[Verification of smoking habits in group studies by anamnesis or determination of serum thiocyanate level?]. / Verifizierung der Rauchgewohnheiten bei Gruppenuntersuchungen durch Anamnese oder Bestimmung des Serumthiozyanatspiegels?

In an unselected series of 336 patients of our clinic for occupational diseases a standardized questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and measurements of lung function (spirometry, body plethysmography, flow-volume-curve) were used to study the relations of these results to smoking habits evaluated by questionnaire or thiocyanate level. Statistical elaboration revealed closer connections between anamnestic data on smoking habits and respiratory impairment than between the latter and thiocyanate level. In conclusion anamnestic data on smoking habits are more reliable than thiocyanate measurements in occupational field studies.

Use of small group with chronically ill children.

Using small groups with elementary school children is a valuable tool for dealing with the physical, social and emotional aspects of chronic disease. The self-esteem of the participants was improved and a means of providing peer support developed. Also, this particular format helped the children talk about their diseases, their feelings and encouraged them to talk with their parents. We would encourage others to try this approach. The model needs to be replicated many times before it could be fully validated because this was undertaken with a small sample of students. One recommended addition is to include at least one session with both parents and their children. This would provide a structured setting for parents and children to better understand each other. It also would be beneficial to have more group sessions with the parents to further explore some of the many issues that were raised.