Social dimensions to functional gain in pediatric patients.

Rehabilitation hospitals recognize the need for holistic patient care and employ professionals who are concerned with the social dimensions of functional independence. However, there have been few empirical studies of the relationship between social variables and functional gain. Functional assessment data for 66 pediatric patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation program were analyzed. Regressing residual gain scores on social variables from the Patient Evaluation and Conference System (a patient tracking data base) showed significance (p less than .01) in pediatric functional gain. Patients whose families were less able to support their independent living before admission made the greatest functional gains. Family support for disabled pediatric patients affected functional gain, affirming the importance of rehabilitation professionals' involvement with the patient's social needs throughout the rehabilitation process.

Dermatologists in the United States, 1968 through 1973.

From 1968 to 1973, the number of dermatologists in the United States per 100,000 population gradually increased from 1.6 to 1.8, with the West and Northeast regions showing relatively higher rates and the South and North Central regions showing relatively lower rates. The variation in rate, considered by geographic divisions, can be analyzed to identify areas in the United States that may be in need of additional dermatologists. Given the current number of dermatologists being certified by the American Board of Dermatology and given the current death rate, there appear to be a sufficient number of dermatologists to ensure future growth.