An exploration of factors affecting the implementation of a randomized controlled trial of a transitional discharge model for people with a serious mental illness.

Information about the contexts in which trials are carried out helps to identify confounding influences on the application of a trial. Furthermore, the ways in which context and implementation of trials influence participation are particularly important for trials which utilize people as part of the intervention. This is particularly likely in the mental health and psychosocial fields.

The effects of a transitional discharge model for psychiatric patients.

This pilot randomized control trial was motivated by the discovery that many individuals with mental health problems are re-hospitalized within a year, with many being unable to fully adjust to community living. A solution was proposed in the form of an intervention called transitional discharge. The transitional discharge model included: (1) peer support, which is assistance from former patients who provide friendship, understanding and encouragement; and (2) overlap of inpatient and community staff in which the inpatient staff continue to work with the discharged patient until a working relationship is established with a community care provider.

Pediatric nuclear medicine, Part II: Common procedures and considerations.

This paper introduces technologists to pediatric nuclear medicine applications as well as serves as a review of the principles of pediatric imaging for more experienced technologists. After reading this article the nuclear medicine technologist should be able to: (a) identify pediatric populations commonly evaluated with nuclear medicine procedures; (b) state the indications for performing pediatric nuclear medicine procedures; and (c) discuss strategies and tips for performing nuclear medicine procedures on pediatric patients.

Pediatric nuclear medicine, Part I: Developmental cues.

Children provide a continuous challenge for the nuclear medicine technologist. The task of successfully completing a nuclear medicine procedure varies little among a 20-y-old, a 40-y-old and a 60-y-old patient. Successful completion of a procedure varies much more among a 2-y-old, a 4-y-old and a 6-y-old.

Supplementation with folic acid during methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the effect of two different weekly doses of folic acid on the toxicity and efficacy of low-dose methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Patients: 79 persons between 19 and 78 years of age who fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association's criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.