View in EDS

Identifying Core Clinical Topics and Recommending Core Performance Measures for Internal Medicine Physicians: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Identifying Core Clinical Topics and Recommending Core Performance Measures for Internal Medicine Physicians: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians.
Authors: Qaseem, Amir, Fitterman, Nick, Tierney, Samantha, Powell, Rhea E., Campos, Karen, Choi, Elisa I., Crandall, Carolyn J., Cross Jr., J. Thomas, Humphrey, Linda L., Obley, Adam J., Wilt, Timothy J., Andrews, Rebecca A., Basch, Peter, Khetan, Roger S., MacDonald, Scott T., Miller, Nancy L., Mount, Cristin A., Watts, Brook, Balk, Ethan M., Cooney, Thomas G.
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine; Nov2025, Vol. 178 Issue 11, p1616-1623, 11p
Subject Terms: INTERNAL medicine, PHYSICIANS, PREVENTIVE medicine, MEDICAL care
Geographic Terms: UNITED States
Abstract: Establishing core clinical topics in internal medicine and defining high-quality performance measures (PMs) is intended to improve care in the United States. Many PMs relevant to internal medicine are burdensome, are not based on high-certainty evidence, and offer low or no value to patient care. The American College of Physicians used a structured approach to identify the most important clinical topics managed by internal medicine physicians and is working toward recommending essential PMs for each core topic. This position paper describes the American College of Physicians' methods for identifying core clinical topics and offers a blueprint for defining core PMs. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who promote health, emphasize disease prevention, manage complex acute and chronic conditions in adults, and receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting all systems of the human body. As a result, internal medicine performance measures (PMs) target several topics. Many PMs are not based on high-certainty evidence of at least moderate net benefit and are burdensome, with low or no value to patient care. The American College of Physicians (ACP) wants to provide a national focus to improve the quality of health care in the United States. The ACP is a leader in the evidence-based world, being the only physician organization designated as a GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) Center, an Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Center, and a member of the Cochrane U.S. Network. Using a structured, stepwise, evidence-based approach, ACP identified the most important clinical topics evaluated and treated by internal medicine physicians. The ACP is also actively working toward recommending essential PMs for each core clinical topic that can be used to evaluate and improve patient care. This position paper describes ACP's method and results of identifying core clinical topics. It also offers a blueprint for defining core PMs and illustrating the principals through application to 2 core clinical topics. The ACP plans to apply this method on PMs for other core clinical topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Annals of Internal Medicine is the property of American College of Physicians and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Description
Abstract:Establishing core clinical topics in internal medicine and defining high-quality performance measures (PMs) is intended to improve care in the United States. Many PMs relevant to internal medicine are burdensome, are not based on high-certainty evidence, and offer low or no value to patient care. The American College of Physicians used a structured approach to identify the most important clinical topics managed by internal medicine physicians and is working toward recommending essential PMs for each core topic. This position paper describes the American College of Physicians' methods for identifying core clinical topics and offers a blueprint for defining core PMs. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who promote health, emphasize disease prevention, manage complex acute and chronic conditions in adults, and receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting all systems of the human body. As a result, internal medicine performance measures (PMs) target several topics. Many PMs are not based on high-certainty evidence of at least moderate net benefit and are burdensome, with low or no value to patient care. The American College of Physicians (ACP) wants to provide a national focus to improve the quality of health care in the United States. The ACP is a leader in the evidence-based world, being the only physician organization designated as a GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) Center, an Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Center, and a member of the Cochrane U.S. Network. Using a structured, stepwise, evidence-based approach, ACP identified the most important clinical topics evaluated and treated by internal medicine physicians. The ACP is also actively working toward recommending essential PMs for each core clinical topic that can be used to evaluate and improve patient care. This position paper describes ACP's method and results of identifying core clinical topics. It also offers a blueprint for defining core PMs and illustrating the principals through application to 2 core clinical topics. The ACP plans to apply this method on PMs for other core clinical topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00034819
DOI:10.7326/ANNALS-25-00874