November 2022

ACP IMpact

Celebrate National Internal Medicine Day on October 28th

As a medical student, you are the future of medicine and have many career decisions ahead of you. Internal medicine physicians are the cornerstone of comprehensive health care and experts in complexity. They serve, and lead, in many diverse roles and settings. Their ongoing training and experience prepare them to become successful executives and leaders in health care. Internal medicine physicians thrive in leadership roles as entrepreneurs, at hospitals and health care systems, as well as in high-level roles that can improve U.S. health care policy. Learn more.

Join ACP in celebrating the essential role of internal medicine physicians on Friday, October 28th:

  • Share or customize ACP’s social media posts. Use the hashtags #NationalInternalMedicineDay, #IMProud, and #IMPhysician – and recognize a colleague, thank a mentor, or tell your story.
  • Mark your calendar for a #NIMdayChat Twitter chat on October 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET, co-hosted by ACP’s Council of Early Career Physicians, Council of Resident/Fellow Members, and Council of Student Members.

Feature

Finding Meaning in Medicine via Spirituality

(from the October 2022 ACP Internist)

Patients, especially those with serious illness, have always reckoned with existential matters of life, death, and what's to come.


I.M. Internal Medicine

Spotlight: Allison Kathleen Collier, DO

Read about Dr. Collier's most treasured possession and why it's so significant to her.


Council of Student Members (CSM) Spotlight

Mothering During a Health Care Pandemic: A Wake-up Call to Support Moms in Medicine

Sacrifice is a word physicians are all too familiar with: from decades of training, intensive work hours, and education loans to being pushed physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, there is another sacrifice seldom mentioned: children.


Medical Student Perspective

Balancing Act

On the last day of my internal medicine sub-internship, the attending I worked with pulled me aside, telling me firmly that one of the moments she most appreciated during our service together was when we were seeing a 22-year-old patient who was going through a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis. She had been admitted for pain management and workup for possible pneumonia, and I had entered the room to find her body curled tightly beneath stark white hospital sheets as she groaned in pain.


Advocacy Update

ACP Urges Senate to Pass Legislation Aimed at Combating Workplace Violence in Health Care Settings

(from the October 7, 2022 ACP Advocate)

As violence against health care workers continues to threaten lives, the American College of Physicians is calling for a decisive response from the U.S. Senate, which is considering vital legislation.

Read the full article in ACP Advocate.

The ACP Advocate is a bi-weekly e-newsletter that provides ACP members with news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care.


ACP Position Paper

ACP Calls for Improved Health Support in Indigenous Communities

(from the October 11, 2022 Annals of Internal Medicine)

In a new position paper, ACP addresses the health disparities that are prevalent within Indigenous communities, focusing on American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, due to limited access to and funding for equitable health care support and services.

Read the full article in Annals of Internal Medicine.

ACP public policy papers summarize and dissect published research and discussion on current issues involving clinical practice, medical education, bioethics, and health care financing and delivery, and make specific recommendations for internists, patients, and policy makers. Read about ACP's public policy development process.


Analyzing Annals

Unintended Consequences of SCOTUS Abortion Decision for Patients With Rheumatic Diseases; Urgent Call to Action: Engaging Hospitalists in Family Planning; I Remember Marjorie

The first article discusses the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson and the concerns it raises for patients with rheumatic disease and their clinicians, including access to medically indicated abortion, access to necessary medications that are teratogenic, and laws that interfere with patient–clinician discussions about reproductive issues. The second article argues that hospitalists should be addressing contraceptive needs among inpatients despite possible challenges. In the third article, the author recalls a patient who died of complications from an unsafe abortion.

Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.


Winning Abstracts

Trends in Breakthrough Therapy Designations and Approvals Granted by the US Food and Drug Administration, 2012-2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) administers various programs to expedite the development and review of new drugs that aim to treat serious or life-threatening conditions.

Want to have your abstract featured here? ACP holds a National Abstracts Competition as part of the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting every year. Find out more at ACP Online.


Subspecialty and Combined Training Careers

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

Endocrinology is the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and care of disorders of the endocrine (glandular) system and the associated metabolic dysfunction.

See all the career pathways open to internal medicine doctors and explore a “day-in-the-life” of an IM specialist/subspecialist at the bottom of our “Medical Student Career Path page.


In the Clinic

Deep Venous Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disorder, affecting up to 5% of the population. It commonly manifests as lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.


Get Involved

Application for ACP National Abstract Competitions Now Open

Showcase your exceptional research at next year's ACP National Abstract Competitions at the Internal Medicine Meeting 2023 in San Diego! The medical student clinical vignette and research deadline is Wednesday, November 30, 2022. All those with accepted posters or oral presentations will be eligible for FREE meeting registration. Apply now to gain valuable presentation experience and strengthen your CV. Learn more.


Last Chance: Apply to Be an Intern in ACP's Washington, DC, Office

The 2023 Health Policy Internship application cycle is now open until October 31, 2022. The internship provides a multifaceted opportunity for trainees to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine. Learn more.


Deadline Approaching: Council of Student Members Call for Nominations

The Council of Student Members (CSM) is currently seeking candidates to fill vacant seats for 2023-2024. Nominations are due by November 1, 2022. Questions? Contact ACP staff. Learn more.


IMIG Event Inspiration

Second Harvest Food Drive

In addition to holding educational events for its members, some internal medicine interest groups also volunteer for public health initiatives in their school's community. IMIG members at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans collected food donations last year for a local food bank that serves 32 parishes across Louisiana. See more event ideas.


Chapter Chatter

Wisconsin Chapter 2022 Narrative Medicine Competition and Booklet

Sponsored by the ACP-WI Women's Committee and the ACP-WI Council of Medical Student Members.

The ACP Wisconsin Chapter recognizes the value of sharing struggles, triumphs, and everyday life to foster a sense of meaning in medical practice and to serve as a reminder of why we chose internal medicine. Submitted by members at varying levels of practice, the pieces in this booklet were reviewed by a panel of judges and $500 in prizes were awarded to the competition's winners. Thank you to the authors for their courage in sharing these written pieces. Read booklet.

The membership of ACP is divided into 85 chapters and regions, each uniquely tailored to the needs and interests of its members. See what events are coming up in your local chapter.


MKSAP 19

“Quiz Me!” Question

Test your medical knowledge each month with questions from The Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program® (MKSAP).

A 67-year-old man is evaluated for a 1-minute episode of right-sided weakness and aphasia that occurred yesterday. The patient also has type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin.

The Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program® (MKSAP) has been the “go-to” resource for board prep and lifelong learning since 1967. Learn more.


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