[Lobotomy at the Gaustad hospital]. / Lobotomipraksis ved Gaustad sykehus.

The case records of 300 patients who were lobotomized, and 19 patients who had stereotaxic brain surgery during the period 1941-72 at Gaustad Hospital have been studied. The investigation shows that the practice of lobotomy was quite widespread. During the 1950s, lobotomy was carried out on broader indications than normally thought to be the case. Relatives were usually asked for their consent, but the information they received was often questionable. Many of the operations were fatal, particularly in the initial years, and this result can be traced to one specific surgeon.

[What can we learn from the lobotomy period?]. / Hva kan vi laere av lobotomiperioden?

In 1991 the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs appointed a Commission of Inquiry, precipitated by a heated public debate on lobotomy. A group of four psychiatrists studied the case records of 300 patients lobotomized at Gaustad Hospital. The main review by the medical group focused on the high mortality rate during the 1940s. Also, surgery was done on broader indications than officially recommended, and the information given to the next of kin was often questionable. Since the obligation of the psychiatric profession also involves involuntary treatment, particular caution should be exercised in administering new methods. It is important to ensure control and critique by society. Ethical considerations should be integrated into quality control.

The stress upon rescuers involved in an oil rig disaster. "Alexander L. Kielland" 1980.

Nine months post-disaster, 134 rescuers involved in an off-shore oil rig disaster were investigated by using a structured self report questionnaire to chart their experience of coping with disaster impact stressors and their mental and physical health 9 months after the disaster. Of the 134 rescuers, 24 were categorized as professional rescuers, 101 as non-professionals and 9 could not be classified. Of the 212 victims, all oil rig workers, 89 (42%) were rescued. Seventy-six percent of the rescuers reported they had been exposed to danger during the rescue operation, and 62% found the experience to be the worst ever. Eighty to ninety percent felt they had coped fairly well with the task, and severely disturbed coping was reported to be below 10% for decision-making, ability to judge risk, capacity to function as leader, and finally ability to cooperate and act efficiently. For the non-professionals, severe disturbance in ability to plan before acting was reported by 10% and moderate disturbance was reported by 38%. The frequency of emotional stress reactions during the rescue work can be assessed from the fact that 64% to 52% reported discouragement, restlessness, uncertainty, anxiety and irritation. The stressors inherent in this type of disaster seem to satisfy the DSM III stressor criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder. Nine months after the disaster 24% reported their mental health to be poor due to the disaster impact, and only the most experienced rescuers had a low health risk compared to the others.