Described is a method requiring modification of patient records to include not only what was done but also the recommendations of more junior members before consultation with superiors. (Editor)

A short-term group approach has been developed utilizing principles of crisis intervention. Group sessions are offered during admission and predischarge phases. Achievable goals pertain to providing support and information to families and diagnostic information to staff. Supportive statistical data and case examples are presented. (Author)

A one week rotation in home health care for the aged, included in a required clinical clerkship, provided students with exposure to medical, social, and economic influences on the elderly and provided the patient with nondispensing pharmaceutical services. Improved communication skills and knowledge of geriatric drugs and diseases resulted. (MSE)

Evaluation of the impact of medical students on patient satisfaction, as expressed by patients' parents, and on visit length in a hospital-based pediatrics clinic showed that students' visits are longer but yield somewhat more parent satisfaction. This suggests parent willingness to accept time costs associated with teaching in the program.…

Presents the results of a study of cognitive components in the diagnostic thinking process in which a content analysis of interviews between patients and clinical medical students, house officers, and graduate medical students revealed 14 categories of cognitive activity in the process. Six tables and a reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Eighty-four third- and fourth-year medical students participated in three clerkship groups: one with no formal attention paid to interviewing skills, one using readings, and one using observations, videotaped interviewing, and readings with formal feedback. The last method caused most improvement in interviewing skills. (MSE)

A computerized nutrient analysis program, DINE (diet inventory of nutritional experiences), is described. It provides feedback on calorie and nutrient intake to enhance individual responsibility for nutrition. It is used in nutrition education and athletic training programs, and by patients with weight and other diet-related health problems. (PP)

Describes the philosophy and activities of the Adaptation, Development, and Placement Training Day Program, designed to provide mental health services to clients dually diagnosed as mentally retarded and mentally ill. The program helps developmentally disabled people prepare for community workshop placement. (Author/JAC)

Explored the relationship among the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the pain dimensions from the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Instruments were administered to 30 male VA patients with histories of pain for longer than three months. No statistically significant correlations were found between…

Administered the Hopelessness Scale to criminal psychiatric inpatients, general psychiatric inpatients, and college students. Both psychiatric groups endorsed significantly more items in the hopeless direction. Found the scale more reliable with the psychiatric patients. Item analysis of the Hopelessness Scale suggests that three items were not…

Trigger films (short situational films followed by discussion) are seen as a suitable medium for teaching the intricacies of the interpersonal relationship, legitimate behavior patterns following doctor-patient interaction, and the sensitivity and ability to detect nonverbal and accessory communication. Guidelines for the production and use of…

An audit of medical records at San Francisco General Hospital was undertaken to assess compliance with the procedural policies in the hyperalimentation (TPN) protocol of the Department of Surgery of the University of California, San Francisco, and to evaluate the appropriateness of TPN therapy. (MLW)

Health systems agencies are federally funded, health planning agencies responsible for regulatory activities concerning health issues in specific geographic locations. A case history discusses how health educators worked with a health systems agency to improve school health education. (JN)

Examined the relationship among depression, locus of control of reinforcement, and age in psychiatric outpatients and students. Found depression and locus of control highly correlated; age negatively correlated with locus of control and positively with depression. Discusses the possible causal relationship between external locus of control and…

Recorded war-related anxiety reactions observed over a two-year period at a Lebanese outpatient counseling clinic and constructed a 15-item Likert-type inventory. Found sex differences among 13 items as well as between total scores. The observed coefficients spoke well for the instrument's internal consistency. (Author)