A survey of 303 graduates of 7 pharmacy schools investigated graduates' preparation for compliance with Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 1990 (OBRA-90) which mandated patient counseling and prospective drug utilization review. Results showed general satisfaction with students' preparation for OBRA-90 requirements. Respondents expressed most…

While the changes facing dental education are greater than ever, skillful planning will allow appropriate response. This will require reevaluation of faculty costs and resources. Cost containment measures could include early retirement programs, decreasing underutilized staff, and maximizing productivity. Income increases could be realized through…

An analysis of costs associated with the dental licensure process looks at the financial costs to both dental and dental hygiene license candidates, financial costs to the dental school, temporal costs to schools and candidates, financial costs from loss of clinic income and faculty and staff productivity, curricular time spent in board…

Harvard University's new dental school curriculum, and the changes mandated for its implementation, are discussed. The curriculum is characterized by small tutorial groups, student-centered instruction, and clinical treatment teams. The innovations have required significant institutional revitalization efforts and financial investment, with…

This paper proposes structural reforms in the U.S. health care system based on the need for (1) workable, affordable solutions; (2) preserving and strengthening the biomedical research enterprise; (3) increased minority participation in science and the health professions; and (4) a culture of character emphasizing health promotion and disease…

The meta-analytic techniques of G. V. Glass were used to statistically integrate findings from 47 comparative studies on computer-based instruction (CBI) in health professions education. A clear majority of the studies favored CBI over conventional methods of instruction. Results show higher-order applications of computers to be especially…

Four sections of an undergraduate pharmacy communications course were randomly assigned to include either a traditional laboratory project or a service-learning project. Data collected late in the semester revealed significant positive changes for the service-learning participants in cognitive complexity, social competency, perceived ability to…

World War II brought a significant rise in the number of medical specialists because they were in great demand for treating battle casualties for returning veterans, and many recently discharged medical officers took advantage of the G.I. Bill to train in specialty and subspecialty medicine. A participant chronicles this process. (Author/MSE)

The theme issue of the journal contains 30 articles concerning educational strategies and initiatives designed to strengthen the preparation and recruitment of students for medical education. Most of the articles describe specific programs at the elementary, secondary, higher, and graduate education levels. Others explore aspects of medical…

Chronicles development of the Baylor College of Dentistry (Texas) competency-based curriculum and outlines 11 lessons learned concerning strategic planning, external accountability, value of significant and continuing faculty participation, administrative support structures, linking planning and assessment, using multiple assessment methods,…

Dollar amounts of federal support for fiscal 1997 (actual), 1998 (estimated), and 1999 (requested) for higher education and science are charted, by program. Data are given separately for Department of Education programs (student aid, graduate support, institutional assistance, disadvantaged, adult/vocational education, educational…

Describes proceedings of a meeting of the Association of American Medical Schools' Forum on the Future of Academic Medicine, focusing on ways in which medical schools can and are responding to changing, more competitive marketplaces for health services while sustaining their missions; the health care industry perspective; and characteristics of…

An analysis of the state of postdoctoral clinical dental training looks at current enrollment level and trends, trends in faculty positions and demand for them, student characteristics, student objectives in pursuing postdoctoral education, trends in specialty and general practice, and implications for future postdoctoral general dentistry…

A study investigated the experiences and attitudes of students and faculty in three dental schools in England, Netherlands, and the United States concerning computer-assisted learning (CAL), including their access to computers at home and at school, experience with interactive multimedia, and familiarity with the technique. Implications for use of…

A survey of 138 dental hygiene program directors found dissatisfaction with program assessment practices and use of assessment data. Most use alumni/employer surveys and curriculum evaluations by students, but share results mostly with faculty. They use the data for curriculum revision but not for adding assessment measures, student remediation,…