Employment opportunities for graduates of APA-approved and non-APA-approved training programs.

Examined employers' hiring preferences and practices related to American Psychological Association (APA) approved and non-APA-approved training program graduates, based on 414 job advertisements listed in the APA Monitor and a survey of 104 employers who had advertised positions. Results indicate that employers would prefer to hire graduates of APA-approved training programs. 82% of employers in the academic area and 77% of those in the applied area reported that they would give hiring preference to APA-approved program graduates. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Randomized comparison of the effects of the vitamin D<Subscript>3</Subscript>adequate intake versus 100 mcg (4000 IU) per day on biochemical responses and the wellbeing of patients

Background  

For adults, vitamin D intake of 100 mcg (4000 IU)/day is physiologic and safe. The adequate intake (AI) for older adults is 15 mcg (600 IU)/day, but there has been no report focusing on use of this dose.     

Parathyroid crisis of unusual features in a child

BACKGROUND: A case of familial parathyroid crisis resulting from presumptive cancer in a 14-year-old boy impressed the authors with its rarity and need for recognition. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of the relevant literature and described the case. RESULTS: The case report cited is the eighth example of parathyroid cancer occurring in a child younger than 16 years of age. It represents the first example of malignant parathyroid crisis because of familial hyperparathyroidism and illustrates the demand for appropriate diagnosis and methods of management in parathyroid cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Familial hyperparathyroidism may become manifest in young patients, which justifies screening among affected families to avoid serious sequelae of disease. Parathyroid cancer is an example of a malignant neoplasm in the young and is managed best by en bloc resection of primary disease, appropriate neck dissection for nodal involvement, and aggressive resection for recurrence, if possible, to control the lethal effects of hypercalcemia; this permits prolonged survival even in discouraging situations.     

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine interrelationships in health and disease

With the recent development of radioimmunoassay techniques for the measurement of serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration, new concepts have arisen regarding the biologic role of T3 in health and disease and its interrelationships with thyroxine (T4). An awareness of the influence of clinical conditions that affect binding of thyroid hormone to plasma proteins is required in the interpretation of moderately increased or decreased serum T3 values. Hormone preparations containing T3 may produce transient increases in T3 concentration into the hyperthyroid range. Measurements of serum T3 concentration appear to be particularly indicated in clinical situations in which hyperthyroidism is suspected but serum T3 resin uptake and serum T4 values are normal, to exclude the T3-toxicosis syndrome. Also, when serum T4 values are in the hypothyroid range, measurement of serum T3 as well as serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations can lead to recognition of abnormalities in thyroid gland biosynthesis. Before a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made on the basis of a low serum T3 value, one must exclude a variety of clinical nonthyroidal conditions that can result in changes in plasma T3 protein binding or impaired peripheral conversion of T4 to metabolically active T3 without producing a hypometabolic state.     

Beginning and maintaining an independent practice: A Delphi poll.

A panel of experts participated in a Delphi poll in which they examined the best strategies for developing and maintaining an independent practice in professional psychology. The panel also addressed tips for graduate students considering independent practice as a career path. Results suggest that commitments to excellence, to the client, to the community, and to one's personal and professional development are the key ingredients to success. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Career satisfaction in clinical psychology: A survey of recent graduates.

Investigated career satisfaction in 179 recent graduates (mean age 30.8 yrs) of clinical psychology programs, at both the master's and doctoral levels. Contrary to earlier investigations by S. Garfield and R. Kurtz (see record 1976-24639-001), E. L. Kelly et al (see record 1979-24415-001), and J. Prochaska and J. Norcross (see record 1984-13290-001), only a small sample of the recent graduates surveyed would choose to go into another field other than clinical psychology had they to live their lives over again. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Readability level of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act notices of privacy practices used by psychologists in clinical practice.

Obtaining informed consent from a client to participate in psychotherapy includes providing an understanding of what treatment or evaluation is going to take place with the psychologist, as well as what the psychologist may or may not do with the client's records. Psychologists have an obligation to communicate clearly with their clients regarding informed consent. In this investigation, 1 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Notice of Privacy Practices was solicited from a practicing psychologist in each state plus the District of Columbia. The authors then analyzed these forms using 2 measures of readability. A large majority (82%) of these forms were written at the ceiling reading level (12th grade), and almost the entire sample (94%) fell into the difficult range of reading ease. On the basis of the data obtained in this investigation, it is recommended that psychologists move to improve the readability of these documents and should do so to improve clinical practice, reduce liability, and follow ethical standards. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CTLA-4 promoter variants in patients with Graves'' disease and Hashimoto''s thyroiditis

A coronary artery dissection is a rare but well-known lethal complication associated with coronary perfusion. We herein report the case of a right coronary dissection that occurred after an aortic valve replacement. Coronary bypass grafting was successful after the establishment of mechanical biventricular support with an intra-aortic balloon pump and a right ventricular assist device.     

Testing your older patient's thyroid function

Thyroid disease cannot be diagnosed through any single test. Normal aging does affect the values of some test parameters in the elderly. When interpreting laboratory test results in the elderly, careful consideration should be given to gender, concurrent acute or chronic illness, nutritional and mental status, as well as possible recent administration of iodinated radiocontrast media and drug therapy. When these factors have been excluded and preliminary routine thyroid function are abnormal or marginally suspect, the usual standards for younger adults, slightly modified, should suffice for diagnosing both hypo-and hyperthyroidism. Patients with complications may require special measurements of serum FT4 and FT3 levels as well as the TSH and T3 response to TRH. These tests will provide additional supportive diagnostic assistance.     

Reasons why applicants select clinical psychology graduate programs.

We asked 201 first-year graduate students in clinical psychology to rate the reasons for their final selection of a training site. The most important variables, across 3 rating systems, in making this decision appear to be (a) the reputation of the program, (b) the amount of clinical supervision available, and (c) the emotional atmosphere of the program. These results are discussed in terms of the resolutions passed at the National Training Conference on Graduate Education in Psychology; we also discuss ways in which programs can present themselves in a positive light to prospective applicants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)