A survey of occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and health-information education programs revealed the most important admission criteria were overall grade point average and GPA in foundation courses. Low priority was given to the need for student diversity or students' interest in working in underserved areas. (SK)

A review of literature on problem-based learning (PBL) in medical education focuses on the difficulties inherent in the "problem-based" approach; what the term implies; how it has been characterized and validated; how it relates to problem solving; how it relates to epistemological reform; and what the ground rules are for PBL.…

A survey of 319 junior and senior dental students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City assessed the characteristics of students in two programs (traditional and accelerated), and investigated differences in their prior experiences, perceptions of the dental profession and career options, and postgraduate plans. (MSE)

A survey of 101 graduates of the New England College of Optometry's (Massachusetts) accelerated doctoral program through 1995 and 141 graduates of the four-year program in 1990-95 illustrate the accelerated program's success in terms of graduate involvement in optometric education, medical education, and/or research, professional leadership,…

A survey of 456 rural physicians identified features of their training that correlated with their self-reported preparedness for rural practice and small-town living, and with how long they stayed in their rural practices. Results suggest residency rotations in rural areas are the best educational experiences to prepare physicians for rural…

Drexel University (Pennsylvania) has agreed to manage Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, now known as MCP Hahnemann University (Pennsylvania) in a unique arrangement designed to save the latter institution from bankruptcy. Drexel will administer the institution until summer 2001, when it will decide to either merge or part ways. (MSE)

A self-evaluation of communication skills was administered to approximately 500 optometry students before, during, and after a curriculum intervention to enhance these skills. Findings indicated that the intervention had a modest impact that was differential over the skill categories (interpersonal skills, patient care, interdisciplinary skills,…

Presents a model for understanding the socialization process of physicians, nurses, and social workers as a way for acquiring a professional identity based on values and meanings. Explores the literature as it relates to this framework and describes the educational implications of these patterns for professionals who must work together. (RJM)

An interdisciplinary core curriculum for nursing and occupational, physical, and respiratory therapy is based on a client-focused care delivery system. The organizational framework identifies independent, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary functions of each field in terms of four roles: care provider/patient advocate, collaboration,…

Chronicles the history of National Medical Fellowships, Inc., since the 1940s the only private national organization dedicated exclusively to increasing numbers of minorities in medicine. Originally focusing on black participation, the program expanded in the 1970s to include all underrepresented minorities. Despite slowing progress in the 1990s,…

Reviews need for internal leadership training programs at academic health centers and describes three programs. Elements common to the programs include small classes, participants from many areas of academic medicine and health care, building on prior experience and training, training conducted away from the institution, short sessions, faculty…

The Early Patient-Oriented Care Program provides early clinical education for pharmacy students and clinical services for patients. Six students were assigned to visit 12-15 hemodialysis patients monthly under preceptor supervision. Topics covered include approach to patient, medical information retrieval, pharmaceutical care philosophy,…

Investigates the cultural context and the silent language of health care delivery from the perspective of foreign-born, Vietnamese immigrants. Suggests that business communication instructors need to incorporate cultural health beliefs, time orientation, and the expected role of family members in the practice of health care as they prepare…

Analysis of admission records for 439 applicants to Texas A&M University's medical school compared applicants actually admitted under a formula that equally weighted academic and interview scores, with applicants who would have been admitted under two different weighting formulas. Results indicate that readjusting criteria weights may help…

Describes a usability study conducted with health sciences students at the University of Washington that explored interface issues in the GramStain Tutor, an educational software program on CD-ROM, particularly the navigation of the program and the use of embedded design features. (LRW)