The development of professional identity as a family physician is better understood by referring to Erikson's description of the development of personal identity. Erikson describes eight stages, each one defined by its alternative outcomes--the best versus the worst that can happen. (MLW)

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in clinic patients, residents' ability to identify these affects, and accuracy of patients' responses to simple questions about them were investigated at a University of Virginia clinic. Neither patient nor resident assessments were found to be very accurate, but together they are more effective. (MSE)

Peer assessment, part of the assessment and examination system for fifth-year medical students in the University of Queensland's Department of Surgery, is presented as a practical method of evaluation when correlated with other segments of examination. The study concludes peer evaluation helps establish an educational objective realistically…

The status of the current predoctoral dental program and its relationship to graduate dental education is described. Factors that have influenced the dental curriculum and major changes that have occurred are presented. Major issues facing dental education are outlined. A proposal is presented for greater flexibility in dental education.…

Guidelines for proposed residencies in optometry are presented for pediatric, rehabilitative, and hospital optometry. Their significance in terms of costs, patient population, faculty expertise, and critical mass are discussed. (JMF)

Results of two certification examinations were analyzed for the cohorts of physicians who had taken in-training examinations as first, second, and third year residents. Multiple regression analysis showed that the composite score and all but one part-score were independently predictive of performance on the certification examination. (Author/MLW)

The University of Cincinnati's comprehensive emergency medicine residency curriculum provides significant practical training in ground and aeromedical transport, disaster work, telemetry communications, and administrative matters. Initial program feedback has been very positive. (MSE)

Training directors (N=523) in six medical specialties rated hypothetical male or female applicant's personal characteristics and indicated whether they would accept applicant into training. Results indicated that residency directors formed negative stereotype toward applicants with history of psychological counseling. Subsequent stepwise multiple…

Dialogue with Canadian family practice faculty and teachers indicates that the mentorship experience is one that cannot be assigned to a learner. Examines aspects of a mentorship that can be ascribed and explored in a family practice residency training program. (LZ)

Based on the experience of Michigan State University's emergency medicine residency program, proposes a practical method for modifying an existing student evaluation format. The model provides a template other programs could use in assessing residents' acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes reflected in the six general competencies…

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) initiated programs to enhance quality for 54, 000 doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) practicing in the United States. Seven core competencies are required in undergraduate and graduate medical education standards. They include osteopathic philosophy and osteopathic manipulative medicine, medical…

Objective: This article describes the various administrative and clinical applications for PDA use in psychiatric care and review the process for implementation in an academic medical center. Method: The authors reviewed the psychiatric literature and tested various hardware and software products. Results: The literature describes various uses of…

Objective: To evaluate how family practice-psychiatry residency programs meet the challenges of rigorous accreditation demands, clinical supervision, and boundaries of practice. Method: A 54-question survey of program directors of family practice-psychiatry residency programs outlining program demographic data, curricula, coordination, resident…

OBJECTIVE: The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Match was instituted in 1996 to establish fair and uniform resident recruitment practices. METHOD: The impetus for its use was the desire to protect applicants and training programs from premature decisions based on fears of not securing a training position or not filling a program. RESULTS: However,…

This document includes a successful model for implementing educational teleconferencing, the Geriatric Live Interactive Teleconferencing program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). As a vehicle for continuing professional education, teleconferencing can transmit the latest information to large numbers of health professionals in a variety of…