The continuous method of scoring a performance test composed of standardized patients was compared with a derivative method that assigned each of the 131 examinees (medical residents) a dichotomous score, and use of Angoff's method with these scoring methods was studied. Both methods produce reasonable means and distributions of scores. (SLD)

A partnership for medical student education and community health improvement between the Medical College of Wisconsin and a rural Wisconsin area illustrates four stages of partnership development and advantages over traditional student placement. Two elements key to such partnerships are long-term commitment and the ability and willingness of…

To ensure reliable, accurate, and timely data capable of monitoring the progress of education in the United States, Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual report, "The Condition of Education." This year's report presents 46 indicators of important developments and trends in U.S.…

This guide describes a number of models for student mentoring programs at the graduate level, their distinctive and innovative features, and considerations in developing a mentoring program. An introductory section looks at definitions of mentors and mentoring, and discusses the rationale for developing such programs for graduate students.…

Four articles on higher education issues are presented. In "Parental Loans--An Option Paper," Joseph Froomkin considers the rationale for and against public initiatives for parental loan plans, rationales for institutional parental loans, the demand for loans and probable cost to the government, and options/terms for loans. The…

This selection of papers from the First Conference on Tertiary Literacy, which examined the role of literacy as a foundation for knowledge acquisition and dissemination that influences the academic success of tertiary students, presents a number of case studies of policy and practice in Australian universities. Keynote addresses included:…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This January 23, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Never Mind: An Assistant Professor Who Thought about Quitting Academe has a…

In an era of spiraling costs, librarians must carefully assess literature use among their patron groups when making decisions on selection, deselection, and storage of journals. A citation analysis was conducted using a group of 52 papers submitted by research physicians at the Summa Health System (Akron, Ohio) for a research award competition…

Previous research has shown that, unlike novice physicians' performance, diagnostic quality of expert physicians improves when contextual information (the "Enabling Conditions") about a patient is available. The present study was designed to explore these findings further by systematically varying the typicality of enabling conditions…

The resource manual provides guidelines and resources for individuals interested in integrating a substance abuse curriculum into existing programs for medical students and residents in internal medicine. Materials and resources appropriate for practicing physicians are also included. Three sections are: (1) a statement of minimum knowledge and…

Presented in this final volume are the Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee (GMENAC) members' commentaries and appendix. Included are: the members and staff of GMENAC; a preface; individual member's commentaries; appendices that include GMENAC recommendations from each of the other six volumes; a cross reference of GMENAC…

A survey of learning styles of 108 family practice residents and faculty was conducted to determine correlations between learning style and career choice and to examine possible implications for resident-faculty interaction, especially in instructional activities. Learning style preferences tended toward the concrete and active modes

Since moonlighting by residents in addition to their demanding residency work schedule might jeopardize patient care, decisions to moonlight are examined. The results indicate that the main motivating factor behind their moonlighting is economic, and residents with higher levels of indebtedness were more likely to moonlight. (Author/MLW)

A survey of residents at a county medical center concerning their education before and after a new faculty practice plan found improved ratings on three of nine characteristics: quality of staff, quality of supervision, and heterogeneity of patients. Some commented on increased time needed for rounds due to faculty responsibilities. (Author/MSE)

A study to determine whether affective skills could be taught to residents in a family practice center without placing arduous constraints on their schedules is described. Residents at the University of Louisville Department of Family Practice were videotaped during a regular patient visit and then scheduled for review sessions. (MLW)