Describes surveys of potential health-care employers and health-care professionals to identify the need for biomedical informatics programs. Outlines a certificate program, master of science in biomedicine and nursing informatics, and a Ph.D. program. (SK)

Reviews literature on problem-based learning in health sciences. Describes characteristics, outcomes, and implementation strategies and discusses the potential for problem-based learning in nursing education. (Contains 56 references.) (SK)

Responses from 223 of 524 allied health education program directors indicated that 93.5% believe health promotion/disease prevention is an appropriate topic; 66% said it was represented in their curriculum; the level of representation in the curriculum is significantly associated with accreditation requirements; and the most frequently used…

Occupational and physical therapy students (n=78) were assigned to pairs based on learning style (both abstract-experimentation, both reflective-observation, or mixed). On a collaborative exercise, mixed pairs did not perform significantly better than homogenous ones. Pairs' average grades correlated strongly with performance, suggesting that…

The Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire was tested in a group of studies with several populations: 33 mental health professionals; 85 older adults; and 110, 32, and 46 undergraduates. Older adults and professionals knew more about pathological than normal memory aging. Instruction improved undergraduates' pathological knowledge. Instrument…

Explores whether lifelong-learning ideals have been reflected in training provisions for UK health-care workers. Although traditional professional boundaries have been eroded in the workplace, there is little recognition of overlap in initial education and ongoing training of various groups. Continuous learning strategies are recommended.…

Uses the experiences of health care staff in a dementia facility to build a model of workplace learning, based on postmodern scholarship, with these elements: community of practice; dynamic engagement with diversity, power, and discourses; and a context integrated with the wider environment. (SK)

To ensure excellence in distance learning, rethinking of teaching and reordering of academic priorities are essential. Collegial leadership is needed to define purpose and resource commitment, improve teacher competence, and design teaching and learning outcome measures. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/SK)

Presents a lecture delivered in July 1999 at a meeting on Communication in Medicine. Discusses the importance of aligning medical education with societal needs, practice patterns, and scientific developments. Stresses that clinicians must have good communication skills and be able to use those skills in the care of their patients. (Author/GCP)

Replicating a United Kingdom study, survey responses from 11 of 12 Canadian occupational therapy programs indicated that they teach ethics based on standards, rules, and regulations. Moral theory and reasoning are less evident. Today's diverse values and moral perspectives make such an approach inadequate in training therapists. (SK)

Three surveys of pharmacy schools investigated resources and support services for computer services (n=43 schools), educational media (n=39), and telecommunications (n=47). Results indicate the majority of schools were using these resources to fulfill their educational mission. However, great diversity was found in both resources and support…

Physical therapy students (n=28) completed the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) and California Critical Thinking Skills Test before and after the academic year and after clinical placements. Greatest critical thinking improvements occurred in truth-seeking, critical thinking self-confidence, and deduction. Student review…

Examines how the curricula of optometry programs can be modified to prepare graduates to meet the needs of patients from special populations. Addresses student attitudes and the clinical encounter, including the case history, clinical examination, clinical decision making and determination of patient management plans, and case discussion of the…

Among 47 respondents from 26 Florida institutions offering allied dental health education programs, 66% have no established technical skill standards for admissions; a sizeable number felt the need for uniform published standards. Although a majority had some knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 96% responded negatively regarding its…

Considers how communication researchers have developed a solid body of knowledge in the health field but know little about the activities of public relations practitioners in public health bodies. Suggests that public relations scholarship and practice have much to offer the field of public health in helping public health bodies meet their…