Differences in attitudes toward patients among medical specialties.

In a prior study a questionnaire was developed which reliably measured a variety of physicians' attitudes toward patients. In the present study we have used this questionnaire to compare the attitudes of physicians specializing in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Psychiatry with one another and with a group of medical students. One way analyses of variance yielded highly significant differences (p less than .

Psychiatric treatment of chronic somitizing patients: a pilot study.

Somatization is a very common condition although these patients are usually seen by general medical practitioners rather than mental health professionals. In a pilot demonstration study, chronic somatizers were significantly improved in a group psychotherapy treatment modality. The somatization was ameliorated and their functioning was significantly improved.