William R. Phillips

Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

IMPORTANCE Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2016, an estimated 134,000 persons will be diagnosed with the disease, and about 49,000 will die from it. Colorectal cancer is most frequently diagnosed among adults aged 65 to 74 years; the median age at death from colorectal cancer is 68 years. OBJECTIVE To update the 2008 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for colorectal cancer. EVIDENCE REVIEW The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening with colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, computed tomography colonography, the guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, the fecal immunochemical test, the multitargeted stool DNA test, and the methylated SEPT9 DNA test in reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer or all-cause mortality; the harms of these screening tests; and the test performance characteristics of these tests for detecting adenomatous polyps, advanced adenomas based on size, or both, as well as colorectal cancer. The USPSTF also commissioned a comparative modeling study to provide information on optimal starting and stopping ages and screening intervals across the different available screening methods. FINDINGS The USPSTF concludes with high certainty that screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk, asymptomatic adults aged 50 to 75 years is of substantial net benefit. Multiple screening strategies are available to choose from, with different levels of evidence to support their effectiveness, as well as unique advantages and limitations, although there are no empirical data to demonstrate that any of the reviewed strategies provide a greater net benefit. Screening for colorectal cancer is a substantially underused preventive health strategy in the United States. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years (A recommendation). The decision to screen for colorectal cancer in adults aged 76 to 85 years should be an individual one, taking into account the patients overall health and prior screening history (C recommendation).

Screening for Depression in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

DESCRIPTION Update of the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for depression in adults. METHODS The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for depression in adult populations, including older adults and pregnant and postpartum women; the accuracy of depression screening instruments; and the benefits and harms of depression treatment in these populations. POPULATION This recommendation applies to adults 18 years and older. RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women. Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up. (B recommendation).

A conceptual framework for developing teaching cases : a review and synthesis of the literature across disciplines

Context  Case‐based teaching is regarded as a superior instructional method compared with lectures in promoting a learners critical thinking skills. While much is known about the role a discussion facilitator plays in case‐based teaching, the debate on the influence of the format and structure of cases on learning is controversial.

Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Importance Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, accounting for 1 of every 3 deaths among adults. Objective To update the 2008 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for lipid disorders in adults. Evidence Review The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for and treatment of dyslipidemia in adults 21 years and older; the benefits and harms of statin use in reducing CVD events and mortality in adults without a history of CVD events; whether the benefits of statin use vary by subgroup, clinical characteristics, or dosage; and the benefits of various treatment strategies in adults 40 years and older without a history of CVD events. Conclusions and Recommendations The USPSTF recommends initiating use of low- to moderate-dose statins in adults aged 40 to 75 years without a history of CVD who have 1 or more CVD risk factors (dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, or smoking) and a calculated 10-year CVD event risk of 10% or greater (B recommendation). The USPSTF recommends that clinicians selectively offer low- to moderate-dose statins to adults aged 40 to 75 years without a history of CVD who have 1 or more CVD risk factors and a calculated 10-year CVD event risk of 7.5% to 10% (C recommendation). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of initiating statin use in adults 76 years and older (I statement).

Screening for High Blood Pressure in Adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

DESCRIPTION Update of the 2007 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reaffirmation recommendation statement on screening for high blood pressure in adults. METHODS The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of different methods for confirming a diagnosis of hypertension after initial screening and the optimal rescreening interval for diagnosing hypertension. POPULATION This recommendation applies to adults aged 18 years or older without known hypertension. RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF recommends screening for high blood pressure in adults aged 18 years or older. (A recommendation) The USPSTF recommends obtaining measurements outside of the clinical setting for diagnostic confirmation before starting treatment.

Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

DESCRIPTION New USPSTF recommendation on screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults. METHODS The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on screening for and treatment of vitamin D deficiency, including the benefits and harms of screening and early treatment. POPULATION This recommendation applies to community-dwelling, nonpregnant adults aged 18 years or older who are seen in primary care settings and are not known to have signs or symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or conditions for which vitamin D treatment is recommended. RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults. (I statement).

The Effects of Variations in Mode of Delivery and Monetary Incentive on Physicians’ Responses to a Mailed Survey Assessing STD Practice Patterns

High response rates from physicians are key to obtaining valid and generalizable data regarding their sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis, treatment, and control practices. A factorial (3 × 2) study was designed using varying cash incentives (

Screening for Oral Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

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Healing in Primary Care: A Vision Shared by Patients, Physicians, Nurses, and Clinical Staff

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Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

25) and delivery modes (Federal Express, U.S. mail). Surveys, with three follow-up mailings, were sent to a national probability sample of 311 physicians in OB-GYN, family practice, internal and emergency medicine, and pediatrics specialties. Overall, 156 physicians returned completed surveys (56% overall response rate). Significant effects for incentive level (F = 28.2, df =2, p < .01) and delivery mode (F = 4.1, df =1, p < .05) existed. Highest response was among physicians in the