A comprehensive course on cancer prevention developed for the University of Maryland School of Medicine under a contract with the National Cancer Institute is described. This innovative, multidisciplinary, modular curriculum package was tested as a four-week elective, revised, and field tested again. (Author/MLW)

A study to determine whether attitudes of medical students toward cancer patients are as negative as their attitudes toward the chronically ill found significant difference between attitudes toward cancer patients and patients in general. Support was also found for the existence of negative attitudes in the treatment of cancer patients.…

The Clinical Oncology Assistantship Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is described, along with student reactions to the program. The summer elective program involves cancer lectures (one week) and clinical exposure (nine weeks) in medical, surgical, and pediatric oncology services, as well as self-directed learning…

Four audiovisual programs about cancer and cancer treatment were evaluated. Cancer patients, their families, and friends were asked to complete questionnaires before and after watching a program to determine the effects of the program on their knowledge of cancer, anxiety levels, and perceived ability to communicate with the staff. (Author/MLW)

A course in oncology for freshman medical students at the Medical College of Pennsylvania is discussed. It is thought that appropriate training of medical students appears to lead to more positive attitudes toward cancer, but many of these efforts have been directed to groups at later stages of medical education. (MLW)

To assist faculty involved in cancer education in various courses in the curriculum, rather than instituting a new course in oncology, a method was developed for identifying and assessing cancer-related content (a clinical clerk attended lectures, interviewed instructors, reviewed syllibi etc.) and a comprehensive description was produced and…

The Mid-America Cancer Center Program has developed a comprehensive approach for evaluating the cancer education curriculum at the University of Kansas Medical Center. The project included a review of all cancer-related teaching objectives and the development of an interdepartmental oncology curriculum. (JMD)

The long-term effects of a first-year medical school course in disease prevention focusing on cancer were studied. Students who took the course were more knowledgeable about cancer than their peers, but had neither significantly more positive attitudes nor tendencies to use prevention techniques in clinical settings. (Author/LB)

The effect of the use of guidelines on the care of patients with breast, colon, and non-small-cell lung cancers is reported. Audits of patient records revealed an increase over time in the percentage of recommended cancer care procedures that were complied with. (Author/MLW)

A survey of attitudes toward cancer held by faculty and house staff physicians in a teaching hospital is described. Data indicate significant differences between the perceptions of faculty and house staff members as to their counterpart's approach to cancer. Improved interpersonal communication is suggested for improving cancer education.…

Considered were attitudes toward (1) the patient's inner resources to cope with a serious illness such as cancer, (2) the value of early diagnosis, and (3) the value of aggressive treatment, as well as the belief in immortality and preparation for and acceptance of death. Changes occurred throughout medical school, especially during the clinical…

A study of cancer screening by internal medicine residents in an inner-city clinic revealed that screening was more frequent for male patients, and breast examinations and Pap smears were performed on less than a third of female patients, suggesting a need for more intensive early-detection education of residents. (MSE)

A 5-year study of medical students who had participated in a first-year elective course on cancer found that 47% of all participants subsequently became involved in other cancer programs. Subsequent expressed and overt interests in cancer were related to achievement on neoplasm-related test items. (Author/MLW)

An exercise was devised at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, to facilitate medical students' ability to discuss death and dying with cancer patients. Students begin with a written situation to problem-solve and then move into pairs and groups to reach a consensus and discuss the problem. A videotaped simulation is also used. (JMD)

The effect of experience in counseling cancer patients and their families on third-year medical students' attitudes toward cancer was studied at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Using the Cancer Attitude Scale, assessment included attitudes toward patients' inner resources, attitudes about early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, and…