This article addresses the concept of "special needs" as it applies to health promotion and disease prevention. The three sections of this article deal with three special subgroups of the general population: the elderly, those with disabilities, and those with cultural heritages that are not the same as the majority population's. (Author/CT)

Two indices of effectiveness are described, one of instructional effectiveness and one of administrative effectiveness. Originally, 97 effectiveness measures were obtained from criteria published by national health professional organizations and other accrediting bodies. The Delphi survey process was used to analyze, refine, weight, and select 19…

Describes an attempt to integrate the cognitive and affective domains in a course on values for allied health students by using reflexiveness as the course's structural principle. This course's reflexive structure included opportunities for the students to reflect critically on value questions, an interconnected system of educational stages, and a…

Describes a study of the need for multicompetency among graduates of baccalaureate programs in dietetics, medical technology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This article also describes current approaches to the education of multicompetent allied health professionals and suggests new strategies for educating these personnel at the…

On the basis of the consistency of numerical ratings and written comments, the authors recommend that only the numerical ratings be used as part of the promotion and tenure decision-making process. This would remove the potential for subjective evaluation of the written comments. Written comments would provide feedback to faculty for…

Discusses potential uses of self-instructional units in professional education programs and suggests ways self-instructional units might be used to promote interdisciplinary health care and expansion of professional knowledge banks. (Author/CT)

This study assessed whether personal characteristics of graduate students could be affected by program participation and, if so, which specific personal characteristics could be changed. Findings suggested that many personal characteristics deemed important by program planners in the health sciences may more appropriately be criteria for admission…

The prevailing case study approach to teaching biomedical ethics and a new methodology using exercises designed to develop decision-making skills are compared. Advantages of the new course and suggested course content are outlined. (Author)

One part of a model health career information center was a toll-free health careers hotline which provided information to high school and college students, parents, counselors, and teachers. Evaluation of the hotline indicates that it fills a need, is considered useful by callers, and is of relatively small cost. (Author/CT)

This article summarizes the existing curricular models on death education for health professions students. A proposed course design for allied health professions students modified from Bloch's medical education objectives for a thanatology course is presented. The development of listening skills is given special emphasis. (Author/CT)

A study of 22 health occupations students examined whether participation in an interdisciplinary community health empowerment project with urban homeless and formerly homeless people changed their attitudes about community health practice, attitudes toward people who are indigent and homeless, and perceived leadership skills. Posttests revealed a…

Specialized accreditation in the allied health professions can and will fulfill its basic purpose if its efforts are guided by the principle that evaluation must place its emphasis on the outcome of the education process, no matter how difficult it may be to assess. (Author)

Of 2,408 graduates from Houston's High School for Health Professions (1975-89), 1,190 responded to survey in which only 82 expressed interest in allied health professions. Examination of career choices, educational pursuits, perceptions of likelihood of career attainment, and factors influencing attainment led to conclusion that students are…

A cost-benefit analysis tool was developed with data from 58 health occupations programs in two-year colleges. Clinical experience was primarily conducted in hospitals. Few programs have been required to perform cost analysis. Programs depend on the willingness of health care facilities to provide clinical training. (SK)

The paper describes the teaching models used by the College of Allied Health Professions of the University of Kentucky in the design and implementation of a course in the health care delivery process. (Author)