Discusses the purposes and results of eight studies relating to various patient-education issues. Articles about these studies are contained in the journal issue introduced by this editorial. (MKA)

Investigates the psychological and physical effects of training of body awareness and slow stretching on persons (N=8) with chronic toxic encephalopathy. Results show that electromyography on the frontalis muscle and state anxiety decreased, but no changes were observed in trait anxiety and in the creativity score. (Author/MKA)

Joint protection, a self-management technique taught to people with rheumatoid arthritis, was used in a group education program. A crossover trial (N=35) was conducted. No significant changes in measures of pain, functional disability, grip strength, self-efficacy or helplessness occurred post-education, although this may have been due to the…

Ten sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics considered predictors of difficulty with smoking cessation in patients with coronary artery disease are reviewed. The compounding effects of nicotine addiction are discussed. Consideration of these factors may result in individualized programs for smoking cessation. A brief overview…

Describes a skills-oriented training program for a step-by-step patient-centered interviewing method. This method fosters positive attitudes towards patient-centered interviewing and uses a learner-controlled approach that pays special attention to the teacher-resident relationship and to the resident's self-awareness. This training can be adapted…

Explores the teaching practices of 11 senior diabetic specialists consulting in an outpatient hospital setting. Results are discussed in relation to time spent in consultation, balance of speaking time, questions, use of written materials and visual aids. Results indicate a patient education orientation during consultations. (Author/MKA)

Examines the effectiveness of a training program designed for physical therapists (N=19) to aid them in the enhancement of patient education. Five therapist-skills were tested. After the training only a minority of the trained skills appeared to have improved. Results show that the training program was not very effective. (Author/MKA)

The role of primary care physicians in coronary heart disease prevention is explored, and a model for patient education by physicians is offered. A qualitative study in Nova Scotia examines physicians' expectations about their role in prevention, obstacles to providing preventive care, and mechanisms by which preventive care occurs. (Author/EMK)

The use of a patient information video to aid patients in their decision whether to participate in a randomized perinatal trial was evaluated. Patients' knowledge of the controlled trial, feelings about its worth, and willingness for future participation were assessed. Results suggest that a video and an information sheet may result in greater…

Concrete, objective information that describes the experience from the patient's point of view in unambiguous terms is effective in reducing negative emotional response during threatening health care procedures. A four-stage process that permits systematic development of comprehensive and accurate messages using concrete objective information is…

Using the responses of 115 adults attending an asthma educator training course, the Asthma General Knowledge Questionnaire for Adults (AGKQA) was found to be an acceptably valid and reliable measure for assessing knowledge related to the management of asthma by adults. (Author/MKA)

Accurate and sensitive communication of cancer-risk information is important. Based on a literature review of 75 research reports, expert opinion papers, and clinical protocols, a synthesis of what is known about the communication of cancer-risk information is presented. Relevance of information to those not tested is discussed. (Author/EMK)

Proposes "analytical observation" as a method of training evaluation for health-care providers. The method, which utilizes observation charts, has been validated through a study that examined the impact of supervision of health-care providers in the domain of therapeutic education of patients. Results show that this method has a definite impact on…

Examines the effects of providing people with information about their own dietary fat intake on their attitudes towards dietary change and their fat consumption. No subsequent reductions in fat consumption were found. Results are discussed in relation to their implications for health promotion strategies that focus on the motivational effects of…

A community was informed about cancer symptoms in a letter. Participants who observed the symptoms were encouraged to visit a health center. Fifteen previously unknown cancer cases were detected. Results indicate that it is possible to inform and educate the population about cancer symptoms without causing anxiety if there is an organization that…