Based on the Nevid & Morrison Libertarian Mental Health Ideology Scale, the present study shows a conceptual/ideological shift in medical students' attitudes towards psychiatry after a 6-week psychiatry course. The resultant attitudes were more in line with those of teaching staff than those of the clinical team. Overall, the students developed a more positive view of psychiatry.

Two patients with severe anorexia nervosa developed hypoglycaemic coma which was fatal in one case. Physical exertion may have contributed to this complication.

The study investigated the ability of 10 patients with Asperger's syndrome to recognize and produce non-verbal aspects of facial and spoken (e.g. vocal intonation) communication by use of photographs, audiotape and videotape. It also aimed to establish materials to differentiate individuals with this condition from a comparable non-Asperger group. Asperger subjects tended to be poorer than comparable patients on all subtests.

The parents of 120 children referred for possible tonsillectomy to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon were studied. There was no evidence that a desire for the operation fulfilled ‘psychological needs’ for parents or was a means of coping with a ‘deviant’ child. Parents favouring tonsillectomy were less well informed, and the educational role of the general practitioner in reducing the small number of those who inappropriately pressurize medical services is highlighted.