To restore the humanism in medical care, medical education must espouse the creation of physician-healers. Personal development and well-being of the healer are neglected factors in healing care. Goals and objectives for medical education for promoting trainees' self-awareness, personal growth, and well-being are outlined, and ways to achieve and…

A survey of 575 family-medicine patients in academic and community settings found most willing to have a medical student involved in their health care. One-third reported that students did at least part of the physical examination. Many patients said they would appreciate a medical student's attention. Almost half perceived that student…

A survey of 22 dental-hygiene-program directors found that programs routinely and effectively assess student outcomes and use the information for program improvements and to demonstrate accountability. Both policy and faculty/administrative support were deemed important to implementation. Time constraints were a major barrier. Outcomes-assessment…

A survey of 298 family-practice residency program directors found an increase in the amount of residency curricular time devoted to training on domestic violence. On average, programs provide four to five hours of training a year, mostly through didactic lectures. (Author/MSE)

East Tennessee State University has reshaped its education of medical, nursing, and allied health students to create a rural primary-care track curriculum that meets the needs of two medically underserved rural counties. The community-based experiential program shows students the realities of community public health and provides much-needed…

Analysis of questionnaires and interviews with Tanzanian health and education professionals found that 41% reported having received training in speech and language difficulties but that 68% considered themselves responsible for assisting children with such problems. No evidence of research or planning for these children was found. A copy of the…

Describes development and design of the Comprehensive Clinical Performance Grid for Student Evaluation, created to address concerns about what constitutes a competent practitioner and to provide a useful and consistent student-evaluation tool for clinical optometric education. Development challenges are also discussed, including staff training and…

Six principles of effective outcomes assessment in medical education are presented, discussed, and illustrated in assessing a preclinical course integrating basic science, social science, and clinical skills. It is argued that courses and programs for medical students and residents should use course-based assessment to ensure that medical trainees…

Responding to a report on the Clinical Research Training Program of the National Institutes of Health, the author finds that the low applicant rate among dental students is due less to lack of interest in the program or its emphasis on research but more to a program structure modeled on a medical school rather than a dental school curriculum. (MSE)

Presents results of a work group convened by the American Association of Dental Schools to examine experiences related to postdoctoral general dentistry (PGD) programs linked with managed care systems and clinical settings. The group identified factors and conditions believed to be critical to the planning, development, and conduct of PGD programs…

The outcomes assessment process developed by the New Jersey Dental School is described and discussed, including required resources, selected outcome measures, strengths and weaknesses, and the evolution of ongoing assessment activities. Documentation produced as part of the process is also described so that other health professions schools may…

Gateway to Higher Education program provides selected minority students from New York City public high schools with rigorous preparation for college and careers in medicine, science, engineering, technology. The program is described and students' graduation rates, career plans, other program outcomes are discussed. A correlation has been…

A study evaluated use of Conceptests in a large pharmacy lecture course. Multiple-choice questions test students' ability to apply a concept presented in lecture to a situation not yet encountered. Students are presented with two or three Conceptests during each lecture, and must reevaluate responses after 15 minutes of additional lecture.…

Employers want employees who can communicate effectively, work as part of a team, and think on their feet. To help students acquire these qualities, the faculty of health sciences and counseling at Vancouver Community College integrated a sociocultural training model into their human relations programs. Evaluations indicate that students'…

Patients with chronic illness account for three-fourths of United States' health-care expenditures, and considerable growth in these costs is likely as the population ages. However, management of chronic illness has received little attention in either undergraduate or graduate medical education. Competencies required to develop curricula in…