A study documented the number of x-rays acquired during screening and subsequent treatment of patients for a state dental hygiene licensing examination for 109 candidates. Results indicate that patient exposure guidelines attempt to minimize radiographic exposure but that some exposures should be reevaluated for need and effect on patients. (MSE)

Eastern Kentucky University's The Place to Be, an Alzheimer's day-care program, provides a fieldwork placement for occupational therapy students, meaningful activities in a safe environment for persons with dementia, and respite for family caregivers. (SK)

Problems of elderly persons in developing nations are rising. Identification and execution of research priorities and training in gerontology and geriatrics for medical, paramedical, and community personnel and older adults themselves would help achieve healthy aging. (SK)

Describes a cooperative education program between a Veterans Affairs Medical Center and St. Petersburg Junior College where students interested in health care professions spend two semesters exploring the field. Students are chosen for the program at the medical center and assigned a mentor with whom they are involved in research activities. (MKA)

The Perfect Eye model simplifies solutions to a wide variety of optometry instructional problems by facilitating student understanding of the interaction among lenses, objects, accommodation, and ametropia. The model is based on the premise that inside every eye is a perfect (emmetropic) eye, and that the physiological eye is a combination of the…

The report of the Association of American Medical Colleges' Medical School Objectives Program presents the work of two expert panels. One, on medical informatics, identified five important physician roles: lifelong learner, clinician, educator, researcher, and manager. Another panel established a definition for "population health…

Proposes that pharmacy schools incorporate formal assessments of self-reported empathy in the admissions process to assess personal qualities necessary for patient counseling and other aspects of pharmaceutical care. Comparison of two approaches to measuring self-reported empathy (forced-choice format, direct self-ratings) found the first more…

Study investigated whether poor performance on the case history portion of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry clinical skills examination was due to candidates' failure to inquire about major issues or explore issues thoroughly. Data from tests administered to 1,266 candidates were analyzed. Results indicate candidates generally…

A survey of 429 general dentists attempted to verify anecdotal reports of ethical lapses in clinical dental licensing examinations. It found significant occurrence of not arranging followup care for the patient even though indicated, intentional creation of lesions, premature treatment for the purpose of the examinations, coercing patients into…

A color microfiche containing ocular tissue section images was developed and introduced into an ocular history and embryology course to enhance student access to such images. Students found that the materials enhanced their ability to learn. Faculty found that the materials allowed students to prepare in advance for the laboratory, freeing class…

Describes an eight-step process for developing or refining a family-medicine informatics curriculum: needs assessment, review of expert recommendations, enlisting faculty and local institutional support, espousal of a human-centered approach, integrating informatics into the larger curriculum, easy access to computers, practical training, and…

Classes in anatomy and sonography were both taught using lectures and Programmed Learning Sequence (PLS) in book format. Sonography students also used PLS in multimedia. Achievement was higher with PLS than lecture; book PLS was more effective than multimedia; and there was a significant correlation between learning-style preferences and…

A survey of 27 agriculture, 13 biotechnology, and 44 health occupations teachers found that fewer than half experienced adequate materials, facilities, and continuing education reimbursement during induction. Better retention strategies matching teachers' stages of concern were needed during the first five years of teaching. (SK)

Discusses interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary education and practice for the health professions, looking at such issues as professional boundaries, clinical practice boundaries, processes for education in primary care, collaborating partnerships, and program accreditation. (JOW)

An occupational therapy student's journal describes a clinical experience in a homeless shelter. Key themes were residents' search for meaning in life and the student's search for meaning in the therapist role; the importance of rapport; and residents' innate drive toward purposeful activity, which the student was able to address. (SK)