A study explored the responses of medical students, resident physicians, and experienced physicians to 12 vignettes describing hypothetical patients to determine the relationship between clinical experience and susceptibility to bias in treatment decisions resulting from presentation of possible outcomes. Framing bias was most evident in the…

A study investigated possible differences in standardized patient examination scores for three groups of undergraduate (n=176) and graduate (n=221) medical students assessed at different sites over two years. Results show no systematic change in scores over testing dates, suggesting no problems with breach of test security. (MSE)

Stresses experienced by college students at different educational levels are considered, along with ways that colleges can help reduce destructive forms of stress. After discussing how stress and coping are related, problems in defining stress and coping are considered, and models are proposed for understanding stress. Following an overview on the…

In response to concern about gender and racial insensitivity among medical faculty and medical students, a faculty development program using videotaped vignettes of inappropriate interactions was developed at the University of Pennsylvania. Faculty have appreciated the heightened awareness, and the unit has promoted further discussion. Additional…

A multistation clinical examination using standardized patients was used over 4 years to assess the interpersonal skills of 346 fourth year medical students, 51 internal medicine residents, and 71 foreign medical graduates seeking admission to graduate study. Results indicate that a reliable assessment of interpersonal skills can be achieved this…

A guide to financing medical school studies is presented. Financial planning should ideally begin as soon as medical school admission becomes a possible goal. Information is provided to help estimate costs and identify sources of financial aid, including help provided by a spouse or parents, institutional assistance, private loans/scholarships,…

A study investigated whether physicians (n=32) would generate less specific initial diagnoses than did medical students (n=39). Analysis of number, specificity, and breadth of diagnoses found students generated significantly more diagnostic hypotheses and more specific hypotheses, but breadth did not differ significantly. (Author/MSE)

This publication is designed to help admissions committees, other medical school officials, and health professional advisors interpret student Medical College Admission (MCAT) performance. Data presented in this publication may be useful for those providing career counseling or designing programs to attract students to the practice of medicine.…

This publication is designed to help admissions committees, other medical school officers, and health professions advisors interpret students' Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) performance. The data can also help in comparing individual students with their peers in terms of attitudes, preferences, and beliefs about medical school and medical…

Toronto General Hospital (Canada) has developed a medical faculty recognition and reward program including a system to collect and evaluate feedback from trainees and administrators, an annual awards event, three categories of hospitalwide award (educational administration, program development, extraordinary contribution), and departmental student…

Programs in emergency medicine are expected to become increasingly organized with the development of emergency medicine teaching faculties. A clerkship design with clinical instruction, classroom instruction, and evaluation is described. (Author/MLW)

Sex and race differences in the problems and needs of medical students were investigated. The variables of marital status and the year in school were also considered. The results suggested that many important needs of first- and second-year medical students at Emory University were not being met. (Author/MLW)

A study measured 206 students' levels of moral reasoning across 4 years of medical education at a particular university. Results indicate an increase in moral reasoning skills over that period and higher levels of reasoning for women than for men in each year. Potential for even greater progress is seen. (MSE)

This handbook provides a framework to assist program directors and other administrators as they discuss questions men and women in premedical and medical schools face with respect to: (1) parenting issues; (2) practical and policy-related questions about becoming parents; and (3) whether it is possible to be both a devoted and effective…

Surveys of first- and fourth-year Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) medical students found little change in attitudes about abortion over four years. Attitudes correlated most strongly with personal beliefs about when a fetus is considered human life and somewhat with student gender. Results are used in a medical ethics course to illuminate…