Successful programs of continuing professional education must involve both the improvement of the learner's competence and the restructuring of the work environment to stimulate, encourage, recognize, and reward improved performance. (Journal availability: Subscription Manager, MOBIUS, University of California Press, Berkeley CA 94720.) (SK)

In order to evaluate the librarian's educational role in patient care settings, an information service was provided for health professionals, patients, and families by two part-time clinical librarians at McMaster University. Results showed that the clinical librarians were accepted by health professionals and services were viewed as successful.…

A course format is described in which fifth-year students were taught a consumer-oriented, problem-solving approach to the patient assessment and communication aspects of providing technical advice on nonprescription drugs in a community pharmacy setting. Assignments consisted of role-playing and writing patient-oriented information sheets.…

The pharmacist-physician-patient relationship is discussed as well as factors that affect the prescribing and dispensing of drugs. It is suggested that pharmacists coordinate their efforts with those of the physicians by taking a more active role in serving their customers. (SF)

A three-hour, two-stage workshop for staff nurses on providing education and psychological support to 148 patients who had abdominal surgery. After the workshop the patients used fewer sedatives or antiemetics, fewer hypnotics, and were discharged from the hospital on the average half a day sooner. (Author/BJV)

A nurse educator specializing in diabetes recounts her own experience with vision loss resulting from diabetic retinopathy, considers the roles of rehabilitation specialists and diabetes educators, and urges the two professional groups to work together more closely. (DB)

Evaluation of professional performance in health promotion as well as the patient encounter itself should be placed in the broader context of the health care system as it occurs in the world. Integrating medical and non-medical aspects of care is a prerequisite to a good relationship with the patient. (Author/EMK)

This letter comments on other articles in this issue regarding clinical health promotion as the link between health promotion and patient education. Three criticisms are discussed: (1) the health illness continuum and the power of professional groups; (2) the theory practice gap; (3) the victim-blaming trap. (EMK)

Explores the relationships between the physician's ability to recognize mental illness, the communication style, the subsequent treatment, and the patient's recovery. Two databases are used: (1) videotaped consultations by GPs; (2) a 1-year follow-up study of patients whose complaints were considered "mainly psychosocial." Positive, negative and…

Health-care practitioners generally lack counseling skills. Article introduces general principles of counseling, emphasizing client-centeredness, cooperative role relations, unconstrained interaction, and goal-oriented proceeding are emphasized. Methods to be used in health care to promote physical activity are related to counselor skill and…

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…

Describes parallel persuasive processes between social or political activism and personal self-advocacy in a study of AIDS activism and communication patterns between people with HIV or AIDS and health care personnel. Encourages greater patient education about the illness and treatment options. Promotes a more assertive stance toward health care,…

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…

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)