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- Ericsson, Kjerstin, et al.
(author)
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The short human figure drawing scale for evaluation of suspect cognitive dysfunction in old age
- 1994
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In: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-4943 .- 1872-6976. ; 19:3, s. 243-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human figure drawings have been widely used to assess cognitive development in children. In the present study, free-hand human figure drawings were examined for 62 demented patients, and 60 normal elderly subjects. The drawings were scored for 53 body details using a method derived from work with children. A short scale of 15 details was developed by selecting body details with high item-total correlations which are simple to score even for untrained staff. This short scale had excellent interscorer and test-retest reliability and excellent concurrent validity as well. It correlated highly with the Mini-Mental State Examination, a commonly used screening test for dementia. The short scale discriminated demented and non-demented subjects and different levels of dementia severity as graded by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. However, no differences were observed between Alzheimer patients and patients with vascular dementia concerning presence of details in human figure drawings.
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| 2. |
- Mattiasson, Anne-Cathrine, et al.
(author)
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Staff attitude and experience in dealing with rational nursing home patients who refuse to eat and drink
- 1994
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 20:5, s. 822-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper describes the personal attitudes of nursing home staff and their experience of coping with rational nursing home patients who refused to eat and drink. Professional caregivers in 13 nursing homes and nursing home units in the county of Stockholm, Sweden, were asked to judge an ethical conflict involving a situation in which a patient of sound mind refused to eat and drink. Two questions were raised: (a) What would your unit's decision be in this case? (b) What is your personal opinion in this case? Answers to question (a) showed that 20% believed that the patient's autonomy would be respected, i.e. the patient would be allowed to die without medical intervention. Concerning question (b), the results showed that approximately 50% believed that the patient's wishes regarding food refusal must be respected. Furthermore, the results suggested that both professional category and number of years' service made a difference to the staff views on patient autonomy. Finally, the findings indicated that the nursing homes included in the study did not show any distinct policy with regard to the autonomy of elderly nursing home patients in refusing to eat and drink.
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