The authors argue that attempts to establish more placements to meet the growing demands of undergraduate medical students in North America for international experiences may be outweighing critical reflection on the ethical issues, curricular content, and pedagogical strategies necessary to support equitable engagements with countries of the…

Rural training sites are ideal for students to confront social, political, and economic forces underlying ill health in our society. Medical education for rural practice must provide early and sustained exposure to rural communities and rural physician role models, particularly through university-community partnerships. (Author/MSE)

Offers a four-part plan for developing a four-year curriculum in preventive medicine: (1) develop the desired objectives or competencies; (2) present the basics in years 1 and 2; (3) focus on health promotion/disease prevention and population health in years 3 and 4; and (4) develop a mechanism to evaluate and improve the curriculum. (DB)

Discusses the role of public health (PH) professionals in preventing family and intimate violence including findings from PH research, such as the cycle of violence and need to include abuse issues across the lifespan into medical education. Proposes that incorporating PH principles into medical education can help forge an effective partnership…

Efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat AIDS are reported. Health implications of the viral disease are summarized, along with economic costs, research achievements, the importance of education, and appropriate and workable solutions. (LB)

The report of the Association of American Medical Colleges' Medical School Objectives Program presents the work of two expert panels. One, on medical informatics, identified five important physician roles: lifelong learner, clinician, educator, researcher, and manager. Another panel established a definition for "population health…

Although medical education changes in response to advances in biological sciences and technology, changes in public health and attitudes outside medicine may have even more impact on medical education. Medical students need a foundation in both natural and social sciences to deal with the complex interrelationships between social and physical…

Indonesia's efforts to improve its qualitative and quantitative participation in community health activities are discussed. Student and faculty problems in the community health program at Udayana University Medical School in Bali are cited. Knowledge gained from Indonesian programs should be examined by American medical educators for use in…

A growing discontinuity between medical education and the general health needs of society is examined. It is argued that there is imbalance in the training of health professionals because academic medical centers are dominated by supply-side thinking, driven by knowledge and technological advances, not patient and health expectations. (Author/MSE)

For more than 35 years, research has increasingly linked our nation's diet to heart disease and cancer--the nation's top two killer diseases. Yet there is no well-organized, vigorous effort to improve American eating habits. A National Nutrition Coalition should be established to educate the public. (BJV)

Suggests that changes in the structure of medical education can contribute to creating a health care system that helps end domestic violence. Medical educators can provide training experiences that foster understanding of complex social issues and development of cooperative skills, help students integrate them into routine practice, and model…

Traces academic medicine's historical opposition to community medicine and its emphasis on traditional hospital-cased curricula subspecialties, to the neglect of primary and preventive care, community-oriented medicine, and public health. Calls for reducing barriers to basic medical services for all, and for training physicians equipped to respond…

Four professional participants in a well-developed community-based medical education system examine the implications of current change for their various roles, managing a community hospital, directing a local area health education center, teaching family medicine, and as a community preceptor. Some common themes concerning community-based medical…

Explains how misperceptions of Asian Americans have led to inappropriate conclusions by the public and by policymakers concerning medical school enrollment and financial assistance and health needs research. The article makes recommendations for increasing and expanding targeted data collection efforts in the Asian Pacific American subcategories.…

Policy statements and position papers adopted by the American Association of Dental Schools are presented. They cover peer review, freedoms and responsibilities of individuals and institutions, national health programs, interdisciplinary education, and use of ionizing radiation. (MLW)