Information about practice problems was solicited through a structured questionnaire completed by 59 family physicians, 101 pediatricians, and 102 orthopedic surgeons. Across all three groups, a lack of personal time was the major concern. Practice concerns vary among the specialties, a finding of interest to physician education. (SLD)

Studied variation in physicians' practice styles and policies through a survey of 46 family physicians and internists. Overall, the results indicate that a brief open-ended survey can assess practice variations quickly, providing a basis to guide interventions. (SLD)

Interviewed physician educators in family medicine to discover variables that draw them into education and sustain their vitality, and challenges that can support or derail their careers. Found that career decisions emanate from values associated with "making the world better"; that they seek challenging positions consistent with these values; and…

Context: In studying physician shortage issues, few studies have utilized individual interviews, allowing rural physicians to voice their own stories. Purpose: To explore rural physicians' unique characteristics affecting their decisions and satisfactions with practice in a rural area. Methods: A qualitative interview study with 11 Nebraska family…

Context: Founded in 1971 with state funding to increase the number of primary care physicians in rural Minnesota, the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) has graduated 1,175 students. Third-year medical students are assigned to primary care physicians in rural communities for 9 months where they experience the realities of rural practice with…

Objective: This descriptive study explored the extent that medical education curriculum guidelines contained content about the experiences and needs of family members of people with serious mental illness. Methods: Key family-focused-literature themes about the experiences and needs of families of individuals with mental illness were drawn from a…

It is suggested that, although family practice generally has no subspecialties, such subspecialization need not cause a major distortion in the traditional role of the family physician. Data gathered from profiles of two "model" practices support the thesis. (LBH)

Explored relationships among sex role stress, gender, and job burnout in family practice physicians (N=67) in four residency programs. Results showed sexes agreed in describing ideal physician. Men saw themselves falling short on expressiveness; women saw themselves short on instrumentality and sensitivity. Sex role measures were most related to…

Presents six-part methodology for teaching basic concepts of family systems to non-family therapists and describes application of methodology to teach primary care physicians. Explains use of simulated encounters in which a physically symptomatic adolescent is interviewed alone, then with his mother, then with his whole family. (Author/NRB)

The value of a critical analysis of the process of education in family practice residency programs is demonstrated. Such an analysis is seen as maybe the most valuable aspect in the evaluation of any curriculum, considering the limitations of time, resources, and demands on family practice teachers. (MLW)

The development of professional identity as a family physician is better understood by referring to Erikson's description of the development of personal identity. Erikson describes eight stages, each one defined by its alternative outcomes--the best versus the worst that can happen. (MLW)

A random sample of Texas physicians was surveyed regarding such issues as their knowledge of Public Law 94-142 and their medical school training in the areas of emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, and mental retardation. Of the 69 pediatricians, family practitioners, and general practitioners, only 64 percent were familiar with this…

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 status of the current predoctoral dental program and its relationship to graduate dental education is described. Factors that have influenced the dental curriculum and major changes that have occurred are presented. Major issues facing dental education are outlined. A proposal is presented for greater flexibility in dental education.…