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Biomedical subjects

W R Hendee

Publications and source records attributed to W R Hendee.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

You can't drink and whistle at the same time.

The United States and many other high-technology societies are said to be entering the "information age." But a more appropriate diagnosis might be that we are suffering from a cultural psychosis known as "information anxiety." Nowhere are the symptoms of this malady more visible than in medicine. Treatment for this condition is the use of information systems to lift us above the cacophony of data into the atmosphere of knowledge and the stratosphere of wisdom. But this use must itself be knowledgeable and wise. Otherwise, the treatment will simply exacerbate the symptoms rather than cure the patient.

Computers↗
PubMed1990

Regulation, coverage, and reimbursement of medical technologies.

Two major barriers to the introduction and diffusion of medical devices exist. First, devices must be cleared for marketing by The United States Food and Drug Administration, as mandated by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976. Second, third party payers are now making explicit determinations about whether or not to cover the specific applications of medical devices and about appropriate levels of reimbursement. This paper illustrates these processes which are based upon the evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and examines the implications of the processes for the innovation and availability of such technology.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed1990

Attitudes of US primary care physicians about HIV disease and AIDS.

Telephone interviews were conducted with 500 primary care physicians, drawn from a stratified random sample of internists, family practitioners, pediatricians, general practitioners, and OB/GYN physicians. Respondents were asked to report their experience treating AIDS patients and to estimate the percentage of their patients they felt were at high risk for HIV infection. Nineteen questions designed to assess practices and attitudes towards AIDS and HIV-related issues were asked. Results suggest that physicians underestimate their patients' level of risk for HIV infection and are not taking adequate drug use and sexual histories. The level of concern for personal risk of infection was high, although a strong ethical obligation to treat HIV patients was expressed. Physicians also expressed support for mandatory reporting and contact tracing, although this diminished as contact with HIV patients increased.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Trends in radiation protection of medical workers.

Medical workers constitute the largest group of individuals occupationally exposed to radiation, and their collective dose equivalent is exceeded only by persons employed in the nuclear fuel cycle. Although medical workers have increased in number by about 50% over the past two decades, their collective dose has steadily declined. Factors that contribute to changes in the exposure patterns of medical workers include variations in demand for medical imaging procedures, changes in the way these procedures are administered to patients, and development of devices that utilize radiation more efficiently and display radiation-derived information more effectively. Trends such as the movement of imaging procedures into nonradiologic disciplines and nonhospital settings, and the imposition of economic and legal considerations into decisions about patient management and health care, may also ultimately affect the exposure of medical workers to radiation.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1989

Human vs animal rights. In defense of animal research.

For centuries, opposition has been directed against the use of animals for the benefit of humans. For more than four centuries in Europe, and for more than a century in the United States, this opposition has targeted scientific research that involves animals. More recent movements in support of animal rights have arisen in an attempt to impede, if not prohibit, the use of animals in scientific experimentation. These movements employ various means that range from information and media campaigns to destruction of property and threats against investigators. The latter efforts have resulted in the identification of more militant animal rights bands as terrorist groups. The American Medical Association has long been a defender of humane research that employs animals, and it is very concerned about the efforts of animal rights and welfare groups to interfere with research. Recently, the Association prepared a detailed analysis of the controversy over the use of animals in research, and the consequences for research and clinical medicine if the philosophy of animal rights activists were to prevail in society. This article is a condensation of the Association's analysis.

American Medical Association↗
PubMed1989

Adolescent pregnancy and its consequences.

The consequences of childbearing for adolescent parents, their children, and society are severe. We have focused exclusively on one consequence of adolescent sexual activity, namely, pregnancy. In so doing we are not denying the presence of other serious consequences of sexual activity, including sexually transmitted diseases, particularly the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. For almost all young people, pregnancy should be prevented or at least delayed. Prevention is difficult, however, because it involves understanding the complexities of adolescence as a stage in the development of the individual. It also requires increased understanding of the behavioral and cultural origins of adolescent sexual activity and pregnancy. Physicians are among those with a reasonable understanding of the individual and societal factors that influence the sexual activity of adolescents. Because of their contacts with patients and families, including adolescents, they are in a pivotal position to recognize early sexual activity, to counsel young people about ways to prevent pregnancy, and to prescribe contraceptives when appropriate. Physicians should consider taking leadership positions in the community in both educational efforts and preventive services. In some communities, physicians work closely with educators in developing and teaching family life programs in the schools. They also are in influential positions to improve the availability of preventive contraceptive services through development of community-based services. The Robert Wood Johnson High-Risk Youth Programs are an excellent example of the types of community-based services that should be provided for adolescents. Physicians can serve as an educational resource about a wide spectrum of health issues for young persons and their families and communities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1989

The prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

Adolescent pregnancy is best prevented. Prevention, however, is problematic, because adolescents become biologically mature at an earlier age today than in past generations. Most adolescents are still psychologically immature when they initiate sexual activity. Delayed initiation of sexual activity during adolescence, therefore, is the ideal solution. Physicians are an important resource in encouraging responsible sexual behavior and preventing adolescent pregnancy and in guiding the patient and her family when adolescent pregnancy does occur. Physicians can provide age-appropriate contraceptive services and adolescent prenatal and postpartum services. They can also participate actively in community-based sex and family life educational programs as knowledgeable and respected sources of information and guidance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Screening mammography. A risk versus risk decision.

The potential risk of a radiologic procedure often is compared with the potential benefit of the procedure. While risk vs. benefit analysis has been useful as a step toward increased communication and understanding among radiologists, referring physicians, and the general public, it has the disadvantage that risk and benefit are fundamentally different quantities. Hence, their juxtaposition for purposes of comparison presents contextual difficulties. In this article, the concept is presented of comparing the risk of doing a procedure with the risk of choosing not to do the procedure. An example of risk vs. risk analysis of screening mammography for women over the age of 50 is given, with the conclusion that the risk of having yearly mammograms is less than 1/10 the risk of early death caused by failure to diagnose breast cancer by x-ray mammography. This approach to risk analysis would yield interesting data for examinations that are part of more complicated diagnostic pathways.

Breast Neoplasms↗