Occupational health psychology: an emerging discipline.

There is growing concern that rapidly changing patterns of work organization and employment pose risk for occupational illness and injury. In the present article, we assert that these changes create new needs and opportunities for research and practice by psychologists in the area of work organization and health. We begin with an historical overview of the contribution of psychologists to the occupational safety and health field, and to the study of work organization and health. We then describe new initiatives by the American Psychological Association and national health organizations in the United States and Europe to frame a new field of study--called "occupational health psychology"--that focuses on the topic of work organization and health. We conclude with a discussion of emerging research needs and trends within this field.

Management of diabetic foot infections, including the use of home intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Osteomyelitis and soft-tissue foot infections continue to be the source of major amputations in the diabetic patient. Many of these amputations can be prevented with a prompt, aggressive, and integrated approach. Foot alterations should be appropriately investigated for osteomyelitis and culture-driven antimicrobial therapy combined with aggressive surgical intervention, including revascularization when necessary, should be pursued. This approach increases the chances for limb salvage. Early discharge from the hospital with HIVAT offers a safe and effective alternative to a prolonged hospital stay with significant cost savings in appropriately selected patients.

Podiatric management of the patient with renal disease.

The increasing number of patients with chronic renal failure must serve to make the podiatrist aware of the uniqueness and peculiarities of the disease process. This article reviews the literature on the nature and consequences of progressive renal failure and gives analysis of some of the pre- and postoperative considerations encountered in the patient with end-stage renal disease of concern to the podiatric surgeon.

Variation in practitioner-measured x-ray angles in hallux abducto valgus evaluation.

Angular measurements taken on preoperative hallux abducto valgus x-rays have been relied upon heavily by surgeons in helping to determine the nature and extent of the deformity, as well as a guide for selecting the most appropriate surgical procedure for correction. The reliability of measuring these angles among different physicians has never been tested, to these authors' knowledge. Therefore, this study is designed to measure the variation in values for the five basic angles among a group of podiatrists with varying capabilities, training, and experiences, and demonstrates that preoperative radiographic measurements may not be an accurate reflection of the general degree of pathology about the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Group treatment of physically disabled adults by telephone.

Physical disability threatens a person's life style and can be detrimental in its effects on mood and activity. We describe a counseling program for severely disabled persons who were involved in telephone support groups in order to solve problems related to feeling discouraged, lonely, or being too inactive to remain healthy. A majority of the participants reported being less anxious and more socially involved as a result of the intervention. Ease with which groups were conducted and positive feedback from participants suggests that research should evaluate the cost effectiveness of phone intervention and explore potential of treating affective problems with scheduled phone contact.