Common fraud experienced by the elderly: findings from a 1998 survey in Houston, Texas.

This study investigated the types and frequency of frauds experienced by seniors of different ethnic groups attending senior centers in 1998. Two hundred seniors aged 65 years or older were surveyed at 6 selected senior centers in Houston, Texas, and were asked to report the occurrence of frauds over the past year. Forty-three seniors (27%) responded that they had been victims of frauds, such as fake free prizes, work around the house, products to improve health and beauty, false insurance coverage, fees paid to attorneys and accountants, appliance repairs, credit restoration, investment participation, magazine subscriptions, and training courses.

Vaginal infections in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the frequencies of vaginal infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women with those among human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative women.

Study Design: Human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women attending a comprehensive care center for human immunodeficiency virus disease at the outpatient department of an inner-city hospital in Houston underwent rigorous gynecologic evaluation for sexually transmitted diseases, including evidence of vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomonal vaginitis. Demographic information was collected, as was information regarding disease classification and degree of immunosuppression.

Physicians' attitudes toward pain and the use of opioid analgesics: results of a survey from the Texas Cancer Pain Initiative.

Background: Despite extensive progress in the scientific understanding of pain in humans, serious mismanagement and undermedication in treating acute and chronic pain is a continuing problem. This study was designed to examine the barriers to adequate pain management, especially as they might be associated with community size and medical discipline.

Methods: A 59-item survey was used to measure physicians' attitudes, knowledge, and psychologic factors that contribute to pain management practices.

Medical students' attitudes toward pain and the use of opioid analgesics: implications for changing medical school curriculum.

Background: Barriers to pain management include physicians' lack of knowledge and attitudes. Our aim was to investigate future physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward pain and the use of opioid analgesics.

Methods: We tested a medical school class during their freshman and senior years.

Measuring medical students' reluctance to prescribe opioids for cancer pain.

Among 644 senior medical students a 14-item scale which was internally consistent indicated no change over the 6 years of testing in intent to reserve opioids for terminally ill.