Fant, Catherine; Adelman, Deborah S.; Summer, Georgianne A.

Providing safe nonemergent care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been challenging for NPs. This article, the first of a three-part series, will discuss telehealth and telemedicine and provide a brief history of the two. The benefits, challenges, and temporary changes due to COVID-19 will also be addressed.

Jin, Yuanyuan; Bratzke, Lisa; Baumann, Linda C.

The prevalence of multiple chronic conditions is growing dramatically, which complicates day-to-day self-management for patients. This article describes the features of multiple chronic conditions, an updated chronic care model, barriers to self-management, and strategies NPs can use to reduce or eliminate barriers to self-management in adults with multiple chronic conditions.

Champion, Claire; Kameg, Brayden N.

Despite the lack of evidence regarding the long-term effectiveness of benzodiazepines and their potential harmful effects, prescriptions for the drug have significantly increased in the US over the past decade. This article reviews best practices for prescribing benzodiazepines in primary care and explains how providers can best prevent and treat benzodiazepine use disorder and other harmful effects.

Rogers, Julia; Allen, Jodi

Musculoskeletal pain is a common chief complaint in primary care and contributes to disability and a loss of independence. Musculoskeletal pain can be a diagnostic challenge for NPs. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiologic processes involved can help clinicians link clinical manifestations and treatment for musculoskeletal injury causing pain.

Falls, Candice

Heart failure readmission rates continue to rise and cause economic burden in the US. Advancements in hemodynamic monitoring offer the ability to monitor intracardiac pressures at home and provide data that are used to optimize outpatient management of heart failure, resulting in reduced hospitalization and mortality associated with heart failure.

Linton, Denise

Globally, most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer do not obtain regular screening with the Pap smear/test. Women in developing countries have high cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Therefore, a qualitative research study was conducted to determine the referents, and salient and control beliefs related to Pap smear/ test intention among Jamaicans.