In the age of the industrial revolution 4.0 the question arises as to how far digitization, which is taking place in all areas of life and work, can help meet the challenges of caring for patients or relieve the burden on nursing staff. In the health sector, including professional care, digitization is taking place at a rapid pace. In hospitals,…

This paper discusses the scholarly literature related to tablet computer use in medicine. Forty-four research-based articles were examined for emerging categories and themes. The most studied uses for tablet computers include: patients using tablets to complete diagnostic survey instruments, medical professionals using tablet computers to view…

Conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of the administration of human albumin in critically ill patients. Findings raised serious concerns about the safety of an intervention that has been widely used in health care around the world. Findings illustrate the importance of systematic reviews in health care and other areas of…

Discusses the effects of trends in health care services, including an emphasis on primary health care and patient involvement, on the information needs of health care professionals and managers. A proposed information network that would provide point of use access to sources of health care information is described. (three references) (CLB)

This document contains the 18 papers on health-related and medical care issues of the elderly that were presented at the 1981 White House Conference on Aging. The materials focus on the following topics: physical mobility, death, heart disease, nutrition, injury, senile dementia, post-menopausaul women, gerontological nursing, learning and memory,…

Several demographic and psychosocial variables affect assessment and treatment of chronic pain patients. The variables include demographic characteristics, life styles, family constellations, job conditions, financial status, support networks, and leisure activities. In recent years clinics and programs have emerged in a variety of configurations.…

Noting that loss of control is a major concern confronting patients experiencing an illness, this paper critically analyzes the research literature on control and clarifies the implications of this research for provider-patient communication. The paper first defines control, noting that the most frequently cited definition is the "locus of…

The use of healthy individuals acting as simulated patients for the purpose of clinical teaching is discussed. The term "standardized patients" is used to refer to training the individual to present a standard, repeatable stimulus. Some evidence suggests that simulated patients possess high fidelity (i.e., closely approximate real…

While research strongly suggests that social support can be effective in helping patients increase their compliance with medical regimens, many more specific questions remain unanswered. These include: (1) how are physicians using social support in an effective manner; (2) what are the most effective ways for physicians and their office staff to…

The concept of contact tracing and notification once used for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is being mentioned for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Some professional organizations have supported contact notification; others have opposed it. Initially, states were free to establish their own contact notification programs. More…

Noting that the mental health practitioner needs highly developed linguistic and communicative skills in order to precipitate therapeutic changes, this paper discusses the nature of the contexts of therapeutic interaction. It examines verb tense as a linguistic context marker and shows how various schools of therapy can use it. In addition, it…

A series of followup investigations exploring the impact of methadone maintenance treatment, methadone detoxification treatment, therapeutic communities, and outpatient drug-free treatment for the drug abuser was conducted. Limitations of these modalities were revealed in the followup studies. Implications for treatment and policy include: (1)…

This paper examines the variety of legal rules and processes which have been established to assess and ensure that the quality of care provided in nursing homes satisfies an acceptable level. It begins with a general overview of nursing home law. Areas discussed in this section include: (1) sources of nursing home law; (2) theories of liability;…

Summaries of arguments given in the literature both for and against the use of verbal-traditional psychotherapy with mentally retarded individuals is presented. Much research examines process variables in therapy as an approach. Feedback variables are crucial. Results of a research study in which therapy groups composed of mentally retarded adults…

Perceived control is becoming an increasingly popular topic in the literature of communication. Intriguing evidence exists to suggest that the key to understanding the role of locus of control in the interpersonal encounter lies in appreciating the enthymematic nature of human interaction and the role of perceived control in this enthymematic…