Surveys were mailed to a sample of Michigan internists and family practitioners (N=2060). This study examined influences on (1) how confident physicians feel about treating a particular problem, (2) where they look for assistance and advice, and (3) what level of continued involvement in the patient's care they prefer. (MLW)

This study retrospectively applies aggregate scoring to the cardiology questions from a recertifying examination in general internal medicine. Three groups of experts were identified among the examinees and the remainder of the examinees were the participants (N=1887) of the study. Generalizability theory is applied to these data. (MLW)

A study found that a 50-minute lecture on the value of autopsy had little effect on housestaff patterns of requesting autopsies. Housestaff (n=27) attending the lecture did not request more autopsies or obtain more permissions than did the control group (n=26). Results suggest more sophisticated techniques than lectures should be used. (Author/MSE)

A study examined the relationship between (1) internal medicine patients' total charges and lengths of stay and (2) the degree of autonomy that attending physicians (n=65) permitted their residents (n=40). Results suggest that internal medicine residents have an inherently conservative practice style valuing low-intensity workups and rapid patient…

Reviews the rationale for including prevention in the clinical medicine clerkship. Summarizes current guidelines, presents examples of curricula in several medical schools, and proposes a future direction that stresses integrating teaching preventive medicine into internal medicine clerkships and across the entire four-year medical curriculum. (DB)

Introduction: There is a strong need for high-quality continuing medical education (CME) in Germany. To maintain a medical license, physicians are required to participate in regular training. Although evidence suggests that compared to lectures interactive methods can impart sustainable knowledge and a high degree of satisfaction, few interactive…

The American Board of Internal Medicine's experience with the evaluation of clinical skills from 1971 to 1975 based on visits with the administrators of 166 residency training programs is described. Included are the evaluative methods employed by the programs, minimum standards of performance, and the benefits to training in internal medicine…

The skills of interns in obtaining body fluids for analysis were observed after six months of a categorical internal medicine program. The results suggest that training in the proper technique in lumbar puncture in medical schools is inadequate. Recommendations for improvement are offered. (LBH)

Ninety-eight internists and 73 family physicians were asked which of six information sources they consulted when faced with difficult medical problems. Results indicate that internists prefer consulting the medical literature, whereas family physicians rely on colleagues and specialists as sources of information. (Author/CH)

A study involving volunteer clinical faculty members in a randomized education trial to improve patients' everyday functioning is described. Participants were 76 clinical faculty physicians in office practice of internal medicine, who completed an evaluation questionnaire at the end of the study. (Author/MLW)

The goals of residency training in internal medicine were assessed by faculty and house staff members using a questionnaire based upon American Board of Internal Medicine criteria. Both groups tended to rate highly as ideal goals items they considered to be their own professional strengths. (Author/MLW)

The number of publications per year produced by a department of internal medicine faculty is analyzed. Publication output was correlated with sectional organization of a department of medicine, the location of faculty assignment, the age of the faculty member, and the change of career goals. (Author/MLW)

In response to the perceived need for primary care physicians, two major changes in internal medicine training have occurred: (1) a third year of general training was required for internal medicine board certification and (2) many hospitals developed primary care internal medicine residencies with an increased emphasis on ambulatory training.…

Results of McGill University's program to encourage early specialization in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and family medicine showed that: students chose the medicine specialty with increasing frequency; poor performance on licensing examinations may have resulted; the process did not lead to an early career choice; and students did not use…

The value of giving instructional feedback on all test items to medical students following an examination is studied. Also examined is the relative effectiveness of two modes of feedback delivery--oral and written--and the manner and extent to which students use the feedback provided. (JMD)