Parental presence during procedures: a survey of attitudes amongst paediatricians.

As a child's primary caretaker, the parent plays a significant role in the management of paediatric pain. Is this what physicians want and allow? This paper analyses the results of a survey conducted among paediatricians. Three hundred and fourteen consultant paediatricians were sent questionnaires about their attitudes towards parental presence during medical procedures performed on children under local anaesthesia. Paediatricians were asked under what circumstances they allowed parents to remain, and what factors led to their exclusion. The response rate was high--60.8%. Though 98.5% of paediatricians were willing to let parents remain, 57.5% excluded some parents from certain procedures, particularly if parents were anxious and the procedure difficult or painful. Ninety-one per cent relied on verbal explanations alone to prepare parents prior to procedures.

The crisis of addictive gambling in New Jersey.

Compulsive gambling is a problem that affects not only individuals and families, but also the community. All classes of people and sexes can be touched by this disease. The health community must become more aware, and make early referral for treatment.