A clinical decision-making simulation that helps students understand the relationship between psychosocial factors and medical problem-solving is described. A group of medical students and one faculty member comprise a selection committee to agree on the order in which four patients will be selected for renal dialysis. (MLW)

Abilities of physicians to express emotions through voice tone were assessed and related to physician personality and patient ratings. Aspects of expressive ability were correlated with personality traits, and expressive ability was related to patients' satisfaction with their physicians. (Author)

Preoperative and postoperative intestinal bypass patients were evaluated. Results suggest that postoperative bypass patients have improved psychological health and an increased sense of freedom and well-being but may need assistance in improving self-concepts. (Author)

Cystic Fibrosis and its effects on children are described as well as one child's means of coping with a chronic illness such as this in a school setting. (JMF)

Results illustrate the usefulness of a conceptual model for assessing the interrelationships among pretreatment, and posttreatment variables and outcome. This approach facilitates the unraveling of these complex interrelationships by allowing for examination of the cumulative influences of prior variables on subsequent variables. (Author/BEF)

Skilled patients spoke, looked, smiled and gestured more than unskilled patients. They also showed more behavior variability in response to situational changes. Unskilled patients were deficient in component behaviors and in monitoring and other process skills. Deficiencies in speech contributed to impressions of social incompetence. (Author/BEF)

Seven Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) items distinguish alcoholics in treatment from normals and psychiatric patients. These items have substantial face validity. MMPI scales developed as screening devices for alcoholism did not discriminate the alcoholics in treatment and the psychiatric patients as strongly as did these seven…

This research report examines the characteristics of patients and their compliance with drug prescriptions and suggests that there is a need for education among patients receiving medication so that they do not prematurely terminate the medication process. (JN)

Results showed that clients demonstrate the most appropriate behavior when staff receive feedback concerning their use of behavior modification techniques. Staff did not require the typical daily supervision but only random monitoring in their use of these techniques. (Author)

The adaptation of patient simulators for teaching pharmacy students medication history interviewing is described. This experiential approach to interviewing provides the opportunity for a supervised experience of patient interviewing in a realistic setting with immediate feedback on interviewing technique available to the student. (Author/MLW)

Explores centrality of the mourning process in the education of developing health care professionals who are the survivors of complex and manifold losses, in an elective seminar for senior medical students and graduate nurses. (Author)

Female staff members and residents of residential drug treatment programs had more liberal attitudes toward women than male staff members and residents. Female residents in both programs had nearly identical scores on the Attitudes toward Women Scale. (Author/JAC)

A study of depressed patients showed either cognitive or behavioral treatment can effectively alleviate the depressed condition by a short-term approach. A cognitive approach was more effective in decreasing depression and maintaining this effect. A strong inverse correlation between self-concept and depression after treatment was demonstrated.…

Most counselors are employees of institutions and agencies rather than private practitioners. A dual, sometimes conflicting, allegiance to the employer and to the client has been an issue. Surveys the literature in an attempt to discover the nature of the direction available to counselors as they deal with conflicting loyalties. (Author)

Problems associated with prescription drug use and misuse are discussed. The role of the pharmacist in providing information that patients need to use drugs appropriately is emphasized. (SFJ)