At the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a study was designed that graphically illustrated to beginning students that unconscious sociocultural stereotypes may influence clinical decision-making. Students were shown a videotape depicting five simulated patients, each with the same physical complaint. (Author/MLW)

A seminar is described that was designed to improve the interpersonal skills of psychiatric residents at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Participating residents gained a new perspective on the troubled individuals with whom they interact by role-playing psychiatric patients. Participant reactions and outcomes of the seminar are discussed.…

Faculty from 5 New England medical schools developed 36 patient cases representing a variety of common ambulatory-care problems. Students were tested by interacting with 16 different standardized patients, who were nonphysicians trained to accurately and consistently portray a patient in a simulated clinical setting. (Author/MLW)

The objectives of this preliminary study were to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using trained simulated patient instructors (N=6) as an office-based continuing medical education method and to assess the current sexually transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus risk assessment and counseling practices of primary care…

Chronic pain syndrome appears to have certain dimensions which make it unique as a disabling condition. When pain persists, the resulting anxiety and depression, others' reactions to the patient's sick role behaviors, and situational variables such as disability benefits may all contribute to the pain syndrome and complicate the rehabilitation…

This article suggests new methods of treatment that should be incorporated into programs for treating the institutionalized adolescent. (Author/DEP)

Actors have been trained to portray patients with a variety of physical and emotional disorders for the purpose of teaching and evaluating clinical skills. Suggests that actors considered for simulations of patients be screened on the basis of sufficient acting experience and motivation for the role. (Author/PG)

Article focused on Percy Knauth, this year's national mental health chairman, whose life reflects a deep, personal concern for others and an abiding commitment to the dream of a mentally healthy world. (Editor/RK)

This study investigates whether purpose in life is reflected in social attitudes, or whether an absence of perceived meaning - a state of existential vacuum - is unrelated to attitudes. (Author)

The factor analytic studies that have been done with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), a 175-item paper-and-pencil test designed to evaluate symptomology in psychiatric patients, have been problematic in that the test's high inter-scale correlation could lead to an artificially robust factor structure. The present investigation…

In recent years notable advances have been made in the classification of child and adolescent psychopathology. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - III (DSM-III) has introduced a number of new diagnostic categories for child and adolescent disorders, yet little is known about how these new diagnostic categories are actually…

This study was conducted to identify efforts by hospital discharge planners to refer clients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to nursing homes; to determine the responses of the facilities contacted; and to identify gaps in services, discharge planner practices, and relationships between…

Since the incidence of cancer in this country is high and the cancer survival rates are increasing, it is important to study coping strategies in cancer patients. As survival time lengthens, coping strategies that might affect the quality of a patient's life become increasingly important. A study was conducted to examine coping strategies in newly…

Although group psychotherapy is the preferred method of treatment for short-term hospitalized clients, empirical evidence of the efficacy of such a treatment method is lacking. To examine the major themes expressed in an inpatient group over time, as well as to evaluate the methodology for selecting and implementing group psychotherapy, a total of…

Chronic pain is a syndrome which forces many changes upon the patient and upon the family system. To examine the relationship between patients' and their spouses' psychosocial functioning, questionnaire data were collected from 28 male and 18 female patients referred for evaluation to an outpatient pain management program. The Minnesota…