A study examined the operational meaning of 48 accreditation standards for teaching, learning, and evaluation in medical school, and determined the extent to which these standards were applied by schools and on-site evaluators for 59 programs, based on self-studies and accreditation surveyor reports. Results indicate schools pay attention to most…

Analysis of data from an annual graduating medical students' survey revealed that a required third-year family medicine clerkship of at least four weeks is associated with a higher percentage of students choosing training and specialty certification in family practice. Whether clerkship inspires or reinforces preexisting choices is not indicated.…

A study using accreditation data, institutional self-studies, and accreditation site visit reports on 59 medical schools explored the extent to which the schools have established institutional and departmental educational objectives. Objectives were classified as "robust" when expressed as measurable learning outcomes, and were assessed separately…

In constant dollars, the average indebtedness of medical students has increased by over 59% between 1985 and 1995, while the proportion bringing debt with them to medical school declined. Public school graduates accrued debt averaging more than their tuition. Private school indebtedness varied. Little effect is seen on time to graduation, racial…

A study examined the extent to which current medical-student evaluation assesses noncognitive clinical skills and behaviors needed by graduates, including small-group conferences, case-based discussion, library research, lifelong learning, reasoned thinking, interpersonal skills, and logical/sequenced history taking and physical examinations.…

A survey of 701 medical-school administrators, medical-residency program directors, medical students and residents, and practicing physicians investigated the perceived clarity and validity of 44 medical school accreditation standards as indicators of the quality of undergraduate medical education. Predictive validity of some standards was also…

Abuse of medical students is discussed, based on recent national surveys and focusing on the most common forms, belittling and humiliation, which appear to be misguided efforts to reinforce learning. It is argued that use of such aversive methods is likely to foster insensitive and punitive behaviors, passed from teacher to learner and potentially…