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Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

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Evidence-B(I)Ased Medicine: Limitations And Non-Superstition-Based Alternatives, Joshua S. Green M.D., Ph.D. (Pgy4)

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) movement crystallized in the early 1990's at McMaster University in Canada. The movement originally challenged practitioners to validate their treatments based on reasoning and clinical studies rather than personal authority. In this essay, I will argue that, contrary to this wholesome intention, EBM is authoritarian in spirit and actually constricts discourse about how to make clinical decisions.

Diphenhydramine-Dependence Resulting From Self-Medication Of Antipsychotic- Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms, Faisal S. Shaikh M.B.B.S., Ann M. Mortimer M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms should be recognised and adequately treated. We report an unusual complication of not doing so: a patient’s self-medicating to control these symptoms, which produced diphenhydramine-dependence.

Dissociative-Like Spells In A Child With Neurofibromatosis (Type 1), Gregory M. Singleton M.D. (Pgy2), Ann M. Lagges Ph.D., Karen G. Meighen M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Neurofibromatosis, type 1, (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous disorder of childhood. Little is known about the psychiatric aspects of the condition. We present the case of a 10-year-old male with NF1 and complex spells. For two years he had been experiencing self-limited paroxysms of auditory and visual hallucination, assaultiveness, excited undressing, and amnesia. The spells have been refractory to multiple treatments, including antipsychotic medication. The question remains whether this episodic amnestic disorder is comorbid with NF1 or is caused by it.

A Major Event Of Self-Mutilation In A Patient With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Joel P. Johnson M.D. (Pgy4), Steven Sugden M.D., James A. Bourgeois O.D., M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

We describe a young adult male with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) who presented with a non-repetitive, major, genital self-mutilation necessitating urological intervention. On formal psychiatric evaluation, he did not have psychosis or suicidality. Most commonly, self-injury in developmental disability is less severe and more stereotypic; major-class self-mutilation is confined, generally, to psychosis. It is this discrepancy that is the unusual feature of our case.

Autocastration And Autoamputation Of The Penis In A Patient With Delusions Of Sexual Guilt, Craig B. Franke M.D. (Pgy4), James A. Rush M.D. (Pgy3)

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Genital self-mutilation (GSM) is a rare event that is commonly associated with psychotic disorders; we report an occurrence in the context of psychosis and drug use. We also review the etiologies of this phenomenon and how these etiologies differ across gender.

Clozapine, Fluoxetine, And Benztropine- Associated Ileus: Case Report, Pegah Pajouhi M.D. (Pgy1), James A. Bourgeois O.D., M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Gastrointestinal complications of anticholinergic medications are prevalent, potentially life-threatening, and could be more actively prevented. We present a case report of an ileus that required surgical intervention and developed in the context of clozapine, benztropine, and fluoxetine use. The case exemplifies the potential anticholinergic toxicities of clozapine and benztropine as well as possible pharmacokinetic interactions between fluoxetine, clozapine, and benztropine. We discuss ways to minimize the likelihood of anticholinergic complications with these medications.

Barriers To Recovery And Recommendations For Change: The Pennsylvania Consensus Conference On Psychiatry's Role., Joseph A. Rogers, Michael J. Vergare, Richard C. Baron, Mark S. Salzer

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Recovery has emerged over the past decade as a dominant theme in public mental health care.

METHODS: The 2006 Pennsylvania Consensus Conference brought together 24 community psychiatrists to explore the barriers they experienced in promoting recovery and their recommendations for change.

RESULTS: Twelve barriers were identified and classified into one of three categories: psychiatry knowledge, roles, and training; the need to transform public mental health systems and services; and environmental barriers to opportunity. Participants made 22 recommendations to address these barriers through changes in policies, programs, and psychiatric knowledge and practice.

CONCLUSIONS: The recommendations identify areas for change that …

Jefferson Scale Of Patient's Perceptions Of Physician Empathy: Preliminary Psychometric Data., Gregory C. Kane, Joanne L. Gotto, Salvatore Mangione, Susan West, Mohammadreza Hojat

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

AIM: To develop a brief scale for measuring patient's perceptions of their physician's empathic engagement and to provide preliminary evidence in support of aspects of the scale's psychometrics.

METHOD: Study comprised 225 patients, out of 436 patients (52% response rate) seen by 166 residents in the internal medicine residency program at the Jefferson Hospital Ambulatory Clinic as part of their ambulatory training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. A 5-item questionnaire entitled the Jefferson Scale of Patient's Perceptions of Physician Empathy was developed and administered to the study participants. Its factor structure, item-total score correlations, and correlations with several relevant criterion …