Emergency medicine residents at William Beaumont Hospital are evaluated quarterly by the nursing staff. The nurses discuss each resident and reach consensus on each evaluation item and copies are given to each resident. Although the residents' attitudes have not been favorable, overall their behavioral interactions have improved markedly.…

A group of medical students at Wright State University School of Medicine developed and participated in a one-month elective on selecting and interpreting diagnostic tests. Tests and diseases were reviewed, recorded and published by the students as a reference manual for their later use during clinical rotations. (MLW)

Discusses the relationship between personal knowledge in a domain and online searching proficiency in that domain, and the relationship between searching proficiency and database-assisted problem-solving performance based on a study of medical students. Search results, selection of terms, and efficiency were found to be related to problem-solving…

A study of concerns and reactions of medical students affected by a disaster at a British football game found feelings of guilt, doubts about competence, concern about coping with stresses of being a physician, and difficult relationships with fellow students. Formal medical school teaching about posttraumatic stress disorder is recommended.…

A study in which 92 second-year medical students wrote essays on ethical dilemmas found most students were familiar with major ethical theories and principles currently in use and able to apply them appropriately. Gender differences were found in choice of topic, ethical principles used, and level of personal orientation. (Author/MSE)

A study of 417 pediatric residents found more men than women had children during residencies. More married women than men without children felt it would have a negative effect on careers and saw difficulties with child care. Residents having children during residencies did not differ significantly by sex on these issues. (Author/MSE)

A model for resident selection used scaled scores reflective of the applicant's characteristics to rank applicants at the Medical College of Milwaukee (Wisconsin). Data from three years indicate that as few as three faculty were needed to interview reliably, permitting a more cost-effective approach to selection. (Author/MSE)

The impacts of independent study and the lecture approach on student test scores and study time were compared for 205 medical students studying surgery. Learning objective, multiple-choice, and essay questions were developed for selected topics related to surgery. Findings support increased individual active learning strategies and decreased…

In standardized patient-based tests of clinical competence, patients are used to present the clinical problem and to rate the actions taken by the student. This approach is evaluated by a microanalysis of 1 case used in a fourth year clinical examination of 98 medical students at the University of Manitoba. (MLW)

A survey of 100 first-year medical students found that, although they felt adequately prepared prior to exposure to a human cadaver, they wished greater preparation after the experience, especially through more discussion with anatomy staff. Results suggest a need for preparation for coping with dissection and followup for professional and…

A study found that a 50-minute lecture on the value of autopsy had little effect on housestaff patterns of requesting autopsies. Housestaff (n=27) attending the lecture did not request more autopsies or obtain more permissions than did the control group (n=26). Results suggest more sophisticated techniques than lectures should be used. (Author/MSE)

A study examined the relationship between (1) internal medicine patients' total charges and lengths of stay and (2) the degree of autonomy that attending physicians (n=65) permitted their residents (n=40). Results suggest that internal medicine residents have an inherently conservative practice style valuing low-intensity workups and rapid patient…

A study measured 206 students' levels of moral reasoning across 4 years of medical education at a particular university. Results indicate an increase in moral reasoning skills over that period and higher levels of reasoning for women than for men in each year. Potential for even greater progress is seen. (MSE)

The anti-affirmative-action climate appears to have affected the Association of American Medical Colleges' Project 3000 X 2000, which seeks to increase the number of underrepresented minorities entering medical schools to 3,000 by the year 2000. Despite early enrollment gains, the number of underrepresented minorities among freshman medical…

Presents one of a set of five analyses that all examine the same data; the discourse of a problem-based learning group in medicine. Offers an overview of the five analyses, including how they differ. Includes a transcription of the six-minute data segment featuring a group of second-year medical students and a faculty tutor/coach discussing a…