Biomedical subjects

S Blumenthal

Publications and source records attributed to S Blumenthal.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Prognoses about vocational achievement behavior of first admitted psychiatric patients under special consideration of the diagnoses of depressive illnesses.

In this study prognoses about the posthospital vocational achievement behavior of 55 first admitted depressive patients were made at the time of discharge. With a structured and standardized questionnaire the patients themselves, the treating physicians, and the nurses were interviewed. As a first step of analysis the prognoses of the three groups were compared with each other and tested in respect of differences. This comparison was made with other psychiatric diagnoses too, whereby endogenic depressive patients and neurotic depressive patients were discriminated. In the second step of analysis the prognoses of the three 'rater groups' were compared with the real vocational reintegration of 1 year after discharge. The result was that the prognoses of the treating physicians and the nurses were more compatible with reality than those of the patients themselves.

Achievement↗

PubMed1986

Predictors for the social adjustment of first admitted psychiatric patients.

In a prospectively designed follow-up study of 258 first admitted psychiatric patients, 1 year after discharge 224 patients and 175 significant others were asked about the social adjustment of these patients and some predictors for this aspect of outcome could be identified. The sample consisted of five different diagnostic groups: organically caused psychiatric diseases, schizophrenic psychoses, affective psychoses, neurotic or personality disorders and alcohol or drug dependency. The study shows that statements about the social adjustment of psychiatric patients largely depend on the diagnostic group, both with respect to degree of adjustment and the predictors. Schizophrenic patients were found to be less well socially adjusted than the other patients, with the exception of the alcohol- and drug-addicted patients. For schizophrenic patients, post-hospital social adjustment was primarily determined by indicators of mental illness, such as psychopathological symptoms and length of hospitalization. The social adjustment of addicted patients was primary influenced by vocational variables. For the patients with organic psychiatric disorders, affective psychoses or neurotic/personality disorders, prediction by pre-hospital or hospital variables did not prove to be very useful.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Biomechanical performance of locked intramedullary nail systems in comminuted femoral shaft fractures.

The biomechanical properties of commercially available locked nail systems designed for use in comminuted femoral shaft fractures were compared and evaluated. Ender nails as well as three forms of interlocking nails, Brooker-Wills (B-W), Klenm-Schellman (K-S), and Grosse-Kempf (G-K), were implanted in cadaver femora. The femora were tested in torsion, bending, and axial loading to failure. Two fracture models were tested--a 3 cm subtrochanteric defect and an 8 cm midshaft defect. Results of the testing revealed the three interlocking nails to be comparable to each other and superior to Ender nails in bending and torsion. However, the distally bolted locked nails (K-S, G-K) resisted significantly higher loads than either the distally bladed locked nail (B-W) or Ender nails when tested to failure by axial loading.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

[Occupational reintegration of psychiatric patients hospitalized for the first time in the year following their discharge--results of a prospective longitudinal study].

A short-term occupational prognosis had been given for first-admission psychiatric patients, occasioned by information from the field that, in case of mentally ill persons, measures for their vocational rehabilitation frequently either are started too late, or are inappropriate in scope, because associated impairments are insufficiently dealt with, underrated, or even overlooked at all in the early stages of the illness. Following Wing's concept of disability, an attempt was moreover made to identify barriers for occupational resettlement. The findings provided the basis for considering the question of scope and type of within-clinic or external measures to be initiated, or stepped up, to facilitate these clients' access to gainful employment and, hence, able to positively influence the future course of their condition.

Germany, West↗

PubMed1986

[Occupational handicaps as risk factors for the readmission of psychiatric patients hospitalized for the first time--results of a prospective longitudinal study].

In dealing with the issue of readmission of psychiatric patients into in-patient care, the focus had in the past primarily been on clinical variables such as diagnosis, or severity of the clinical picture. The present study, however, had centered on occupational variables, such as vocational training, occupational status, periods of gainful employment, and unemployment. This complex was studied in a sample of psychiatric patients, with analyses directed at: percentage of the initial sample readmitted after a catamnestic period of 1 and 2 1/2 yrs. resp., diagnostic groups with increased readmission incidence, and occupational variables associated with the need for readmission. Summing up, it may be stated that occupational handicaps arose in particular in the diagnostic groups of endogenous psychoses, whereas in other groups (such as neuroses, alcoholism) the issue of "social handicaps", in particular, had been in the foreground.

Germany, West↗

PubMed1985

[The need and actually successful work-related rehabilitation measures for first-admission psychiatric patients].

Presented are the findings of a follow-up study of 258 psychiatric patients who had for the first time been admitted to inpatient psychiatric treatment in 1979. Using standardized forecasting instruments, the patients themselves, their treating physician, and a member of the care staff were asked to give their views of the patient's occupational outlook, his chances for resettlement, and the need for vocational rehabilitation services following discharge. The needs statements made at discharge are contrasted with the vocational and job-related rehabilitation measures actually initiated and carried out in the year following discharge; additionally, the patients' vocational situation at discharge is compared with their situation twelve months later, and the course of the rehabilitation measures provided is described. Along with the discrepancies between needs statements and amount of vocational rehabilitation services actually initiated and carried out, the empirical findings point to a non-specific, dispersive approach to providing rehabilitation services. The possible causes for this discrepancy between needs and service provision, with its rather serious implications, as well as the doubtful effectiveness of the rehabilitation services provided are discussed, practice-related consequences are outlined.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

[Familial stresses as a sequel of psychiatric diseases in a relative. Results of an interview with relatives].

The results of interviews with relatives of 179 patients committed to psychiatric treatment are reported. The relatives were interviewed in 1980, one year after discharge of the patient--who had been hospitalized for psychiatric problems for the first time--usually in the family setting. Our main interest was to investigate the concern of the relatives induced by the illness of a family member, and to take stock of the nature and extent of family stress at a relatively early stage of a psychiatric illness. We also wished to know what support the relatives had received, and from what sources, and from what other sources they would have wished such support. The results confirm what other investigators have suggested, i.e that community-centred care apparently leads to an increase in family stress, and that outpatient services and facilities have, to date, played a very minor role in overcoming the problems in the families of psychiatric patients.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗

PubMed1983

[After care behavior of first-admission psychiatric patients during the year after their discharge].

228 patients who had been admitted for the first time to a psychiatric hospital were questioned one year after their discharge in respect of the use they made of the medical and non-medical facilities or institutions. The article describes the actual state of affairs in the after-care behaviour of the psychiatric patients, and goes into details with regard to the diagnosis-specific differences in their behaviour. It is especially in this group of patients that a great demand exists with regard to treatment facilities. 90% of the patients have some kind of contact with our health system, and almost 3/4 have undergone treatment for mental disturbances. The main burden of medical outpatient follow-up of psychiatric patients continues to rest with the family physicians. This is equally true for almost all groups of diagnosed diseases. The patients with schizophrenic psychoses represent the only difference, since they will tend to preferably look up a neurologist for the treatment of their mental complaints.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗

PubMed1980