Physicians in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
Physicians with current and valid licenses in the United States, Canada, or Mexico who read any 3 of the selected continuing medical education (CME) articles in this issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, complete the CME Evaluation Form, and fax it to the number or mail it to the address at the bottom of the CME Evaluation Form are eligible for Category 1 CME credit. There is no charge.
The American Medical Association (AMA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. The AMA designates this educational activity for up to 1 hour of Category 1 credit per Archives of Internal Medicine issue toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award (PRA). Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that were actually spent in the educational activity.
Physicians in Other Countries
Physicians with current and valid licenses in the United States, Mexico, or Canada are eligible for CME credit even if they live or practice in other countries. Physicians licensed in other countries are also welcome to participate in this CME activity. However, the PRA is only available to physicians licensed in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
To earn credit, read the articles designated for CME credit carefully and complete the CME Evaluation Form. The CME Evaluation Form must be submitted within 4 weeks of the issue date. A certificate awarding 1 hour of Category 1 CME credit will be faxed or mailed to you; it is then your responsibility to maintain a record of credit received.
One of our goals is to assess continually the educational needs of our readers so we may enhance the educational effectiveness of the Archives of Internal Medicine. To achieve this goal, we need your help. You must complete the CME Evaluation Form to receive credit.
Statement of Educational Purpose
For a complete description of the ARCHIVES' mission statement, please refer to the table of contents.
A flexible curriculum of article topics is developed annually by the journal's editorial board and is then supplemented throughout the year with information gained from readers, authors, reviewers, and editors. The Reader's Choice CME activity allows readers, as adult learners, to determine their own educational needs and to assist the editors in addressing their needs in future issues.
Readers of the Archives of Internal Medicine should be able to attain the following educational objectives: (1) select and read at least 3 articles per issue to gain new medical information on topics of particular interest to them as physicians, (2) assess its value to them as practicing physicians, and (3) think carefully about how this new information may influence their own practices.
CME Articles in This Issue of Archives of Internal Medicine
The following articles in this issue may be read for CME credit:
Importance of pH Control in the Management of GERDArticle
Educational Objective: To understand the role of gastric pH in esophageal injury and clinical healing.
Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease in Hospitalized PatientsArticle
Educational Objective: To become familiar with signs, symptoms, and laboratory tests in assessing inpatients for thyroid disease.
Severe Paroxysmal Hypertension (Pseudopheochromocytoma)Article
Educational Objective: To become familiar with a syndrome of psychologically induced paroxysmal hypertension.
Choosing Antithrombotic Therapy for Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Are at Risk for FallsArticle
Educational Objective: To understand the risks associated with falls in anticoagulated elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.
Leisure-Time Physical Activity and the Risk of Primay Cardiac ArrestArticle
Educational Objective: To understand that regular physical activity significantly decreases risk of primary cardiac arrest.
Physical Symptoms Distress Index: A Sensitive Tool to Evaluate the Impact of Pharmacological Agents on Quality of LifeArticle
Educational Objective: To understand that physical symptoms associated with pharmacologic treatment affect quality of life.
Advance Directives More Likely Among Seniors Asked About End-of-Life Care PreferencesArticle
Educational Objective: To learn that asking elderly patients about end-of-life care preference significantly increases the likelihood that they will complete advance directives.
Recurrent and Persistent Coagulopathy Following Pit Viper EnvenomationArticle
Educational Objective: To learn that coagulopathies from pit viper envenomation may persist despite antivenom treatments.
Physician Estimates of Perioperative Cardiac Risk in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac SurgeryArticle
Educational Objective: To understand that most physicians assess cardiac risk in noncardiac surgery patients suboptimally.
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in Latinos Living in the United States: Validation of the CAGE (4M) QuestionsArticle
Educational Objective: To learn that the CAGE is sensitive and specific for detecting alcohol use disorders in Latino as well as Anglo patients.
Cigarette Smoking and Mortality Risk: Twenty-five–Year Follow-up of the Seven Countries StudyArticle
Educational Objective: To learn that the adverse consequences of cigarette smoking on health hold true across 3 continents.
Determinants of Short- and Long-term Outcome in Patients With Respiratory Failure Caused by AIDS-RelatedPneumocystis carinii Pneumonia Article
Educational Objective: To understand in-hospital mortality and long-term survival in patients with AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.