This issue exemplifies the types of articles that JABFM publishes to advance family medicine. We have articles on the implications of health system organizational structures. Three of these are international articles at the level of the national health system (1 from China) and systematic local health interventions (1 from Canada and 1 from Netherlands). Inside the United States, where there are more family physicians, there is less obesity, and designation as a Patient Centered Medical Home is related to increased rates of colorectal cancer screening. Review articles on common clinical topics discuss treatments that are changing (acne in pregnancy) or lack consensus (distal radial fractures). We have articles on making life easier in the office, such as for predicting Vitamin D levels, osteoporosis, and prediabetes in normal weight adults. There are articles to raise awareness of the "newest" testing or treatments, that is, auditory brainstem implants. "Reminder" articles highlight known entities that need to be reinforced to prevent over-/underdiagnosis or treatment, for example, "cotton fever." Another article discusses the increased risk for postoperative complications with sleep apnea. We also provide "thought" pieces, in this case about the terminology we are using to extend our concept of patient-cen- Systems of care make a difference. In the United States, areas with more family physicians per population have lower rates of obesity after controlling for other factors.1 Patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) are associated with increased rates of colorectal cancer screening compared with another targeted intervention.2 Articles from international sources also help us to understand how the structures of health systems contribute to health and illness. We highlight an article herein on a lack of primary care clinicians in the Chinese health care system 3 and 2 articles on health care-based systems of care for the frail elderly. The first, from Canada, 4 found that instituting a specific care system in long-term care facilities reduced trips to the emergency department by one third. The second, from the Netherlands, found that a specific team-based intervention for frail elderly in their homes did not lead to improvements in overall function or mortality.
5For our thought piece this month, Howard et al 6 note that many practices undergoing transformation are using different terminology than are associated nationally with the PCMH initiative. These differences suggest future directions or areas that are inadequately addressed through the classic PCMH model.Highly pertinent clinical articles reflect on common clinical problems and lack of evidence or disagreements about best treatments. For distal radius closed fractures, there is clearly insufficient evidence on the "best" treatment. These fractures, without complicating features, can be handled without surgery, 7 thus permitting treatment in the family medicine setting. We have a clinical review article about treating acne during pregnancy. 8 Whether or not ...