Five years of experience using the services of a clinical medical librarian at the Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania are reviewed. There were increases in the use of the librarian for patient-related queries, research, and oral presentations. (Author/MLW)

Two behavioral science courses at the Yale University School of Medicine are described: (1) a theoretically oriented course emphasizing symbolic function, primary source reading, and conceptual thinking, and (2) a patient-oriented course emphasizing the relevance of behavioral science to the practice of medicine, taught primarily by…

A study is presented that documents widespread unfamiliarity with traditional health beliefs among 30 residents who had been caring for Mexican patients in a Southern California clinic for periods ranging from one to three years. It is suggested that formal curricular material on health beliefs and practices should be provided. (MLW)

As the profession of podiatric medicine becomes more closely identified with the delivery of primary care, it is suggested that it is essential for practicing podiatrists and students to have more educational opportunities in the field of holistic health care, psychiatry, and the behavioral sciences. (Author/MLW)

Medication noncompliance is seen as an obstacle to successful clinical outcomes of many diseases. An exercise for preclinical medical students at Stanford University is described. Objectives include sensitizing students to the consequences of medication noncompliance, illustrating problems, and evaluating a number of compliance-related issues.…

A project to improve hospital house officers' recognition of important behavioral, psychological, and social aspects involved in medical care of chronically ill ambulatory patients and an evaluation of its effectiveness are reported. The procedure involved the use of feedback from patient interviews regarding patient satisfaction, medication…

An educational program is proposed designed to promote patient participation in preventive and treatment phases of health care, including the physical and emotional aspects of illness; the patient will also learn about the health care system itself. (JD)

Compared the interviewing skills of first-year medical students at the University of Oklahoma receiving feedback primarily from standardized patients (SPs) with those of students receiving feedback primarily from faculty. Skills ratings using the Arizona Clinical Interview Rating Scale were significantly higher for the "types of questions…

Results from multiple regression analyses revealed that (1) a lack of clinical experience with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patients and (2) antihomosexual attitudes were significantly associated with the students' (N=231) lack of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)-AIDS knowledge, even after controlling for the effects of exaggerated…

The tradition of medicine is that physicians do not abandon the sick, whoever they are and whatever they have done. Support must be provided to the individual physician, ensuring that everyone in the profession is informed about AIDS and makes necessary adjustments of behavior and commitment. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the integration of traditional American Indian healing techniques with Western medical practices at an Indian Health Services Hospital in the Navajo Nation. Suggests that caregivers must cooperate to ensure that patients get the best care possible. Describes personal experiences and approaches of Navajo caregivers. (MAB)

Medical students' (N=18) were interviewed as part of the evaluation of an innovative Longitudinal Introduction of Clinical Medicine program. Three themes emerged: the importance of experiences with patients; the differences in the effect of patient contact in the first versus the second year; and the educational structure that makes patient…

A questionnaire was sent to counselors (N=32) to categorize the key points given in genetic counseling; to assess the amount and type of information recalled; and to examine the relationships between counselees' knowledge, satisfaction with information received, the meeting of expectations, concern, and anxiety. Results emphasize the importance of…

Differences in asthma management among families with a child who has moderate to severe asthma were examined when they participated in an in-patient versus a day-camp program. Two broad categories of outcome were examined: illness and self-management skills. Findings and observations regarding children's feelings about asthma are discussed.…

Context: Although clinical guidelines recommend routine screening and treatment for obesity in primary care, lack of agreement between physicians and patients about the need for obesity treatment in the primary care setting may be an unexplored factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Purpose and Methods: To better understand this dynamic, we…