A successful program for young adults illustrated how hospitals and other agencies can respond effectively to the interrelated challenges of parenthood, marriage, and work. (Author)

In 3 experiments older adults (n=27, n=36, and n=27) were given medication instructions as categorized lists, simple lists, or paragraphs. The first group preferred categorized lists; the second answered questions about listed instructions more quickly, and the third group recalled more information from simple lists. List format was considered…

Studies of the Arthritis Self-Management Program conclude that (1) it improves patient behaviors and self-efficacy; (2) formal reinforcement does not improve long-term outcomes; (3) improvement gains have both clinical and cost-saving effects; and (4) changes in health status are more closely linked to self-efficacy than to behavior. (SK)

Social learning theory formed the basis of a program to develop self-management skills in cystic fibrosis patients. Strategies for practical learning activities for patients and their families included goal setting, reinforcement, modeling, skill training, and self-monitoring. (SK)

Illustrates how self-care can be seen by health care professionals as an important adjunct to the care they give older adults. Suggests the importance of health care professionals knowing the self-care responses to acute illness symptoms and management. (JOW)

A study of 25 nonprofit and 87 for-profit nursing homes showed both types likely to offer education on advance care planning. However, nonprofits were more likely to have ongoing discussions that covered more than life support decisions and to have ethics committees to support advance care planning. (SK)

A man who has lived with Type 1 "juvenile" diabetes since age 4 reflects on medical professionals' insistence on a vocabulary of "control," although diabetes is not really controllable, and suggests that diabetes education would be more effective if it employed a language of self-care rather than a language of control. (SV)

Examines the effectiveness of a training program designed for physical therapists (N=19) to aid them in the enhancement of patient education. Five therapist-skills were tested. After the training only a minority of the trained skills appeared to have improved. Results show that the training program was not very effective. (Author/MKA)

The role of primary care physicians in coronary heart disease prevention is explored, and a model for patient education by physicians is offered. A qualitative study in Nova Scotia examines physicians' expectations about their role in prevention, obstacles to providing preventive care, and mechanisms by which preventive care occurs. (Author/EMK)

The use of a patient information video to aid patients in their decision whether to participate in a randomized perinatal trial was evaluated. Patients' knowledge of the controlled trial, feelings about its worth, and willingness for future participation were assessed. Results suggest that a video and an information sheet may result in greater…

Concrete, objective information that describes the experience from the patient's point of view in unambiguous terms is effective in reducing negative emotional response during threatening health care procedures. A four-stage process that permits systematic development of comprehensive and accurate messages using concrete objective information is…

Using the responses of 115 adults attending an asthma educator training course, the Asthma General Knowledge Questionnaire for Adults (AGKQA) was found to be an acceptably valid and reliable measure for assessing knowledge related to the management of asthma by adults. (Author/MKA)

Practices in patient education for spinal cord injured persons in 10 hospital rehabilitation centers were examined. Surveys revealed that a majority of the centers conducted patient education (designed to provide facts about the injury as well as psychological support). Findings revealed a large number of staff involved, but a wide difference in…

These three learning modules present text, illustrations, and exercises to teach lay persons to take and interpret a temperature, collect a urine specimen, and perform a breast examination. The first module, by Carolyn Maas, defines "temperature," describes the three body areas for temperature taking, distinguishes between normal and…

Two groups (experimental and control) totaling 239 low-income asthmatic children, aged 8 to 11 years, were studied. One group was exposed to an asthma health education program. Findings indicate asthma health education for children increases management skills, reduces symptoms, and improves school performance. (Author/CH)