As part of the Introduction to Patient Evaluation course at the University of Texas Medical Branch, freshmen medical students visit a local elementary school to: observe variations of cognitive, physical, and social development; note variations through interactions; and interact with small groups of children. (LBH)

A survey of predoctoral pediatric dental programs gathered information about changes since 1980 in total and topic-area didactic curriculum hours, percentage of topic area material updated, and frequency of clinical procedures used. Results suggest significant change during that period. (MSE)

Proposes a model for technical journal deselection based on the Bradford law of distribution. The model's operational prescriptives, characteristics of the Bradford distribution in the field of pediatrics, and relevance to collection management are discussed. (42 references) (KRN)

Comparison of the beliefs and attitudes of a sample of pediatric residents (n=56) and practicing physicians (n=1,500) concerning children with insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus and the disease itself found residents in their second and third years of training considerably more negative about both than physicians or first-year residents.…

A community service project involved nursing faculty and students in providing primary health services. One core activity had nursing students conducting vision screening for preschoolers in at-risk populations. (SK)

Provides early-intervention professionals with a basic familiarity and understanding of some of the newest technologies employed in the neonatal intensive care units for neonates with respiratory distress syndrome, persistent fetal circulation, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia. Early…

Discusses the development of American pediatric medicine and its relationship to children's health and public health movements in the early 20th century, describing living conditions during that time and examining developments that impacted child health: dispensaries and milk stations for impoverished children, campaigns to educate parents about…

Israeli pediatricians (N=135) rated 40 vignettes of abuse and neglect for risk to the child and willingness to report. They also rated 15 signs for significance in suspected maltreatment. Pediatricians ranked biomedical concerns as riskier than psychological abuse or educational neglect. They were less willing to report child maltreatment to…

A survey of 147 pediatric faculty and 64 resident pediatricians examined the quantity and adequacy of training in child sexual abuse evaluation. Both faculty and residents believed that preparation in how to conduct a sexual abuse evaluation may be inadequate for residents during their three years of post-graduate training. (CR)

The last decade has seen enormous expansion in the use of psychotropic medications to treat behavioral and emotional disorders in children and adolescents. Because much prescription of these agents is off-label, serious attempts are being made to encourage pharmacological research in children. Without examining the data upon which government…

Background: Attribution theory, self-regulation, self-handicapping and sick role theories all suggest that children with chronic disease may be held to different standards. This study assesses child and parent attributions in pediatric chronic health conditions and addresses how attributional style may be related to treatment adherence. Methods:…

Many children who take medications require them during the school day. This policy statement is designed to guide prescribing physicians as well as school administrators and health staff on the administration of medications to children at school. The statement addresses over-the-counter products, herbal medications, experimental drugs that are…

The administration of meningitis vaccinations to the college population has recently been the topic of much discussion. Much of the controversy has surrounded the promotion of widespread vaccinations or educational campaigns about the vaccine for incoming freshman students. Recommendations about the use of meningococcal vaccines for college…

This column demonstrates how behavior rating scales or checklists are an inexpensive and potentially useful source of information. It shows how to make use of likelihood ratios to assess the likelihood of PBD in an individual case. Likelihood ratios are valuable because they may enable a clinician to take a legitimate shortcut and use an easier to…

Background: Depression in children and adolescents is a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in this population. It is a common disorder that affects 2% of children and up to 6% of adolescents. Although antidepressants are used frequently for the treatment of this disorder, there has been recent controversy about the efficacy and safety of…