First year medical students answered parallel multiple-choice questions at different taxonomic levels as part of their diagnostic examinations. The results show that when content is held constant, students perform as well on interpretation and problem-solving questions as on recall questions. (Author/BW)

Almost inevitably, tax courts will conclude that no portion of the payment made to hospital housestaff can be characterized as an excludable fellowship grant, since they refuse to consider segregating a housestaff member's educational activities from his service activities. (Author/MSE)

An inventory to measure students' perceptions of learning environments was developed and tested in five medical schools. Broad similarities were found but with a few substantial differences. Further research is recommended to overcome inconsistencies in the study. (MSE)

Reference letters are an important method of selecting applicants to a postgraduate residency program. A study to test the predictive validity of all reference letters, not only those written by deans, is discussed. Results showed that reference letters did not predict resident performance and little useful information was contained in them. (MLW)

An analysis of M.D. and physician's assistant (P.A.) student comparative performances at Baylor College of Medicine is presented. The analysis was seen as being appropriate in view of the P.A.'s increasing involvement with the implementation and monitoring of therapeutic programs. (Author/MLW)

Issues of the medical specialty distribution problem are identified: how to provide an appropriate balance of generalists and consultant physicians and how to ensure appropriate use of technology by physicians. To improve the quality of medical services, the profession must be concerned about the types and numbers of future physicians. (MLW)

A sample of nursing schools was surveyed to determine extent and nature of current death education training. Data revealed that five percent reported offering required death courses, while 39.5 percent indicated courses were available as electives. (Author)

The need for increased marketing activities in medicine and graduate medical education, because the profession's ability to supply graduate medical education is becoming greater than the demand, is emphasized. Application of marketing concepts to the residency program of the Department of Family Medicine at Ohio State University is reported.…

Reports a study of the relationship between nonverbal analytical perception and performance on a standardized science achievement test among premedical and predental students. Hypothesized that students with above-average scores on the Embedded Figures Test would attain higher than average achievement scores, as compared with students with…

The decline in numbers of physician-scientists is seen as having broad implications not only for the quality of clinical research but also for the quality of the clinical education future medical students will receive. Recommendations are based on a survey of research opportunities presently offered by schools. (Author/MLW)

A study which compared two groups of students with respect to preferred medical specialties and practice location is reported. Factor analysis of the preferences indicated by three classes at the end of their second year of medical school identified interpretable clusters of specialties and location types. (Author/MLW)

A ten-step model for the assessment of a medical school learning environment was developed and implemented as a basis for the management and reduction of student stress. (Author)

The results of two Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) surveys of ophthalmology teaching are reported. The results indicate that currently assigned time for teaching ophthalmology is limited and gradually declining. A main concern is that students learn proper diagnosis to avoid inappropriate referral. (Author/MLW)

A minicourse concerning patient management skills at the University of Washington School of Dentistry is described. A method to evaluate students' application of the social learning theory presented in the minicourse is reported. Students were trained in 12 specific skills, and then observed during rgular appointments. (MLW)

Third-year residents nearing completion of their training and preparing to leave for independent practice often appear to experience anxieties that suggest a form of separation crisis. Their negative behavior may be a way of making the old milieu less welcoming and thus easier to leave. Advice for easing the transition is offered. (JMD)