Skip to main content
The Western Journal of Medicine logoLink to The Western Journal of Medicine
. 1994 Aug;161(2):181–183.

Preventive medicine as a component of the office visit--is it time for a change?

W C James 1
PMCID: PMC1022539  PMID: 7941544

Abstract

A routine visit to a physician's office generally is composed of the reason for the visit; attention to ongoing medical problems; and preventive medicine considerations. A separate visit for preventive medicine activities can be helpful. A computer-generated annual birthday greeting to patients that suggests specific preventive medicine studies would result in a more problem-focused office visit and greater precision in the execution of preventive medicine activities.

Full text

PDF
181

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Breslow L., Somers A. R. The lifetime health-monitoring program. A practical approach to preventive medicine. N Engl J Med. 1977 Mar 17;296(11):601–608. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197703172961104. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Eddy D. M. Screening for breast cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1989 Sep 1;111(5):389–399. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-111-5-389. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Eddy D. M. Screening for colorectal cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1990 Sep 1;113(5):373–384. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-113-5-373. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Fleischer D. E., Goldberg S. B., Browning T. H., Cooper J. N., Friedman E., Goldner F. H., Keeffe E. B., Smith L. E. Detection and surveillance of colorectal cancer. JAMA. 1989 Jan 27;261(4):580–585. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Fletcher D. J. Periodic health monitoring. How to help patients stay well. Postgrad Med. 1985 Oct;78(5):305-9, 312-3, 316-7. doi: 10.1080/00325481.1985.11699173. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Fletcher S. W., Spitzer W. O. Approach of the Canadian Task Force to the Periodic Health Examination. Ann Intern Med. 1980 Feb;92(2 Pt 1):253–254. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-92-2-253. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Frame P. S. Can computerized reminder systems have an impact on preventive services in practice? J Gen Intern Med. 1990 Sep-Oct;5(5 Suppl):S112–S115. doi: 10.1007/BF02600855. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Hayward R. S., Steinberg E. P., Ford D. E., Roizen M. F., Roach K. W. Preventive care guidelines: 1991. American College of Physicians. Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. United States Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 1991 May 1;114(9):758–783. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-114-9-758. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hogg W. The role of computers in preventive medicine in a rural family practice. CMAJ. 1990 Jul 1;143(1):33–37. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. LaForce F. M. Immunizations, immunoprophylaxis, and chemoprophylaxis to prevent selected infections. US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 1987 May 8;257(18):2464–2470. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Litzelman D. K., Dittus R. S., Miller M. E., Tierney W. M. Requiring physicians to respond to computerized reminders improves their compliance with preventive care protocols. J Gen Intern Med. 1993 Jun;8(6):311–317. doi: 10.1007/BF02600144. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Logsdon D. N., Rosen M. A. The cost of preventive health services in primary medical care and implications for health insurance coverage. J Ambul Care Manage. 1984 Nov;7(4):46–55. doi: 10.1097/00004479-198411000-00007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. McDonald C. J., Hui S. L., Smith D. M., Tierney W. M., Cohen S. J., Weinberger M., McCabe G. P. Reminders to physicians from an introspective computer medical record. A two-year randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 1984 Jan;100(1):130–138. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-100-1-130. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. McPhee S. J., Bird J. A., Fordham D., Rodnick J. E., Osborn E. H. Promoting cancer prevention activities by primary care physicians. Results of a randomized, controlled trial. JAMA. 1991 Jul 24;266(4):538–544. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Mettlin C., Dodd G. D. The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the cancer-related checkup: an update. CA Cancer J Clin. 1991 Sep-Oct;41(5):279–282. doi: 10.3322/canjclin.41.5.279. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Oboler S. K., LaForce F. M. The periodic physical examination in asymptomatic adults. Ann Intern Med. 1989 Feb 1;110(3):214–226. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-110-3-214. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Ornstein S. M., Garr D. R., Jenkins R. G. A comprehensive microcomputer-based medical records system with sophisticated preventive services features for the family physician. J Am Board Fam Pract. 1993 Jan-Feb;6(1):55–60. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Rosser W. W., McDowell I., Newell C. Use of reminders for preventive procedures in family medicine. CMAJ. 1991 Oct 1;145(7):807–814. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Schwartz J. S., Lewis C. E., Clancy C., Kinosian M. S., Radany M. H., Koplan J. P. Internists' practices in health promotion and disease prevention. A survey. Ann Intern Med. 1991 Jan 1;114(1):46–53. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-114-1-46. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Tape T. G., Campbell J. R. Computerized medical records and preventive health care: success depends on many factors. Am J Med. 1993 Jun;94(6):619–625. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(93)90214-a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Williams W. W., Hickson M. A., Kane M. A., Kendal A. P., Spika J. S., Hinman A. R. Immunization policies and vaccine coverage among adults. The risk for missed opportunities. Ann Intern Med. 1988 Apr;108(4):616–625. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-108-4-616. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Western Journal of Medicine are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES