Gratitude

In a random sample of 262 deaths, 21% of the patients lived alone and a quarter of the caring relatives were over 70 years old. The difficulties of the relatives were more often a cause for hospital admission than those of the patients. Health professionals and relatives differed considerably in their assessment of the same case. 24% of relatives were especially grateful to their general practitioners but 37% were critical. The uncaring attitude of the hospitals was criticised by 27% of the relatives, although hospital nurses were the most praised of all professionals.

As can be seen from this quick analysis. Senator Charles Percy has certainly left his mark in the United States Senate and on the nation as well. His accomplishments have been many. He has used his truly incredible intellect and energy level for the benefit of all Americans. All American citizens owe Senator Percy a debt of gratitude for his years of public service. He is proof that the American system of government endures and that the best and the brightest still look to public service.

Fifty-two patients, who were not considered to be suitable for traditional therapy, were evaluated on their admission (53 admissions) to the Slow Stream Rehabilitation Unit at Greenwich Hospital, and on and after their discharge from hospital, with a minimum follow-up period after discharge from hospital of 13 months. Mobility and the capacity to perform basic self-care activities were assessed by means of a set protocol while traditional rehabilitation therapies were employed.

Eighty-four male patients with a mean age of 56.4 years were subjected to a semistructured interview 12-21 weeks after acute myocardial infarction. Twenty-eight individuals (group A) perceived a considerably or somewhat improved total life situation, 39 patients an unchanged (group B) and 17 patients (group C) a somewhat or considerably worsened total life situation. In all groups there were appreciable alterations with respect to stress on the job, physical activity and intake of fat/calories. Sixty per cent had reduced or quit smoking, and 19% had reduced their alcohol consumption.

In this study, it is first of all investigated whether elderly and younger hospital patients differ with respect to satisfaction with several aspects of their stay in the hospital, medical and hospital knowledge, emotional state, seeking information, discussing problems and engaging in self-care. Second, it is investigated whether age differences on these variables can be explained by demographic variables, previous hospitalization experience, information received and personality characteristics on which elderly and younger patients differ.

This paper reviews the moral and ethical context of family relationships and caregiver stress, with an emphasis on the implications for professional interventions. Three views of filial responsibility are presented: parental reverence, a debt of gratitude, and caregiving as an expression of friendship and love. Case studies are presented to illustrate how an exploration of ethically defensible limits to caregiving might proceed.

The author joined an American team on one of their regular 'Mercy Missions' to Third World countries to treat underprivileged children. The patients' gratitude, the absence of complaining, operating conditions and quality of life were in stark contrast to that often seen in the UK. It was a heart warming experience for all members of the team.

So, to summarize: my themes in this lecture have been: 1. Bioengineering is a many-splendoured thing. 2. There are few differences in principle between scientists and engineers, and they need to work together and respect one another's special contribution. 3. The Department of Health has done much to enhance your career structure and prospects recently; now you have to help us to polish your image even further. 4.

The condom is widely recommended as the principal method for preventing HIV transmission, but such advice obviously does not apply to women who are seeking to become pregnant. In this sense, 'safer sex' is incompatible with reproduction. Existing research into HIV transmission has examined the choices made by those wishing to conceive within a sexual relationship; such research shows that HIV is not a highly significant factor in their decision-making processes.

The positive psychological and sociological dimensions of AIDS care provision may produce important information to assist burnout prevention. While most studies on stress and burnout in AIDS health care have focused on the negative and difficult aspects of this work, few have considered the notion that the rewards of care-giving may buffer against stress or counterbalance experiences that may otherwise lead to burnout. A study of HIV/AIDS volunteers examined the relationship between stressors, rewards and burnout, using the HIV Volunteer Inventory and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.