Discusses the controversial use of continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring as a safety measure in cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs. Little evidence substantiates its value for all patients during exercise. In the absence of empirical evidence documenting the worth of this expensive procedure, it is recommended for use with high-risk…

Given that drug-related morbidity represents a significant social problem, three questions must be asked before pharmacy can claim its mandate and state its mission: (1) what is drug-related morbidity and mortality? (2) can such morbidity and mortality be prevented at acceptable cost? and (3) can pharmacists help to prevent drug-related morbidity…

Central criticisms concerning the academic medicine community concern health care system complexity, integration of technological advancement, ethics, physician-client relationships, and the importance of the individual student. Medical education cannot solve the problems but can contribute to solutions by preparing students to engage them.…

Part III of the National Board Examination--a certifying examination of medical knowledge and patient management abilities--was assessed using 1,866 first-year residents. This 15-year study comparing Part III results with those of Parts I and II and with superiors' ratings indicates Part III's validity and provides a model for future research.…

Examined knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of 60 older adults about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Most had little or no accurate knowledge of CPR. Knowledge deficits and misconceptions of older adults should be addressed so that they may become informed and active participants in CPR decision-making process. (BF)

Interprets two literary works--both about old women who have suffered strokes and are near death--and argues that literature can make contributions to gerontology by developing sensitivity to theory, empathy, and self-awareness. Examines these fictional accounts against two perspectives--political economy of aging and theories of personal…

Thirty-eight elderly control subjects performed better than did 18 patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), 33 with severe AD, and 12 with Parkinson's dementia on all measures of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Results indicate that the test is useful in distinguishing AD from Parkinson's dementia. (SLD)

A study of 46 male and 10 female experienced pharmacists and 44 male and 84 female fifth-year pharmacy students found that, in counseling patients about side effects of a drug, practitioners and students identified as having androgynous sex-role identification or engaged in same-sex counseling were more comfortable than others. (Author/MSE)

Focusing dental efforts on hard-core and high-risk smokers can decrease smoking prevalence. Challenges to the dental profession include professional legitimacy, dental professional education, defining special populations, and overcoming barriers to access. Opportunities include strategic placement, strategic relations with those serving high-risk…

Addresses the relationship between law and policy, examining significant gains in establishing legal precedents for protecting the educational rights of children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in confronting HIV-related discrimination. The article looks at legal principles of confidentiality, disclosure, negligence and potential…

Validities of the Harris-Lingoes subscales and MacAndrew scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) in estimation of criterion measures were evaluated with 177 adolescent inpatients. Results were consistent with predictions that excitatory and inhibitory scales and subscales would be related to criteria of behavioral control…

Shows that the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) can be rated reliably either from therapy sessions or from a special pretreatment interview. Pretreatment CCRTs resembled CCRTs extracted from early sessions of brief dynamic psychotherapy, suggesting that therapist influences in early treatment did not significantly alter patient CCRTs.…

Investigated predictors of psychological distress among infertility clinic patients. Analyses indicated that infertile men and women reported greater psychological distress than the general population. Self-blame and avoidance coping significantly predicted psychological distress among men and women. Increased age and childlessness added to…

The effects of scheduled intern rotations on the cost and quality of inpatient care at a teaching hospital were studied for 1,705 rotation patients and 3,141 no-rotation patients. Systematic discontinuity of scheduled rotations may be a source of increased health care costs at teaching hospitals. (SLD)

Gathered essays from 53 elderly nursing home residents about the strongest meaning in their lives. Most reported family relationships as central, followed by pleasure, and then health. Analysis showed significant differences between residents' and younger adults' types of meaning. Residents did not reveal an absence of meaning in their lives. (RJM)