In first study 40 adults over 65 completed the Mental Status Questionnaire; in a second, 134 elderly heart patients completed the Patient Learning Styles Questionnaire. Results showed use of crystallized intelligence enhanced learning. Older subjects preferred structure; authoritarian, expert teaching; and listening to presentations supplemented…

The psychometric properties of a short version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-SF) (37 items as opposed to 65) were studied with 600 patients and healthy adults. Results support the POMS-SF as an alternative to the original instrument when a brief measure is desired. (SLD)

Results from 344 college students and 129 psychiatric patients supported the effectiveness of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Infrequency scale in detecting fake-bad responding and the usefulness of the MMPI-2 Obvious-Subtle index, Positive Malingering scale, and Lie scale in detecting fake-good responding. (SLD)

Describes one focus of an ongoing partnership between a Veterans Health Administration medical center and a university-based school of nursing: to improve patient outcomes through patient-centered continuity of care. (Author)

A walking program for osteoarthritis patients promoted adoption by guided practice, reinforcement, and stimulus control; facilitated compliance by behavioral contracting; maintained behavior change through generalization and self-control strategies; and prevented relapse by realignment of normative beliefs and planned relapse techniques. (SK)

This article describes activities to acquaint young students with hearing impairments with the hospitalization experience. Activities included a visit to a hospital and creation of a slide program showing children preparing for and experiencing either an outpatient procedure or an overnight hospital stay. (DB)

Epidemiologically based study investigated 14 suicides among current patients of London psychiatric unit. Statistical analysis showed it to be discrete cluster of suicides, rather than chance occurrence. Found no evidence of direct linkage or "contagion" between suicides. Thirteen patients suffered from severe, chronic mental illness.…

Tested ability of 16-item high-risk screening list to accurately predict high-risk status by comparing admission and discharge high-risk scores for 448 patients with range of psychiatric disorders. Sixty-six percent of patients rated high risk at admission were identically rated at discharge. (Author/NB)

Presents model for interdisciplinary discharge planning team, with emphasis on functional status and improved coordination and continuity among providers. Describes design and implementation of such a program at university hospital. Explains how model resulted in more patients being discussed and served, with more emphasis on the functional…

Conducted pilot survey of 64 patients with late stage malignancy who had signed living wills. Found that 70.3 percent were grateful for opportunity to sign living will and maintain autonomy over their terminal care, 20.3 percent were either apparently indifferent or unwilling to discuss issue, and 9.4 percent appeared disturbed by their signing of…

Notes that, although mental health professionals provide services in psychiatric hospitals, their activities raise ethical issues largely unaddressed in professional literature. Sees systems-oriented therapists working in these settings as facing ethical dilemmas not encountered by those who work with individuals. Discusses six ethical issues…

Administered Internal-External Control Scale to 22 male alcoholics in residential treatment and 8 adult male children of alcoholics (COAs) in outpatient counseling. Contrary to prediction, alcoholics demonstrated external control orientation. COAs also exhibited external locus of control. Alcoholics in first residential treatment demonstrated more…

The relationship between numbers (high or low) of patients per diagnosis-related group (DRG) treated by individual physicians and hospital resource consumption of the patients at a large academic medical center was studied for the period 1985-87. The findings, although a result of many varied factors, suggest a relationship between the two…

Examined perceptions of 20 physicians and 20 nurses of need for, feasibility of, and value of regulations and legislation to govern dying process. Found little unanimity in their attitudes. Some believed such regulations were needed, but others believed they would seriously compromise good patient care. Also found disagreement on who should…

Conducted 450 interviews with 78 family caregivers of 37 patients with severe brain injuries in rehabilitation treatment program in acute care hospital. Found that involvement in providing treatment was stressful, because of both demands on the family and unproven efficacy of treatment. Findings suggest that family's ability to provide treatment…