Explains consumer health informatics and describes the technology advances, the computer programs that are currently available, and the basic research that addresses both the effectiveness of computer health informatics and its impact on the future direction of health care. Highlights include commercial computer products for consumers and…

Admissions of 370 people with developmental disabilities to a community hospital were examined to determine how coordinated care affected length of stay and hospital charges. The coordinated care admissions stayed less time and had lower charges compared to admissions who received their routine care by community physicians. (Author/SW)

Assessed the prevalence and type of firearms in households with children and social correlates of ownership. Predictor variables for ownership included rural residence, fewer preschool children, gender, and race. Data suggest that pediatricians routinely see children in families that own firearms, many of which are loaded and unlocked handguns.…

Examines how patients' perceptions of their physicians' communicator styles were related to patient satisfaction. Identifies eight communicator styles and six dimensions of patient satisfaction. Concludes that most significant relationships were nonlinear and that different styles were related to different types of satisfaction. Discusses…

Discusses a Pennsylvania State University seminar program designed to help medical professionals explore aspects of medical treatment through readings in the humanities. Argues that the program is broader in vision and scope that other medical ethics courses. Suggests that the effort can refresh and deepen doctors' work with patients. (SG)

Examined relationship between parental attachment and eating disorder symptoms for 68 inpatient women with eating disorders and for 162 college women. College women described themselves as more securely attached to parents and reported lower levels of weight and dieting preoccupation, bulimic behavior, and feelings of ineffectiveness. (Author/NB)

Over its 12-year history, an arthritis patient education program evolved from a basis not grounded in theory to one tightly linked to it. As cycles of research, intervention, and evaluation produced new results, the self-management program was revised and improved. (SK)

Interviews with 20 physicians caring for coronary high-risk male patients highlighted the importance of family involvement and support systems to health promotion. Physicians' behavior must consider the complex interaction of the personal, professional, and social cultures of practitioners, patients, and the health care environment. (SK)

British government proposals for community care of psychiatric patients require a response from adult educators about the need for learning opportunities both inside and outside institutions for people with mental health problems. (SK)

Compares the style, emphasis, and tone in textbook chapters on trauma care written for and by doctors and nurses. Discusses ways physicians' and nurses' roles are mirrored in the writing. Notes that doctors' prose is focused, with attention given to injuries and their repair; whereas nurses' prose adopts a holistic view, caring for patients'…

Current educational programs for cardiac patients are ineffective because they are teacher focused, assume that increased knowledge produces long-term changes, and neglect patient needs and anxiety. A more effective approach should be based on adult learning principles and identify and use learning needs to personalize educational programs. (SK)

Snuff consumption is the only tobacco consumption on the rise in the United States. Doctors are most concerned about adolescent use. They recommend educational efforts begin with boys 8-10 years old. The article discusses a nationwide campaign, "Through with Chew Week," which urges young people to avoid all smokeless tobacco. (SM)

A control group of 86 frail elderly received standard personal care at home; a group of 81 received care and developed personal health plans with a nurse. After three years, the success rate (alive and still cared for at home) was 75 percent for the treatment group and 59 percent for the control group. (SK)

The explicit theoretical frame in which topic transitions have been described and the types of transitions are discussed, based on a study of 12 physician-patient encounters. Reciprocal and unilateral activities are identified that relate to allocation of power. (34 references) (Author/LB)

Presents current information on exercise, immunity, and infection in athletes and active people, focusing on well-established immunologic changes and practical clinical aspects of common infections. The article also guides physicians on what to advise active and athletic patients. (SM)