Proposes that pharmacy schools incorporate formal assessments of self-reported empathy in the admissions process to assess personal qualities necessary for patient counseling and other aspects of pharmaceutical care. Comparison of two approaches to measuring self-reported empathy (forced-choice format, direct self-ratings) found the first more…

Evaluates a short-term, problem-focused Individual Psychological Support (IPS intervention in a study with cancer patients (N=527). Results show that a majority of responding patients stated that their problems were addressed to a great extent, that the number of contacts was adequate, and the IPS came at the right time. (Author/MKA)

Evaluates two training programs for asthmatic children, aged 7-14. The first group consisted of patients and their parents who participated in a five-day standardized family-oriented clinical asthma training program followed by monthly training sessions. The second group omitted these follow-up interventions. Results indicate that the first group…

Data concerning the psychological impact of high risk of cancer are reviewed, including implications of genetic testing, breast screening,and accuracy of women's risk estimates. Work in progress on prophylactic mastectomy and chemoprevention is reviewed. Research on cancer families, and interventions and prevention strategies for high-risk…

Validity of using genetic counselors' reports of information given in consultations as a measure of patient recall was studied. Counselors' reports were compared with tape recordings and patient follow-up calls. Measures include patient expectations, patient anxiety, demographics, patient recall, patient-defined important information, and…

Medical students were evaluated by questionnaire during their studies and again after graduation to determine their attitudes and their perception of others' (i.e., own more unconscious) attitudes toward psychiatric patients, disorders, and health care. Findings suggest that education changed unconscious attitudes of medical students in a positive…

An interactive, computer-assisted communications skills course, which can fit easily into the busy schedule of medical specialists is presented. A new training method was developed and tested for its appeal to the target group (N=33). Course was evaluated for its relevance, value, and attraction. Results are included and discussed. (EMK)

The effectiveness of small group condom motivation education in reducing new and reinfection rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among urban female teenagers was evaluated. Teens (N=205) were followed for six months. Findings are presented and health education opportunities are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Investigates ways in which homophobia and heterosexism constitute barriers to treatment for lesbian and gay youth in need of addictions services. Interviews with 17 gay and lesbian youth show barriers to include marginalization, deflection and contradiction, outing, harassment, early discharge, and misinformed staff. Recommendations are made for…

Attention span, verbal list learning, and memory test performance were examined in relation to Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) measures of depression, anxiety, and psychotic thinking in 128 male head-injury and psychiatric patients. Results support the view that MMPI-2 scores are relevant to neuropsychological test…

Explores six methods for incorporating into courses published autobiographies written by individuals suffering from mental disorders: (1) outside readings; (2) examples for classroom lectures; (3) primary texts for discussion sections; (4) remedial or extra-credit assignments; (5) information resources; and (6) source books for topical seminars.…

Examined availability of various treatment services within a national sample of programs treating adolescent drug abuse patients. Created treatment service delivery profiles and examined them in context of organizational variables. Found that distinct profiles of services existed within residential and outpatient modalities and that these service…

Interviews with American Indian tribal members in California and Arizona and their physicians revealed different beliefs about the causes and inheritance of diabetes. These differences in understanding are examined in terms of differences between physician and client communication practices and between professional medical education and lay health…

Objective: To test the hypothesis that patients with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBPD) would demonstrate impairment relative to diagnosis-free controls of comparable age, gender, and IQ on measures of memory functioning. Method: The authors administered a battery of verbal and visuospatial memory tests to 35 outpatients with PBPD and 20 healthy…

Developments in information technology and the ongoing restructuring of health services to increase provision in community settings militate in favour of a streamlining of communications and the exchange of information about patients among health and social care providers. Yet the principles of confidentiality and privacy appear to inhibit this…