Describes seven case studies from a range of health settings in terms of the diversity of expression of the principles of community-oriented primary care (COPC). Suggests COPC is not limited to publicly funded programs. Argues that the organization of financing and the lack of feasible quantitative tools hinder the full development of the COPC…

Used patient records of 184 adults to examine the relationship of cause of dying, length of hospital stay, and age to medical treatment effort orientation and work effort. Findings showed medical treatment orientation was overwhelmingly toward the cure end of the care/cure continuum, despite no-code designations or terminal conditions. (JAC)

Reviews recent histories of geriatrics which suggest that early physicians contributed to the degradation of old age by labeling it a disease. Records of the Boston Almshouse Hospital indicated that assessments of the elderly's morbidity were prompted as much by doctors' desires for self-advancement as by the elderly's needs. (JAC)

The author estimates that approximately 200,000 lives of devalued disabled people (including infants and older adults) are taken or abbreviated annually through euthanasia and termination of life-supporting measures. He cites possible reasons for limited public outcry against what he compares with the holocaust. (CL)

The effects of cochlear implants, devices to stimulate hearing, on speech discrimination, lipreading, and auditory contact are reviewed. This review highlights unresolved questions and considers the potential risks and benefits. It is suggested that future development of the cochlear implant should include educators of deaf children. (Author/CL)

A telephone survey was conducted to describe the incidence of learning disorders as reported by parents of children who had received surgical treatment for serous otitis media. Contrary to expectation, only 13 percent of the 90 children were enrolled in special education. (Author/CL)

A longitudinal study of 1,761 children found that children in nonsmoking households used significantly more outpatient services than did those in smoking households, a relationship largely accounted for by the use of more preventive medical services by those in nonsmoking households. (CMG)

Bibliometric traits were used to describe the development and clinical use of levodopa as an antiparkinsonian agent. (Author)

A variety of commonly used treatment modalities presently being utilized in the U.S. are described by Richard Phillipson, M.D. at the American Medical Association's National Conference on Physicians and Schools, Chicago, 1971. (BY)

Effects of location of electroconvulsive treatment (either the right or left side of the patient's head) are discussed. (CD)

A double-blind randomly controlled trial of one particular laxative, used in moderate dosage, was carried out on a group of 40 children with severe and persistent soiling and with a history of frequent fecal retention. (RH)

While the United States rubella immunization program has controlled epidemic rubella, endemic rubella activity still occurs and affects primarily adolescents and young adults. (Author)

Those responsible for treatment of drug addicts should be aware that many illegally sold drugs are adulterated with other substances. (JD)

Over a 3-year period, 29 adolescent patients were hospitalized because of intentional Jimson weed ingestion. Their records were reviewed for the presence of signs and symptoms of atropine/scopolamine toxicity, clinical course, treatment, and outcome. Journal availability: Arthur Retlaw and Associates, Inc., Suite 2080, 1603 Orrington Avenue,…

Surveyed nursing homes in New York in 1986 and 1988 concerning policies on decisions about life-sustaining treatment, patient decision-making capacity, prevalence of ethics committees to resolve disputes, and advance directives. Between 1986 and 1988, number of facilities with explicit policies and institutional vehicles to address issues…