Determination of Cholinesterase by an Automated pH Stat Method

Public concern exists about the potential for reproductive damage that may result from exposures to environmental contaminants. Therefore, the authors sought to determine if there was an association between a child's congenital malformation or a child's lowered weight at birth and his or her mother's residence in a census tract where a site of environmental contamination had been documented. Exposure designations were derived from existing sources of information. Except for an elevated risk (odds ratio = 1.5) for infants with malformations of the heart and circulatory system, this investigation did not reveal increased risks for most malformations or for lowered birthweight among babies born to women who lived in these census tracts. Methodologic issues inherent to investigations that rely on existing data sources are discussed.     

Medical career choice: Current status of research literature

This article examines the research evidence supporting relationships between both personal and social factors and the career choices of physicians in training. Although the research literature in this area is limited by a lack of longitudinal studies, a dependence on cross‐sectional designs, and a lack of multivariate investigations, data support relationships in each of the following areas: sociodemographic characteristics of student, student personality and attitudinal variables, institutional characteristics of the medical school, characteristics of the specialty training programs, and information available to students about the various careers. Additionally, this review investigates the stability of career preferences and career choices over time.     

Developing Effective Hospice Staff Support Groups: Pilot Test of an Innovative Training Program

Although hospice staff support groups are frequently cited as a valuable resource in coping with hospice work stress, few guidelines exist for implementing a successful group experience. This article summarizes a pilot study of a 12-week audiotape staff support group training program for hospice and oncology workers developed collaboratively by the author and the UCLA California Self-Help Center. Two West Coast hospice groups participated in the study. Group members reported a high degree of satisfaction with the tape program and their group experience. Burnout scores were not significantly affected by the group experience. Preliminary data on coping strategies, implications for the development and strengthening social support networks in the hospice, and suggestions for future research efforts are discussed.