A study evaluated differences between subjects at three levels of expertise in acquiring and using information obtained from a patient during the clinical interview. Five endocrinologists, five residents, and five students interviewed a volunteer patient and provided differential diagnoses. Differences were found in diagnostic accuracy,…

Studied the arts-related activities available in U.S. medical schools through a questionnaire completed by 100 medical school deans (78% response rate). Twenty-one medical schools offered arts-related required courses, 42 offered electives, and 89 offered extracurricular activities in the arts. (SLD)

A focus group and questionnaire gathered information on differences in the attitudes and beliefs of older medical students compared to younger students. Older students mentioned increased home responsibilities relative to peers, lack of perceived respect by attendings and residents, and use of different learning strategies; more older students…

In a pilot project, computer-assisted bibliographic retrieval from MEDLINE was taught to an entire entering medical school class (n=112), followed by incorporation of a MEDLINE searching exercise into an early phase of the curriculum and monitoring of subsequent spontaneous use. The method was seen as useful and effective. (Author/MSE)

A study evaluated a teaching model in which contact between medical students, patients, and physicians was maximized. Each student (n=96) learned the physical examination of the abdomen and genitourinary system through contact with four patients, a plastic model, and five physicians. Students appreciated the interaction and physician role models.…

A study investigated the teaching characteristics on which medical students, residents, and faculty focus in their assessment of teaching and how they arrive at their assessments of teaching quality. Results indicate the important predictors of ratings were clinical competence, demonstrated sensitivity toward patients and families, and recognition…

Curriculum evaluations were sent to fourth-year medical students randomly assigned to receive the survey either by mail or e-mail. Mailed evaluations yielded a higher return rate, fewer students omitting items, and shorter responses to an open-ended question than evaluations completed via e-mail. (EV)

A Finnish university medical school precedes its cadaver dissection course with lectures on death, dissection, and psychological response. Student surveys reveal that the lectures have created an awareness that has helped them through difficult situations and prevented dissipation of energy through emotional reaction. Long-term benefits are also…

The theoretical model of medical student performance begins with 38 measures, reduced to 18 without loss of information. These measures are shown to reflect five underlying theoretical interrelated variables: medical knowledge; clinical performance; science aptitude; college achievement; and attitudes and values. Results should be useful in…

A study of 54 first-year Marshall University (West Virginia) medical students found that a preventive cardiology curriculum improved both knowledge of and attitudes about preventive cardiology in general and on all 4 subscales (epidemiological evidence, risk factor characteristics, pathophysiology, primary interventions). (Author/MSE)

The University of California, Davis, medical school's intensive summer preentry program for disadvantaged minority students, which previews the first year curriculum, has incorporated a problem-based learning component to augment and prolong its effects. Objective measures of course effectiveness are unavailable; however, self-esteem, study…

This qualitative study sought to identify the complex issues facing Asian/Pacific Islander (API) women students at one Midwestern medical school as they subjectively experience their medical training. Students reported parental and Asian community influences on their decision to enter medicine; most thought faculty perceive them as "quiet," often…

A study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Yeshiva University, New York) has identified students from each medical class with previously unidentified learning disabilities. In three case studies, the importance of early identification and support is illustrated. In each case, dramatic improvement occurred with student awareness and…

A theoretical model for predicting medical student achievement (HE 528 467) is reviewed and found to be a significant improvement over previous predictive studies, to well illustrate the use of structural equation modeling in medical education research, and to offer an approach to practical research problems with potential to increase the…

A University of Washington medical school study investigated faculty opinions concerning essential clinical skills and students' reports of having been or not been evaluated on them. This form of self-study was found useful for assessing general concerns about the effectiveness of clinical instruction. (MSE)