Review of Behavioral approaches to medicine: Application and analysis.

Reviews the book, Behavioral approaches to medicine: Application and analysis edited by J. Regis McNamara (1979). In this book, McNamara has taken a different perspective, emphasizing the content of behavioral assessment and treatment as it applies to the activities of psychologists and other health professionals in medical settings. McNamara speaks of the interpenetration of behavior modification into medicine, much as one might speak of the use of behavior therapy in schools or of the application of behavioral psychology in prisons. Instead of involving the reader in a discussion of the nuances of definitions of fields such as health psychology or behavioral medicine, McNamara sticks with the idea of applying principles from a familiar area to particular problems that arise in a different area. Thus, the focus of the book is on practical problem-solving and on developing a behavioral conceptualization of health care problems. This book is very useful to the extent that it consistently presents this point of view. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Defects of mitochondrial respiratory chain in multiple symmetric lipomatosis

Using lymphocytes from nine unrelated patients with multiple symmetric lipomatosis we investigated a possible defect in the mitochondrial respiratory chain as the biochemical cause for the disease. A significant decrease in oxygen consumption of intact lymphocytes as well as a decreased activity of the individual components of the respiratory chain were detected. These findings are consistent with the recently described deletions and point mutations of mitochondrial DNA in patients suffering from this disease.     

Psychotherapeutic interventions in physical health: Effectiveness and economic efficiency.

Reviews the literature to determine (a) whether psychotherapy exerts a favorable influence on physical health, and (b) whether psychotherapy can be employed to change physical health on a cost-effective basis. Research with overutilizers of medical services, surgical patients, and other groups is discussed in terms of methodological adequacy, and problems faced by researchers in these areas are explored. The effectiveness and economic efficiency of psychotherapeutic preparation for surgery is strongly supported. Studies with overutilizers are promising, but randomized experiments are needed. Implications for inclusion of coverage of psychotherapy under national health insurance are discussed. (2? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rating scales for the psychosocial evaluation of organ transplant candidates. Comparison of the PACT and TERS with bone marrow transplant patients

Two scaled formats for summarizing the results of psychosocial evaluations of transplant candidates have been published, the Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplantation (PACT) and the Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS). In this study, 40 consecutive candidates for bone marrow transplant were rated on the PACT and TERS. The PACT and TERS were comparable in interrater reliability. Similar conceptual items for each scale correlated fairly highly with one another. The PACT and TERS differ in several scale characteristics. The authors discuss the relationship between scale characteristics and clinical utility.     

Psychology's contribution to relieving the donor organ shortage: Barriers from within.

Contends that attitudinal barriers within the field of psychology have contributed to the paucity of research and applied contributions pointed out by K. A. Perkins (see record 1988-05458-001). Barriers include a bias toward prevention, "blaming the victim," and society's scrutiny of organ transplantation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Ostomy Adjustment Scale.

Describes the development of the Ostomy Adjustment Scale, which is designed to measure psychological adjustment to ostomy surgery. 53 19–83 yr old ostomy patients responded to a mail questionnaire used for development of the scale; 30 of these Ss also completed a retest approximately 1 mo later. A 34-item scale comprised of items to be responded to on a 6-point Likert scale was developed. The scale was found to be reliable, and discriminant validity from measures of self-esteem and social desirability was demonstrated. Scores on the scale were related to time since surgery, return to work, and the amount of choice and preparation given Ss regarding the surgery. The scale also discriminated between these Ss and 31 undergraduates asked to simulate ostomy patients' responses. Factor analysis of the scale and the development of 2 short forms are also discussed. It is concluded that the scale will be useful in clinical practice with ostomates and in further research on adjustment to ostomy surgery. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Educating health psychologists in traditional graduate training programs.

Discusses potential resources to enhance subspecialty training in health psychology. These include resources within the psychology department, the university, and the community, and also those beyond the geographical area where training is based. Suggestions are offered for assisting students who choose to work toward a subspecialty in health psychology. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the National Working Conference on Education and Training in Health Psychology.

Summarizes the Proceedings of the 1983 National Working Conference on Education and Training in Health Psychology, including a conference consensus statement on the status of health psychology, and reports from working groups in the areas of predoctoral education (with a recommendation to restructure), apprenticeship, postdoctoral research and professional training (with a recommendation for a new emphasis), health policy training, and respecialization and continuing education. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological adjustment to ostomy surgery.

Describes the anatomy and physiology of colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy surgeries and reviews 16 studies regarding the outcome of these surgeries in terms of patients' health, employment, social activities, sexual functioning, marital relationships, and emotional status. Two studies of factors that influence outcome are also reviewed, and strengths and weaknesses of existing studies are evaluated. Recommendations for further research include grouping patients by diagnosis rather than by type of surgery; more precise labeling of surgical procedures; avoidance of positive bias in sampling by selecting patients from physician and hospital records, rather than from the members of mutual help groups; and use of longitudinal studies to investigate personality and situational variables that influence the process of psychosocial adjustment to ostomy. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)