Examines the educational challenges created by complex health care delivery systems and the need to train analysts and problem solvers to work effectively within these systems. Illustrates, through a course description, how cognitive and experiential learning approaches can provide the student with a bridge between acquiring technical skills and…

Some broad problems involved in the assessment of competence in the health professions are defined. They include defining competence, the continuum of health professions education, the process of credentialing, internal/external evaluations, elements of controls on physicians' performance, monitoring process, and maintenance of competence. (MLW)

The University of Colorado School of Medicine's curriculum for primary care physician's assistants in pediatrics includes a unit on interviewing the adolescent patient. Teaching methods include lectures, videotapes and role-playing. Videotapes of the students with simulated patients are used as an evaluation technique. (JMD)

Areas in which pharmacy educators and practitioners can collaborate to hasten pharmacy curriculum development are outlined, including: state and regional centers for operationalizing the pharmaceutical care concept; training, formal resource programs for pharmacists; research advisory boards; public education; links with medical community;…

An approach to teaching optometry combining didactic and problem-based teaching is described, highlighting course procedures that have evolved over a number of years. Problems are organized so students learn portions of required content, building a knowledge base while solving a succession of problems. Cases are usually presented and discussed in…

A survey of 136 general practice dental residency directors and 52 advanced education in general dentistry program directors investigated the extent to which program graduates possessed 85 different competencies, and their need for those competencies at graduation. More agreement than disagreement was found, but with considerable variation…

Two pharmacy computer training laboratories were developed in Nebraska to facilitate student acquisition of computer skills for patient education prior to their clerkships at Nebraska Drug Information Network rural sites. Students' previous computer experience and computer use in delivering education during clerkships were assessed. Patterns in…

This paper argues that major curriculum revisions are needed in all dental schools, particularly to train dentists as oral physicians who can treat oral health in the context of overall physical health, as in other medical specialties. An Institute of Medicine report, "Dental Education at the Crossroads," is criticized as supporting a…

A survey of 64 pharmacy school deans revealed new deans' career patterns, factors perceived as beneficial to professional development, mentoring activities, and administrative skills viewed as important. Comparisons are made between new deans and those with at least five years' experience, and trends identified. Implications for career planning…

Describes a new program at Gavilan College, California, that introduces Allied Health students and faculty to information technologies. States that the program's goal is to reconfigure Allied Health curriculum to reflect the impact of information technology on the health professions by inserting information competency components into courses.…

A clinical experience program provided 29 rural Australian allied health professionals with experience in pediatric clinical areas and opportunities to share clinical knowledge and develop networks with metropolitan peers. Questionnaires and focus groups indicated that networking, clinical skills, knowledge, confidence, and awareness of rural…

With the support of outreach library services and visits by university-based faculty, area health education centers improve a rural community's ability to recruit, retain, and keep up-to-date primary care physicians and other health manpower. North Carolina is an example of this enhanced professional environment. (Author/MSE)

A study of 82 occupational therapy, 84 physicians' assistant, and 117 physical therapy students found that scores on the Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Abilities Tests, admissions essays, number of credits earned at a previous institution, and cumulative grade point average were significant predictors of students' academic success. (SK)

Describes the INMED (Indians into Medicine) program, which helps American Indian secondary students prepare for medical and health careers. Focuses on the INMED summer institute, an intensive five-week science and math enrichment program at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. (SV)

A national center for health professions education research is proposed to facilitate well-funded, peer-reviewed, and academically credible research in health professions education. The center's goal would be to allow for the testing of models to provide education grounded in sound methodology and content. (Author/MSE)