Proceedings of the First National Sickle Cell Educational Symposium (May 1976, St. Louis, Missouri).

This conference was organized around presentations about the cases of an adult and a pediatric sickle cell anemia patient. Following the presentations of the patients' case histories, and clinical and laboratory findings, the cases were discussed by specialists from various areas of expertise. Among the perspectives offered were those of internal medicine, hematology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, genetics, pediatrics, cardiology, nursing and social work. A series of symposia were conducted on the topics of clinical management, genetic counseling, educational techniques and current research relating to sickle cell disease. Also addressed were the need for and approach to parent education; some educational techniques; international perspectives on sickle cell disease; and the importance of education and sickle cell services as a part of comprehensive health. In addition to the full texts of the conference discussions and presentations, a list of participants is included in this report. (Author/GC)