Examines the impact of patients' characteristics on patterns of nonverbal communication exhibited in physician-patient interactions at a family practice clinic. Finds some general patterns of nonverbal behavioral differences, consistency, and adaptation characterizing the entire data set, and that patients' characteristics influenced patterns of…

The article describes the operation of a medically based support system within a school district for programs for children with severe emotional disturbances. Examples are given of the consultation services of a pediatrician and psychiatrist in one district. Six guidelines for establishing such a support system are offered. (DB)

Reviews research on learning disabilities. Evaluates the adequacy of the knowledge base. Discusses the implications for social policies regarding the definition, diagnosis, treatment, and education of learning disabled children. (Author/BJV)

In response to stresses, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Hospital developed and expanded a system of medical care. A health maintenance organization was initiated and other hospitals were acquired or affiliated. The realignment of resources and patients shifted the focus to an ambulatory care setting. (Author/MLW)

Studied how early treatment affected the development of a sample of 30 Down syndrome babies incorporated into the study at different ages. Found that development quotients descended significantly at 18 months of age as the period in treatment shortened. (AJH)

Technological and social changes have left the medical profession without theory and content needed to adapt, making it essential to upgrade teaching of behavioral sciences in medical education. Despite their breadth and lack of definition relative to medical science, behavioral sciences provide a functional area that mediates between the patient…

Residents (n=702) of Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation institutions were given dental examinations, and findings were compared with data from 1,077 residents 9 years earlier. Data were analyzed for oral pathology, unmet dental needs, contribution of dental care to habilitation, and effectiveness of the dental service system.…

Discusses British adolescents' rights to refuse certain medical treatments, and clarifies the complex legal issues that surround consent. (HTH)

Selected demographic data are presented on three topics: the benefits to employers for making accommodations for employees with disabilities, the impact of visual problems on social roles and health care utilization, and residential mobility patterns of Americans for geographic regions and selected states. (SW)

This article reviews factorial surveys and highlights their utility in designing intervention programs. It then describes two instances in which factorial surveys were used to develop HIV/AIDS-related interventions. It is concluded that factorial surveys have great potential for designing intervention programs. (SLD)

Embedded a context effect experiment in a structured telephone survey of renal transplant recipients. Results indicated that context effects interacted with the treatment adherence status of respondents such that noncompliant recipients were less susceptible to context manipulations. Respondents' characteristics as potential moderators of item…

The newly incorporated Computer-Based Patient Record Institute (CPRI) is discussed in the context of the history of medical records, the need for change (mainly because of health care reimbursement and regulation), and the need for involvement by all medical professionals in the development of standards of data collection which reflect public…

A study using microcomputer algorithms for more efficient management of six common pediatric care problems found improvements in all performance measures with computer algorithm use. However, use was discontinued after five weeks because the six physicians perceived the algorithms as too tedious for routine care. (Author/MSE)

Examines the efficacy of higher education as a remedial strategy for persons with work disabilities. Efficacy is measured by comparing individual treatment costs to net earnings impacts. Higher education was shown to be a cost-effective strategy for persons with work disabilities. Higher education should be given an expanded role within the…

A survey of 614 Maine physicians indicated that almost 80% were currently providing care to patients with mental retardation living in the community. Major obstacles in treating such patients were revealed, their importance was assessed, and ratings of the utility of specific measures to lessen these obstacles were identified. (Author/JDD)