Presents a model for understanding the socialization process of physicians, nurses, and social workers as a way for acquiring a professional identity based on values and meanings. Explores the literature as it relates to this framework and describes the educational implications of these patterns for professionals who must work together. (RJM)

In an exploratory, qualitative study of 16 daughters- and sons-in-law and their 16 spouses, 4 patterns emerged that highlighted the differences in their motivation for involvement in caregiving. Differences related to notions of obligation, reactive versus pro-active involvement, managerial roles in the family, and the differences in the impact of…

Factor analytic and construct validity studies were conducted to explore the validity of Cicirelli's 13-item Filial Anxiety Scale (FAS). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were a part of the investigation. Results offer support for the validity of the FAS subscales and the FAS' usefulness as an…

Background: Gender bias has been reported in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of illnesses. In the context of our 10-station fourth year Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation, we queried whether this could influence diagnosis in a geriatric case. Case writers hypothesized that, due to this bias, the female standardized…

Studies concerned with factors related to perceptions of the elderly have found that educational attainment is the only variable to show a consistently positive relationship with the way people view the aged. The goal of this curriculum model is to develop a training program that incorporates racial/ethnic content relevant to practitioners in…

As the American population increases, the health problems of older women will be of greater concern to health planners, because it is the elderly woman who most often survives to old age and has greater need of services. Data from the National Health Survey was used to determine characteristics, conditions, management, and outcomes of patients at…

The Gaylord White Project, a pilot program in the use of television to promote the health and well-being of the elderly, used bi-directional cable television to deliver programs to the residents of a low-income, East Harlem housing project for the aged. For 15 months, health education and community information messages were delivered to…

Applied gerontological research of home care service to aged people associates the provision of the service with maintenance of independence, relief of collateral stress, prevention of unnecessary institutionalization and higher contentment. Although these beneficial effects are related to home care, the service is generally regarded as ancillary…

A study of internal medicine residents' attitudes toward specific older patients' health status, adjustment to medical care, and expected benefits of health education activities found that residents' attitudes correlated with their satisfaction and that patients tended to express greater satisfaction than residents. (Author/MSE)

The results of a study of the employment patterns, academic preparation, and work characteristics of dental hygienists working with special populations (including the physically handicapped, mentally and emotionally handicapped, geriatric, mentally compromised, homebound, low income, and children) are reported. (MSE)

Certain historical aspects of the biology of elderly people may be obscure to the medical observer and must be incorporated in medical case histories. History forms from 10 facilities and interview techniques were evaluated. Results from the Boston study show medical education is incomplete in this area. (Author/MSE)

Three postgraduate continuing education programs utilized self-paced reference materials coupled with symposium presentations. Programs 1 and 2 were designed to provide more "active" learning elements (role plays, simulations, etc.) and Program 3 consisted primarily of lecture and discussion. "Active" format participants were…

Describes a geriatric wellness program in which social work practitioners played a major role. Compared results of a telephone screening test to detect depression with the clinical judgment of social workers. The screening instrument proved effective in assessing a population with a high rate of major depression. (RJM)

Uses Cronbach's alpha and correlational methods, including factor analysis, to evaluate the performance of four short scales measuring psychosocial aspects of well-being (depression, quality of life, sense of coherence, social support) in two samples of community-dwelling persons ages 75 and over. All scales exhibited good range, high internal…

Examines the importance of economic factors in physician and other health service utilization among older adults living in Bermuda. Using data from a national survey of 500 Bermudian elders, findings reveal economic factors to be unrelated to the use of physician services directly, but to be significant determinants of the use of other health…