Idiom comprehension in 15 aphasic patients was assessed with three tasks: a sentence-to-picture matching task, a sentence-to-word matching task and an oral definition task. The results of all three tasks showed that the idiom comprehension in aphasic patients was impaired compared to that of the control group, and was significantly affected by the…

Provides a review of lessons learned in dealing with unique problems encountered while providing group counseling for adult patients with metastatic cancer. Discusses problems, institutional policies, personal biases, and logistics associated with forming, establishing, maintaining, conducting and assessing the outcomes of group counseling with…

Discusses the communication relationship between physician and patient and ways to improve it. (VLC)

Investigated the relationship between patient age and preference for physician communication style in 303 adults. Results showed that, while most patients prefer a high degree of both information and affect, older patients prefer a low-information/high affect strategy. Results may indicate the presence of receiver apprehension in elderly patients.…

Discusses the importance of accurate assessment of the patient's motivations for noncompliance and of wise planning of management to meet these needs. These are essential social work tasks that will enhance patient compliance. (Author/JAC)

The program and research staff of the Child Health Associate Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center modified the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory to evaluate trainees' interaction with parents of pediatric patients. The following qualities were measured: empathic understanding, congruence, and level of regard.…

Eight patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis were trained as instructors of musculoskeletal examination. Temperament tests were administered every six months, and those who remained in the program showed increasing confidence, competence, and emotional stability through the program. (Author/MSE)

A study was conducted to identify (1) patients' reactions to individual and group teaching; (2) nurses' perceptions of individual and group teaching; and (3) the results of individual and group teaching as reflected in the patient record. (CT)

Sound use of hospital social work services is not achieved when workers rely on other health personnel for referrals. A screening mechanism to identify patients at high levels of social risk and to restore the initiative to social work staff is presented. (Author)

Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., M.D., president of the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, has called for "improved communication and the sharing of knowledge" between physician and patient. He believes the patient has a right to know and should assume responsibility not only for his own health, but that of the community and society.…

A study of changes in hospital care suggests that for medical students and residents to be exposed to the same case mix of clinical disorders seen in the hospital in 1980, they must have experience in the ambulatory setting. (Author/MSE)

Administered Beisecker Locus of Authority in Decision Making: Breast Cancer survey to 67 oncologists, 94 oncology nurses, and 288 patients from women's clinic. All groups believed that physicians should have dominant role in decision making. Nurses felt that patients should have more input than patients or physicians felt they should. Physicians…

Examines the relationship among four dimensions of patient satisfaction with physician care and nonverbal immediacy. Finds a significant positive correlation between nonverbal immediacy and overall patient satisfaction, with the strongest correlation to the attention/respect factor. (SR)

Two polio-vaccine pamphlets written on a sixth-grade level were compared for readability, comprehension, and preference among a broad range of parents. The easy-to-read version was widely preferred, and comprehension was significantly higher. However, the use of instructional graphics was required to achieve an acceptable level of comprehension.…

Culturally sensitive visual aids designed to help convey drug information to nonliterate female adults requiring antibiotics were developed. Researchers conceptualized the messages, and a local artist produced the visual aids. Comprehension and compliance with prescription instructions were evaluated (N=78). Results and practical implications are…