Initial encounters between people with a mild mental handicap and psychiatrists: an investigation of a method of evaluating interview skills

ABSTRACT. This study repons the results of an initial study into the ability of psychiatrists to interview people with a mild mental handicap who are accompanied by a caregiver. Initial interviews by 12 psychiatrists of different ages (30–57 years) and differing levels of experience with this client group were recorded on video tape. Three of the recordings were used to train four judges who were familiar with examining clinical interactions, though not between doctors and patients. The judges used a specially designed rating scale. The remaining nine interviews were evaluated independendy by the four judges. There was a correlation of 0.65 (Kendall's coefficient of concordance, W) for the judges' evaluations using the rating scale for the nine interviewers. However, there was greater agreement between judges as to who were the best and worst interviewers (W=0.86). Some of the aspects of the interviews which contributed to the variability in the judgments are discussed.     

The Science of Communicating the Art of Esthetic Dentistry. Part I: Patient-Dentist-Patient Communication

Many contemporary restorative procedures are primarily esthetically driven, and patients have high expectations. It is imperative for the restorative dentist to understand patients' desires and expectations prior to initiating irreversible therapy. It is equally important for patients to understand the anatomic and technical limitations inherent with restorative therapy.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This article describes several relatively straightforward techniques that can assist in dentist-patient-dentist communication and allow the patient to visualize a reasonable facsimile of the definitive result prior to initiation of irreversible therapy. By using these techniques where indicated, the frustrating cycle of rejection and failure may be avoided.     

The Science of Communicating the Art of Esthetic Dentistry. Part II: Diagnostic Provisional Restorations

Provisional restorations fulfill many functions in restorative dentistry. Quality provisional restorations can provide the clinician, the patient, and the laboratory technician much valuable information prior to fabrication of the definitive restoration. Such diagnostic provisional restorations fabricated with acrylic resin are easily adjusted and modified until both esthetic and functional results are approved by the patient. Once this approval has been obtained, the definitive restorations can be fabricated with confidence, using the esthetic form of the provisional restorations as a blueprint.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Routine use of provisional restorations for esthetic diagnostic purposes can prevent the destructive cycle of failure and frustration frequently experienced when performing elective esthetic restorative dentistry.