Deans' letters of recommendation can be regarded as measuring instruments that are used in the selection process to evaluate and predict the future performance of residents and interns. This study demonstrates that the dean's letter can be a reliable and valid measure of medical student performance that correlates with performance in residency…

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)

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 curriculum guidelines are intended to prepare the general dental practice resident for involvement with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues faced by patients with mild to severe disabilities. The guidelines address education goal, prerequisites, core content outline, specific behavioral objectives, sequencing, faculty, and…

Among findings of an examination of medical-career changes made by 603 Alberta medical school graduates were that more specialists (35 percent) than family physicians (18) made changes, that 42 percent made changes during the first year of residency, and that reasons cited included general dissatisfaction (47 percent) and lifestyle compatibility…

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)

To help prepare residents in preventive medicine and occupational medicine for their future management roles, the University of Arizona College of Medicine incorporated administrative training into its residency programs. Training focuses on seven skill areas seen as needed to meet the management demands of the physicians' future specialties.…

A new outcome-oriented, utilization-focused approach to program evaluation is introduced. The new framework encourages stakeholders to consider academic dissemination, product development, and implementation as three primary outcomes when evaluating educational and clinical approaches. Secondary outcomes focus on education, clinical service, and…

Using an 18-item form, residency program directors rated residency performance of graduates (n=401) of a 3- and a 4-year medical school program at Loyola University of Chicago. Three-year program graduates showed less strength in background medical knowledge and experience using research data. The only marked differences were in surgery and…

A study investigated medical residents' perceptions of the important components of the clinical teacher's role, and possible differences in first- and third-year residents' perceptions, based on comments written on 268 residents' evaluation forms of 490 teachers. Results suggest this methodology is useful and contributes to definition of the…

A review of 136 malpractice cases involving residents and resident programs 1950-83 found a substantial increase in cases after 1975. Most concerned vicarious liability, applicable standard of care, and resident supervision. Residents were on the side of the prevailing party in 44 percent of cases. (Author/MSE)

A study with 21 internal medicine residents at 1 teaching hospital found that the students perceived an even balance between the service and education functions of their night-call activities. No significant difference was found between first-year and senior (second-, third-, and fourth-year) residents. (Author/MSE)

A study evaluated differences between subjects at three levels of expertise in acquiring and using information obtained from a patient during the clinical interview. Five endocrinologists, five residents, and five students interviewed a volunteer patient and provided differential diagnoses. Differences were found in diagnostic accuracy,…

A study compared emphasis given to various therapies in 6 psychiatry residencies (n=29 students) and by 87 practicing psychiatrists. Time allocations to therapies were relatively consistent among but not within programs. Highly trained and less highly trained practitioners extended their practices to therapies in which they were not extensively…