Comparing Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 in schizophrenia.

WHODAS-2.0 is a suggested replacement to the GAF in DSM-5. This study's purpose was to assess their comparative correlation in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. 42 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were administered both tools and the PANSS. Pearson product moment correlations were computed and the different methods compared using bootstrap. There was no significant correlation between raw WHODAS-2.0 and GAF scores for all participants and a modest correlation between corrected WHODAS-2.0 and GAF scores for outpatients. The WHODAS-2.0 and GAF did not correlate when WHODAS-2.0 was self-rated, and only modestly correlated when clinician-rater corrected.

DSM-5 Criteria and Its Implications for Diagnosing PTSD in Military Service Members and Veterans.

This review addresses how changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria has the potential to affect the care and careers of those who have served in the military, where the diagnosis often determines fitness for duty and veterans' benefits. PTSD criteria changes were intended to integrate new knowledge acquired since previous DSM editions. Many believe the changes will improve diagnosis and treatment, but some worry these could have negative clinical, occupational, and legal consequences. We analyze the changes in classification, trauma definition, symptoms, symptom clusters, and subtypes and possible impacts on the military (e.g., over- and under-diagnosis, "drone" video exposure, subthreshold PTSD, and secondary PTSD). We also discuss critiques and proposals for future changes. Our objectives are to improve the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of those service members who have survived trauma and to improve policies related to the military mental healthcare and disability systems.

Locking Away "Recidivism".

The etymology of the word recidivism is explored as is its use in the psychiatric literature and other areas. This paper revisits a proposal to stop using the word to describe hospital readmission and substance use relapse since the origin of the word and predominant meaning reflect crime and acts that offend society. Public policy makers and leaders should be careful to not misuse the word and unwittingly stigmatize persons with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Teaching and evaluation of surgical skills in dermatology: results of a survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess how the surgical skills of residents are taught and evaluated within dermatology residency programs in the United States; to assess which surgical techniques training directors and residents consider important for residents to perform or at least understand by the end of residency training. METHODS: A 126-question survey was sent to all 106 of the US dermatology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Contact was initially made via e-mail. Surveys were addressed to the program director, surgical training director, and chief resident of each program. A follow-up survey was mailed to nonresponders. RESULTS: Ninety-five surveys were returned representing 71 (67%) of 106 programs. Eighty-nine percent of programs (n=63) reported having a formal curriculum in dermatologic surgery. Among programs represented, 97% (n=69) taught surgical skills in the procedure room, 84% (n=57) used pigs' feet, and fewer than 10% (n=6) used human cadavers. Ninety-four percent of programs (n=61) scheduled surgical lectures; two thirds (n=41) formally assigned surgical reading, and over half (n=36) used Web-based lectures to teach skills. To assess training, most programs (86%; n=50) used subjective global evaluation at the end of a surgery rotation. Fewer than 30% (n=15) discussed specific objectives prior to the rotation. Only about 25% of programs (n=17) reported the use of written or oral examinations to assess resident surgery skills. Traditional biopsy and simple surgical procedures were reported as most important to know and perform. Interest by both faculty members and residents in more advanced surgical techniques was more limited and variable. Cosmetic surgery techniques were most likely to be viewed as unimportant. CONCLUSIONS: Most dermatology programs teach surgical skills by traditional apprenticeship methods supplemented by work in pigs' feet laboratory classes and regularly scheduled lectures. Skill assessment is mainly done through subjective means. Almost all respondents thought that basic biopsy and excisional skills were essential for residents to know and perform. More complex surgical techniques and the use of lasers were considered less important. Cosmetic techniques were those most frequently viewed as unimportant.