The study reported was designed to determine to what extent freshmen medical students, through the independent use of visual and reference text materials, could realize specific goals related to ophthalmoscopy. Participation in the study was an informal curricular option, limited to 18 first-year medical students. (LBH)

The ways in which students can be assisted to learn how to learn and hence to be prepared to undertake an active involvement in their own continuing education are discussed. The curriculum at the medical school at the University of Newcastle, Australia is described. (Author/MLW)

A survey of student research in U.S. medical schools is described, including a University of Florida medical student research program. Analysis of the Florida program participants showed a 74 percent endorsement of research as an important, positive educational experience. (Author/MLW)

A study using 60 first-year medical students in the Santo Amaro Faculty of Medicine, San Paulo, Brazil, found that self-instructional methods such as guided self-instruction or discussion groups are not superior to conventional classes. Self-instruction does have the advantages of low cost and easy applicability. (LBH)

The University of Illinois School of Basic Medical Sciences, Urbana-Champaign, curriculum incorporates over 2,000 specific learning objectives in 11 basic science disciplines and multiple learning experiences for each of the 360 self-study units. (Author/PG)

For teaching medical students how to use problem-oriented medical records the authors devised teaching case material and two instructional formats (self-instructional and workshop) which were used for second-year medical students, then conducted a study which showed that all student groups attained an acceptable performance level regardless of…

An interinstitutional project to develop a self-instructional course in international health is described, including the rationale for the project and the operating procedures used to produce course materials. A field trial is also reported and recommendations for materials development and utilization are given. (Author/LBH)

The Ohio State program includes instructional objectives for all of the clinical clerkships, a specialized collection of learning resources to assist the students in the mastery of the clerkship objectives, mini-learning resource centers (LRC) located close to patient care areas, and an evaluation system for student assessment. (LBH)

Self-instructional slide-tape programs with accompanying manuals expanded and illustrated fundamentals presented in a study guide, and a videocassette on basic diagnostic and treatment procedures demonstrated techniques. A course syllabus synthesized these materials and the student's clinical responsibilities into a detailed directive 10-day…

Discussions concluded that now is the time to develop criteria for measuring professional quality of practicing physicians and to improve learning processes in medical schools. (Editor/IR)

The Independent Study Program (ISP) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is described and its objectives specified. Data are reported for measures of achievement, personality characteristics, and academic-professional experience. Costs and faculty evaluation of the program are also given. (Author/LBH)

A component of a freshman psychiatry course in which students are permitted to pursue independent study in any aspect of the human life cycle is described. Examination of student topics over a three-year period revealed that many chose areas of study relating to significant past personal experiences. (Author/MLW)

In an Ohio State study, medical students pursuing an independent study program and students in the traditional program performed similarly on part 1 of the National Board of Medical Examiners examinations and in their required clerkships. Differences identified resulted in curricular changes.(Author/MLW)

Experiences with a combined computer-assisted and computer-managed pharmacology course that allows both scheduled and individual pacing are described. Students with low aptitudes achieved significantly higher scores on the pharmacology portion of a national medical examination after participation. (Author/MSE)

The medical pharmacology course at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine has changed from a poorly attended course in which students depended on "canned notes" and had bad rapport with faculty members to a course in which attendance is high and the canned-notes system has been abandoned. (Author/MLW)