Examines arguments made by Kenneth Ludmerer in "Time To Heal: American Medical Education from the Turn of the Century to the Era of Managed Care," who charges that medical educators have failed to address basic social, organizational, and financial problems. Calls for deep transformation of the ethos, social system, and organization of medical…

The impetus and focus of quality improvement efforts in higher education are examined, and a corporate grant program supporting the use of total quality management strategies in optometric education is described. Subsequent articles on grant-supported projects are previewed. (MSE)

When health occupations teachers are not able to leave their teaching jobs to obtain much needed clinical updating, alternatives must be found. The method of linking with local health care facilities to provide clinical updating for health occupations teachers is not perfect and has not been rated as the most effective. Clinical updating workshops…

Discusses the need for alternate delivery systems in continuing medical education (CME), the benefits of using computers to deliver CME, and ways to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of computer based education. Current and future applications of computer techniques to CME are also examined. (Author/MER)

Reviews current concepts and practices of teacher evaluation as it exists in health professions' educational programs. Problems associated with teacher evaluation and the necessity for well designed evaluation systems are explored. Recommendations are made for the development of objective teacher evaluation procedures. (Author/LRA)

With a view of academic health centers (AHC) as unique organizations meriting investigation, key changes that have shaped AHCs, various modes of AHC organization and governance, and factors that make AHC policymaking so complex are discussed. Also examined are models and methods for analyzing AHC decision making. (Author/JMD)

Argues that, in the context of the present health care system, interdisciplinary service-learning holds promise for equipping future health professionals with collaborative problem-solving skills needed to effect change in community health care. Describes three models of interdisciplinary service-learning in health professions education, explores…

Directions for dental education are examined, with reference made to a number of recent background papers and an Institute of Medicine report on dental education in the United States. Greater integration with other health sciences, development of dental faculty teaching skills, and greater use of apprenticeships and continuing education are…

A discussion of leadership reviews literature concerning its dimensions and importance and presents one individual's perspective of leadership in pharmaceutical education. It looks at the qualities of effective leadership, special requirements of an institutional leader, and methods of leadership development. Three leadership case studies at…

As reform of American health services proceeds, there will be increasing pressure for reform of health professions education. Health professions must restructure their curricula to provide graduates with competencies for future systems. Every college and university has a role; each contributes to the pool of future health care professionals. (MSE)

The Argus Commission, asked to examine the interface between academic pharmacy and education programs in dentistry, optometry, and podiatry, envisioned a primary health care team and considered mechanisms for encouraging development of such teams and reducing competition. Its conclusions and recommendations are summarized here. (MSE)

To restore the humanism in medical care, medical education must espouse the creation of physician-healers. Personal development and well-being of the healer are neglected factors in healing care. Goals and objectives for medical education for promoting trainees' self-awareness, personal growth, and well-being are outlined, and ways to achieve and…

Responding to a report on the Clinical Research Training Program of the National Institutes of Health, the author finds that the low applicant rate among dental students is due less to lack of interest in the program or its emphasis on research but more to a program structure modeled on a medical school rather than a dental school curriculum. (MSE)

Patients with chronic illness account for three-fourths of United States' health-care expenditures, and considerable growth in these costs is likely as the population ages. However, management of chronic illness has received little attention in either undergraduate or graduate medical education. Competencies required to develop curricula in…

The production of a competent health practitioner requires effective cooperative effort from certifying agencies, accrediting agencies, and educational institutions. Information exchange among certifiers, accreditors, educators, and employers should be liberal. Such exchange must not violate confidentiality, especially in the matter of documents,…