Differential diagnosis of torticollis: a case report.

Purpose: This case report describes a method of differential diagnosis for torticollis in a 4-month-old male infant who also had hydrocephalus.

Summary Of Key Points: The infant presented to physical therapy (PT) with a "classic torticollis posture." Differential diagnosis was completed to determine the cause of the signs and the appropriate intervention.

Attributes of patient-physician interactions in a teaching hospital.

The purposes of this qualitative study were to describe the attributes that characterize patient-physician communications, the effect of patient-physician interactions on patient satisfaction, and the correspondence between physicians' education and training and their interactions with patients. The authors used unobtrusive observations of patient-physician interactions, physician interviews, and patient interviews. The authors observed 7 physicians and interviewed 20 patients over a 6-month period.

Patients' perceptions of pain management and use of coping strategies.

As a result of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accreditation standards for 2001, pain management for hospitalized patients has become a top priority of healthcare facilities. In addition to using the traditional pharmacological approach to pain management, many patients also use complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. However, CAM treatments may not be discussed or offered to patients by healthcare providers who lack awareness about these alternatives.

Assessing patient satisfaction and quality of care through observation and interview.

The purpose of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction using an in-depth approach rather than the more common patient survey method. The authors conducted patient interviews and participant-oriented observations between patients, family members, and medical staff in a large teaching hospital to assess patients' perceptions of the quality of care provided on a medical-surgical unit. The observations were classified according to the Donabedian model of quality of care: technical care, interpersonal care, and amenities of care.