Observation of 15 nursing students and 15 clinical supervisors in primary care settings revealed that student learning was holistic and meaningful when patient-oriented approaches were used. However, many settings used task-centered approaches, resulting in fragmented learning. (SK)

A new qualitative scoring system for the Rey Visual Memory Test was tested for its ability to distinguish between malingerers and nonmalingerers. The new system, based on the types of errors made, was able to distinguish between 53 psychiatrically disabled and 64 normal nonmalingerers, and between nonmalingerers and 91 possible malingerers. (SLD)

Discusses how a movement aimed at teaching medical students to be more sensitive to patients is being criticized as emphasizing a soft-science approach over knowledgeable practice. (EV)

Discusses the rationale for nurse involvement in the development of patient education materials. Presents guidelines for evaluating existing material, including print and web resources, for credibility and readability. Makes recommendations for rewriting material at an easier-to-read level. (SK)

Discusses information failures as precursors to, as opposed to outcomes of, disasters. Relates research in disasters and accidents, information use environments and information behaviors, and culture (i.e. information, safety, and organizational cultures) to highlight linkages and implications for research and practice. Illustrates connections…

A measure of dental patients' values and preferences was used to assess attitudes of 92 edentulous patients receiving implant and other dental reconstructive therapies. The implant group tended to be younger and better educated and to rate implant reconstruction as more desirable than the nonimplant denture group. (DB)

This study, using data for 200 psychiatric/chemical dependency patients, attempted to justify subscales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Distributions of all possible split-half correlations for certain research scales of the MMPI revealed negative skewness resulting in spuriously lowered reliability estimates. The scales…

Discusses the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986. Describes recent mental health reform history. Defines patient advocates' role and responsibilities. Presents illustrations of types of cases encountered by patient advocate. Explores implications of this role for the mental health counselor. (Author/CM)

Subjected adolescents on 16-bed token economy ward of state hospital to 4 interventions in 7-phase experiment to reduce number of fines they received each day. No significant differences in average fines per day, number of residents meeting criteria, or mean number of zero-fine days per week were found across phases. (Author/NB)

Examined Bem Sex Role undifferentiated scores on 93 male sex offenders as compared with 50 male sexually dysfunctional patients. Chi-square analyses revealed significant difference: offenders obtained undifferentiated scores more often than did sexual dysfunctional population. Concluded that Bem Sex Role Inventory is useful in identifying sexual…

A successful seven-day course offered to third-year medical students is an integrated program for teaching them how to deal with terminal illness. The course uses lectures, audiovisual aids, and group and individual sessions to enhance self-awareness and practical application of the material in a clinical setting. (Author/MSE)

Presents a connectionist approach to modeling that relies on neural networks to control conventional simulations of multimedia clinical patient simulations. These neural networks simplify the medical expert's task of validating and maintaining patient simulations with diagnostic capabilities and serves as the basis of clinical decision support…

With the shift in Americans' beliefs regarding legalizing physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill, counselors must be prepared to counsel clients who have decided to end their lives. For counselors to avoid violating the ethical guidelines established by the American Counseling Association (ACA) regarding these clients, a reevaluation of…

Information technology poses a threat to confidentiality of medical records. The number of parties claiming a need to know is increasing, but unrestricted access can lead to improper disclosure. Making health records semipublic may affect when and how people choose to obtain medical services. (SK)

Author relates story of her own debilitation, survival, and ultimate rehabilitation from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Describes effects of disease process itself and of drug therapy that caused delusions and hallucinations. Traces how patient received art therapy through hospital occupational therapy department, describing her artwork and its…