At the University of Missouri-Kansas City pathology and anatomy are combined and it is possible to use the autopsy as the anatomical resource, which is superior to the embalmed and desiccated cadaver. Advantages of the course include the small class size, emphasis on gross structure, and use of histologic slides taken from the lesions examined…

Describes and evaluates a successful one-quarter 26-curriculum hour course in clinical nutrition, which focuses on practical aspects of diet prescriptions, dietary customs, attitudes, and behavior modifications. Required for sophomore medical students and dietetic interns, the course in taught by faculty from several disciplines and includes…

The described course had these objectives: (1) To increase awareness to the health needs of minority and low income groups. (2) To acquire knowledge to facilitate health care for these groups. (3) To increase the student's understanding of other health care professions. (Author/PG)

A 4-year effort at Yale University School of Medicine to teach toxicology as an elective basic science from the standpoint of organ-specific toxic effects is described. The objective of the successful multidisciplinary program is to prepare physicians to understand, recognize, and manage adverse effects from drugs and other environmental…

To provide for greater integration in the acquisition of psychological and clinical skills in medical education, an experimental interdepartmental course in clinical surgery and psychiatry was offered by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Procedures and content for the successful 8-week course are described and evaluation data…

A Boston University School of Medicine course in oncology is described which covers basic science correlates, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and psycho-social aspects. Based on five years experience, the course is considered a successful means of correlating basic and clinical information for second- and third-year medical students.…

Students from four health professions--medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy--initiated a course designed to improve their knowledge of one another's training and skills, with the larger aim of preparing themselves to work in health care teams. The nine weekly meetings are described in terms of their content and students'…

A basic course in pathology at Rotterdam's Erasmus University includes the study of psychological, sociological, economic, and political factors related to the etiology of somatic disorders. The principles of this approach to humanistic medicine are summarized and a description of the course is given. (Editor/LBH)

Emery School of Medicine's freshman behavioral science course, which includes units on medical care, psychiatry, and epidemiology, is directed toward attitude formation as well as intellectual development. Units and field experiences are described and evaluated and the course impact over a 4-year period found to be positive. (JT)

A disciplined understanding of human values is seen as an essential complement to the biomedical and psychosocial components of clinical training in medical education. A biopsycho-ethical model for medical education is presented. By combining interdisciplinary seminars with clinical experience, both the rigor and relevance of value analysis are…

An experimental, continuing, weekly interdisciplinary colloquy on cardiology is described. It is organized between the departments of medicine and physiology of Loyola University Medical Center to promote interaction between basic scientists and practicing physicians in the medical school. (Author/MLW)

Man and His Environment is a course that teaches human behavior and preventive medicine to medical students, with multidisciplinary professionals, medical students, and institutions collaborating in its organization, delivery, and evaluation. Course content, instructional methods, student and course evaluation, and administrative organization are…

An interdisciplinary faculty of the University of Califiornia at Los Angeles School of Medicine has developed a behavioral science program to teach interns the interpersonal skills necessary for effective physician patient encounters. Curriculum topics include interviewing, problem identification, and situational stress. (JMD)

An AAMC survey of American medical schools indicates that 34 percent have specific programs underway or planned to teach health care cost containment. The majority were introduced during the last two years; the costs are fairly modest. Further activities might be enhanced by development of a program primer and the organization of workshops.…

Social, cultural, economic, psychological, and interpersonal dimensions of cancer and cancer patient management were addressed in an elective course conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. Student attitudes toward the disease were tested before and after taking the course. Significant attitudinal shifts, new insights, and new skills resulted…