Psychiatric Times Vol 18 No 1

Psychiatrist Bennet B. Braun, who claims his career was destroyed when his APA liability insurance provider settled a malpractice suit against his wishes, has now sued the APA, holding them liable for his losses.

How much information do insurance companies need in order to reimburse psychiatrists? Should they be allowed access to therapy notes? These questions have sparked a battle in North Carolina that may affect the patient-psychiatrist relationship.

On Oct. 8, 2000, Erwin Angres, M.D., passed away at the age of 89.

The totalitarian system as we know it today may also be called 'managerial capitalism' since the decisions dictated by technical and economic considerations are no longer hampered by the rights of ownership and title holders. Yet it should be emphasized, speaking of 'managers,' that the true technical directors have nowhere acquired the disposing power of technocrats; the real power rests mainly with economic and business managers. This was written by H. Bruggers in 1941 in his "Stages of Totalitarian Economy," in the publication Living Marxism.

The totalitarian system as we know it today may also be called 'managerial capitalism' since the decisions dictated by technical and economic considerations are no longer hampered by the rights of ownership and title holders. Yet it should be emphasized, speaking of 'managers,' that the true technical directors have nowhere acquired the disposing power of technocrats; the real power rests mainly with economic and business managers. This was written by H. Bruggers in 1941 in his "Stages of Totalitarian Economy," in the publication Living Marxism.

More patients are reaching the old-old demographic-those age 75 and above-with psychiatric conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Research has shown that with some careful screening and precautions, ECT is a safe, effective treatment option for these patients.

Dementia produces significant dependency and contributes to costly long-term care; depression contributes to high rates of suicide; and both contribute to lower quality of life and higher disability among older patients. Therefore, researchers are eager to find new ways of preventing and treating these conditions. Studies currently underway include evaluating the role of health specialists in treating depressed patients, looking at bereavement and its effects on patients, and the role of estrogen, vitamin E, NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease.

As the population ages, psychiatrists will need to take a more proactive role in preventing, diagnosing and treating elder abuse. This article looks at the definition of elder abuse and the history of reporting it, research findings on the effects of abuse on mortality, and needs for the future.

In addition to reports on psychotherapeutic agents now available and anticipated in the United States, the presentations at the 22nd annual Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP) Congress, held from July 8 to 13, in Brussels, provided a unique view of varied investigational compounds and approaches outside our country.

Arguing that participation in any aspect of death penalty cases is an ethical conflict for physicians-and specifically psychiatrists-Dr. Freedman calls for physicians' organizations to join the American Bar Association's goal of a moratorium on executions. The author himself opposes the death penalty.

New studies show that the elderly may be more resilient in the face of natural disasters than younger victims. Preparing older patients is key to improving their coping skills.