Professional managers examine their listening ability.

This article describes the results of a study of perceived listening abilities among members of a professional organization much like the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA). Those members completed a listening types inventory, and the results were analyzed. About 75% of the members were classified as passive or detached listeners, the least effective types; only about 2% were active listeners, the most effective type. The results also showed that females perceived themselves to be better listeners than did males, and there were no significant differences based on age. Those who had taken more than one listening training seminar or course had significantly higher scores on the inventory than did those who had no training or just one seminar or course. The implications of these findings for professional managers are discussed at the conclusion of the article.

The managerial role in the speaker-listener exchange. A two-dimensional action plan.

According to various studies, listening ranks as one of the most important communication skills. Yet studies also indicate that this is an area where most people--managers and staff members alike--are lacking. One way to improve listening effectiveness is through a formal listening training program. However, most medical institutions do not offer such programs. Because of the importance of listening, clinical laboratory managers cannot afford to wait for these formal programs. Fortunately, there is a two-dimensional action plan that managers can use to improve both their own listening skills and those of their staff members. This article describes the elements of this two-part action plan. The first part focuses on how managers can improve the speaker-listener exchange as speakers. This involves considering how and where the message is communicated. The second part of the plan examines how managers can assist effective listening as listeners. This involves creating an environment conducive to listening and learning how to give active feedback. Finally, the article examines how individual differences can affect a person's listening skills.

Researching in the Victorian censuses: a note on a computerized, annotated bibliography of publications based substantially on the census enumerators' books.

PIP: The authors describe a project, begun in 1981, to locate, list, and annotate all the published work based substantially on the census enumerators' books for nineteenth-century censuses for England and Wales. The results are currently available in a computerized file, enabling a variety of searches by topic, geographical area, and type of population. Information is provided on using the data and the computerized bibliography. The authors note that, subsequently, data for censuses of Scotland and Ireland have been added.^ieng

Peridurography with metrizamide: animal and human studies.

Metrizamide (300 mg l/ml) was tested for spinal peridurography in conscious dogs and humans. Epidural metrizamide was non-irritating in volumes up to 12 ml. Larger volumes caused mild discomfort in two patients. Radiographic contrast was satisfactory, and there were no sequelae. Peridurography with metrizamide (300 mg l/ml) appears to be a safe, useful diagnostic procedure in ambulant patients.