Discusses problems posed by language differences in psychiatric diagnosis and management. Describes barriers encountered by linguo-cultural minorities such as Hispanics who use mental health care systems. Urges awareness of effect of language preference, language competence, bilingualism, and native tongue in planning and delivering mental health…

This study examined the effects of a pediatric clinic-based intervention program, Reach Out and Read (ROR), on the literacy beliefs and behaviors of caretakers of children ages 9 months to 5 years. Doctors' beliefs about literacy and parent behavior were also examined. Data were collected through structured interviews conducted with 22 caregivers…

Describes the educational needs of the pediatric cancer patient in returning to school. Discusses attitudes of parents and school personnel. Presents a seminar for teachers and school nurses of elementary pupils treated at a cancer center. (RC)

Projects that the National Fund for Medical Education will fund in the 1980s include advances in medical education to help contain health care costs; educational programs to improve doctor patient relationships; promotion of careers in medical education and research; and integration of new subjects into the curriculum. (JMD)

A follow-up survey on senior medical students in North Carolina tracing their professional orientations since their freshman year is reported. Focus is on their attitudes toward four issues: physician-patient relationships; political and economic changes in medicine; treatment of women physicians and patients; and maldistribution of physicians.…

A competency-based curriculum model for teaching geriatrics in a family medicine residency is described that divides competencies under four major goals: understanding principles, obtaining and interpreting data, managing geriatric patients, and working in a health care team. Sample objectives, instructional methods, and student evaluation are…

The key element in a clerkship in family practice at Community Hospital, Santa Rosa, California, is the student's General Medical Clinic. Under the supervision of a family physician teacher, senior medical students work as a team with family nurse practitioners caring for patients. (Author/JMD)

Hand-held computers can give medical students instant access to research findings and patient data. The machines, relatively inexpensive in comparison with laptops, have drawbacks, including small screens and tiny keyboards. Many find the machines very useful; others do not see enough benefit to learn the needed skills. Some professors and…

Discusses legislation aimed at prevention, identification, and treatment of prenatal exposure to controlled substances and the consequences of such exposure. Coercive state intervention can include involuntary civil commitment, child protection; and criminal prosecution. Such intervention raises constitutional issues of privacy and…

A sociology course on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its societal context, taught at California State University, Long Beach, is described. The background, content, organization, administrative and emotional demands, teaching methods (including input from patients with AIDS), texts, and impact of the interdisciplinary course are…

A four-step procedure is described for using evaluation to contribute to the knowledge that intake staff need to assign clients to treatment programs. The procedure is illustrated with data from the evaluation of a professional development program delivered to 35 teacher consultants in Ontario (Canada). (SLD)

A study examined the extent to which current medical-student evaluation assesses noncognitive clinical skills and behaviors needed by graduates, including small-group conferences, case-based discussion, library research, lifelong learning, reasoned thinking, interpersonal skills, and logical/sequenced history taking and physical examinations.…

This study investigated the structure and content of the language that medical personnel used with 15 pediatric hospitalized patients during medical procedures, by observing in two hospital settings. Medical procedures were rarely characterized by appropriate verbal structuring. Results suggest that the unsupportive communicative environment may…

Introduction: Tremendous advances in health care have been made through the development of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Studies show that physicians face barriers in practice, preventing the effective use of the best evidence available. Insight into these barriers should pave the way for an action plan to remove them. The aim of this study was…

The Conjoint Committee on Continuing Medical Education has developed a position paper, a set of recommendations, and next steps in the reform of continuing medical education (CME). The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) sets standards for and accredits residency programs in graduate medical education and is not directly…