ACP Medicine is designed to support physicians in their daily practice of adult general medicine. Thus our focus is on information practical to the busy clinician in primary care, particularly diagnosis and treatment. The 11 major subspecialties of Internal Medicine are covered, as are such other key topics as Dermatology, Neurology, Preventive Medicine, Psychiatry, and Women's Health. [Click here to see our Table of Contents.]
ACP Medicine is continually updated each month with new and revised chapters.
Chapters
Our chapters are typically written by one of the leading authorities on their topic and are organized with the generalist's need for decision-making in mind. Thus, diagnostic and treatment recommendations are easily found and clearly stated. And while we include excellent discussions of genetics, pathophysiology, and classification, we do so to help physicians manage the patient in front of them.
We have always been known for our rich illustrations and graphical material and are often able to describe complex pathophysiological information through lucid figures in addition to text. Of particular value to readers are our tables of differential diagnoses, evaluations of diagnostic tests, evidence guidelines, cost data on tests and drugs, results of clinical trials of drugs, and outcomes assessment.
[Click here to see a sample chapter.]
Continuing Medical Education
Our CME program provides up to 120 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Each month, we publish a new set of case-based, self-assessment questions derived from new and revised chapters in ACP Medicine. Registered users have one to three years, depending on their subscription starting June 2011, to complete each set of questions. A full 120 Category 1 CME credits are available on our site at any given time. This activity is sponsored by Core Medical Publishing, which is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Payment of a processing fee is required. [Click here to learn more about our CME.]
What's New in ACP Medicine
In order to help readers keep on top of the latest findings and recommendations published in our chapters, we have created a newsletter called, What's New in ACP Medicine. The newsletter provides not only key highlights from each chapter but columns from our leading editorial board as well. We distribute What's New via email for subscribers and nonsubscribers alike. Anyone can sign up for free at deckerpublishing.com. [Click here to see this month's newsletter.]
Abstracts
As a special service to our readers, we provide abstracts of each of our chapters. The abstracts describe what topics are covered in the chapters, as well as information about the authors.
Best Dx/Best Rx
Best Dx/Best Rx is a free tool that provides fast access to expert guidance at the point of care. The recommendations in Best Dx/Best Rx are based on the chapters in ACP Medicine and written by recognized authorities for use in clinical settings to help answer these essential questions:
• How do I diagnose?
• How do I treat?
• What is the evidence?
Best Dx/Best Rx is available within chapters on ACP Medicine Online. They may also be accessed on any HTML browser, including wireless PDAs and computers. To use Best Dx/Best Rx on your handheld device, go to AvantGo and to create your own Personal Channel (approximately 350K.) [Click here for more on how to get BestDx/Best Rx.]
Quality Assurance
As has been true since its inception in 1978, the first step in quality assurance for ACP Medicine rests in the selection of its editor-in-chief, David C. Dale, MD, FACP, and his associated editors. [Click here to see our Editorial Board.] The expert ACP Medicine Editorial Board then calls upon the leading subspecialists in their fields (many of them department chairs and other thought-leaders) to author chapters for their sections. [Click here to see our Contributors List.]
Our Evidence Base
While the preparation of each chapter includes an extensive literature search, we rely on the expert judgment of our editors and authors to review the most recent and pertinent studies and to put them into perspective for our readers.
Our authors rely on the highest quality evidence available with preference given to randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials over studies without rigorous statistical analysis. We often cite the type of study for important studies (e.g., randomized trial, case-control, cohort) and use absolute risk reductions, rather than relative risk.
Continually Updated ACP Medicine has always been different from standard textbooks. It is current and timely, with replacement chapters appearing on a frequency closer to that of a journal. This aspect is especially evident in the Web version, where we publish first so readers can get information most rapidly. (Some medical references publish their print version first, and then only publish on the Web later.) Now, as before, such frequency of change has made it possible for our authors and editors to respond readily to queries from readers and to the publication of new scientific insights pertinent to the practice of medicine. We also publish quarterly and annual CD-ROMs.
In print, we publish using a loose-leaf, three ring binder format, and mail new and updated chapters each month to subscribers. Every 18 months, we produce a new 2-volume bound edition.
Disclaimer ACP Medicine receives no commercial backing or sponsorship from any organization.
ACP Medicine is written by individuals who are recognized experts. The text represents the authors' approaches to clinical problems and to other important issues in medical practice. It should be used as a general reference with other sources in the formation of an integrated care plan.
The authors, editors, and publisher have conscientiously and carefully tried to ensure that recommended measures and drug dosages in these pages are accurate and conform to the standards that prevailed at the time of publication. The reader is advised, however, to check the product information sheet accompanying each drug to be familiar with any changes in the dosage schedule or in the contraindications. This advice should be taken with particular seriousness if the agent to be administered is a new one or one that is infrequently used. ACP Medicine describes basic principles of diagnosis and therapy. Because of the uniqueness of each patient and the need to take into account a number of concurrent considerations, however, this information should be used by physicians only as a general guide to clinical decision making
ACP Medicine is published by Decker Publishing in partnership with the American College of Physicians (www.acponline.org). This arrangement was a product of an extensive review our content and editorial processes by the College, as well as a shared and long-standing commitment to helping physicians achieve excellence in clinical practice.
The Editor-in-Chief of ACP Medicine reports directly to the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the College regarding content development and peer review procedures, as well as editorial standards related our publication. In addition, our Editor-in-Chief provides an annual report to the ACP Publications Committee. A strong connection has long existed between our organizations, with many of our editors and authors having also been active in the College's educational programs and publications.
ACP Medicine and its predecessor, Scientific American® Medicine, have an unbroken record of innovation. The original loose-leaf series made "SAM" the most up-to-date reference in internal medicine. The extensive citations from peer-reviewed literature allowed our sophisticated readers to examine primary sources for themselves. Our early commitment to electronic publication, first via CD-ROM then via the Internet, made possible the expansion into Emergency Medicine, Women's Health, and other fields pertinent to adult primary care practitioners. And our constant search for best evidence has made ACP Medicine the most soundly-based source in the field.
In April 2004, we partnered with the American College of Physicians and became ACP Medicine. As an official College publication, we have now created an unparalleled resource in medical reference publishing.
We consider the sense of investment and ownership by our authors, editors, and readers to be one of this publication's greatest and most unique strengths. We would be particularly pleased to welcome any of our readers who would like to play a role in our chapter peer review process.
Scientific American® and Scientific American® Medicine are trademarks of Scientific American, Inc., and are used by Decker Publishing under license from Scientific American, Inc.
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