medications for treatment of tobacco use and dependence. Further studies will be necessary to define clearly the efficacy and relative safety of combination treatments.