The skills of interns in obtaining body fluids for analysis were observed after six months of a categorical internal medicine program. The results suggest that training in the proper technique in lumbar puncture in medical schools is inadequate. Recommendations for improvement are offered. (LBH)

The main objective of the general internal medicine program at the University of California, Los Angeles, Center for the Health Sciences, was to prepare physicians to have humanistic attitudes and skills in dealing with patients. A patient satisfaction survey was used to evaluate the program. (MLW)

How well internal medical residents understood the four modes of the interpersonal process recall system was investigated after the students had received training in this system. Students were tested before and after the course, that involved extensive use of videotapes of interviews. (Author/MLW)

A project to improve hospital house officers' recognition of important behavioral, psychological, and social aspects involved in medical care of chronically ill ambulatory patients and an evaluation of its effectiveness are reported. The procedure involved the use of feedback from patient interviews regarding patient satisfaction, medication…

The process of resident education in an internal medicine practice was examined through interviews with 14 residents, who discussed their educational experience while caring for ten patients. Study results suggest that resident education in this setting depends upon feedback during patient care, reviewing cases, and reading. (Author/LBH)

The way that residents in internal medicine allotted their time during patient management rounds was determined. House staff teams were observed for four days, and the time spent on all activities was recorded. The study suggests that medical educators should be concerned about the thoroughness of house staff work rounds. (Author/MLW)

A study that demonstrated that a group of medical residents could independently run microcomputer-based patient simulations and subsequently achieve significant increases in test scores is discussed. This outcome supports the use of computer-assisted instruction to provide a core of self-taught material for a clinical subspecialty rotation.…

The demographic, diagnostic, and prognostic characteristics of patients treated by house staff members rotating through the general medical wards of the Houston Veterans Administration Medical Center was studied. The data indicate that VA hospitals make a significant contribution to internal medicine training. (Author/MLW)

A cost containment program initiated in 1975 on the medical teaching service of Charlotte Memorial Hospital, a University of North Carolina affiliated hospital, has led to a significant improvement in hospital house staff utilization of facilities and procedures. In the outpatient setting an actual reduction in patient-encounter cost was realized…

A study investigated possible differences in standardized patient examination scores for three groups of undergraduate (n=176) and graduate (n=221) medical students assessed at different sites over two years. Results show no systematic change in scores over testing dates, suggesting no problems with breach of test security. (MSE)

The effectiveness of chart audit with written feedback as a tool for encouraging residents to obtain and record occupational information during history-taking is evaluated. (Author/MLW)

The humanistic qualities of 70 University of Michigan first-year internal medicine residents were rated in 1987-88 and 1988-89 by patients, attending physicians, supervisors, and nurses. Results indicate that all four groups had different view of the humanistic attributes of residents in patient interactions. (Author/MSE)

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of organizational changes in the general medicine clinic on residents' and patients' satisfaction, including their perceptions of the quality of care. Questionnaires to assess satisfaction were administered to the residents (N=80) and patients (N=577) using a pre- and posttesting design. (MLW)

A multistation clinical examination using standardized patients was used over 4 years to assess the interpersonal skills of 346 fourth year medical students, 51 internal medicine residents, and 71 foreign medical graduates seeking admission to graduate study. Results indicate that a reliable assessment of interpersonal skills can be achieved this…