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Biomedical subjects

K Ernst

Publications and source records attributed to K Ernst.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

[Chronic neuroses and their treatment].

Research in epidemiological psychiatry begins to find methods which allow a sufficiently reliable and valid assessment of the prevalence and incidence of neurotic disorders. Neuroses seen by psychiatrists more often show a chronic development than those seen by general practitioners. Chronic neurotic patients run a higher risk of somatic disorder but rarely become addicts. A minority only of equally disturbed neurotics receives any kind of treatment. This is only partially explained by the uneven distribution of services by region and social class. --According to twin research results, whether a neurosis appears at all, and its severity and chronicity, seem to be less influenced by heredity than the "choice" of symptoms. Controlled research begins to outline indications for the various forms of psychotherapy. One of the most important results is that psychotherapy does not have to last long to be helpful. Many neurotics, however, remain ill in spite of being treated. Unfavourable familial and other psychosocial factors can sustain the disorder, whereas unforeseen changes in the life situation may occasionally lead to late recovery.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1979

[The increase in suicide in psychiatric hospitals. Facts, causes and prevention].

In the psychiatric clinics of five countries and in ours as well, suicides have significantly increased since the twenties, and many times more than in the general population. This trend is probably not due to change in the sociographic and diagnostic composition of admitted patients but to more liberal hospital treatment and more active rehabilitation. In order to prevent suicide in the clinic, it has to be kept in mind that what proves to be an asset for the great majority of patients may be detrimental for a minority.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Acute myopathic syndrome].

Acute myopathic syndromes are very rarely encountered in the static neurological list of illnesses. Most of them have to do with crises, functional myopathia, for example myasthenia, paroxysmal paralyses, etc. The possibilities of therapy are outlined. A certain centralization of myological diagnoses, therapy and rehabilitation seems appropriate.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

[Is the current legal protection of psychiatric patients sufficient? 179th Decision of the Psychiatric Appeals Commission of the Zurich Canton 1963-74].

179 decisions of the Psychiatric Commission of Appeals of the Canton of Zurich in the years 1963 to 1974. Only every 200th patient admitted to 6 psychiatric clinics in the Canton of Zurich appealed against hospitalization to a commission of appeals, although 20 to 40% of all patients deny the need for hospitalization at least in the beginning. More detailed information of the patients as to the possibilities to appeal did not increase the number of appeals. Males, skilled workers, schizophrenic and manic patients are overrepresented, females, unskilled labourers, depressed patients or such with brain-damage are underrepresented among the appealers. The appeals were made on repeated admissions rather than on first hospital stays and after some weeks rather than in the early days after after admission. The majority of appeals (142) was settled in two ways: 1) the clinic authorities agreed to discharge the patient; 2) the commission of appeals was not competent for the complaint in question. 37 appeals led to personal examination of the appealer. The appeal was given suit in 3 cases only. Cases of illegal "dumping" were not observed. Patients under guardianship tend to appeal at least as frequently as those not under tutorage. If the commission of appeals were given competence also for those under guardianship - as demands the European Convention on Human Right - this would satisfy the needs of this group of patients. However, an initial control of all hospitalizations by court or other officials is uncalled for. It would only impair the personal rights of the patients, delay their discharge and foster seemingly but not truly voluntary admissions.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[The problem of polyneuropathy in methaqualone medication].

Thirteen years after the introduction of methaqualone into therapy, investigators (namely, Finke, Spiegelberg, and Suchenwirth), by reference to individual cases, pointed out the possible development of polyneuropathies. This has not so far been confirmed despite worldwide use of the drug. Experiments on rats, which were conducted by the present authors, show a statistically significant decrease in maximum motor conduction speed, which is believed to be functional disorder. Clinical symptoms or nervous structural variations in the sense of polyneuropathy could not be observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[The problem of latent neuropathy in essential hypertension].

A neurographic examination of 54 patients with essential hypertonia did not reveal any significant differences, from a control group, in the maximum rate of motor conduction of the ulnar nerve. An assocation of subclinical neuropathy with essential hypertonia cannot, therefore, be confirmed, thus denying the statement made by Viskoper and his coworkers and saying that the motor nerve conduction speed was an objective index for determining the severity of diseases characterized by hypertension.

Female↗
PubMed1975

[The fate of elderly patients who have been refused admission. Half-yearly catamnesis of patients not admitted to a psychiatric clinic because of lack of space in 1973].

Six months after being refused admission to the psychiatric clinic, more than half of 128 patients over 60 years of age were found to be inadequately cared for in hospitals, homes and their families. Some were living in appalling conditions. Those admitted to other hospitals stayed there much longer than would be expected from the average hospital stay of psychiatric patients. Had these patients been admitted, the psychiatric clinic would very soon have been unable to admit emergency cases. This situation could be improved by providing better outpatient facilities, increased psychiatric supervision in homes for the elderly and more psychiatric day hospitals and homes. In this way psychiatric clinics could remain available for emergencies.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

[The attitude of 200 hospitalized psychiatric patients and their doctors toward treatment (author's transl)].

1 week after their admission to a psychiatric clinic, a representative sample of 200 patients were interviewed as to their attitude toward hospitalization and their opinion of the doctors, nursing personnel, psychopharmaca, as well as the industrial- and creative occupational therapy they underwent. They were also questioned as to the general physical environment. At the same time, the 15 assistants treating these patients were asked their opinion of the attitudes of their patients toward some of the above points. The patients answered less favorably with regard to their wards (particularly if these were closed) and with regard to the hospitalization in general, but they answered more favorably reacted more positively to their doctors and nurses than to the various methods of treatment (counseling, psychopharmaca, occupational therapy). Information on the patients from their doctors concerning noticeable side effects of psychopharmaca proved insufficient. There was no difference in the patients attitude toward occupational therapy that consisted of unpaid industrial work and the creative occupational therapy. Women were more critical than men. The opinions of the patients were in good agreement with those of the doctors.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Aggresive acts of psychiatric inpatients as reported by nursing staff. A retrospective study].

Method. Questionnaire method with reconstruction of the serious incidents by interview and documents. Results. 253 members of staff remembered 626 aggressive acts which happened to them in the course of a year. Slight acts were caused more often by women than by men, and were directed more frequently against the junior than the senior staff - contrasting in both points with the serious acts. One in every four qualified nurses over the age of 50 shows today a verifiable physical defect resulting from an aggressive act by a patient at one time or another. The clinical-psychological and therapeutic background and consequences of aggressive incidences are briefly presented.

Age Factors↗