Distress management.

The integration of psychosocial care into the routine care of all patients with cancer is increasingly being recognized as the new standard of care. These NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Distress Management discuss the identification and treatment of psychosocial problems in patients with cancer. They are intended to assist oncology teams identify patients who require referral to psychosocial resources and to give oncology teams guidance on interventions for patients with mild distress to ensure that all patients with distress are recognized and treated.

Leadership for psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVE: This article introduces the prospective leader to a set of questions and relevant leadership literature that aid in the process of deciding whether to accept a leadership position. METHOD: The author conducted a review of literature and discussion with leaders in psychiatry and other medical disciplines. RESULTS: The questions posed and leadership literature discussed provide a useful set of guidelines for potential leaders in deciding whether to accept or continue in a leadership position. CONCLUSIONS: Having access to mentoring, a clear description of "expected results," personal appreciation of leadership style, a description of available resources, a leadership vision in line with the institutional vision, and an appreciation of the necessary time commitments are fundamental in deciding whether to accept a leadership position.

Designing a biocontainment unit to care for patients with serious communicable diseases: a consensus statement.

In spite of great advances in medicine, serious communicable diseases are a significant threat. Hospitals must be prepared to deal with patients who are infected with pathogens introduced by a bioterrorist act (e.g., smallpox), by a global emerging infectious disease (e.g., avian influenza, viral hemorrhagic fevers), or by a laboratory accident. One approach to hazardous infectious diseases in the hospital setting is a biocontainment patient care unit (BPCU). This article represents the consensus recommendations from a conference of civilian and military professionals involved in the various aspects of BPCUs. The role of these units in overall U.S. preparedness efforts is discussed. Technical issues, including medical care issues (e.g., diagnostic services, unit access); infection control issues (e.g., disinfection, personal protective equipment); facility design, structure, and construction features; and psychosocial and ethical issues, are summarized and addressed in detail in an appendix. The consensus recommendations are presented to standardize the planning, design, construction, and operation of BPCUs as one element of the U.S. preparedness effort.