The problem-solving strategies used by 10 radiologists and 10 radiology residents during the interpretation of difficult mammograms were examined under two experimental conditions. In the "authentic" condition, standard unmarked mammograms were used. On a second set of the same cases for the "augmented" condition, mammographic…

The legal liability of faculty members, school, and institution may arise from their supervisory function with regard to a student caring for a patient who claims injury because of that care. The legal implications raised by these functions are examined and potential liabilities are explained. (Author/MSE)

An assessment of the demographic, health status, and health care use characteristics of the patients at hospital- and community-based health care centers at one family practice residency location is used to examine the effects these differences may have on resident training. It was found that neither site is clearly preferable for training. (MSE)

A residency program in a health maintenance organization in Northern California is described and compared with other graduate medical programs. Included are discussions of curriculum development, faculty, funding, medical school affiliation, and the role of HMOs in graduate training. (Author/MSE)

In a peer evaluation system, faculty and residents have regular small group conferences to review each other's performance. Physicians, residents, and nurses participate in the discussion when controversy or disagreement arises. In addition to having an educational function, the conference system promotes collegial relationships. Didacticism is…

The relative value of academic standing, letters of recommendation, and personal interview impressions as predictors of performance during general dentistry training programs was assessed. Academic standing was the best predictor, with personal interview and recommendation letters next. (MSE)

Chief medical residents surveyed distributed their time among administrative, teaching, patient care, and research activities. Overall satisfaction was significantly negatively correlated with percentage of time spent performing administrative tasks. Recommendations for improved time and talent utilization are presented. (Author/MLW)

A methodology to analyze the cognitive content and the focus of residents' thoughts during conversations between faculty members and residents is discussed. Results suggest that effective supervision may relate to the ability of faculty members to display their reasoning as they present information. (Author/MLW)

Despite the acceptance of the concept of undergraduate and graduate medical education as a continuum, many students find the transition between the undergraduate and graduate phases difficult. Inadequate information about graduate programs and a limitation in the resources available to teaching hospitals have compounded the problem. (MLW)

Marshall University School of Medicine, a new community-based medical school in Huntington, West Virginia which aims to improve the number and distribution of physicians in West Virginia through active involvement of its faculty and residents in primary care delivery, is described. (Author/MLW)

The interdisciplinary seminar curriculum for postgraduate physicians entering a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program emphasizes independent research and an epidemiologic paradigm of analysis with a format that facilitates collegial learning among fellows and faculty in the diverse areas of biometrics, social, and management sciences.…

Results of a survey are reported that sought to obtain information on the attitudes of psychiatric residents towards research, their backgrounds in research training, their assessment of their departments and their own personal research activities, and the role of psychiatric research in their future careers. (JMD)

Tracking of graduates is seen as providing a more accurate method of predicting physician output than enumeration of first-year residents. A tracking study by the National Resident Matching Program, which is described, is an effort by NRMP to provide current information to those it serves. (Author/MLW)

Methodological techniques were employed to study the reliability, validity, and uniqueness of peer ratings that two sets of graduating students received during their final internal medicine rotation. Results indicate that peer ratings given as part of a promotion process were internally consistent, unbiased, and valid. (Author/MLW)

Records of emergency psychiatric consultation were studied to determine measures of resident development. maturation, and competence over time. It is suggested that residency training should include a formal experience in the management of psychiatric emergencies. Medical educators need to determine which questions and examinations are pertinent…