When the results of the study are compared to the objectives established for the group model, it appears that many of the objectives outlined for the model were partially achieved. Several issues, such as the student-supervisor relationship and the evaluation process, need to be addressed with participants to ensure successful implementation of the group model.

No abstract

SummaryAn objective radiographic study of erosions, fractures, and periarticular and vascular calcification was made in a series of 135 patients over 10 years of maintenance haemodialysis therapy. The four lesions progressed at different rates, consistent with variation in the response of tissues to a changing biochemical milieu and deficiency in vitamin D metabolites. The half time for development of individual radiographic signs was 3-4 years for vascular calcification, 9 years for fractures, 16 years for periarticular calcification, and 22-9 years for erosions. Calcification of the dorsalis pedis artery seen as a developing ring or tube was an early and valuable sign of disturbed calcium metabolism. In these patients renal osteodystrophy is a chronic condition with a prolonged time course.

Group therapy for organ transplantation patients is in its infancy but has a promising future. Overextended transplantation service providers are interested in its potential for cost-efficient and effective forms of psychosocial intervention. This article summarizes the biomedical and psychosocial aspects of solid organ transplantation, one institution's group therapy program, common group themes, and specific demands on the group therapist working with this population.

SummaryA study of 150 patients undergoing haemodialysis has shown that age had a striking effect on the radiological presentation of renal bone disease, erosions being common in the young and uncommon in older patients and vascular calcification showing opposite trends to this. Men aged 20 to 59 years had a greater tendency to develop erosions than did women in this age range. Examination of a group of 53 patients over a period of five years showed that the half time for the development of vascular calcification was 4'6 years, erosions 26-7 years, and fractures 6-9 years. Nine out of 16 polycystic patients matched for age and sex with 50 controls did not develop erosions and had consistently less vascular calcification than the controls when examined over a six-year period.