Kim Farina, PhD

Bryn Vartabedian, MD, offers valuable tips and advice for health care providers who are interested in using social media to engage with and educate their patients.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and breathing techniques are among several nonpharmaceutical interventions that have been shown to help children with anxiety. Rebecca Kajander, MPH, BSN, CPNP, PMHS, discussed these and other techniques that providers can use as part of effective therapy.

There are several factors that determine whether children with psychiatric disorders and their families decide to use psychotropic drugs as part of treatment. The patient-provider relationship is a key factor in promoting treatment adherence in this patient population, and there are several strategies that providers can use to improve this relationship and help ensure successful treatment.

William Atkinson, MD, delivered a wide-ranging look at recent developments in immunization research and policy, reviewed new recommendations for 2012, and offered several predictions on likely developments in the near future.

Bullying is on everyone's mind these days. Over the past two weeks, the media has strongly focuses on the trial of Dharun Ravi, the Rutgers University student recently convicted of 15 counts, including a hate crime and anti-gay intimidation of Tyler Clementi, his former roommate who committed suicide in September 2010.

Dr. Judith Palfrey challenged everyone to imagine what a nation of health kids would be like in the opening session of the 2012 NAPNAP Conference. The issue is, she stated, "You can't get any place if you don't know where you are going; try it."

According to a report from the HHS, pediatric rheumatology is not represented among 30-40% of US medical schools and pediatric residency programs and, perhaps even more alarming, the report found that 13 states lack a single pediatric rheumatologist.

According to a recent systematic review, limited evidence exists to guide clinicians on the best approaches for managing pain in older (> 50 years of age) patients who have suffered a hip fracture. The strongest evidence supports nerve blockade to improve acute pain and to reduce risk for delirium. Data also suggest that preoperative traction does not improve relief from acute pain.

Developmental and anatomical factors can make diagnosing and treating injuries in adolescent athletes a challenge.

Miscommunication, medication errors, and lack of follow-up during handoffs can lead to rehospitalization and other poor outcomes.

At Pri-Med Southwest, Bill Frist, MD, calls on physicians to lead by example in improving the health of the vulnerable and poor of the world.

Session at Pri-Med Southwest focuses on the current epidemiology of pertussis and updated vaccine recommendations.

Session at Pri-Med Southwest focuses on diagnosing and treating atopic dermatitis and other conditions in children.

Keynote on second day of Pri-Med says that primary care is at the heart of the push to provide high-quality, lower-cost medical care.

At Pri-Med Southwest, Frank Domino, MD, discussed the dangers of vitamin D deficiency and recommended screening and supplementation for at-risk patients.

At Pri-Med Southwest, Frank Domino, MD, discussed the benefits of using motivational interviewing techniques when counseling patients on weight loss.

John Goodson, MD, opened Pri-Med Southwest 2011 with a keynote address highlighting primary care innovation and advocacy and advice for future success.