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Biomedical subjects

T L Hafemeister

Publications and source records attributed to T L Hafemeister.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Impact of parental consent and notification policies on the decisions of adolescents to be tested for HIV.

Restrictions have been placed on the ability of adolescents to obtain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing independent of their parents. Although some states have given adolescents the right to consent to HIV testing independently, many states have remained silent on the issue or have compromised these rights by providing for parental consent or notification when adolescents seek testing. This article examines existing policies and explores whether policies that require adolescents to obtain parental consent, or that permit or mandate parental notification, may deter them from obtaining needed HIV testing.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed2000

Supreme Court examines impact of errors in detecting bias during jury selection.

For many attorneys (and their trial consultants) jury selection is perceived as the pivotal trial within a trial that provides them an opportunity to participate in assembling a jury that will be receptive if not predisposed to their position. For prospective jurors, jury selection is also seen as a "trial" but in the very different sense that they may see it as placing their beliefs and attitudes on trial. The trial judge may also feel as if he or she is on trial, as an erroneous ruling during jury selection can be grounds for reversal on appeal regardless of the evidence that is subsequently introduced.

Criminal Law↗
PubMed1996

Methodological advances in the use of recidivism rates to assess mental health treatment programs.

This study of recidivism rates within a state psychiatric system identifies and controls for a number of flaws in other recidivism studies and provides one of the few direct comparisons between different mental health programs using recidivism rates as a dependent variable. It is not an attempt to predict the likelihood of an individual patient's recidivism or to improve the treatment provided the individual patient. Instead, it is an endeavor to address the issue of using recidivism rates to assess a treatment program's effectiveness and to examine such treatment at the macro- or system wide level.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1996

Protecting child witnesses: judicial efforts to minimize trauma and reduce evidentiary barriers.

Growing attention has been given to the need to protect child witnesses from the potential trauma associated with providing testimony in the courtroom, as well as to the importance of maximizing the validity and reliability of that testimony. At the same time, these efforts may conflict with the right of an accused to confront his or her accuser or various evidentiary rights of the accused. Numerous educational programs have been conducted to assist judges and lawyers to better respond to these issues. A nation-wide survey of judges was conducted to determine the relative use of various means to minimize trauma or reduce evidentiary barriers in child sexual abuse cases, how judges evaluate these means, and the impact of educational programs in this area. The survey indicated that although judges use a broad range of approaches to minimize this trauma or reduce evidentiary barriers, they are particularly likely to use simpler techniques that are relatively easy to implement and which they consider both effective and fair to the parties appearing before the court. Attending educational programs appears to influence the use of these approaches. Survey results also indicated the best methods for disseminating relevant information on child sexual abuse to judges.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Juror stress.

That jurors may be harmed as a result of their carrying out their civic duties is receiving increased attention from the courts and the media (Sevilla & Beyers, 1990; Craver, 1993). The pilot tests reported here represent initial efforts to undertake a proactive project for identifying and mitigating the possible adverse effects of stress on jurors and to contribute to the understanding and treatment of secondary trauma for at-risk groups. In many ways juries are the black box of the legal system. Their decision-making process is typically shrouded in mystery. So that they may fully explore the issues and examine their consciences, jurors meet privately when reaching their decision and, beyond entering a verdict, are typically not required to provide the rationale for their verdict. Furthermore, jurors are often reluctant to discuss the bases for their verdicts after the trial is over and an unspoken code of honor may limit their willingness to critique their fellow jurors. Perhaps in part because we know so little about their decision-making process, as well as because of their intrinsic and symbolic importance to the legal system, there may be a tendency to take jurors for granted and to assume that they are relatively unaffected by their jury duties. Although jurors are expected to appear impassive and emotionally detached in court, for some trials it is only the rare individual who will not be emotionally moved by what he or she has seen and heard or by the gravity of the decision that is required. Several recent cases have provided a glimpse of what goes on within this black box and suggest that greater attention may need to be given to the needs of these jurors.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The relationship between patient-staff ratio and reported patient incidents.

The relationship between patient-staff ratio and the prevalence of patient incidents, such as assaults, fighting, suicides, falls, and abuse of patients by staff, was examined at an urban inpatient psychiatric center. Stepwise logistic regression was used to analyze 5,375 shifts in 14 high-incident wards representing five types of inpatient services; sample periods from three different years were examined. At least one incident occurred during 411 shifts (7.6 percent). More incidents occurred on the day shift and on two specific wards, confirming previous findings of a relationship between incidents and time of day as well as patient characteristics and milieu. However, no relationship between patient-staff ratio and the occurrence of incidents was found. This finding suggests that small increases in the number of ward staff may not reduce the number of patient incidents.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1991

Goals to guide the interactions of the mental health and justice systems.

Interactions occur routinely between the mental health and justice systems, yet they are hindered by misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding their proper course. In addition, a number of outside forces shape these interactions and complicate efforts to improve them. In order to more clearly delineate and facilitate these interactions, 50 professionals concerned with these interactions were assembled as part of a symposium on the interactions of the justice and mental health systems. One of the primary tasks was to identify goals to direct these interactions. This article describes and categorizes the goals that were generated.

Communication↗
PubMed1991

The judicial role in life-sustaining medical treatment decisions.

Although there has been speculation regarding the pervasiveness and nature of judicial decisions regarding life-sustaining medical treatment (LSMT), no attempt has been made to empirically assess their prevalence or the issues they address. An exploratory study utilizing a mail survey of a nationwide random sample (N = 905) of state trial court judges was conducted to provide initial information regarding this decision-making process. Twenty-two percent of the responding judges had heard at least one LSMT case, and judicial review did not appear endemic to particular states. The number of judges hearing LSMT cases dropped from 1975 to 1981 but has increased since then. Three major issues predominate: patient competency, appointment of a surrogate decisionmaker, and resolution of the ultimate issue of forgoing LSMT. Relatively few cases either contested a prior directive's validity or involved imposing sanctions for instituting or forgoing LSMT. Although subject to different interpretations, the results suggest the courts are having a significant impact on certain aspects of the LSMT decision-making process. However, the infrequency with which any one judge is called upon to make an LSMT decision causes concern about the judiciary's ability to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. With their potential for a profound effect on the actions of health care providers, greater attention to this decision-making process is warranted.

Judicial Role↗