Given the increasing prevalence of autism and the importance of early intervention, it is imperative that primary care physicians (PCPs) have a thorough knowledge of autism in order to offer families appropriate guidance and support. This study comprised a systematic review of research assessing PCPs' knowledge of autism and evidence-based…

Purpose: The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention including the use of a clinical reference tool on the clinician's knowledge and self-efficacy scores in peristomal management. A secondary purpose compared the participant's knowledge and self-efficacy based on the education delivery method of…

Continuing Medical Education is a conceptual framework utilizing Edward Deming's plan-do-study-act as a means to measure CME activity outcomes, which is similar in nature to Ernest Stringer's action research think-look-act cycle that was used as the design of the action research study. This action research study incorporated Moore's Levels of…

In order to determine primary health care providers' (PCPs) knowledge gaps on Parkinson's disease, data were collected before and after a one-hour continuing medical education (CME) lecture on early Parkinson's disease recognition and treatment from a sample of 104 PCPs participating at an annual meeting. The main outcome measure was the…

Introduction: Continuing medical education (CME) courses are an essential component of professional development. Research indicates a continued need for understanding how and why physicians select certain CME courses, as well as the differences between CME course takers and nontakers. Purpose: Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are health care…

Survey results on knowledge and exposure to hearing loss for West Virginia classroom teachers (N=98), special educators (N=77), physicians (N=62), and rehabilitation counselors (N=66) revealed that only 58.4 percent had academic exposure. The average correct response rate was 73.8 percent for all four groups. (CB)

A survey of 1,140 primary care physicians and psychiatrists who graduated from medical school from 1950 through 1985 indicated that knowledge of genetics is increasing, especially among more recent graduates, but deficiencies remain. Need is seen for greater emphasis on genetics to reduce chance of physician error as more tests become available.…

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…

Pediatricians (n=342) responding to a survey reported that they nearly all routinely performed some type of developmental screening; most recommended more training in developmental/behavioral pediatrics in residency programs; and 83% were aware of Public Law 99-457, but less than half were familiar with all of its provisions. (Author/JDD)

A survey of 127 hospice physicians attempted to identify appropriate performance objectives for medical training in care of the terminally ill. The 39 objectives identified covered physician attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Thirty-four of the objectives were validated. The list of objectives with their ratings is included. (MSE)

A survey of 1,139 Virginia family practitioners and internal medicine specialists investigated interest in pursuing geriatric education, including such factors as preferred form of education, preferred topics, intent to take the geriatric medicine qualifying examination, geriatric care provided, home visits, prior participation in geriatrics…

Common complaints about physicians are that they don't care enough about patients, don't know enough to practice the best medicine, and don't do enough to maintain the public's trust. The best way for graduate medical education (GME) to address these complaints is to improve the educational content of residency programs. (MSE)

Twenty-five articles on medical school curricula and physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutritional care, especially concerning heart disease and cholesterol control, were reviewed. It is concluded that nutrition education should occur in undergraduate clinical training and residency periods and that realistic nutrition…

The diagnostic discourse of medical students and physicians in thinking-aloud protocols on paper cases was analyzed for evidence of semantic structure. Results show that structural semantics can be used to distinguish various levels of mental processing among novices as well as between novices and professionals. (MSE)

Introduction: National health care concerns have led to the emergence of maintenance of certification (MOC) as a means to ensure the competence of practicing physicians. Little is known about physician perceptions of the barriers and/or benefits of MOC or proportions of physicians who participate in MOC programs. The purposes of this study were to…