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Biomedical subjects

L Wittman

Publications and source records attributed to L Wittman.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Basketball injuries in a rural area.

This study was conducted to determine the frequency and nature of basketball injuries occurring in a rural setting. More than 6000 patients with sports-related injuries presented to a rural emergency department between June 1, 1988 and June 1, 1994. Of these patients, 1189 (19% of the total) were injured playing basketball. A chart abstraction form was utilized to retrospectively review injuries noting demographics, types and sites of injuries, as well as referral and treatment plans. Approximately two-thirds (66.4%) of those injured were males, with most injuries (53%) occurring during school-related activities. Almost four-fifths (78%) of injuries occurred between the ages of 10 and 19. The ankle (33.1%) was the body site most commonly injured, followed in frequency by finger injuries (19.3%), sprains and strains, which accounted for the majority (55%) of injuries. The most common mechanism of injury was recorded in which no contact with other players occurred (37.4%). The vast majority (99%) of injuries were managed as outpatients. The majority of cases (72%) were expected to recover within 2 weeks. Similarities were noted regarding sites of injury and age of distribution of patients when compared to the previous studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Utilization patterns of community mental health services by newly referred patients.

The present study compared the pattern of service utilization over a 1-year period, of 349 newly referred adult patients to the four community mental health clinics in Jerusalem. Treatment in these clinics is provided free of charge and there are no limits on length of treatment. Irrespective of patient diagnosis and clinic setting, the percentage of patients remaining in contact with the clinics declined sharply during the first 3 months, and after 6 months stabilized to around 25-40%. However, among patients with nonmajor psychiatric disorders, inter-clinic variation in compliance with treatment was observed. In clinics with a long-term psychotherapeutic orientation, a larger proportion of patients was referred to other services following intake, and a larger proportion of patients dropped out of treatment. In these clinics, more patients were placed on waiting lists before beginning treatment, and the drop-out rate among these patients was significantly higher than that of patients in treatment. The implications of these results for treatment policy in public services are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Long-term utilization of community mental health outpatient services in Jerusalem.

A survey of the long-term users of community mental health clinics in Jerusalem was conducted in 1986. The study population included all patients in regular contact for at least one year (789 patients). Data on clinical diagnosis, type of treatment and selected sociodemographic variables were extracted from the patient's file at the clinic. Long-term utilization rates were calculated for the different catchment areas and for different sociodemographic and diagnostic groups. It was found that for patients suffering from major psychiatric disorders (2/3 of the long-term users), the long-term utilization rates were similar across catchment areas, and higher in those socioeconomic groups that are also reported to have high true prevalence rates. On the other hand, for patients suffering from non major psychiatric disorders, the long-term utilization rates varied between clinics, reflecting local treatment policies, specifically the extent to which the clinics use psychotherapy as a treatment modality.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1990

Classification system for the chronic mentally ill outpatient.

A system for identification and classification of the chronic mentally ill in the outpatient mental health sector is proposed, integrating three criteria: duration of illness, functional disability, and psychiatric diagnosis. Previous psychiatric hospitalization of a patient is used to determine their level of severity within the system. An example of the operationalism of these criteria is provided, along with validation of the system by using treatment and sociodemographic variables and indicators of the patient's level of functioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Prescribing patterns of neuroactive drugs in 98 schizophrenic patients.

Ninety-eight schizophrenic outpatients receiving pharmacotherapy were surveyed on two census days, 18 months apart. From this study sample it was found that, as recently as 1987, 18% of the patients were prescribed three classes of neuroactive drugs--16% two antipsychotic drugs simultaneously. Of antipsychotics receivers, 44% were prescribed anticholinergics, 3% antidepressants, and 4% benzodiazepines. Between census days, a significant shift from use of oral antipsychotics to the depot form of administration occurred, while polypharmacy frequency remained unchanged. An analysis of the data will provide guidelines for rendering a more rational pharmacological treatment.

Adolescent↗