Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Long.
A survey of 1,348 Syndey school children, aged 10 to 13 years, carried out during October and November, 1973, and February, 1974, indicated that approximately 30% associated the word "hazard" with danger, risk or disaster; 11% associated it specifically with ill health; 16% defined it directly as "habit"; and a further 15% defined hazard as being "like a bad habit".
The pharmacokinetics of sulphamethizole, paracetamol and phenylbutazone were investigated and compared in young and geriatric subjects. The rate and extent of absorption of the drugs did not appear to be affected by increasing subject age. However, the mean half-lives for sulphamethizole and paracetamol were significantly increased in the geriatric subjects. A number of correlations are presented between the elimination rate constants of the drugs and certain subject parameters and variables. The elimination of phenylbutazone was found not to be influenced significantly by subject age. The apparent volumes of distribution of the three drugs were not age-dependent.
During 1972-3 a survey was made of the pattern of communication between 80 consultants in four hospitals in south-east England and 100 general practitioners in the catchment areas of these hospitals. This aimed to identify the factors which affect the efficiency of communication between these two groups and to look for ways of improving this.Face to face contact between consultants and general practitioners was extremely limited. The main communication links were the letters of referral and discharge, but even this form of communication had serious defects. Though most doctors were satisfied with communications in general the evidence suggested ways of improving communication between consultants and general practitioners, such as encouraging domiciliary visits where both doctors are present and consultant sessions in health centres, but that any innovation in this field could only be successful if the attitude of the consultants and general practitioners were in harmony with the new venture.
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The number of women in the UK seeking genetic counselling, testing and preventative treatment is rapidly increasing. In Manchester 600-800 women are now referred annually to the Family History Clinic. As yet there is no formal provision for this service within the NHS, but research is underway to evaluate such clinics and to identify the psychosocial sequelae of genetic risk counselling. To date, findings have been based on questionnaire data from which it is difficult to ascertain support needs accurately. We interviewed 158 women 3 months after genetic risk counselling because of a family history of breast cancer. Using standard assessment and diagnostic criteria, 21 (13%) women were diagnosed with an affective disorder. This compared with a prevalence of 26% using the 28 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). We did not find a relationship between GHQ distress levels and women's understanding of their risk before genetic counselling, but women with accurate risk knowledge post-counsel had significantly lower GHQ scores than those who continued to over or under-estimate and this finding warrants further investigation. Of women referred for psychological help, few reported risk of breast cancer as their main concern, but themes of loss, unresolved grief and relationship problems were common. The value of the GHQ as a screening instrument is discussed and we suggest a new threshold value based on our analysis. We conclude that risk counselling does not adversely affect the general mental health of attenders but a minority of women may need help with the impact of breast cancer in the family.
Using light microscopy, the numbers of myelinated axons in the periodontal ligament of the cat mandibular canine were counted after orthodontic forces had been applied for either 3 days or 12 weeks, and also 8 weeks after removal of a force that had been applied for the previous 12 weeks. After 3 days no significant changes in axon number were recorded, but after 12 weeks there were significantly fewer myelinated axons in the periodontal ligament of the experimental teeth than in the control teeth. This reduction was not reversed after an 8 week recovery period. The width of the ligament was measured in an attempt to correlate regions of nerve fibre degeneration with areas of compression or tension, and the tooth root circumference was measured to assess the extent of any root resorption. It appeared that axon degeneration occurred both in areas of compression and tension. Root resorption had occurred after 12 weeks of applied force and there was no significant change after the 8 week recovery period. These findings support the view that nerve injury occurs as a result of orthodontic force and may possibly be permanent.
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This is the first of two articles which support the assumption that effective communication is the foundation upon which nursing should stand. The articles are founded on an examination of an interaction analysis of a role play situation in the classroom where a group of 19 MSc nursing students presented a nursing scenario to their peers and feedback was later generated from the total group. At least seven minority ethnic groups, who were new to the country, were represented. The role play was later examined using theoretical frameworks to guide the analysis. This article provides analysis of the breaking of bad news, giving information through exploring, questioning and reassurance, touch, and, finally, empathy and humanism. The second article will explore and examine ethical issues, such as truth-telling and autonomy, that were also evidenced in the role play. Other themes were personal constraints such as family stress and counselling. This article begins by introducing readers to the role play situation. The number of communication concepts identified in this short 20-minute role play positively support the authors' argument that communication is the essence of nursing care.
This is the second of two articles analysing the communication themes that emerged from a role play situation in the classroom where a group of MSc nursing students carried out a nursing role play. Feedback from the entire group of 19 students was obtained and discussed openly following the presentation of the scenario. The first article examined the following communication issues: breaking bad news; giving information through exploring, questioning, and reassurance; touch; and empathy and humanism (Vol 9(14): 931-8). Attempts were made to give examples of how these key issues could be applied to nursing practice. This second article involves the examination of the ethical issues of truth-telling and autonomy that emerged in the role play and again attempts to integrate the theoretical underpinnings with nursing practice in the knowledge that the arguments advanced are neither right nor wrong. This deduction is based on the fact that each human being is unique; therefore, each interaction that occurs between two people is also unique. Nursing can strive to provide better, more effective and more sensitive communication because ethical communication is, it is argued, the realm in which nurses toll.
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