Results of an analysis of initial career paths of medical students graduating with honors in 1972, 1973, 1982, and 1983 from nine prestigious medical schools are presented. (Author/MSE)

A study investigated whether internal medicine training program directors found feedback on their students' test performance helpful in understanding where their residents ranked nationally. Results suggest that directors have learned to rank their own candidates against a common standard but may have lowered the standards they used. (MSE)

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine's successful interstate educational exchange program through the Southern Regional Education Board is described, and concerns are expressed for the program's future. Suggestions are offered for establishing similar multistate programs that promote education in medical specialties and encourage…

A review of the literature on medical school curriculum and primary care specialty choice suggests that three types of curricular experiences may increase interest in primary care: third-year required family medicine clerkships, especially longer clerkships; continuity experiences in primary care settings; and primary care tracks. (Author/MSE)

Data from a survey of 1,038 men and 558 women primary care physicians were used for gender comparisons of 19 factors influencing choice of specialty. Other practice and demographic data were also considered. Results indicate men were more often influenced by early role models, women more often by personal and family factors. Some variables showed…

Using an 18-item form, residency program directors rated residency performance of graduates (n=401) of a 3- and a 4-year medical school program at Loyola University of Chicago. Three-year program graduates showed less strength in background medical knowledge and experience using research data. The only marked differences were in surgery and…

Data on 53 Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania) graduates specializing in emergency medicine (EM) found they had the highest senior year debt and expected the highest income among nonsurgeons, compared favorably in academic performance and examination scores and were very willing to treat low-income patients. Implications are discussed.…

This article describes the accelerated college level curriculum at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a residential school for academically or artistically talented eleventh and twelfth graders. The curriculum combines a required core curriculum with specialized focus areas. Student perceptions of the curriculum are also…

This article argues that higher education accreditation is in disarray and that institutional leaders are not active in resolving self-regulation or accrediting problems. Central issues needing attention include public involvement in governance of the accreditation process, meaningful recognition of accreditation, uniform standards, and…

The crisis in preparing people for work stems from many factors: generalization versus specialization, student employment with little guidance or relevance to future work, changing skill requirements, and labor shortages in specific occupations. The focus of reform should be a greater match between skills training and employment opportunities. (SK)

A University of South Florida program giving medical students four years of primary care training was found to have little effect on specialty choice of its graduates (n=93 students), when compared to students who volunteered for the program but did not enter it or who did not volunteer. (MSE)

A national survey of 53 dental schools found most were not interested in developing a separate division or department of dental anesthesiology. Of those with a dentist anesthesiologist responsible for teaching pain control, all have or favor such a division. Less than one-third employ professionals limiting their practice to anesthesiology. (MSE)

Selection of family practice residencies in 1981-89 was compared for graduates of State University of New York campuses and all United States medical schools. Compared to other groups, more of the students who had been trained during their third year in a Binghamton primary care clerkship selected family practice residencies. (MSE)

An autobiographical account by the army's chief logistical adviser to the surgeon general during World War II calls attention to the challenges of medical service planning and three postwar changes in medicine: demand for access to care; bigger federal biomedical research expenditures; and the rise of specialization. (Author/MSE)

Examines research relating farm size inversely to specialization and directly to farm-enterprise diversification. Develops model of farm management decision making. Tests model using survey examining land tenure, off-farm work, education, and environmental factors. Concludes diversification linked to farm size, human capital, and environmental…