Comprehensive dermatologic assessment

This article identifies the components necessary for comprehensive dermatologic assessment, including the pertinent anatomy and physiology, appropriate health history, and physical examination strategies. An overview of common dermatologic conditions in women is presented, and the identification of and action needed for life-threatening dermatologic conditions are reviewed. This article is the first of two articles on primary care for women with dermatological complaints; the subsequent article will address primary care management of common dermatologic conditions.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Comprehensive Dermatologic Assessment

This article identifies the components necessary for comprehensive dermatologic assessment, including the pertinent anatomy and physiology, appropriate health history, and physical examination strategies. An overview of common dermatologic conditions in women is presented, and the identification of and action needed for life-threatening dermatologic conditions are reviewed. This article is the first of two articles on primary care for women with dermatological complaints; the subsequent article will address primary care management of common dermatologic conditions.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Comprehensive Assessment and Management of Common Mental Health Problems

This article emphasizes the importance of the role of the certified nurse-midwife (CNM) in the primary care assessment of, and appropriate referral for women with mental health problems, especially in cases of psychiatric emergencies. Essential aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the more common psychiatric problems are included, and the treatment modalities that are considered when referral results in psychiatric intervention are reviewed. In addition, the overall prevalence of mental health problems in women, the frequency with which primary care providers may encounter mental health problems, and issues of mental health care utilization are discussed.     

Comprehensive assessment and management of common mental health problems

This article emphasizes the importance of the role of the certified nurse-midwife (CNM) in the primary care assessment of and appropriate referral for women with mental health problems, especially in cases of psychiatric emergencies. Essential aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the more common psychiatric problems are included, and the treatment modalities that are considered when referral results in psychiatric intervention are reviewed. In addiion, the overall prevalence of mental health problems in women, the frequency with which primary care providers may encounter mental health problems, and issues of mental health care utilization are discussed.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Management of Common Problems of the Head and Neck

As the companion article to Part 1 of the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery (JNM) series on “Primary Care for Women: Comprehensive Assessment of the Head and Neck”, the pertinent primary care management steps involved in the prevention and treatment of problems of the head and neck in women are addressed Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and management of the most common head and neck illnesses: less common diagnoses that may be acute, seasonal, and/or life-threatening are also presented Collaborative roles in the management of women with problems of the head and neck are discussed, and emphasis is placed on the importance of both preventive strategies and coordination of referrals.     

The art of interviewing

This article focuses on the skills, attitudes, and goals required for effective history-taking during comprehensive health assessment in the primary care setting. The approach presented is characterized as “patient-centered” in that the woman is engaged in the problem-solving process. Specific communication skills are discussed, and attitudes and goals that enable primary care providers to adopt a patient-centered approach to relationship-centered care are included.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: The Art of Interviewing

This article focuses on the skills, attitudes, and goals required for effective history-taking during comprehensive health assessment in the primary care setting. The approach presented is characterized as “patient-centered” in that the woman is engaged in the problem-solving process. Specific communication skills are discussed, and attitudes and goals that enable primary care providers to adopt a patient-centered approach to relationship-centered care are included.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Comprehensive Assessment of the Respiratory System

This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and provides techniques for the physical assessment and data collection for common respiratory complaints in women. The pertinent historical, physical examination, and laboratory data for asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, and tuberculosis are also presented. This article is the first of two articles on primary care for women with respiratory complaints; the subsequent article will address primary care management of common respiratory conditions.     

Comprehensive assessment of the respiratory system

This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and provides techniques for the physical assessment and data collection for common respiratory complaints in women. The pertinent historical, physical examination, and laboratory data for asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, and tuberculosis are also presented. This article is the first of two articles on primary care for women with respiratory complaints; the subsequent article will address primary care management of common respiratory conditions.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Comprehensive Sexual Health Assessment

This article discusses the fundamentals of sexual functioning and describes the elements of a comprehensive, developmentally relevant sexual health assessment. Personal barriers that may prevent clinicians from comfortably addressing sexual issues are discussed, and useful strategies for facilitating effective, reciprocal communication during a sexual health history are presented. A therapeutic intervention model for counseling, referral, and sexual health assessment of women in the primary care setting is also included.     

Comprehensive sexual health assessment

This article discusses the fundamentals of sexual functioning and describes the elements of a comprehensive, developmentally relevant sexual health assessment. Personal barriers that may prevent clinicians from comfortably addressing sexual issues are discussed, and useful strategies for facilitating effective, reciprocal communication during a sexual health history are presented. A therapeutic intervention model for counseling, referral, and sexual health assessment of women in the primary care setting is also included.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Comprehensive Cardiovascular Assessment

This article identifies the tools necessary for basic primary care assessment and evaluation of the cardiovascular system in women. Risk factors and abnormalities associated with cardiovascular problems are discussed. Guidelines are presented that will enable the primary care clinician to determine normal cardiovascular function in women, identify risk factors that indicate the need for preventive care, and discover abnormalities that may require referral and intervention.     

Comprehensive cardiovascular assessment

This article identifies the tools necessary for basic primary care assessment and evaluation of the cardiovascular system in women. Risk factors and abnormalities associated with cardiovascular problems are discussed. Guidelines are presented that will enable the primary care clinician to determine normal cardiovascular function in women, identify risk factors that indicate the need for preventive care, and discover abnormalities that may require referral and intervention.     

Environmental assessment of the home,community, and workplace

This article presents the primary health care provider with an overview of basic environmental health issues, discusses symptoms related to environmental exposures, and provides a review of the steps involved in comprehensive environmental assessment. Guidelines for assessing women within the context of the home, community, and workplace are provided.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Environmental Assessment of the Home,Community, and Workplace

This article presents the primary health care provider with an overview of basic environmental health issues, discusses symptoms related to environmental exposures, and provides a review of the steps involved in comprehensive environmental assessment. Guidelines for assessing women within the context of the home, community, and workplace are provided.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Cultural Competence in Primary Care Services

The assessment of cultural competence in providing primary care services (or women is addressed Emphasis is placed on the ways in which cultural competency attainment can ensure the availability of key primary care components to all women, especially those from certain vulnerable populations and those who have specific primary health care needs, A cultural competence continuum is described that will assist providers in an assessment of their own cultural competency levels, as well as those of the service settings in which they practice. Six scenarios are provided, describing experiences at each level of the continuum that may hinder the development and delivery of effective primary care service interventions. Examples of ways in which nurse-midwives can provide leadership in the area of cultural competence in women's primary care are also included.     

Cultural competence in primary care services

The assessment of cultural competence in providing primary care services for women is addressed. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which cultural competency attainment can ensure the availability of key primary care components to all women, especially those from certain vulnerable populations and those who have specific primary health care needs. A cultural competence continuum is described that will assist providers in an assessment of their own cultural competency levels, as well as those of the service settings in which they practice. Six scenarios are provided, describing experiences at each level of the continuum that may hinder the development and delivery of effective primary care service interventions. Examples of ways in which nurse-midwives can provide leadership in the area of cultural competence in women's primary care are also included.     

Screening tests and preventive services recommendations

This article reviews public health prevention principles and screening test requirements and discusses current guidelines that underlie widely used preventive services recommendations. The reasons and rationales that govern the screening of healthy asymptomatic women for certain diseases are reviewed. This update will prepare nursemidwives for enhanced roles in health promotion, an important aspect of the scope of primary care services for women.     

PRIMARY CARE FOR WOMEN: Screening Tests and Preventive Services Recommendations

This article reviews public health prevention principles and screening test requirements and discusses current guidelines that underlie widely used preventive services recommendations. The reasons and rationales that govern the screening of healthy asymptomatic women for certain diseases are reviewed. This update will prepare nurse-midwives for enhanced roles in health promotion, an important aspect of the scope of primary care services for women.     

Female Sexual Function,Dysfunction, and Pregnancy: Implications for Practice

Women's sexual function is a complex and dynamic interplay of variables that involve physical, emotional, and psychosocial states. Sexual dysfunction may occur at any level, and diagnosing such issues begins with careful assessment through a sexual health history. However, discussions about female sexual health and function are often deficient in the primary care setting. This article reviews the published research on female sexual function, sexual dysfunction, and sexual function in pregnancy to gain a better understanding of how these aspects of a woman's life impact the health care services she receives. The evaluation of female sexual function is in need of consistent measurement tools and more dialogue during health care visits. Women's health care practitioners have an opportunity to advance patient satisfaction and overall health by evaluating and communicating with female patients about their sexual function.