The effect of clinical experience on diagnosis formulation was assessed by studying physicians at different levels of training. To evaluate whether physicians' knowledge of being part of an experiment affected their formation and modification of diagnoses, physicians signed consent forms and were not informed when videotaping was done. (Author/MLW)

A computer program developed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine presents simulated patient cases and then scores participants' clinical problem-solving in the cases by comparing their performances with those of faculty members. The validity and reliability of this evaluation system was investigated. (Author/MLW)

This study examined the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among school children in Arkansas for the purpose of helping school districts plan appropriate educational interventions. The ADHD Survey was mailed to all 311 school superintendents; 128 surveys were returned. Findings revealed that, overall, 3 percent of…

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the need for services across the continuum of child/adolescent mental health services in Virginia. Specific objectives of the study were to: (1) describe the youth receiving services; (2) determine where and to what extent gaps in services exist; (3) determine the reasons why youth do…

The way a particular clinician judges, from data, the degree to which a child is in the category "learning disabled" was modeled on the basis of clinician's statement of the traits that comprise the handicap. The model illustrates the use of fuzzy set theory. (Author/RL)

Over 13 weeks during two periods in 1978 the diagnostic rate for acute otitis media was monitored among febrile children in the emergency room of a large children's hospital. Temporal variation in diagnostic rates by physicians was largely attributable to differences among individual providers and independent of level of training. (Author/MLW)

Rochester, New York, physicians and graduate medical students' use of laboratory tests as applied to asymptomatic patients was surveyed and their knowledge of four specific screening procedures was tested. The results reinforce the impression that laboratory ordering practices are dependent in part upon factors other than knowledge of test…

A comparison of parental descriptions revealed that mothers of developmentally delayed children listed fewer deviant behaviors than did mothers of behaviorally disturbed children, but significantly more than mothers of nonclinic children. The Washington Symptom Checklist, used in this research, proved a useful clinical tool. (Author/SS)

A study compared 422 Head Start children with a putative diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with typical Head Start children from kindergarten through third grade. Children with putative ADHD who had received medications were significantly more likely to be found eligible for special education than non-medicated children.…

This study examined whether raising a child with Down's syndrome affects a family (n=34) differently than does raising a child with another developmental disability (n=74). Results found that long-term adjustment to raising children with other disabilities was comparable to that of raising children with Down's syndrome. (CR)

In cases of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, the perpetrator (generally the mother) simulates or fabricates child abuse in order to maintain an intense relationship with hospital personnel, police personnel, child protection workers, lawyers, or school personnel. A case involving law enforcement agents as a primary "target" illustrates…

Investigates several aspects of childhood sexual abuse to determine the "best model" for predicting long-term symptoms found both in male and female survivors. Results indicate that the level of severity accounted for the most variation for both men and women for each of five measures of trauma symptoms. (RJM)

A study involving 41 mothers explored the relation of severity of functional impairment on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Parent Version to diagnosis, parenting stress, and child age. Children with autism received significantly higher ratings than did children with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. Severity predicted…

Twenty children with severe interactional and communication difficulties at age 2 underwent a comprehensive assessment for autism, and were reassessed at age 4-5. Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders at age 2 was found to be reliable and stable. Children whose social scores deteriorated tended to have had more behavior problems. (Contains…

A study using simulated doctor-patient interactions found that social work students inappropriately attributed both positive and negative characteristics to patients, apparently on the basis of sociocultural stereotypes. It is suggested that social work educators must address values and stereotyping in clinical assessment training. (MSE)