Two main objectives were set by the group of eight students and an instructor the exploration of feelings and attitudes by the student toward his own dying and death and an appreciation of what the experience of dying is like in order to facilitate the development of the student's sensitivity to the needs of the dying patient and his family.…

The newborn nursery provides an ideal setting for introducing basic concepts in primary care. In the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center nursery, a multidisciplinary team considers the many physiologic adjustments a newborn must undergo to adapt successfully to its environment. (Author/MLW)

The residency is examined from the standpoint of adult developmental theory, and significant developmental tasks facing residents are described. Recommendations for management of common developmental conflicts occurring in residency are discussed. (Author/MLW)

A study to determine whether any previous training had been received in death counseling, to assess the need for resident physicians to provide such counseling, and to define the self-perceived confidence level of resident physicians in providing psychosocial support to dying patients and their families is described. (Author/MLW)

A small-group program established to provide advice and support in areas of stress for freshman students at Indiana University School of Medicine is described. Two objectives of the program were met: increasing intraclass student communication and support and decreasing student anonymity. (MLW)

The symbolic and communicative aspects of illness and treatment are examined. A number of factors that complicate interpersonal communication are identified and found to exist in their most extreme form in medical settings. Suggestions are offered to help physicians become more sensitive to the symbolic aspects of illness. (Editor/LBH)

A questionnaire on life-style was completed by freshman medical students at orientation and again seven months later. Life-style changes were related to physical-psychological health and affect mood changes. There was an increase in perceived stress as the school year progressed and a tendency to improve coping effectiveness. (Author/MLW)

Students at the University of Colorado School of Medicine were surveyed using an inventory of problems and concerns relating to their personal and academic lives. The survey revealed that among chief student concerns are a lack of personal freedom, excessive academic pressures, and feelings of dehumanization. (Editor/LBH)

A method of informally interviewing parents of children who have died or are seriously ill--before a small group of medical students in pediatric rotations--helps to sensitize students to parent attitudes, needs, and grief patterns, and gives a longitudinal perspective of the physician's role and the disease process. (MSE)

Self-report data were collected on measures of job stress, life stress, social support provided by three sources (supervisors, co-workers, and people outside work), and psychological health symptoms. Residents who perceive high job stress need to be identified in their residencies so assistance can be provided. (Author/MLW)

A study found that a combination of small-group instruction and large-group lectures was more effective than lectures alone in preparing medical students to respond to patients' emotional concerns. The small group instruction consisted of interviews with elderly nursing home residents serving as simulated patients, and structured practice and…

Differences in ratings by faculty members and first-, second-, and third-year residents on measures of occupational stress, personal strain, and availability of coping resources were examined. The findings suggest that residency education interferes with first-year residents' abilities to cope and places their physical well-being at risk.…

Medical student marriages were examined in order to identify areas of stress, evaluate the congruence between expectations and actualities in the marital partner's role performance as perceived by the spouse, investigate the spouse's attitudes toward marital counseling, and determine whether a marital counseling service should be made available.…

A survey of the availability of mental health resources for medical students and residents in academic medical centers found that most centers offer assistance to medical students but not to house officers. The structures and limitations of the programs for residents are described. (Author/MLW)

Residency programs in six medical specialties were surveyed to examine the frequency and kinds of psychosocial support offered to residents. Family practice and psychiatry programs are more likely to offer the 10 types of support surveyed, including counseling, seminars, support groups, child care, and part-time programs. (Author/JMD)