Cerebrovascular complications in pregnancy and puerperium.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, possible etiological factors, pathology, clinical manifestations, brain CT scan features, treatment, and prognosis of cerebrovascular complications occurring in pregnancy and puerperium.

Methodology: This is a prospective analytical study conducted at the Govt. Hospital for women and children, Chennai, from January 2006 to February 2008.

The use of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale in an outreach rehabilitation program.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the use of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) in an outreach-based rehabilitation program in regional Victoria, Australia.

Method: Routine outcome measures (ROM), including the HoNOS, were introduced in the Stepping Stones Recovery Program (SSRP) in 2002. HoNOS data routinely collected for 122 patients between 2003 and 2006 was examined for sensitivity in capturing clinical changes by using paired t-tests.

Evaluation of a hospital volunteer program in rural Australia.

A voluntary survey questionnaire that assessed experience with and perception of the volunteering program was mailed to 62 current and 9 former volunteers and 47 staff members of Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH). Sixty-one completed questionnaires were returned. The nature of hospital work attracted volunteers (57%) and most volunteers felt oriented to the hospital, supervised and supported.

Self-reported confidence and skills of general practitioners in management of mental health disorders.

Objective: To identify the predictors of self-reported confidence and skills of GPs in management of patients with mental health problems.

Design: Cross-sectional survey, with questionnaire presented to 246 GPs working in 62 practices throughout Gippsland.

Setting: Rural general practices in Gippsland.

A recovery-based outreach program in rural Victoria.

Objective: A recovery-based outreach program for people with severe mental illness in regional Victoria is described. The paper covers a description of the program, the services provided and outcomes achieved. The program emphasized active collaboration between patients and clinicians as outlined in the collaborative recovery model and recognized that recovery from mental illness is an individual, personal process.