Previous studies are reviewed and new data are reported that document a decline in the percentage of American medical graduates choosing psychiatric careers. Available data indicate that further decrements will occur. Possible explanations and strategies for future research are outlined. (Author/JMD)

A project was initiated to determine whether protocols for the management of dysuria would be accepted by clinic house officers and whether these protocols could influence the care given to patients. Positive results were obtained in both areas. Significant improvement in documentation of patient history and diagnostic accuracy were noted. (JMD)

To lessen the traditional mind-body dichotomy in medicine, the West Virginia University School of Medicine has integrated psychiatry into the Department of Internal Medicine and the university hospital's psychiatric ward has been transformed into the Conjoint Medicine Service. Patients with a variety of emotional and medical problems are admitted.…

Section 709 of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976 mandates shared scheduled positions in certain residency programs in institutions receiving federal aid. A survey of hospitals, undertaken just prior to the law's enactment, to determine the availability of options for less than full-time training is reported. (JMD)

The relationship between the state in which a physician practices and the location of residency training was studied using 467 subjects from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Findings suggest that additional residencies filled by medical graduates from the same state might increase the retention rate of medical practitioners.…

Drawing on principles of reflective thinking and experiential learning, four recommendations are made for improving ambulatory care education for both medical students and residents: (1) plan for experiences in carefully selected ambulatory care settings; (2) facilitate reflective observation; (3) encourage conceptual thinking and inquiry; and (4)…

The Emory University (Georgia) Center for Clinical Evaluation Sciences is designed as an analytical resource for the university's health care delivery system and to promote health services research across the university. It also has potential as a resource for training medical students, house staff, and faculty in the evaluative clinical sciences.…

A description is provided of the miniresidency program in geriatrics at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine which focuses on the multidisciplinary approach to the care of geriatric patients. Observations are given as to the program's effectiveness. (GLR)

Data on 180 pediatrics and 302 internal medicine residency training programs concerning vacation, leave of absence, extension of training because of absence, and related policy suggest wide variation depending on postgraduate year of training, discipline, program size, and program type. Implications for accreditation, testing, and certification…

Of senior faculty members (n=40) surveyed about mentor relationships, most thought mentor activity feasible in their departments but felt few residents had mentors. Most had been a mentor, and more had had mentors. All those who were mentors felt it helped their career advancement, personal development, and stress management. (Author/MSE)

Senior house officers surveyed concerning their resistance to intern support groups found they felt residents wishing support were less competent than others. Most felt it unfair to require house officers to cover for interns needing support, desired support for all house officers, and wanted to also eliminate sources of stress. (MSE)

A study investigated whether internal medicine training program directors found feedback on their students' test performance helpful in understanding where their residents ranked nationally. Results suggest that directors have learned to rank their own candidates against a common standard but may have lowered the standards they used. (MSE)

A study investigated the use of a clinical competency test for foreign medical graduates applying for medical residency. The test, developed by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) consists of integrated clinical encounters with 10 standardized patients, 60 laserdisc pictorials, and analysis of previously completed…

A study investigated how well four family medicine residency directors could predict their students' performances on the Quebec licensing examination for family physicians. Results showed the directors had difficulty discriminating among performance groups, suggesting that evaluations by directors and standardized examination results should be…

The costs of outpatient training for medical residents in a community health center (CHC) are analyzed, based on a family practice residency of one medical school. The model used a computer spreadsheet program to determine the financial impact of the program on the CHC. Sensitivity analyses determined the effects of changing productivity, nursing…