Discusses the value of closer integration of the biomedical and behavioral sciences but notes that the scholarship of integration has been slow to gain acceptance as an integral activity of the professoriate. Suggestions include creating new research entities and funding mechanisms dedicated to interdisciplinary work; reinvorgating the integrative…

The evolution from classical genetics to biotechnology, an area of research involving key macromolecules in living cells, is chronicled and the current state of biotechnology is described, noting related advances in computing and clinical medicine. (MSE)

Describes student-led research projects conducted at the University of Florida's General Clinical Research Center. First-year medical and M.D.-Ph.D. students collaborate on a hypothesis-driven experiment involving students as volunteer subjects and investigators. Feedback indicates students find the program useful and that it encourages pursuit of…

The analysis of costs of National Institutes of Health (NIH) bio-medical research demonstrates that the increased expenditures for research project grants are due to such factors as real growth in the program, artifacts of the calculation method, and the extent to which project periods of awards have lengthened. (Author/DB)

The article analyzes three challenges confronting academic medical centers in the areas of education, patient care, and research. Encouraged are: (1) an expanded role by medical centers in training primary care physicians; (2) modification of physician reimbursement policies; and (3) resolution of conflicts of interest for biomedical scientists in…

A review of the combined M.D.-Ph.D training program at Johns Hopkins Medical School (Maryland) found that, of 109 students who earned both degrees since 1980, 42 have completed all training and are now in career positions. Most (81 percent) are in full-time academic posts, with 14 percent in research institutes and the remaining 5 percent in…

Examines the lack of support for the training and employment of clinical investigators to capitalize on the knowledge gleaned from decades of basic scientific research. Argues that this dilemma can be addressed by carefully defining and marshalling a coalition of institutions to support increased funding for clinical investigations. (MDM)

Some information from the University of Pennsylvania's experience with foreign medical scholars illustrates the potential dimension of a larger Soviet presence in American academic medicine. Some issues to be addressed in improving the Soviet quality of health care are described. (MLW)

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Division of General Internal Medicine is described, focusing on personnel and organization, educational programs, clinical and research activities, special programs, finances, and related issues and pressures. The program is proposed as a model for other institutions. (MSE)

Discusses the difficulties involved in determining the cost of clinical research in light of the changing health care market. These include confusion about terminology, lack of specificity, estimation of the cost of complications, duration of patient participation, and the assignment of personnel and infrastructure costs. (MDM)

Lessons learned from experience about shaping science policy include (1) the partnership between health and science interests is fundamental; (2) research fund allocation should be based on scientific merit; (3) better data and careful analysis are vital to decision making; and (4) policy principles should be clear and concise. (Author/MSE)

The scientific community's expectations for biomedical research exceed funding capacity. Despite national social and economic problems, funding for biomedical research is already high. Additional funds will not solve the problem entirely. The biomedical community must set priorities and allocate money accordingly. New policies for allocating funds…

Summarizes and comments on three presentations relative to the life sciences and medicine given at the October 1995 working symposium of the Project on Conflict of Interest in University-Industry Research Relationships and included in this issue. Discusses the work of medical researcher David Blumenthal, political scientist Mark Frankel, and…

Presents the findings of the Association of American Medical Colleges' Working Group on Preserving Medical Schools' Academic Mission in a Competitive Marketplace. Concludes that medical schools will take a variety of approaches to define and preserve their missions and that the importance of the core mission of education and research is likely to…

The study compared research activities of men and women from data obtained in a 1982-83 survey of 7,947 medical school faculty in departments of internal medicine. Among findings were that women researchers had significantly fewer National Institutes of Health grants as well as reduced laboratory space. (Author/DB)