Context: Various research studies have examined the question of whether expert or non-expert raters, faculty or students, evaluators or standardized patients, give more reliable and valid summative assessments of performance on Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). Less studied has been the question of whether or not non-faculty…

This study tested the effects of linguistic qualifiers and intensifiers on the number and types of replies elicited per argument and per challenge posted in online debates. To facilitate collaborative argumentation, thirty-two students (22 females, 10 males) enrolled in a graduate-level online course classified and labeled their messages as…

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine the effect of an educational seminar on interactions with pharmaceutical representatives on residents' attitudes and behavior. METHOD: A controlled trial of an educational intervention was conducted. Residents at a university-affiliated residency program (N=32) were divided into two groups: one group…

This review of methods used to assess the clinical performance of medical students focuses on four common assessment approaches: (1) the examination developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME); (2) systematic, multifactor evaluation methods; (3) observation techniques; and (4) problem based methods. Analyzed in conjunction with…

The In-Training Evaluation Report (ITER), in use by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for examining the competencies of candidates eligible for the certifying examination, was tested for validity and reliability. This analysis suggests revisions but declares the ITEA a useful instrument to aid in candidate assessment. (JT)

Describes a system which utilizes computer analysis for rating and weighting resident selection variables to reduce random error and bias in the ranking of applicants. The result was satisfactory selection with significant savings of time and effort for the residency program faculty. (JT)

As part of a program evaluation, measures were made of the following variables predictive of the residents' performance in the program: personality traits; attitude toward psychiatry, willingness to treat psychological problems, preprogram interview performance, length of commitment to pediatrics, and frequency of interaction with teachers in the…

A total of 116 medical students entering the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio in 1975 were given the Jackson Personality Research Form (PRF) during their medical school orientation period. Mean scores are shown and differences between student group and resident group are noted. (LBH)

The systematic evaluation of a curriculum designed to improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and clinical judgment of pediatric residents with regard to young handicapped children and their families is described. The curriculum increased the knowledge of various aspects of handicapping conditions and the tendency to characterize the children's…

The American Academy of Family Practice requires that nutrition be taught to residents throughout their three-year residencies, although it does not specify a block of nutrition instruction. The nutrition knowledge of residents in eight family practice residencies in California were examined. (MLW)

The hypothesis that a source of psychoactive drugs for physician trainees is prescription writing by house officers was tested. A survey determined that, of the number of prescriptions written for nonpatients, the largest number was written for family members and friends, and the second largest for fellow house officers. (Author/MLW)

Comparisons of 1983 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) graduation survey with data on the third-year residencies reveal that the specialty preferences indicated were predictors of residency programs the respondents were in during the third year following graduation. (Author/MLW)

The chief resident position requires managerial skills that residents have had little exposure to during medical school. A model involving a medical school department of psychiatry and affiliated residency programs is presented. Information management and how it is a major administrative function for the chief resident is described. (Author/MLW)

A study to compare cognitive functioning in acutely and chronically sleep-deprived house officers is described. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant deficits in primary mental tasks involving basic rote memory, language, and numeric skills. (Author/MLW)

Findings of the 1985 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) are presented. Information is provided on number of applicants, withdrawals, and active participants who are matched/unmatched and positions offered by specialty and type of applicants (U.S., Canadian, and foreign students). (SW)