Purchasers look at physician hospital organizations

Business leaders are finally seizing the opportunity to shape the future of this country's health care delivery system. One such system could be new, community-based alliances known as physician hospital organizations.     

A double-blind controlled comparison of fluoxetine and lofepramine in major depressive illness

One hundred and eighty three patients with DSM-III-R major depressive illness were allocated randomly to treatment with one of two new generation antidepressants, fluoxetine and lofepramine. Both patient groups had significantly lower mean scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) 6 weeks after entry to the trial (p < 0.001), but there were no differences between the groups, either at baseline or after 6 weeks, in total HRDS score or in subscores for anxiety or suicidality. Anticholinergic side effects were commoner with lofepramine; adverse effects were on the whole mild and few patients dropped out because of them. This study does not support previous claims of specific adverse effects of fluoxetine on anxiety and suicidality.     

Medical and health care needs of families providing in-home care for relatives with developmental disabilities

The purpose of this investigation was to attempt to describe the health care needs of families providing in-home care to members with developmental disabilities as well as the characteristics and demographics of families providing in-home care. The survey included 761 families who participated in a federal demonstration project in rural southern Georgia. The results indicated that impoverished families need increased assistance to provide adequate medical and health care when providing in-home care to relatives experiencing developmental disabilities. Implications for administration of programs and development of policies are discussed.