Since 1981, the Minnesota Society for Medical Technology and the Division of Medical Technology, University of Minnesota, have collaborated to provide high-quality, organized, and ongoing continuing education programs for clinical laboratory personnel in the state. Workshops are intended to be practical, relevant, and timely in the practice of…

Literature concerning the validity and reliability of both written and computer-based simulations in assessing clinical competence in the health professions is reviewed, and suggestions are given for the improvement of the psychometric qualities of simulation-based tests. (MSE)

Surveys of allied health personnel provided data regarding their self-confidence in counseling patients about health promotion, as well as their beliefs that patients will follow their recommendations. Respondents displayed highest self-efficacy in the areas of blood pressure and smoking. Confidence was lowest in illicit drug use and mental health…

The study examined how two aspects of teaching--mastery of content and problem solving--could be linked in a curricular framework. A professional program in physical therapy designed to teach both aspects was evaluated. Findings indicated that performance on a test of critical thinking was affected by the curriculum. (Author/CH)

This article addresses the concept of "special needs" as it applies to health promotion and disease prevention. The three sections of this article deal with three special subgroups of the general population: the elderly, those with disabilities, and those with cultural heritages that are not the same as the majority population's. (Author/CT)

In October 1984 the Association of Physician Assistant Programs conducted the first national survey to determine the characteristics of PA programs. The survey collected information on the administration, faculties and staffs, curricula, students, and graduates of the programs. Major findings are discussed. (MLW)

The author describes the programs of study at the High School for Health Professions at Texas Medical Center in Houston. The 750 students who attend may choose from approximately 200 medical or allied health careers, many of which require no postsecondary training. (CH)

Methods of aligning health education with the goals and functions of employee assistance programs are discussed. The role of the health educator in developing these programs is explained in a description of employee assistance program service standards and specific sub-tasks. (DF)

Two indices of effectiveness are described, one of instructional effectiveness and one of administrative effectiveness. Originally, 97 effectiveness measures were obtained from criteria published by national health professional organizations and other accrediting bodies. The Delphi survey process was used to analyze, refine, weight, and select 19…

Describes an attempt to integrate the cognitive and affective domains in a course on values for allied health students by using reflexiveness as the course's structural principle. This course's reflexive structure included opportunities for the students to reflect critically on value questions, an interconnected system of educational stages, and a…

Describes a study of the need for multicompetency among graduates of baccalaureate programs in dietetics, medical technology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This article also describes current approaches to the education of multicompetent allied health professionals and suggests new strategies for educating these personnel at the…

On the basis of the consistency of numerical ratings and written comments, the authors recommend that only the numerical ratings be used as part of the promotion and tenure decision-making process. This would remove the potential for subjective evaluation of the written comments. Written comments would provide feedback to faculty for…

Forty hospital pharmacists participated in a 2 week pilot of a postgraduate clinical pharmacy clerkship, using different hospital services as teaching sites at the University of Illinois and Cook County hospitals in Chicago. The clerkship experience broadened participants' conceptions of the depth and scope of the clinical pharmacist's role.…

A study to assess the impact of an inquiry-oriented curriculum in a dental hygiene program is described. Two instruments, designed to measure student perception of personal and faculty inquiry and disinquiry behavior, were administered. The implications of the findings are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The purpose of public education and the role of professional people who contribute to current educational problems are explored in this article. Schools often encounter failure due to the diffuse and sometimes contradictory goals that are pursued. (DF)