Explored burdens experienced by 42 adults living with a depressed patient and related these burdens to their degree of psychological distress. Respondents were distressed themselves, over 40 percent meeting a standardized criterion for referral for therapeutic intervention. Patients' lack of interest in social life, fatigue, feelings of…

Using a newly developed coding method, the Geriatric Interaction Analysis system, the interactions of doctors with a matched sample of older and younger patients were audiotaped and scored. Patients and doctors raised fewer psychosocial issues in interviews with older patients than with younger patients. Doctors also responded less well to these…

Reviews the historical background, standards, the issue of day treatment versus day care, functional issues, specialization, efficacy and cost effectiveness, utilization issues, and alternative models of care of partial hospitalization programs in North America. Emphasizes issues of relevance when planning alternative programs to inpatient…

After identifying four medical specialty services in a hospital where patient lengths of stay were excessive, two educational interventions to decrease the time were developed. In meetings with each physician data on lengths of stay were discussed, and then a continuing education meeting was held. Improved efficiency resulted. (Author/MLW)

Followed up on tension and vascular headache patients, intially treated with biofeedback and/or relaxation training in either a minimal therapist contact or an intensive individual protocol, where one-half of patients continued keeping headache diaries and were seen monthly; others had minimal contact. Demonstrated equally good maintenance from…

Introduction of a course on the doctor-patient relationship in the clinically demanding first postgraduate year encountered two problems: student perceptions that the content was not necessary or was too burdensome, and the tendency of residents to feel guilty or inadequate in patient relationships at that stage of training. (MSE)

Evaluated construct and discriminant validity of Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) for large child and adolescent sample of clinical inpatients and demographically comparable nonreferred subjects. Three factors entered a significant discrimination function. Depressive Affect and Oppositional Behavior distinguished depressive and…

The statements and actions of students in a first-year medical class regarding human dissection are examined. It is suggested that medical students formulate basic rules for behavior and attitudes toward patients from their experience in the dissection room. (Author/MLW)

Discusses these changes in mental health care: patient needs and service utilization; purchasers of care; changing attitudes toward health care; relief or palliation of symptoms; performing life tasks and meeting role requirements; security, protection, and sustenance; and personal potential, satisfaction, and happiness. Concludes changes will…

Surveys of allied health personnel provided data regarding their self-confidence in counseling patients about health promotion, as well as their beliefs that patients will follow their recommendations. Respondents displayed highest self-efficacy in the areas of blood pressure and smoking. Confidence was lowest in illicit drug use and mental health…

Examined the relationship of individual and composite measures of child competence with family background and adult ratings of psychopathology. Children scoring high on a composite competence index were rated by parents and teachers as showing fewer problems. Composite measures related more strongly to parent and teacher ratings than did single…

Compared persons 65 years of age or older (N=177) to younger adults (n=997) with respect to compliance with 20 recommended health-seeking behaviors. Overall, the elderly group reported greater compliance with these behaviors, attributed more importance to their value, but perceived themselves as having less control over their future health.…

Summarizes many of the issues relevant to patient education programs concerning psychological preparation for stressful medical procedures. Individual differences among patients and their differential responses to types of intervention are emphasized, and descriptions of information provision, skills training, relaxation training/desensitization,…

Venipuncture is the single most commonly performed procedure that causes pain to the patient, and its mastery is a highly visible milestone both in physical skills and personal manner. A training program at Georgetown University Hospital is described. (MLW)

Presents multidisciplinary model of health promotion for the chronically ill that highlights the importance of self-care education and the contributions of social workers, health educators, and other community health professionals in the development and delivery of such a program. (Author/ABB)