Journal of general internal medicine
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Many physicians and professional leaders agree that community participation is an important professional role for physicians. Volunteerism has also received increasing attention in the national agenda for social change. Yet little is known about physicians' community volunteer activities. ⋯ Despite highly favorable physician attitudes toward volunteerism in prior surveys, less than half of US physicians have volunteered with community organizations in the past year. Renewed attention to understanding and increasing physician engagement in community volunteer work is needed.
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Review Meta Analysis
Periodontal disease and coronary heart disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Periodontal disease is common among adults in the US and is a potential source of chronic inflammation. Recent data have suggested an important role for chronic inflammation in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). ⋯ Periodontal disease is a risk factor or marker for CHD that is independent of traditional CHD risk factors, including socioeconomic status. Further research in this important area of public health is warranted.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Impact of patient race on patient experiences of access and communication in HIV care.
Patient-centered care--including the domains of access and communication--is an important determinant of positive clinical outcomes. ⋯ We observed racial disparities in patients' experience of access to care but not in patient-provider communication. Disparities were explained by poor access at minority-serving clinics. Efforts to make care more patient-centered for minority HIV-infected patients should focus more on improving access to HIV care in minority communities than on improving cross-cultural patient-provider interactions.
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Review Case Reports
Migratory polyarthritis as a paraneoplastic syndrome.
Carcinomatous polyarthritis (CP) is a rare paraneoplastic disorder that has been associated with a variety of solid tumors. It presents in a similar manner to other polyarticular disorders and often precedes detection of the underlying malignancy, making recognition critical. ⋯ Following the case report we present our learning objectives, which include the differential diagnosis of inflammatory polyarthritis, diagnostic approach to CP, and features that distinguish it from other more common causes of polyarthritis. We conclude with a brief discussion of the pathophysiology and management of CP.