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J Potvin

Publications and source records attributed to J Potvin.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Quantitative methods in assessment of neurologic function.

Traditionally, neurologists have emphasized qualitative techniques for assessing results of clinical trials. However, in recent years qualitative evaluations have been increasingly augmented by quantitative tests for measuring neurologic functions pertaining to mental state, strength, steadiness, reactions, speed, coordination, sensation, fatigue, gait, station, and simulated activities of daily living. Quantitative tests have long been used by psychologists for evaluating asymptomatic function, assessing human information processing, and predicting proficiency in skilled tasks; however, their methodology has never been directly assessed for validity in a clinical environment. In this report, relevant contributions from the literature on asymptomatic human performance and that on clinical quantitative neurologic function are reviewed and assessed. While emphasis is focused on tests appropriate for evaluating clinical neurologic trials, evaluations of tests for reproducibility, reliability, validity, and examiner training procedures, and for effects of motivation, learning, handedness, age, and sex are also reported and interpreted. Examples of statistical strategies for data analysis, scoring systems, data reduction methods, and data display concepts are presented. Although investigative work still remains to be done, it appears that carefully selected and evaluated tests of sensory and motor function should be an essential factor for evaluating clinical trials in an objective manner.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychogeriatric consultation in "reception centres": a descriptive account.

"Centres d'accueil" (reception centres) for the aged will be required to become increasingly involved with seniors presenting psychological or psychiatric problems, because of both the increase in life expectancy and the philosophy of avoiding the institutionalization of such seniors in psychiatric settings. One of the activities of the consulting psychiatrist is to meet the patient to establish a diagnosis and suggest treatment; however, the support of the care-giving team is the consultant's primary concern. The psychogeriatric consultant makes a rapid, on-site decision on suitable treatment for the patient, thus avoiding a potentially upsetting transfer. In addition, the consultant encourages active involvement by staff in the management of the psychiatric problem.

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