The fact that many states have passed elder abuse reporting laws has left care providers with a dilemma. If suspected abuse is reported, the relationship between caregiver and patient may change and the family's difficulties may increase. Indicators of abuse are not easy to differentiate from health problems, especially in the frail elderly. An…

In a medical sociology course composed of health care students with little sociology background and sociology students with no health care background, a paired observation exercise was given. Health care and sociology students were paired, and each pair observed the same medical encounter and reviewed each other's papers. (Author/RM)

A triple-contract model of the relationship between a profession and a society includes a hypothetical contract articulating the profession's basic principles, a second contract suggesting the model for real-life face-to-face meetings creating moral terms limiting the relationship between professionals and society, and a third contract containing…

Discusses, in context of physician-patient relationship, workable model on advance directives for physicians to use with patients along with appropriate guidelines. Examines variables involved in establishment of guidelines for use by physician in office and inpatient settings. Identifies key management and clinical factors for initiating and…

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…

"Communication: The Social Matrix of Psychiatry" (J. Ruesch and G. Bateson) is a work that outlines in a more conversational than pedantic way a theory of human communication. The main thrust is to unite two types of organized information: (1) an understanding of the cultural matrix within which the psychiatrist operates; and (2) the nature of…

A study revealed a very high incidence of unrecognized feelings toward the patient (countertransference) and potentially harmful associated behaviors in a group of medical students. Data suggest the need for instructors to teach medical students about the concept of countertransference. (Author/MLW)

This document is one of seven publications contained in a series of materials for physicians on recognizing, intervening with, and treating adolescent alcoholism. It contains the faculty guide which accompanies the six units of study in the series, and is meant to facilitate the use of the six units of study in a variety of settings and with a…

Two models of moral responsibility in dentistry--the beneficence model (to know what is in the best interest of those served) and the autonomy model (the patient has values and beliefs underlying his/her perspective on his/her own best interests)--are outlined, and a framework for resolving conflict between the two is presented. (MSE)

An interview with parents of a child with cerebral palsy recount their struggles to find a diagnosis and treatment for their daughter and express their anger over the lack of information and help they were given by professionals. They emphasize the need for honesty and straightforwardness in professionals dealing with parents. (CL)

Describes how the discussion of a few short poems on abortion was used to show how the special language of poetry can help doctors share the experience of their patients, as well as recognize their own feelings and attitudes. (JL)

Exercise can help decrease pain and improve function in people with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Physicians must provide individualized, realistic, enjoyable exercise programs that help affected joints, build fitness, and maximize patient compliance. Physicians must also provide appropriate follow-up care, adjusting the exercise program…

A discussion of pharmaceutical curriculum design to meet the competency needs of professional pharmacists looks at the nature of competency, anticipates some of the demands of such a curriculum, describes some methods of organizing curriculum elements, and provides a brief bibliography. (MSE)

A comparison of patient (n=181) and tutor (n=31) evaluations of medical student (n=41) behavior in an internal medicine clerkship revealed difficulties with patient evaluation of students. The process is time consuming and introduces tension between students and patients, and patients are poor discriminators. (Author/MSE)

This teaching guide for a dental health curriculum for children in the Head Start Program contains lesson plans for the following areas: (1) introduction to the dental health program; (2) visiting the dentist; (3) awareness of the mouth; (4) the important functions of the mouth; (5) the importance of keeping teeth and gums clean; (6)…