A study in a medical center investigated the feasibility of primary care practices combining internal medicine and pediatrics residencies. Equally divided among children and adults, the patients had sought specialists and were highly satisfied. The physicians had appeal particularly to young upper-middle class patients. (Author/MSE)

A survey of all 1987 graduates (n=112) of all U.S. combined programs found patient care as the major current involvement, with most subjects seeing patients in both pediatric and adult age groups and in primary care only. Perceived deficiencies and preferences in rotation types and quantity were also analyzed. (Author/MSE)

Although generalist physicians have traditionally been defined by their specialties (family, internal, pediatric medicine), this approach may not recognize specific competencies and training needed. A new definition based on functional requirements of generalist practice and the central role of the generalist in comprehensive care is proposed.…

Data on 180 pediatrics and 302 internal medicine residency training programs concerning vacation, leave of absence, extension of training because of absence, and related policy suggest wide variation depending on postgraduate year of training, discipline, program size, and program type. Implications for accreditation, testing, and certification…

A program combining pediatrics and internal medicine is described. The four-year program, focusing on ambulatory care, alternates six-month rotations in each field and includes clinic training. Success factors include comparison of outpatient and inpatient care, developing an ambulatory practice to support resident salaries, and preparation for…

Specialty choices for medical school graduates of the University of Sao Paolo (Brazil) in 1975-84 and 1989-94 were analyzed by gender. Results showed women predominating in pediatrics and men in surgery and orthopedics in both periods, with no gender predominance in other specialties. Significant changes occurred in specialty choice patterns…

Medical education's current goal of producing 50% generalists, composed of practitioners in internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics, is examined. Issues include the definition of generalist, the number of generalists needed, changes needed in graduate and undergraduate medical education, changes needed in the practice environment, and…

A study investigated the availability of each of 19 medical school support services offered by 493 residencies in 6 specialties: family practice; internal medicine; obstetrics/gynecology; pediatrics; psychiatry; and surgery. Results show many specialties do not offer common, effective support services. It is suggested that programs move to…

A study investigated the effect of participation in an intensive internal medicine conference series during a third-year medicine clerkship (n=173 students) on medical licensing examination scores and compared this with scores in surgery and pediatrics and scores of 466 students not participating in the conference. Better test performance on the…

A follow-up study of 148 medical school graduates investigated the predictive value of medical college admissions data for choice of a generalist career (family practice, general internal medicine, general pediatrics). Factors indicating a high orientation toward community service before medical school were found predictive of generalist choices.…

A questionnaire was administered to 339 graduating senior medical students at the Medical College of Georgia to determine different potential sources of influence on career choice. Indebtedness may be associated with the choice of a non-primary care specialty with greater remuneration than primary care specialty. (MLW)

It is proposed that medical schools recruit students from rural areas, have them choose family practice, and train them in rural settings. Specific recommendations for improving content and context of rural medical care education are made, including merging internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics as a single primary care specialty.…

The Wayne State University (Michigan) medical school program of videotaping resident interviews with patients and reviewing them with faculty is described and evaluated. Topics discussed include the program's structure and process, recurrent themes in the review sessions, residents' perspectives on the process, potential barriers to a successful…

Three Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) surveys are analyzed. One investigated 104 MCP graduating seniors' perceptions of their medical education and specialty and residency choices. The second asked 40 residency program directors in 4 specialties about resident selection criteria. The third had 30 physician employers identify desirable…