Recommended Reading

AAFP Flash drive

Compiled by:
Richard Stringham M.D.
Assistant Dean for Curriculum, College of Medicine

University of Illinois, at Chicago, College of Medicine

The following articles are compiled from the AFP Clerkship Topic List.  This is maintained by The American Academy of Family Physicians and its premier clinical journal, American Family Physician(AFP) to help students in clinical rotations and in preparation for examinations. AFP has a long history of providing relevant, informative, and up to date evidence-based information for physicians, residents, and medical students.

Acute Presentations

Upper Respiratory Symptoms

Acute Rhinosinusitis in Adults (05/01/2011)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Bronchitis (12/01/2010)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Streptococcal Pharyngitis (03/01/2009

Common Cold [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (12/15/2011)

Sinusitis (Acute) [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (02/15/2009)

Joint Pain and Injury

Common Forearm Fractures in Adults (11/15/2009)

Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fractures (09/01/2004)

Diagnosis of Heel Pain (10/15/2011)

Update on Acute Ankle Sprains (06/15/2012))

Shoulder Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (01/15/2011)

Chronic Shoulder Pain Part I: Evaluation and Diagnosis (02/15/2008)

Chronic Shoulder Pain: Part II. Treatment (02/15/2008)

Evaluation of patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part I. History, Physical Examination, Radiographs, and laboratory Tests (09/01/2013)
Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part II. Differential Diagnosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (04/15/2011)

Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part I. Non-emergent Evaluation (04/15/2004)

Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part II. Emergent Evaluation (04/15/2004)
Evaluation of the Patient with Hip Pain (01/01/2014)

 

Pregnancy

Update on prenatal Care (02/01/2014)

 

Abdominal Pain

Evaluation of Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults (04/01/2008)

GERD in Adults [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (01/15/2009)

 

Common Skin Lesions

Dermatologic Emergencies (10/01/2010)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acne (05/01/2004)

Clinical Diagnosis of Melanoma [Point-of-Care Guides] (11/15/2008)

Atypical Moles (09/15/2008)

Basal Cell Carcinoma [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (07/15/2008)

Early Detection and Treatment of Skin Cancer (07/15/2000)

Treatment of Nongenital Cutaneous Warts (08/01/2011)

Dermatophyte Infections (01/01/2003)

Common Bacterial Skin Infections (07/01/2002)

 

Common Skin Rashes

Diagnosis and Management of Contact Dermatitis (08/01/2010)

Seborrheic Dermatitis [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (05/01/2007)

The Generalized Rash: Part I. Differential Diagnosis (03/15/2010)

The Generalized Rash: Part II. Diagnostic Approach (03/15/2010)

 

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Abdominal Vaginal Bleeding (01/01/2012)

 

Low Back Pain (acute)

Acute Low Back Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (09/01/2006)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain (02/15/2012)

Cough

Evaluation of the Patient with Chronic Cough (10/15/2011)

Also see bronchitis, asthma, and dyspepsia sections

 

Chest Pain

See CAD section

 

Headache

Diagnosis of Migraine Headache [Point-of-Care Guides] (12/15/2006)

Approach to Acute Headache in Adults (02/15/2013)
Treatment of Acute Migraine Headache (02/01/2011)

Headache (Chronic Tension-Type) [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (07/01/2007)

 

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment (04/01/2014)

 

Dysuria

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis (10/01/2011)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Children (02/15/2011)

Evaluation of Dysuria in Adults (04/15/2002)

 

Dizziness

No articles found specific to this topic

 

Shortness of Breath/Wheezing

See asthma, CHF, and pneumonia modules

 

Fever

See pneumonia, influenza, and URI modules

 

Depression

Evaluation and Treatment of the Suicidal Patient (03/15/2012)

Screening for Depression (01/15/2012)

Screening for Depression [Cochrane for Clinicians] (05/01/2006)

Pharmacologic Management of Adult Depression (03/15/2008)

 

Male Urinary Symptoms/prostate

No specific nodules

 

Dementia

Mental Status Examination in Primary Care: A Review (10/15/2009)

 

Leg Swelling

Edema: Diagnosis and Management (07/15/2013)
Also can see CHF

Chronic Conditions

Multiple Chronic Illnesses

No specific modules found

 

Hypertension

Screening for High Blood Pressure: Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (06/15/2009)

Initial Evaluation of Hypertension [Point-of-Care Guides] (03/15/2004)

First-Line Treatment for Hypertension [Cochrane for Clinicians] (06/01/2010)

Managing Hypertension Using Combination Therapy (05/01/2008)

Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Managing Hypertension (06/01/2006)
2014 Hypertension Guideline Management Algorithm

 

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and Screening (04/01/2010)

Management of Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (01/01/2009)

Choosing First-Line Therapy for Management of Type 2 Diabetes [AFP Journal Club] (01/01/2008)

Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes [FPIN’s Clinical Inquiries] (04/01/2007)

 

Asthma/COPD

Asthma

Asthma [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (07/01/2004)

Overview of Changes to Asthma Guidelines: Diagnosis and Screening (05/01/2009)

Management of Acute Asthma Exacerbations (07/01/2011)

Medical Therapy for Asthma: Updates from the NAEPP Guidelines (11/15/2010)

 

COPD

ACP Updates Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Stable COPD [Practice Guidelines] (01/15/2012)

Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (07/01/2008)

Management of COPD Exacerbations (03/01/2010)

Medications for COPD: A Review of Effectiveness (10/15/2007)

 

Hyperlipidemia

Screening for Lipid Disorders in Adults [Putting Prevention into Practice] (12/01/2009)

Statins for Primary Cardiovascular Prevention [Cochrane for Clinicians] (10/01/2011)

Pharmacologic Treatment of Hyperlipidemia (09/01/2011)

 

Anxiety

No specific modules

 

Arthritis

Exercise for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis [FPIN’s Clinical Inquiries] (09/01/2011) – In “Musculoskeletal” section. This is first article under “knee” section.

Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (06/01/2011) – also in “Musculoskeletal” section. This is the 5th article under “knee” section.

 

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Low Back Pain: Evaluation and Management (06/15/2009) – In “Musculoskeletal” section and this is 5th article in neck and back section

 

Coronary Artery Disease

Global Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Assessment and Application (08/01/2010)

Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (07/01/2005)

AHA Updates Guidelines on CVD Prevention in Women [Practice Guidelines] (01/01/2012)

 

Obesity

Primary Care’s Ecologic Impact on Obesity [Graham Center Policy One-Pagers] (03/15/2009)

Obesity in Adults [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (10/15/2010)

Childhood Obesity: Highlights of AMA Expert Committee Recommendations (07/01/2008)

Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents:

Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (03/15/2011)

Weight Loss Maintenance (09/15/2010)

Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity (06/15/2010)

 

Heart Failure

ACC and AHA Update on Chronic Heart Failure Guidelines [Practice Guidelines] (03/01/2010)

Cardiomyopathy: An Overview (05/01/2009)

Diagnosis of Heart Failure in Adults (12/01/2004)

NICE Updates Guidelines on Management of Chronic Heart Failure [Practice Guidelines] (04/15/2012)

Outpatient Treatment of Systolic Heart Failure (12/01/2004)

Diastolic Heart Failure: The Challenges of Diagnosis and Treatment (06/01/2004)

 

Depression (previously diagnosed)

Evaluation and Treatment of the Suicidal Patient (03/15/2012)

Efficient Identification of Adults with Depression and Dementia (09/15/2004)

 

Osteoporosis/osteopenia

Bone Density Testing to Monitor Osteoporosis Therapy in Clinical Practice [Editorials] (10/01/2010)

 

Substance abuse, dependence, and abuse

An Approach to Drug Abuse, Intoxication and Withdrawal (05/01/2000)

Addiction: Part I. Benzodiazepines-Side Effects, Abuse Risk and Alternatives (04/01/2000)
Addiction: Part II. Identification and Management of the Drug- Seeking Patient (04/15/2000)