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Biomedical subjects

K Solomon

Publications and source records attributed to K Solomon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Attitudes of health workers toward old people.

The Tuckman-Lorge Questionnaire was used to study the attitudes of three groups of health workers toward old people and to test their acceptance of geriatric stereotypes. The health workers tested were medical students, housestaff members, and members of a mobile psychogeriatric screening team. Many significant differences were found between and within the groups tested, as well as between male and female subjects. The female housestaff had extremely high and significantly different scores from all other groups. The geriatric staff adhered least to the stereotypes. The results are discussed in the framework that the attitudes of care givers are directly related to the quality of the care provided. It is hypothesized that female housestaff members have special difficulties with role conflicts that cause them to adhere to stereotypes of the aged. The milieu of geriatric treatment, rather than knowledge of statistics about old people, is the most effective background for positive changes in attitudes toward the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Combined use of lithium and diuretics.

Three cases demonstrating the effects of the combined use of lithium carbonate and a diuretic are reported. In each case, the serum lithium level rose, or the daily dose was decreased, or both. No clinical problems were noted because of careful monitoring and patient education. The renal excretion of lithium is reviewed. It is concluded that lithium and diuretics is a safe drug combination, if it is necessary to give both drugs.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Pitfalls and prospects in clinical research on antianxiety drugs: benzodiazepines and placebo--a research review.

The research methodology of 78 double-blind studies comparing benzodiazepines and placebo in treating neurotic anxiety is critically reviewed. Many faults are noted in areas of subject selection, assessment of clinical response, study design and data analysis. Although 56.4% of the studies reviewed had results demonstrating a significant difference in clinical response between benzodiazepines and placebo, the frequent methodologic difficulties and inconsistent results from study to study lead the authors to question the efficacy of these drugs as a treatment for anxiety. A need for better designed studies is discussed and some research methodologies proposed.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1978

Macro-monitoring: a step toward rational psychopharmacotherapy.

A 15-item checklist was used to monitor the drug therapy of 516 patients in five clinical settings. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent of irrational drug use in these several settings. After gathering baseline data, two similar clinical units were selected for a six-month follow-up to determine the impact of drug consultation by an expert clinical psychopharmacologist. In the unit where drug consultation was provided, there was a significnat reduction in extended antiparkinsonian agent use (p less than 0.001), multiple daily dosage (p less than 0.001), inappropriate anxiolytic use (p less than 0.01), polypharmacy (p less than 0.001) and too rapid change in medication (p less than 0.01). The unit that did not have drug consultation continued to have a high percentage of patients receiving drugs in an inappropriate manner. Although the consultant had a significant impact on drug use, it was recognized that such consultation is not feasible for most psychiatric facilities. The checklist itself is a systematic tool that can be used to identify prescribing practices of questionable appropriateness. If used properly by the pharmacist, the checklist can serve as a supportive system to assist the physician in providing better patient care.

Drug Information Services↗
PubMed1977

The use of mechanical and chemical restraints in nursing homes.

The use of mechanical and chemical restraints in nursing homes is a common practice, fraught with potential abuse. The patient's freedom of movement and right to an adequate medical and psychiatric evaluation are of the utmost importance. Restraints should be used only as a last resort and should not be a substitute for inadequate staffing or incomplete medical appraisal. Guidelines are offered that maximize the patients' freedom, maintain medical responsibility, and assure safety. Alternatives to the use of restraints are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Phenothiazine-induced bulbar palsy-like syndrome and sudden death.

There have been periodic case reports of sudden death due to aspiration or asphyxiation in patients receiving phenothiazines. The mechanism of death is unknown. The author reports a case of a drug-induced bulbar palsy-like syndrome in a man receiving fluphenazine enanthate and reviews the literature on sudden respiratory death and phenothiazines. He postulates that phenothiazine-induced bulbar palsy may cause laryngeal and/or pharyngeal dysfunctions that are responsible for aspiration.

Asphyxia↗