A total of 482 third- and fourth-year medical students were rated over four-week periods, by multiple raters, house officers, and attending faculty, on 15 behavior rating scales. The data were factor analyzed, revealing two consistently appearing factors: interpersonal skills and problem solving. (Author/GDC)

At the University of Miami Department of Family Medicine, resident peer review committees have sole responsibility for the peer review process and share responsibility with faculty committees for evaluation, discipline, promotion, certification, and dismissal of interns and residents. The review process and methods are discussed. (JMD)

The results of a retrospective study of the psychiatry residency classes entering the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine between 1970 and 1975 show no significant difference in performance evaluations between residents in the graded and pass/fail groups. The two cohorts received almost identical overall grades. (JMD)

A study investigated graduate medical students' perceptions of the effectiveness of financial incentives in recruitment to primary care residencies. Results indicated that a wide range of incentives is available, the trend is growing, and students find such incentives effective. Concern is voiced about diversion of funds needed for improvement of…

This paper presents medical residents' opinions regarding barriers to producing more generalist physicians, such as lack of appropriate training in ambulatory generalist practice and the increased prestige given to specialists. Recommendations are offered to medical schools, residency programs, the community, and the culture of medicine to…

A survey of 300 family practice residency directors found most chief residents receive no formal training or evaluation. Primary duties are acting as liaison and advocate for residents, scheduling, and leadership. Opportunity to develop leadership skills and influence curriculum are chief advantages; time pressures and demands are main…

At Jefferson Medical College and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, medical ethics case discussions have been implemented successfully in 7 of 17 clinical departments. Success is attributed to broad institutional support, program and format capable of capturing and holding residents' attention, direct involvement of all residency participants,…

The reliability and accuracy of evaluations of 126 surgical faculty made by 47 general surgery residents over 2 years were examined. The general accuracy and reliability over both years indicate that anonymous ratings of surgical faculty by groups of residents can be a valuable evaluation method. (SLD)

The continuous method of scoring a performance test composed of standardized patients was compared with a derivative method that assigned each of the 131 examinees (medical residents) a dichotomous score, and use of Angoff's method with these scoring methods was studied. Both methods produce reasonable means and distributions of scores. (SLD)

A partnership for medical student education and community health improvement between the Medical College of Wisconsin and a rural Wisconsin area illustrates four stages of partnership development and advantages over traditional student placement. Two elements key to such partnerships are long-term commitment and the ability and willingness of…

This guide describes a number of models for student mentoring programs at the graduate level, their distinctive and innovative features, and considerations in developing a mentoring program. An introductory section looks at definitions of mentors and mentoring, and discusses the rationale for developing such programs for graduate students.…

Four articles on higher education issues are presented. In "Parental Loans--An Option Paper," Joseph Froomkin considers the rationale for and against public initiatives for parental loan plans, rationales for institutional parental loans, the demand for loans and probable cost to the government, and options/terms for loans. The…

This selection of papers from the First Conference on Tertiary Literacy, which examined the role of literacy as a foundation for knowledge acquisition and dissemination that influences the academic success of tertiary students, presents a number of case studies of policy and practice in Australian universities. Keynote addresses included:…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This January 23, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Never Mind: An Assistant Professor Who Thought about Quitting Academe has a…

To ensure reliable, accurate, and timely data capable of monitoring the progress of education in the United States, Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual report, "The Condition of Education." This year's report presents 46 indicators of important developments and trends in U.S.…