Historically, mixed arrangements have been in place between educational institutions and podiatrist registration bodies to evaluate the capacity of courses to adequately prepare new graduates for clinical practice. The national scheme for the registration of health practitioners introduced in 2010, followed by a national system for accreditation…

There has been renewed interest in regional cooperation since the economic downturn began in late 2007. In 2012, 14 of 15 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states are facing dramatic cuts in their budgets, and economists are cautious about predicting exactly when the economy might begin to improve. Fortunately, the…

Regional cooperation is crucial in times of economic downturn. In 2011, 14 out of 15 of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states are facing dramatic cuts in their budgets and the trend is expected to continue. Despite hard times, students and their families in the West continue to benefit from hundreds of millions of…

The Waldo General Hospital Podiatric Residency Program, designed to be an intense, "well-rounded," multifaceted, single year of postgraduate practical training for the podiatric physician, is described. Surgical training, internal medicine, "outside rotations," in-hospital rotations, and meetings and lectures are discussed. A…

The use of highly specific objectives can be the basis for a second-year podiatric surgical residency program. They show both residents and attending staff precisely the knowledge and skills to be achieved and aid evaluation of students. A series of objectives is provided. (MSE)

Technical skills and interpersonal communication contribute to diagnosing diseases, and evidence suggests that the quality of the interpersonal relationship can significantly influence the outcome of treatments that appear to depend solely on technical factors. Because communication directly influences health-related outcomes, communication…

A gross inventory of the teaching and clinical learning resources of the five U.S. colleges of podiatric medicine is described. A descriptive breakdown is provided along with illustrations of facilities. Some categories included in space allocation data are instructional staff, administrative staff, laboratory, outpatient clinic, learning…

The initiation, implementation, and midcourse evaluation of a unique training program, specially suited to the needs of the podiatric public health professional, are described. The reconceptualization of the program on the basis of midcourse evaluation is also discussed. (Author/LBH)

In response to requests for standardization on testing and grading, a pilot program for the administration and evaluation of objective examinations was instituted. Outlined are objectives, initial test item collection, procedural flow for examinations, faculty responsibilities, support staff responsibilities, and project coordinator services. (LBH)

The basic models of mandated, postlicensing, educational activity for professionals are reviewed including: (1) podiatry model (course content, mode of delivery, lecturer credentials, and administrative controls); (2) continuing competence model; and (3) peer review model. The podiatry model is thought to be the most logical, expedient, and…

In a study of stress (tension, discomfort, or distress) at the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, 132 first-year students answered a questionnaire asking them to rank the level of stress in various situations. Current and anticipated sources of stress and their rankings are reported. (LBH)

The podiatric medical residency program in the Health Science Center at San Antonio provides an intensive exposure for the newly graduated podiatrist to practice in a multidisciplinary environment. Residents become more familiar with general medical and surgical diseases and disorders as well as podiatric pathology. (LBH)

Management by objectives (MBO) is defined and an MBO program adapted for clinic services of a college of podiatric medicine is presented. Major steps with specific examples for goal setting, action planning, self-control, and periodic review are outlined. (Author/MLW)

The basic curricular structure and courses deemed necessary to podiatric medical education are outlined and their rationale explained. Specialties appropriate to podiatric practice, such as electrophysiology and cardiovascular physiology, are noted, and the sequence of coursework suggested. (MSE)