Fee structure as a determinant of patient's choice to undergo mammography.

Mammography, although an effective screening tool, has generally been underutilized. Although many factors may contribute to low utilization rates, the degree to which fee structure influences women's decision to have mammography has not been determined. This study compared women having mammography at the regular fee with those women having mammography at a special reduced rate.

Communicating information to patients. Patient satisfaction and adherence as associated with resident skill.

A study investigated the degree to which residents' communication of specific information about medications and follow-up appointments had an impact on patient recall, satisfaction, and adherence. Twenty-nine interactions between patients and residents were taped and analyzed by two trained observers. Patients were interviewed immediately after their interactions with residents to assess their ability to recall instructions and to assess their levels of satisfaction with the visit.

Training faculty to evaluate the patient education skills of residents.

Nearly 44% of all outpatient visits result in a prescription for medicine; however, little emphasis is generally placed on training or evaluating residents' ability to teach patients about medication. Often faculty themselves have not received training in this subject, nor have they been trained to systematically evaluate patient education skills. As a result, this whole area of communications with patients is commonly overlooked.

Family practice residents' attitudes toward organ donation.

Shortage of organs for transplantation has been attributed in part to negative attitudes of medical personnel. As the demand for organ donations increases, it is likely that family physicians may encounter with increasing frequency situations in which they are in some way involved with the families of potential donors. This study was designed to assess residents' attitudes toward organ donation Overall attitudes were positive, with a mean attitude score of 1.