Journal of adolescent health care : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
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This study defines the variables that predict rehospitalization of infants born to teen mothers. Rehospitalization was defined as hospital admission during the first year of life subsequent to hospitalization at birth. Normal birth weight (NBW), but not low birth weight (LBW), infants of adolescent mothers had higher rehospitalization rates than infants of older mothers. ⋯ Among infants of adolescent mothers, the variables associated with increased risk of rehospitalization were unemployed household head, presence of a congenital anomaly or developmental delay, and an unusually high or low number of well child care visits. Although individual variables were significant at the bivariate level, in combination, these variables were poor predictors of which infants would be rehospitalized. Our study suggests that all teen mothers of NBW infants may require additional education to prevent excess rehospitalization of their infants.
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Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a method of administering narcotics in which the patient activates a machine to administer a small bolus of narcotic. In the first year of PCA use in our hospital, 26 patients used PCA. ⋯ No clinical respiratory depression was noted, and patients did not titrate themselves to complete analgesia. PCA is an effective means of pain control in adolescent patients.
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J Adolesc Health Care · May 1989
Preexisting musculoskeletal conditions presenting as school sports injuries.
One hundred thousand insurance claims for secondary school injuries sustained between 1974 and 1986 were analyzed to determine the incidence of diagnosis and misdiagnosis of preexisting musculoskeletal conditions. Seventy-five percent of accident reports described acute injury to normal bones, joints, and soft tissues. Twenty percent were reinjuries or other sequelae of past trauma. ⋯ The majority of preexisting conditions were correctly described and documented by the attending physician. However, for 268 patients with a previous accident residual and 465 patients suffering from infection, pathologic fracture, congenital/developmental disorder, neoplasia, or other diseases, the potential role of the underlying condition was not correctly stated. Correct preexisting diagnoses need to be recognized if treatment is to be optimal.
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J Adolesc Health Care · Mar 1989
Characteristics of males at a public health department contraceptive service.
To effectively confront teenage pregnancy, the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of males, along with females, need to be better understood. This pilot study examined young males who visited the family planning clinic of a public health department to obtain free condoms. Questionnaires were distributed over a 4-week period. ⋯ However, an equal proportion reported having sex three or fewer times in the same interval. Most males reported using condoms during sex, although one quarter reported use as "seldom." The health department was a major source of condoms and was positively evaluated because condoms were free and there were "no questions asked." Only one third of the males reported using another method of contraception. Results suggest a major role of the health department in condom availability and the potential need for contraceptive services for males.
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J Adolesc Health Care · Mar 1989
Career satisfaction in adolescent medicine. A survey of physicians trained over a 20-year period.
National data are available on the career undertakings of those trained in adolescent medicine, but longitudinal data on actual career and job satisfaction is lacking. Forty-five physicians trained in adolescent medicine from 1965 to 1985 at a large urban teaching hospital were surveyed using the Jewitt/Greenberg Career Satisfaction Questionnaire. Thirty two (71%) responded. ⋯ This review of graduates from a single program provides a unique perspective on the ultimate careers of trainees. A similar review of other programs may help facilitate teaching and correct programatic deficiencies. This review also suggests that careful thought should be given to a way of properly acknowledging, as specialists, those trained in adolescent medicine.