[Relevant publications in ambulatory general internal medicine in 2007]. / Médecine interne générate ambulatoire: quelques enseignements de la littérature.

Screening procedures for genital Chlamydia infection, cancer risks linked to oral contraceptives, indications and efficacy of HPV vaccination, and diagnostic tools for celiac disease in adults; these are just a few of the general practice themes that were reviewed and analysed in 2007 by residents and chief residents at the Community medicine and primary care Service of the Geneva University Hospitals. These commented summaries, intended for all our colleagues, constitute Geneva's contribution to the literature data base initiated in 2005 by chief residents in Lausanne.

[Back pain in primary care: a changing paradigm over time]. / Lombalgie et médecin généraliste: des soins de premier et de dernier recours.

Acute lumbar pain is a frequent problem in primary care. Specific problems can be easily ruled out based on personal history and clinical examination in the absence of the so called "red flags". The primary care doctor must then avoid to prescribe any unnecessary additional test, but emphasize the "functional" nature of the problem and the absence of organic lesions. Reassurance and prompt mobilization are key elements for a quick recovery. When lumbar pain becomes chronic, a therapeutic agenda based only on the biomedical model will fail, because causative organic lesions are generally absent. Instead, the bio-psychosocial approach can help to reestablish a favourable doctor-patient relationship, which integrates an active participation of the patient to establish common therapeutic goals.