"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This March 19, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "A Support Group for Terminal Grad Students" (Douglas, Lawrence; George,…

Online discussions are an effective method used to enhance interactions among learners and the instructor. The study examined the differences in communication based on whether the discussions were instructor-moderated or peer-moderated and based on whether the classes consisted of undergraduate or graduate students. Results indicate that student…

In-training examinations, those tests designed primarily to evaluate residents in graduate training, were endorsed by the Committee on Goals and Priorities of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Current utilization of these examinations is reported by half of the medical specialty group members of the American Board of Medical Specialties.…

Medical and dental residents at the University of Rochester Medical Center were surveyed with a brief symptom inventory to measure stress and its causes. Significantly elevated stress showed for rotations in the emergency room, greater frequency of being on call, and reduced sleep. (Author/MLW)

A study designed to assess interrater agreement among senior residents who rated junior residents on 25 specific behaviors representing the different categories assessed by the "verification of clinical competence" form used by the American Board of Pediatrics is described. (MLW)

As residency training programs attempt to integrate new educational programs, teachers may find residents less interested in learning about the psychosocial aspects of patient care than in the biomedical aspects. These attitudes may present barriers to implementing a curriculum designed to teach psychosocial skills. (MLW)

A nutrition education program at the University of South Alabama Medical Center that was based on the "co-counseling model" as described by Moore and Larsen is described. Patients with one of three problem areas were selected for evaluation: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy. (MLW)

Based on expressed interests of medical school residency programs, a two-day workshop for chief residents was sponsored by the University of Utah Medical Center. The 180 residents from 138 programs in 21 specialties learned specific management skills through lectures and small-group exercises. (Author/MSE)

Baylor College of Medicine's system for evaluating the clinical progress of anesthesiology residents, developed in response to problems of standards, staff cooperation, and student dissatisfaction with evaluation, assesses resident progress in terms of performance levels based on case complexity and degree of staff intervention. (Author/MSE)

The number of U.S. seniors who enrolled in the National Resident Matching Program in 1986 decreased. The most competitive programs were in emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedic surgery, and diagnostic radiology. A new match, called the Medical Specialties Matching Program, is underway for fellowships. (MLW)

Evaluation of medical school graduates by their residency supervisors can provide information for judging the adequacy of the medical school preparation for the residency. Thirteen areas of residents' performances considered of major importance for evaluating undergraduate medical training were identified. (MLW)

An instrument to assess specific components of the clinical performance of residents, regardless of their medical specialty, was developed and validated. The Resident Evaluation Form contains 33 rating scales which measure nine categories of performance. (Author/CTM)

This study analyzed examination results from eight residency programs for a five-year period, 1983-87. Areas of educational strength and weakness were identified by levels of training for each program. The analyses have been used to change curriculum content, modify lectures for residents, and provide structured review for residents. (Author/MLW)

The cognitive and skills performances of sleep-deprived pediatrics residents were measured by using questions like those on the pediatrics board certification examination and using tasks that required coordination and dexterity. Implications of findings are discussed in the context of the controversy over the structure and process of medical…

A study investigated the attitudes of 255 medical residents at a large public hospital concerning factors that justify strikes. The study followed a housestaff work action. Residents' attitudes varied depending on issues involved and the extent of risk to patients. (Author/MSE)