Analysis of the pairwise preferences of pairs of gambling stimuli elicited from each of 40 chronic schizophrenic inpatients, 32 schizophrenic outpatients, and 33 siblings or parents of these patients indicates that choice behavior was usually determined by the expected value of the stimuli, with no significant differences among groups. (SLD)

Finds that senior staff at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, were consistently positive in their evaluation of bibliotherapy as a modality. Discusses the kinds of patients that benefit the most and the least from bibliotherapy. (RS)

Discusses, in context of physician-patient relationship, workable model on advance directives for physicians to use with patients along with appropriate guidelines. Examines variables involved in establishment of guidelines for use by physician in office and inpatient settings. Identifies key management and clinical factors for initiating and…

Presents case of 29-year-old white male veteran, whose case illustrates need for coordination of inpatient and outpatient services for chronically suicidal patients to reduce risk during transition. Includes comments on case from Phillip Kleespies, Sarah Marshall, Teri Pokrajac, and Richard Amodio and from Mark Goldblatt. (NB)

To gather normative observations on a visual memory test developed by A. Rey (1964), it was administered to 100 temporal-lobe epilepsy patients with memory deficits and 56 outpatients with neurological disorders. Results suggest a cutoff score of 7 on the memory test may alert the clinician to possible factitious memory complaints. (SLD)

Analyzed psychiatric hospital sample (n=100) and prison inmate sample (n=100) to identify dangerousness and risk of violent behavior. Hospital sample analysis yielded discriminant function containing five variables, which was 85% accurate in classifying sample. Prison sample analysis yielded discriminant model with six variables, which was 72%…

Presents cubism as metaphor to think about medical humanities curriculum in medical school curriculum. Uses Kafka's "The Metamorphosis," Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych," and Olsen's "Tell Me a Riddle" to illustrate how literary inquiry might enable medical students and other health care providers to think about…

Describes five types of acne and stresses the importance of appropriate treatment. Some dermatologists believe diet is critical in improving acne. Other treatments include the use of drying lotions and soaps, astringents, abrasive cleansers, prescription drugs, face peels, and dermabrasion. (SM)

Notes that role of psychologist on palliative care unit is to be there for terminally ill, their friends, and their families, both during the dying and the bereavement and for the caregiver team. Focuses on work of decoding ordinary words which for many patients hide painful past. Stresses necessity to remain open to unexpected. (Author/NB)

Draws on dialogical theory and a critical theory of medical discourse to analyze providers' and patients' interpretations of communication in their relationship with one another, identifying their critical attention or inattention to understanding and social context. (SR)

As personal fitness trainers move into the mainstream, physicians are increasingly recommending them to patients as part of ongoing health programs. Personal trainers provide personalized fitness programs, including exercise prescriptions and guidelines and nutrition information. The article explains how physicians can find qualified trainers for…

A review of nursing literature on empathy is presented to help clarify the concept, and an analysis is given concerning the relationship of empathy to recent findings on expert caring in nursing. Vignettes are presented as illustrations of the concepts discussed. (Author/MLW)

In some instances empathy may serve as a guide to conceptualizing the patient's situation. Empathy is a dangerous notion if it is thought to be mindless, experiential, existential connectedness. Not every nurse-patient encounter will benefit from empathy; some will require theory, applied experience, or even translation or consultation. (MLW)

Notes that financing care of patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has reached crisis proportions. Discusses how components of U.S. health care financing system attempt to minimize their financial exposure to AIDS. Presents remedies that have been suggested in literature. Points out flaws in current system for dealing with…

Reviews the general nature of ethos or image as it pertains to the physician. Discusses its rhetorical constituent elements of trustworthiness, expertness, goodwill and charisma that give these concepts such a vital role in effective public relations. (SR)