The time-limited hot line.

Although long-term hot lines that focus on crisis intervention will undoubtedly dominate as an organizational model, time-limited approaches will be used with increasing frequency. The primary impetus behind their proliferation is the increasing visibility of the electronic media, particularly television, in investigating and reporting pressing health, mental health, and human services problems. As the mass media increasingly produces special reports, documentaries, and docudramas directed toward social problems and issues, local health and human services agencies will become increasingly motivated to provide a forum for public response. The time-limited issue- or problem-oriented hot line is the ideal vehicle for public response as well as for extending the human services network. This type of hot line also offers social workers a unique opportunity to share important mental health information through the media.

Monitoring patient outcome following discharge: a computerized geriatric case-management system.

Many political, economic, and social factors are influencing health care providers to consider case-management programs. The authors describe a computer-supported, hospital-based case management program for elderly patients and report on the benefits and drawbacks of the program. Primary benefits include access to better client data, improved discharge planning capabilities, and greater program efficiency. Drawbacks chiefly are related to the difficulties inherent in introducing computerization into a human service setting. Overall, the program is a beneficial addition to patient care efforts and is a valuable tool for tracking high-risk patients in acute-care settings.

Poststerilization regret among women: methodological considerations for the next decade.

PIP: The literature concerning regret among women following voluntary sterilization shows a lack of methodological rigor. This paper reviews the 7 prospective studies of voluntary sterilization conducted since 1973 that are judged to have adequate design and measurement standards, and suggests methodological considerations for future research. 3 of the studies were conducted in the US, 2 in the UK, 1 in Thailand, and 1 in Pakistan. Only 3 of the 7 studies used control groups and only 3 used standardized pre- and posttest psychological measures. Subjects in all the studies requested sterilization on a voluntary basis. 4 of the 7 studies evaluated contraceptive and menstrual histories before and after sterilization. All the studies varied in their poststerilization follow-up intervals ranging from 2 months and 1 year to 18 months and 2 years. Attrition rates also varied widely across the studies. Although none of these studies presented percentages for precise measures of regret, the overall effect of the sterilization procedure was found to be positive. The relationship between regret and purported indicators of regret, such as depression, anxiety, menstrual difficulties, and desire for reversal, should be documented in prospective, controlled studies. Longer poststerilization follow-up periods are recommended. Responses of childless women and male partners to sterilization should also be considered in future studies. Finally, since repeated references are made to menstrual problems following voluntary sterilization, it is important that studies assessing poststerilization responses control for oral contraceptive (OC) use because OCs reduce menstrual flow and their discontinuation results in a return to normal, although heavier, menstrual flow.^ieng