Bimanual hand writing in right-handed and left-handed stutterers and nonstutterers.

Right-handed stutterers performed more poorly with their nondominant hand when writing digits and letters bimanually, and also made more nondominant hand mirror reversals than did nonstutterers. Left-handed stutterers and nonstutterers differed only in the incidence of mirror reversals with the nondominant hand. The results support the hypothesis that disorganization in the integration of left- and right-hemisphere inhibitory and excitatory processes may be an integral component of stuttering.

Assessment of sensitivity to interpersonal stress in stutterers and nonstutterers.

The Revised Willoughby Personality Schedule (WPS-R) was used to determine its applicability for assessing social sensitivity in stutterers. Forty-one adult stutterers and 41 nonstutterers completed the WPS-R. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed three dimensions differentiating stutterers from nonstutterers. The dimensions--labeled social isolation, social confidence, and social sensitivity--were similar to dimensions of the WPS-R labeled as sensitivity to interpersonal stress by other investigators. The results suggest that the WPS-R may be useful for evaluating general anxiety and for monitoring changes in emotional reactivity as clinical intervention progresses.

The Barefoot Doctors of China: from political creation to professionalization.

The Barefoot Doctor policy of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has recently been changed. Rather than remaining a permanent corp of paraprofessionals, Barefoot Doctors (BFD) are to be upgraded, certified, and paid wages for full-time medical work in a process of slow professionalization. This article includes a brief historical description of BFD policy evolution and a literature review that notes problems in the equitable implementation of the original policy. An update in information is added based on original material collected in 1979 and 1981, providing a current picture of efforts to implement the new professional focus. While BFDs everywhere are taking the certification examinations, there are almost no signs of other features of the new policy.

PIP: The Barefoot Doctor policy of the Peoples Republic of China has recently been changed. Rather than remaining a permanent corp of paraprofessionals, Barefoot Doctors (BDF) are to be upgraded, certified, and paid wages for full time medical work in a process of slow professionalization. This article includes a brief historical description of BFD policy evolution and a literature review that notes problems in the equitable implementation of the original policy. An update in information is added based on original material collected in 1979 and 1981, providing a current picture of efforts to implement the new professional focus. While BFDs everywhere are taking the certification examinations, there are almost no signs of other features of the new policy which include: new standards with increased emphasis on medical work; a 2 level system of examinations (competency test and advanced certifying examination for "country or village doctor"); reserved places for the most promising BFDs in medical schools; work as full time practitioners; salaries instead of workpoints. Tables include information on the distribution of BFDs and specific training programs.