A methodology for developing behavioral checklists to assess the techniques of performing a physical examination is described. Behavioral checklists seem to avoid the problems associated with rating scales since they require a minimum degree of subjective judgment on the part of observers. The results of validity and reliability studies are…

The nature of the professional interaction between the pharmacist and the patient was explored, with data collected from 3,743 questions asked of 16 pharmacists during an 8-week period. Factors that might affect the nature of the pharmacist-patient interaction are identified along with a cognitive-based profile of patient wants. (LBH)

This model allows competency statements to be categorized on the basis of a pharmacist's interaction with various persons and organizations, including physicians, patients, nurses, the pharmacy, and the community. (LBH)

The ethical primacy of patient involvement in treatment decision-making requires that more attention be paid to assessment of a patient's competency to make treatment decisions. Makes recommendations to increase sensitivity to this issue with significantly impaired elderly nursing home patients and to improve existing decision-making procedures.…

Compared the effects of fixed-interval and on-demand administration of analgesic medications in chronic pain patients. A fixed-interval analgesic schedule was found more effective than an on-demand schedule in reducing subjective pain and elevating mood. No differences were found between the two conditions on measures of physical activity.…

Residents and faculty members completed a survey covering the effect of prepaid health care plans at a family medicine center on the program's practice profile, cost-containment, and education activities over a three-year period. Respondents agreed that prepaid plans increased the number of patient visits. (Author/MLW)

Describes the process by which a department of psychiatry computerized its clinical services under a single communication network. Presents the program in detail, demonstrating the recording of various clinical, administrative and demographic data. Emphasizes the value of such information for returning patients, immediate updating of information,…

Describes two-week clinical experience assigned to nursing students in an acute short-term psychiatric hospital. Selected voluntary large group meetings to promote social skills and group belonging; and small groups, based on level of patient functioning, to enhance change and growth. Describes the groups and the value of poetry and artistic…

Evaluation of patients on the Cognitive Status Examination (CSE) significantly discriminated the brain-damaged from the psychiatric and medical groups. Examined the relationship of scores to age and education, as well as the effect of demographics on group discrimination. Presents a distribution of cutting scores for screening purposes. (Author/KS)

Compared child outpatients with diagnoses for both conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H) with children with CD but no ADD/H. Children with both CD and ADD/H exhibited more physical aggression and a greater variety and severity of antisocial behaviors despite their younger age at time of referral than did…

Assigned 40 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to stress inoculation training (SIT), which included cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and progressive deep-muscle relaxation training adapted for MS patients, or current available care (CAC), which provided the usual clinic services. The SIT group was significantly less depressed, anxious and…

A discussion of pharmaceutical curriculum design to meet the competency needs of professional pharmacists looks at the nature of competency, anticipates some of the demands of such a curriculum, describes some methods of organizing curriculum elements, and provides a brief bibliography. (MSE)

Discusses the need for members of several different professions to work closely together to achieve an integrated resolution in the best interests of an older person. Proposes that the physician's legal and ethical responsibilities toward an older patient would include a duty to interact and cooperate with other relevant health or human service…

Evaluated effectiveness of three strategies for delivering relaxation training to cancer chemotherapy patients who were experiencing treatment-related side effects. Professionally, as opposed to paraprofessionally, administered or audiotaped progressive muscle-relaxation training and guided relaxation imagery reduced emotional distress and…

Suggests that the issue of group psychotherapy being harmful to some inpatients, although significant, is meaningless in the absence of further specification of what is being done with whom. Emphasizes the need to address therapeutic "casualties." Questions the clinical folklore regarding patients who must be protected from group psychotherapy,…