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Sodium amytal as an aid in state hospital practice: Single interviews with 100 patients

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Summary and conclusions

  1. 1.

    The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the usefulness of sodium amytal in daily state hospital practice, using the single interview approach.

  2. 2.

    The objectives of most interviews included the following: (a) to elicit biographical information, (b) to gain insight into dynamics, (c) to aid diagnosis, (d) to clarify delinquent acts, (e) to improve the physician-patient relationship. In addition therapeutic results were achieved in a few patients.

  3. 3.

    The results were recorded on a percentage basis according to the headings given. Absolute failures constituted only 11 per cent.

  4. 4.

    It was concluded that sodium amytal is a useful adjunct in state hospital practice.

The procedure is time-saving, the technique is simple, the approach to the patient is facilitated, and a better understanding of the patient and his illness is promoted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

    Werner M. Cohn M.D., Ross V. Speck M.D. & W. John Howard M.D.

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  1. Werner M. Cohn M.D.
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  2. Ross V. Speck M.D.
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  3. W. John Howard M.D.
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Additional information

Read at the interhospital conference, New York State Department of Mental Hygiene, at Syracuse Psychopathic Hospital, April 14, 1954.

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Cohn, W.M., Speck, R.V. & Howard, W.J. Sodium amytal as an aid in state hospital practice: Single interviews with 100 patients. Psych Quar 31, 289–300 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568728

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568728

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