Interviews and health diaries recording symptoms among 667 older adults revealed that three-quarters exhibited potential health risks and had considerable knowledge about them. However, one in eight was seriously at risk from symptoms but did not consult a physician. (SK)

Presents a psychodynamic framework and research methods for examining the significance of patients' internal representations of therapy with their therapists. Two instruments, the Therapist Representation Inventory and the Intersession Experience Questionnaire, are introduced, and their psychometric characteristics are described. Findings from a…

The effectiveness of the affect trait scales of the revised Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL-R) (M. Zuckerman and B. Lubin, 1985) in differentiating anxiety, mood, and schizophrenic disorders was studied with 185 psychiatric patients and 185 matched comparisons. Results indicate that the MAACL-R is valid for both global and specific…

Studied the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) (J. Butcher and others, 1992) with 13-year olds by examining the profiles produced. Investigated the effect of scoring with standard MMPI-A norms. Findings support the use of standard MMPI-A norms with 13-year-old inpatients. (SLD)

Explores some of the factors involving abstract imagery in the work of art-therapy patients and presents examples of abstract imagery produced by patients in an acute-patient psychiatric hospital. Examples illustrate that abstract imagery can serve not only a defensive purpose, but a progressive function as well. (Author/MKA)

Accurate and sensitive communication of cancer-risk information is important. Based on a literature review of 75 research reports, expert opinion papers, and clinical protocols, a synthesis of what is known about the communication of cancer-risk information is presented. Relevance of information to those not tested is discussed. (Author/EMK)

Proposes "analytical observation" as a method of training evaluation for health-care providers. The method, which utilizes observation charts, has been validated through a study that examined the impact of supervision of health-care providers in the domain of therapeutic education of patients. Results show that this method has a definite impact on…

Uses conversation analysis to examine how doctors' and patients' practices of gaze and body orientation organize interaction such that doctors routinely initiate the sequence wherein patients disclose their chief complaint. Finds doctors use gaze/body orientation to communicate they are preparing but not yet ready to deal with complaints--while…

Examines the effects of providing people with information about their own dietary fat intake on their attitudes towards dietary change and their fat consumption. No subsequent reductions in fat consumption were found. Results are discussed in relation to their implications for health promotion strategies that focus on the motivational effects of…

A community was informed about cancer symptoms in a letter. Participants who observed the symptoms were encouraged to visit a health center. Fifteen previously unknown cancer cases were detected. Results indicate that it is possible to inform and educate the population about cancer symptoms without causing anxiety if there is an organization that…

Surveyed 390 Ohioans who rated five concepts as to closeness of linkage with osteopathic medicine. Finds, as suggested by the storage-bin concept in construct accessibility theory, that those who had experience with these concepts were most apt to use them in assessing osteopathic medicine--this held even though most respondents reported no…

Couples for whom in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) treatment failed (N=20) were followed up and compared with successful couples. Current mental-health status, quality of life, and marital adjustment were assessed via questionnaires; experiences were explored by interview. Results and recommendations for…

Most of the 23 European providers of continuing medical education (CME) surveyed reported programming on the doctor-patient relationship and psychosocial issues. Visits to programs in France, the Netherlands, and Spain identified the formats used most often in small group instruction, intensive individual learning, and national-level CME. (SK)

Identifies pediatricians' practices of next speaker selection when soliciting the problem presentation; identifies factors that bear on next speaker selection; and examines the consequences of physicians' selection practices for whom ultimately presents the problem. Suggests communication resources that may increase the child's participation in…

Assessed students' competence in addressing the health beliefs and cultural concerns of a standardized patient, an African American woman with diabetes, during a clinical interview. Found that minority students displayed greater competence in addressing the patient's concerns about altering culturally-based dietary behaviors; white students…