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Biomedical subjects

D E Wilbert

Publications and source records attributed to D E Wilbert.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

Sensory dysfunction in adult schizophrenia.

The authors describe the postural abnormalities and sensory-integration deficits of process schizophrenics, or those who have had problems since childhood and who gradually slip into psychosis. A treatment program consisting of a variety of activities designed to correct those deficits was conducted for one year at the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center; it was coordinated by the occupational therapy department. At discharge the six participants had improved, and their gains were maintained at one-year follow-up. The authors believe similar programs would be useful in board-and-care homes and long-term-care facilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Determination of grave disability.

There is a historical dilemma concerning the civil rights of psychiatric patients who are believed to need a protected status because of incompetency. California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act provides a mechanism for putting the patient under the care of a conservator if the patient is unable to provide for his own personal needs of food, clothing, and shelter. If successful, this legislation will likely be the model for the country. Fifty-one patients for whom the clinical staff desired to initiate conservatorship proceedings were given a test consisting of behavioral tasks specifically designed to be appropriate to the legal definition of grave disability. The natural groupings were: chronic organic brain syndrome, chronic schizophrenia, and other. We found that the grave disability of the organic brain syndrome patients was fairly predictable from their mental status examination, while the grave disability of the chronic schizophrenic patients was unpredictable from their mental status examination and required the application of the behavioral test for an appropriate determination of their ability to perform the functions specified in the law: The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to provide for personal needs of food, clothing, and shelter. When the method or the proceedings were applied to patients of other diagnostic categories, they were found to be inappropriate. At this writing, our method of evaluation is being recognized and requested by public and legal agencies in our area. It has been used as evidence in court. The procedure is clear, relevant, and easily taught to new workers. The results, given in plain English and in essay form, are readily understood by physician, social worker, judge, and jury alike. We began our study with vexation, ambiguous criteria, and a chronic medical and legal problem; we conclude with a practical and relevant answer.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1976

Thioridazine and sexual dysfunction.

The authors found a 60% incidence of difficulties in sexual functioning in 57 male patients who had taken thioridazine. Ejaculatory problems were the most frequent dysfunction; a third of these patients experienced retrograde ejaculation. The incidence of sexual difficulties in 64 patients who had taken other major tranquilizers was only 25%. None of the latter group experienced retrograde ejaculation-most had difficulty achieving and maintaining erection. The authors recommend consideration of the possibility of sexual dysfunction in patients given thioridazine.

Adult↗