A study to identify student attitudes toward and perceptions of podiatric medicine which may affect students' decisions in considering podiatric medicine as a career option is presented. The survey was designed to explore student backgrounds and attitudes that have potential for relevance to career planning and choices. (MLW)

Presents the sixth and final lesson on general environmental health, appearing since January, 1977 in this journal. Twenty-five multiple choice questions appear dealing with environmental health topics such as food sanitation, milk sanitation, vector control, public health housing, institutional environmental health, waste disposal, air pollution,…

Characteristics of student enrollment and financial aid, extracted from the annual survey of optometric educational institutions conducted by the Council on Optometric Education, are reported. Student characteristics such as educational background, sex, minority group, and grade point average are among the data included. (Author/JMD)

Describes an intensive instructional program designed and implemented to prepare health assistants to serve chronically ill older persons in the home. Under professional supervision, the health assistants extend health care to the chronically ill. All assistants continued in a health related role after the project. (Author/JAC)

Summarizing the bureaucratic, collegial, and political models of university governance, the authors apply organizational theories and make recommendations based upon the Baldridge political model which can help solve conflict in schools of allied health. (SK)

Results of a study involving pathology students suggest that there is significant cluing in multiple-true-false test questions that use secondary responses to represent combinations of the primary response (e.g., "Mark B if only 1 and 3 are correct"). Thus test scores are artificially inflated and test reliability is lowered. (JMD)

To investigate the effectiveness of the Area Health Education Center Pharmacy Training Program at the University of Texas, a study was undertaken to determine the amount of time pharmacy externs spend in predefined work categories and to compare them to program objectives. (JMD)

An optometric clinical education workshop conducted by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry for clinical administrators and faculty is reported. Major issues were: clinical education objectives; nature and setting of clinical experience; methods, techniques and responsibilities of clinical instruction; and evaluation of student…

A survey of 130 rural community pharmacists in Washington State found 70% in towns with five or fewer pharmacies; almost all provided nutrition information to their communities though only 20% had taken a nutrition course during pharmacy training. Most common questions concerned supplements and weight loss. Respondents relied on pharmacy journals,…

A multimedia approach to drug therapy for Parkinson's Disease, part of a pharmacy school central nervous system course, integrated use of lecture, textbook, video/graphic technology, the movie "Awakenings," Internet and World Wide Web, and an interactive animated movie. A followup questionnaire found generally positive student attitudes…

A study investigated the use and effectiveness of dental crowns and alternative treatments for posterior teeth, using data from insurance claims. Results show older patients more likely to receive crowns, with higher costs. Regional treatment differences were also found. Data raised questions about consistency of treatment recommendations among…

A study investigated the problem-solving skills and cognitive and learning styles of clinical decision making of 40 pharmacy clerkship students using a computer program. Results showed similarities in temperament, learning styles, information-processing modes, problem-solving strategies, and critical-thinking strengths, providing a profile of…

A study compared student perceptions of the effectiveness of computer-assisted simulation and computer graphics with that of laboratory classes in teaching organ-bath techniques in pharmacology. Students found definite benefits in computer-assisted instruction to supplement laboratory practicals, with noticeable increase in understanding of…

Health professions schools can contribute significantly to the mission of metropolitan universities and have substantial impact on their communities. In addition to the direct impact of their graduates and affiliate health care facilities, they can make a major contribution serving the community's health care needs, as illustrated by activities at…

A Swedish empathy test for professional helpers, the Affect Reading Scale, was developed and tested on several occasions with 1000 caregivers in different sectors. Results support the conceptual validity of the scale and demonstrate that it is responsive to educational experiences that influence empathy. (SLD)