In the debate over evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for youth, one question is central: Do EBTs produce better outcomes than the usual interventions employed in clinical care? The authors addressed this question through a meta-analysis of 32 randomized trials that directly compared EBTs with usual care. EBTs outperformed usual care. Effects fell…

A study examined the effectiveness of a method designed to increase active patient involvement in the health care context. Subjects, 38 patients visiting a three-physician dermatology practice one randomly selected morning, were asked to fill out a survey at the end of their visit. Half of the subjects were asked to read a "communication…

The medical profession has been required to surrender its autonomy step by step since the late middle ages. This is a discussion of the history and future of medical malpractice. (Author/BB)

Presents the preliminary results of an attempt to screen pregnant Hispanic migrant farm workers for gestational diabetes. They are slightly more prone than the overall population of pregnant women to suffer from it. Provides recommendations for management of women with gestational diabetes, and describes how this is performed at the Indian Health…

Reviewed the psychiatric and medical care of female veterans using 69 interviews at a veterans psychiatric facility. The data suggested that female veterans are satisfied with care in general but are less satisfied with certain gender-related components of care. Reviews the facility's responses to the findings and suggests changes. (JAC)

Assessed service utilization and cost impacts of a consolidated model of long-term care for functionally impaired elders. Compared to traditional long-term care, this model reduces hospital and nursing home stays, redistributes funds to broad range of community-based services, and reduces overall cost of long-term care. (Author/NRB)

Traces the death of a student athlete to deficiencies in the Yonkers, New York, athletic program. Includes evaluation questions based on actions later required of the Yonkers schools. (KS)

Describes a course designed to give students the theoretical and practical knowledge to understand the factors influencing the provision of quality nursing care; to use standards to evaluate nursing care; and to make planning changes to improvement. (Author)

The need for and definition of children's advocacy in the area of health care needs is explored as well as three issues relating to children's advocacy. Journal Availability: American Academy of Pediatrics, P.O. Box 1304, Evanston, IL 60204. (Author/PHR)

A concern is raised about the criterion for the interpretation of certain throat culture tests. (JD)

Most of us who have clinical practices firmly contend that the treatments we provide cause beneficial changes in the lives of our patients. Indeed, our clinical experience engenders strong convictions to the point of believing that withholding treatment creates ethical violations. Intellectually, however, we must recognize that the value of…

This article presents a testimony to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions last April 6, 2005 by Rud Turnbull, the father of Jay Turnbull, a 37-year-old man with significant mental retardation (measured IQ of approximately 40, mental age of approximately 6), rapid cycling bipolar illness, autism, an irregular heartbeat,…

The concept of capacity, its ethical mandates, and a rationale for the assessment of capacity to execute a health care proxy was discussed. Special New York State regulations, relevant to the execution of a health care proxy by persons who have mental retardation, were reviewed, discussed, and compared with regulations in some other jurisdictions.…

Context: National data documenting the role that rural hospitals play in providing inpatient care to patients both younger than 65 and 65 years and older has previously been unavailable. Purpose: To present descriptive nationally representative data on the numbers and types of inpatients, and the care they received, in rural hospitals. Methods:…

NIH consensus and state-of-the-science statements are prepared by independent panels of health professionals and public representatives on the basis of (1) the results of a systematic literature review prepared under contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), (2) presentations by investigators working in areas relevant to…