This article focuses on the attitudinal component of patient-centredness. The literature reveals that the relationship between cure-and care-oriented attitudes remains to be clari®ed. The aim of this study is to gain further insight in the relationship between cure and care attitudes by questioning the bipolar unidimensional structure of the concept. By means of an empirical analysis among Belgian medical students, the cure versus care attitudes regarding the`ideal physician' are investigated. Traits of the ideal physician are described in a bipolar rating scale re¯ecting cure-oriented versus care-oriented views of the medical profession. Subjects included 88 medical students of the Limburgs University Centre in Diepenbeek, Belgium. Results indicate that the Belgian sample is less care-oriented than the Dutch sample.Further, a factor-analysis reveals two components which correspond with the instrumental (cure) and the affective dimension (care) of the medical profession. The advantages of a two-dimensional framework as a basis for the development of courses aimed at attitude development in the curriculum of a medical school are discussed. #

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This new drug combination appears to be effective in advanced neuroblastoma. Its toxicity remains manageable, with no life-threatening complications. Further evaluation in patients with less-advanced disease is warranted.

Five children with sickle cell anaemia underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for severe clinical disease. The conditioning regimen for BMT was in busulfan plus cyclophosphamide. The allograft contained more than 5 x 10(8) nucleated cells per kg recipient. Prophylaxis of GVHD consisted of methotrexate and cyclosporin A. Therapy was well tolerated. Duration of neutropenia (less than 0.5 x 10(9)/l) was short (14-25 d). Platelet recovery (greater than 50 x 10(9)/l) occurred between day 12 and 45. The patients have been followed up for 8-28 months. No major infections occurred and long-term BMT-related toxicity was limited to mild, chronic GVHD in one patient. Mean haemoglobin levels remained above 10 g/dl. Haemoglobin electrophoresis showed AS patterns in all grafted patients--all marrow donors having sickle cell trait. From our preliminary data, we conclude that BMT or sickle cell anaemia is curative, well tolerated and should be proposed for suitable patients.