Realistic reference adult and paediatric phantom series for internal and external dosimetry.

A new generation of realistic, image-based anthropomorphic phantoms has been developed based on the reference masses and organ definitions given in the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 89. Specific absorbed fractions for internal radiation sources have been calculated for photon and electron sources for many body organs. Values are similar to those from the previous generation of 'stylized' (mathematical equation-based) models, but some differences are seen, particularly at low particle or photon energies, due to the more realistic organ geometries, with organs generally being closer together, and with some touching and overlapping. Extension of this work, to use these phantoms in Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation codes with external radiation sources, is an important area of investigation that should be undertaken.

Adherence and accuracy. Self-medication during inpatient psychiatric treatment.

1. The goals of the Medication Education and Self-Administration Program were to develop a way to assess inpatient self-medication accuracy; create a comprehensive intervention that would address individual characteristics that may produce nonadherence; and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. 2. The majority of program participants demonstrated significant errors within days when given the opportunity to administer their own medications, suggesting that participants' in-hospital self-administration may be an accurate predictor of postdischarge performance. 3. Even in cases where training failed to influence self-administered performance, program participation provided valuable information that guided subsequent treatment decisions and programmatic refinements.