Patients high in alientation and distrust may be poor compliers. Because only the somatic concern dimension predicted outcome, a single scale that measures this characteristic may be sufficient for effective identification of the potential good v poor responders to conservative treatment of low back pain. (Author)

Graduates of a dental school course in stress management were asked about the relevance of the course content in their professional practices. Main pressures are patient, business, and staff management, time pressures, and idealism. Technical aspects of dental practice were not identified as stressful. (MSE)

A significant portion of the increase in medical care costs results from the inefficient use of clinical laboratories by some physicians. A course for the undergraduate medical curriculum that will introduce students to the practice of intelligent and cost-effective utilization of the clinical laboratory is proposed. (MLW)

Issues of concern in the area of teaching health education are outlined including the need for clear definitions of terms in health education, the choice and use of classroom materials, and recognition of the limitations of available resources. (JMF)

A study on the attitudes of adults related to the voluntary termination of life showed that those persons with favorable attitudes toward suicide were also favorable toward euthanasia. Religiosity was negatively associated with pro-euthanasia attitudes. Whites and males were more favorable toward euthanasia than Blacks and females. (Author)

Results of a survey to document the nature and volume of ambulatory care in the community, based on an assessment of the visit, indicate that nearly four of five ambulatory visits made to physicians are for primary care and that all physicians, even the most specialized, provide a substantial amount of primary care. Implications for medical…

An after-hours educational program has been developed in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina to provide regular feedback regarding after-hours practice; to identify problems and symptoms that present after office hours; and to provide a mechanism for the discussion of calls and the teaching of telephone medicine…

The comprehensive medical care system being utilized in China is described. Topics discussed include: the availability of medical care, training of physicians, medical care costs, and the political and social implications of the Chinese system. Lessons the United States can learn from the Chinese experience are presented. (BT)

A family practice center, independently controlled and staffed, but located within a major university medical center, is proposed. Such a location allows for patient care and education as well as for resident training. Other advantages include access to the university center's services. Possible disadvantages are also discussed. (JMD)

This article describes experiences with Personal Achievement Skills (PAS), a group counseling process in a spinal cord injury project, emphasizing training in communication and goal setting in the context of group process. Issues in conducting such training and providing comprehensive service to the spinal cord injured are discussed in detail.…

This article examines some of the problems often encountered in physician-patient discussions of sexual topics and suggests an approach to solutions based on interviewing techniques. (Author)

The U. S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade found that the right of privacy guarantees a woman the prerogative of having an abortion free of interference by the state; but in Doe v. Bolton it allowed a hospital to refuse to admit a patient for an abortion. This conflict is discussed with reference to the Church Amendment. (LBH)

In view of the continuing need for and scarcity of large animal veterinary care in rural areas, this study tried to delineate those factors that delimit veterinary services. The problem was found largely to be tied to the practitioner's unwillingness to leave his office due to economics, professional dedication, and maintenance of professional…

Asserts that in reviewing the latest available comprehensive document on the health of Americans, "Health United States 1975", it is clear that the current health of black Americans continues to lag far behind that of their white counterparts. In fact, in some categories there is strong evidence of actual mistreatment of blacks. (Author/JM)

Addresses responding to a child with special health care needs with a life-threatening medical emergency, including an equipment malfunction, when it occurs in community settings. Collaborative development of portable individualized emergency response plans is discussed, and illustrative care scenarios, a sample plan, and policy recommendations…