This paper highlights what the authors believe are the important issues and directions of change in the evaluation of mental health programs. The rationale for such evaluation is twofold. First, it provides a scientifically rigorous method of determining the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment or program, and secondly, these results can exercise…

The lack of research concerning instruction in veterinarian-client relations necessitates this examination of relevant studies in communication skills instruction in medical education. Issues discussed include the transfer of cognitive knowledge to actual behavior, evaluation of student performance, and course evaluation. (JMD)

A study of migrant health centers' access to hospitals uncovered financial barriers to private hospital care when the patient was indigent or without health insurance. This may be exacerbated as private hospitals expand in states with many migrants. Cooperative efforts between public and private institutions are in order. (VM)

Medical students interviewed a simulated patient who presented one of five main complaints, and the interview was videotaped. Postintervention interviews conducted by students in two groups that used the self-instruction videotape received significantly higher ratings than those in the control group. (Author/MLW)

A survey of one medical school's freshmen, internal medicine residents, and full-time faculty asked for opinions concerning (1) the value of trying to modify patients' health-related behaviors in 22 areas and (2) their own preparedness to counsel patients in those areas. (MSE)

Research on professionals' interpersonal skills is reviewed as a basis for selecting material for inclusion in an optometry program. Specific recommendations are made about skills necessary for enhancing patient relationships, obtaining information from patients, and providing information to patients. (MSE)

Examined effects of therapist actions and techniques, and patient behaviors and attitudes, on psychotherapy outcome. Treated patients suffering from stress-response syndromes in brief, 12-session psychodynamic psychotherapy. All specific factors influenced treatment outcome, usually in interaction with patient pretreatment disturbance level, with…

A course in communication skills for medical students at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is described. Three issues are examined: the effectiveness of behavioral scientists and physicians as course instructors, the value of videotaped role-playing exercises, and the value of trained actors and medical students as simulated patients.…

Future orientation has been proposed as contributing to unfavorable perceptions of older patients. Students from a dental hygiene program were questioned about their general attitudes toward older people, older people as patients, their own future, the future for older adults, and about their social/familial contact with the elderly. (Author/MLW)

A study of the influence of a psychiatrist accompanying pediatric residents in daily rounds on residents' attention to psychosocial issues in patient care showed no change in notes taken in the psychiatrist's presence, but the presence of notes did vary with follow-up plans, consultations ordered, and admission and discharge diagnoses. (MSE)

A five-year project of postgraduate training in dentistry for patients with severe disabilities resulted in significant cognitive and confidence gains for the participating dentists, dental hygienists, and assistants. Over 75 percent of the graduates were found to actively apply their training, especially in academic dentistry. (MSE)

A study to determine the usefulness of a board game in training and sensitizing senior dental students toward handicapped children showed that neither the board game nor a standard small-group lecture affected student attitudes or confidence. (MSE)

A multi-faceted Rasch measurement (MFRM) model was used to analyze a clinical skills assessment of 173 fourth-year medical students in a Midwestern medical school to investigate four types of rater errors: leniency, inconsistency, halo, and restriction of range. Each student performed six clinical tasks with six standardized patients (SPs), who…

This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) addresses the clinical use of buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid addiction. TIPs are best-practice guidelines for the treatment of substance use disorders that make the latest research in substance abuse treatment available to counselors and educators. The content was generated by a panel of experts…

Current attitudes of students and faculty toward incorporation of behavioral skills such as patient management, patient motivation, control of patient and dentist stress, and communication skills into clinical practice education are reported. (MSE)