Objective: A high percentage of suicide victims have seen a primary care physician in the months before committing suicide. Thus, primary care physicians may play an important role in suicide prevention. Method: The authors mailed a survey to directors of training programs in family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics, and 50.5% responded.…

Senior dental students and family dental practitioners were surveyed concerning their choice of pairs of alternative treatments and the technical and patient factors influencing their decisions. Greater agreement in clinical decision-making was found among dentists than among students for all four pairs of alternative services. (MSE)

A program was designed to extend experience of residents and medical students rotating through Family Practice Center in the care of older patients. This educational experience was based on a group of representative geriatric cases at a nursing home and included paramedical personnel in service and educational elements. (Author)

The advanced education in general dentistry program at the Eastman Dental Center (Rochester, NY) operates an after-hours clinic simulating private practice. With an optional financial incentive program for students in lieu of a fixed stipend, the clinic's fee income has increased substantially. Advantages and potential abuses are discussed. (MSE)

In a documentation system designed to monitor medical student progress in clerkships at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, students completed an optical scan card for each patient seen, eliciting information on the patient and the experience. Results highlight students' lack of certain experiences and allow comparison of student…

The predoctoral dental curriculum cannot provide the depth of experience and knowledge needed for the increasing representation of geriatric patients in family dental practices. A curriculum model designed to enhance knowledge and refine clinical skills in caring for the elderly is proposed. (MSE)

A study comparing inpatient care costs of family practice residencies and other residency programs found that family practice residencies do not add to direct inpatient costs and may even reduce costs. It is suggested that this provides an additional rationale for institutions to sponsor graduate training in family practice. (Author/MSE)

A longitudinal study of students (n=70) entering Dartmouth Medical School (New Hampshire) in 1984 found attitudes toward family practice initially positive and improving. However, of 25 indicating early interest in family medicine, only 6 chose a related residency. Student concerns about the specialty's demands are seen as a possible factor.…

Issues to be considered in selecting organizations as sites for postdoctoral general dentistry programs are examined, including the advantages and disadvantages of dental schools and hospitals and the necessary faculty qualifications. (MSE)

To change state statutes and regulations concerning postdoctoral dental education as a requirement for licensure, the profession will have to provide ample justification and a change of philosophy regarding the qualification of the entry-level applicant into the profession in relation to protection of the public welfare. (MSE)

Five medical school characteristics previously identified as related to choice of family practice as a specialty were examined, with tuition level, for relationship to specialty choice among U.S. medical graduates between July 1986 and December 1987. Only two of the factors were found to be statistically relevant. (Author/MSE)

A survey of 113 graduates of the State University of New York at Stony Brook dental school now in general practice found a high rate of self-reported use of preventive practices (oral hygiene instruction, pit-and-fissure sealants, fluorides, and diet analysis) included in the dental school's curriculum. (MSE)

Ambulatory care and family practice clerkships of the University of Arkansas' nontraditional pharmacy doctoral program are designed to minimize time the student is away from professional practice. They compel the student to take the initiative in identifying patients with specific disease states who would benefit from a pharmacist's knowledge and…