Improper prescribing practices have often been ascribed to deficiencies in educational elements, such as inadequate medical curricula, unsatisfactory sources of drug information, and lack of time and training. (HS)

The development and use of a restricted list of drugs in the medical pharmacology course at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine are described. The list contained 60 percent fewer drugs than had been taught in the course in prior years. (Author/MLW)

Reviews the studies of researchers who have attempted to identify the sources of drug information, both professional and commercial, utilized by physicians, discussing relationship between physicians' sources and the choice of drugs and severity of conditions being treated. Also notes new sources of drug information being considered by the Food…

A study investigated drug use by fourth-year medical students in 13 schools and compared drug use patterns with those of an age- and sex-matched cohort. Medical students reported less use of marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes, LSD, barbiturates, and amphetamines, similar use of opiates, and slightly more use of tranquilizers and alcohol. (MSE)

Rudolf Buchheim's thesis on why and how to teach pharmacology to medical students is reexamined in view of the so-called identity crisis. It is suggested that the crisis is not one of identity but one of acceptance of medical school pharmacology by clinical colleagues and professional educators. (LBH)

The Career Teacher Training Program in Drug Abuse and Alcoholism, which is directed toward increasing the quantity and quality of drug abuse and alcoholism teaching in medical schools throughout the U.S. is described. Plans for curriculum guidelines and teaching aids are also discussed. (LBH)

A questionnaire concerning knowledge of opiate abuse and attitudes about abusers was administered to 94 randomly selected physicians and medical students at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. The results indicated that physicians might benefit from improved teaching in the area of opiate abuse. (Author/MLW)

Findings from a national survey show that required teaching activities during all four years of medical school averaged 25.7 hours, with a range from 0 to 126. Schools differed widely in the number and type of electives offered in drug abuse and alcoholism, as well as in the number of clinical assignments available. (Author/LBH)

A weekend program places medical students under supervision in close, intense contact with drug and alcohol abusers and strongly reinforces basic sciences and clinical instruction. Student reaction has been very positive. The program requires no new resources and is cost-effective. (Author/MSE)

A survey of medical schools and residency programs in four specialties (family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry) sought information on the number and type of curriculum units on substance abuse offered by them. Considerable variation in offerings was found among the specialties. (MSE)

A program incorporating experiential and didactic experience in identification and treatment of drug abuse into third-year clerkship curriculum is described. Experiential training is in a methadone maintenance clinic. Students are evaluated on their knowledge, attitudes, and level of participation in the drug abuse treatment. (MSE)

A clinical pharmacy educational program is described. Under the guidance of pharmacy faculty members, senior pharmacy students participate in patient care activities with general internal medicine and internal medicine subspecialty teams consisting of an attending faculty physician, an internal medicine resident, two interns, and four junior or…

A model for improving medical training in substance abuse is presented based on the proposals of 22 Career Teacher Grant Programs. The grant provides support for training medical faculty to develop and implement a substance abuse curriculum. The model includes objectives for initial preparations and advice regarding the development and…