Types of ankle sprains, surgical versus nonsurgical treatment, tape versus brace for support, rehabilitation, exercise, and prevention of ankle sprains are discussed by a panel of experts. An acute ankle taping technique is illustrated. (MT)

The author describes the etiology of retinitis pigmentosa, a visual dysfunction which results from progressive loss of the retinal photoreceptors. Sections address signs and symptoms, ancillary findings, heredity, clinical diagnosis, therapy, and research. (SBH)

Considers ethical dilemmas inherent in health care decision making and in patients' advance directives. Describes PRACTICE (patient, relationships, advocacy, conflicts, treatment/nontreatment options, interests, consequences, ethical principles) model which allows health care practitioners to think about ethical issues in structured and systematic…

This article shows how health care delivery is related to cultural or human geography. This is accomplished by describing health care delivery in terms of 12 popular themes of cultural geography. (JDH)

Disabled athletes now compete in many sports, but many physicians don't know what opportunities for sports participation are available for disabled people. Research into injuries is needed because wheelchair athletes have different needs in terms of injury management and rehabilitation. Resources for physicians are listed. (Author/MT)

Examines the different roles of the volunteer: companion/friend, advocate, and educator. Draws a profile of the volunteer, lists qualifications and personal characteristics, offers suggestions on where to work, and discusses special training programs to prepare volunteers for work with the dying. (JAC)

Examines the nature and consequences of pet-associated injuries to children. Topics discussed include animal bites, the kinds of injuries inflicted, fatalities due to animal bites, and also the treatment and prevention of animal-related injuries. (RJC)

Reviews the nature and frequency of injuries in youth hockey (which range from musculoskeletal injuries to life-threatening emergencies). Overall injury rates have decreased, but there is an increase in head, neck, and spine injuries. Those injuries that are serious demand prompt, skillful attention. A comprehensive format for on-ice management is…

The author describes his work to help Chrysler Corporation combat high medical care costs. He discusses what the United States must do as a whole to bring costs down. He also predicts that, if his guidelines are followed, within 10 years the number of hospital beds will be cut in half. (CH)

Points out that while health problems often contribute to the problem behavior that causes juveniles to be taken into detention, institutions rarely treat these problems adequately. Summarizes common health problems among delinquent adolescents and calls for increased provision of comprehensive health services to institutionalized juveniles.…

The Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, affecting 0.3 percent of congenitally deaf persons, consists of severe cardiac arrhythmias and sensorineural hearing loss. The authors recommend that every congenitally deaf child with suspicious symptoms receive an electrocardiogram and that professionals who work with deaf children not only inform…

This article discusses reasons for the increase in basketball-related injuries, describes common injuries, outlines steps for diagnosis and treatment, and offers recovery and prevention strategies. (IAH)

Notes that, in survey of 50 cancer patients offered living wills, 6 individuals declined to sign advance directives. Contains detailed evaluation of each of six cases. Discusses potential value of living wills in context of other, newer forms of advance directives, such as durable power of attorney for health care, and more detailed living will…

This report was written to provide current information on the existence of medical malpractice problems and the need for federal involvement and alternatives for resolving malpractice claims. It presents the perceptions of respondents from 37 nationally based organizations representing medical, legal, insurance, and consumer interests who…

Asserts that cognitive skills that develop during adolescence are crucial to successful contraceptive practice and that practitioners must understand special developmental setting in which adolescent sexual growth and experimentation occur in order to impact contraceptive use. Demonstrates how health and medical providers can work together to…