Trigger films (short situational films followed by discussion) are seen as a suitable medium for teaching the intricacies of the interpersonal relationship, legitimate behavior patterns following doctor-patient interaction, and the sensitivity and ability to detect nonverbal and accessory communication. Guidelines for the production and use of…

An audit of medical records at San Francisco General Hospital was undertaken to assess compliance with the procedural policies in the hyperalimentation (TPN) protocol of the Department of Surgery of the University of California, San Francisco, and to evaluate the appropriateness of TPN therapy. (MLW)

Health systems agencies are federally funded, health planning agencies responsible for regulatory activities concerning health issues in specific geographic locations. A case history discusses how health educators worked with a health systems agency to improve school health education. (JN)

Examined the relationship among depression, locus of control of reinforcement, and age in psychiatric outpatients and students. Found depression and locus of control highly correlated; age negatively correlated with locus of control and positively with depression. Discusses the possible causal relationship between external locus of control and…

Recorded war-related anxiety reactions observed over a two-year period at a Lebanese outpatient counseling clinic and constructed a 15-item Likert-type inventory. Found sex differences among 13 items as well as between total scores. The observed coefficients spoke well for the instrument's internal consistency. (Author)

Explored paraprofessionals' and patients' assessment criteria of therapeutic goals, especially patient recovery, in light of increased use of mental health paraprofessionals in mental health settings. Results indicated psychiatric technicians utilize a multidimensional hierarchical decision model, while patients utilize a unidimensional and…

The differences between teaching and nonteaching hospitals in complexity and variety of cases seen are described. The results show that teaching hospitals could be expected to cost somewhat more per patient even if case mix were the only factor. (Author/MLW)

Describes a criterion group classification scheme commonly used in conjunction with discriminant function analysis and suggests that clinicians consider membership probabilities for each criterion group of interest. Illustrates this approach using data from a study in which discriminant analysis was used to identify characteristics of problem…

The use of a practical workshop to disseminate an innovative technical therapy which must be learned and practiced under supervision is described. A removable rigid dressing for below-the-knee amputees, developed at the Veterans Administration Lakeside Medical Center, is discussed. (MLW)

The ability of physicians to convey catastrophic information such as death or terminal illness is seen as an underdeveloped area of communication skills. A study to determine whether simulation with videotape feedback is an effective teaching technique to improve pediatric residents' skills in communication is discussed. (Author/MLW)

A review of 36 empirical studies on teaching interviewing skills in various health profession programs is presented. The focus is on teaching skills which consider the interpersonal skills relevant to effective clinical interviewing. Programs are compared and implications for future research are discussed. (GDC)

In order to maintain both the quality of student learning and client care as well as make effective use of faculty time, agency staff nurses were used as student preceptors. The nurses visit with students to demonstrate techniques and participate in the care students give their patients. (CT)

The teaching of the pelvic examination is seen as having undergone a dramatic change since the introduction of trained professional patient-instructors. The results of a study using two groups, the professional patient-instructor method in one group and a control group using gynecologists and clinic patients, is presented. (MLW)

Discusses emotional difficulties of young children regarding experience in hospitals and presents ways to prevent such problems from occurring. (DB)

Increasing numbers of patients will be discharged from mental hospitals because of changes in delivery services. Approximately 650,000 patients will return to their families. This presents new challenges to family therapists. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Washington, DC, October…