Factors influencing surgeons' decisions in elective cosmetic surgery consultations.

Background: Current guidelines for surgeons' decisions about whether to offer cosmetic surgery are ineffective. Therefore, surgeons have to make difficult decisions on a case-by-case basis. The authors sought to identify the patient variables that influence surgeons' decisions in practice.

Attributional lability in depression and paranoia.

Background: Attributions play an important role in depression and paranoia. However, contrary to most attributional models of psychopathology, there is evidence that attributional style is not a stable trait but is affected by recent experiences.

Method: Paranoid, depressed, and healthy participants were exposed to a mild stressor in the form of the requirement to complete an anagram task, which included insoluble items.

Use of simulated clients in training veterinary undergraduates in communication skills.

A course in communication skills has been developed specifically for veterinary students, based on those delivered at many medical schools, and making extensive use of professional actors as simulated clients. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of communication among veterinary undergraduates at all stages of the curriculum, and it allows them to role-play in acted-out scenarios. Facilitated small groups provide an environment in which students can receive feedback on their own performance and also give feedback to their colleagues.

A randomized controlled trial of group aerobic exercise in primary care patients with persistent, unexplained physical symptoms.

Background: The management of persistent, unexplained physical symptoms is challenging and often unsatisfactory for patients and doctors. Aerobic exercise training has benefited patients referred to secondary care with symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. It is not known if this approach is either possible or beneficial for patients with the broader range of persistent, unexplained symptoms found in primary care.