Describes the difficulties Argentina's medical schools are likely to face in implementing a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum. Outlines the basic requirements for successful implementation of PBL curricula and describes the contradiction in Argentina between a health care system that forces specialization and the efforts of medical schools…

A medical humanities program emphasizing clinically oriented training is described. The four-year required curriculum, in which students accompany attending physicians on rounds, is taught by faculty representing a wide range of medical and non-medical disciplines. The approach is seen to challenge good teachers and evoke humanities themes from…

Describes a model international program for educating physicians about alcohol-related problems, focusing on the initiative's "trainer-development" approach and critical issues in implementing the program in other countries. Also describes the successful implementation of the program in Poland. (MDM)

Development of a comprehensive medical ethics teaching program for four years and residency, and of an ethics consultation service, are described. Potentials and significant difficulties in program establishment and maintenance are discussed, including long-term funding, negative faculty and student attitudes, and instructional approaches.…

Gives an overview of the decisions, activities, events, and issues that influenced the process of change at eight medical schools participating in a large-scale medical curriculum development project. Focus is on three stages of the change process: planning and creating the climate for change, making the change, and reinforcing the new model.…

Discusses the role of organizational communication in the process of curricular reform at eight medical schools participating in a large-scale medical curriculum development project, particularly during four stages of change: recognizing the need for change; planning; implementation; institutionalization. Communication strategies for promoting a…

The University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Medicine has implemented a pilot interdisciplinary generalist program. This paper discusses the program's setting, management, curriculum, instruction, and student and program evaluation. The difficulties and procedures in making room for an interdisciplinary primary care program in a traditional…

Evaluation of changes in a human genetics course for medical students at the University of Illinois, which incorporated clerkship features including case studies, small group work, and library research, found significant gains in student achievement and favorable assessments by students and faculty. (Author/DB)

A study evaluated the impact of the reorganization of the academic Sepulveda (California) Veterans' Administration medical center toward primary and ambulatory care. Surveys of several thousand patients were linked to computerized utilization and mortality data and related to the center's strategic plan and goals. Substantial improvement in…

The process of change at the academic Sepulveda (California) Veterans' Administration hospital during implementation of a new ambulatory primary care program was examined through individual or focus group interviews with 63 managers, house officers, and patients. Major problems included administrative integration of in- and outpatient services;…