A study assessed (1) the validity of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine evaluation instrument regarding the occurrence of halo effects and (2) possible relationships between the faculty's evaluations of the residents and the residents' cognitive knowledge and productivity. (MLW)

History-taking and physical examination techniques specific to clinical evaluation of the pediatric patient can be taught to medical students through a combination of audiovisual materials and limited bedside teaching. This combination of instruction was found to be as effective as and more efficient than a preceptor-type model. (Author/MLW)

Identifying, explaining, and changing the ordering habits of physicians who order many ancillary services are becoming important cost containment goals. Written patient management problems to simulate real life clinical situations were used to calculate the cost of physician decisions. (MLW)

The faculty of the Department of Anatomy in the University of Nebraska College of Medicine developed a prototype teacher training program for graduate students in anatomy. It includes formal course work and practical classroom experience. Responses have been enthusiastic, and the objectives and structure of the program can be applied to other…

The structured audit and teaching methods for teaching physician's assistants physical diagnosis used during 1974-75 by medical students to teach other medical students at the Stanford University School of Medicine are described. The performance of six student-taught first-year medical students is compared with that of five faculty-taught…

The past history of toxicology courses, recent trends, departments or divisions of toxicology, undergraduate and graduate courses, and residency programs are described. The emphasis of clinical toxicology in the University of Tennessee program is discussed, along with the school's Drug and Toxicology Information Center. (LBH)

Questionnaire assessment indicates that respondents were favorable to CPMPs, that there was little distraction caused by the equipment, logic or semantics of the problems, and that CPMPs were an acceptable examination technique. Practice time, instructional clarity, and revised problems were recommended. (LBH)

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)

A working definition of optometry is given, and four areas for evaluation of clinical competency are outlined: the abilities to develop professional interpersonal relationships with patients and colleagues, determine the specific procedures, and interpret and use clinical data. Student evaluation methods are noted. (MSE)

In a study of tests on diagnosis it was found that confidence measures of knowledge adjusted for reasoning were more reliable than conventional measures of knowledge, supporting the idea that knowledge enhances the ability to recognize the diagnostic entities, and realism is associated with fewer premature closures. (MSE)

Discusses a class of artificial intelligence computer programs (often called "expert systems" because they address problems normally thought to require human specialists for their solution) intended to serve as consultants for decision making. Also discusses accomplishments (including information systematization in medical diagnosis and…

The social process in clinical decision-making in emergency rooms was studied. Data from interviews and direct observation at two large urban general hospitals with busy emergency rooms staffed by medical and surgical residents are presented. Situations call for individual, consultive, or consensual patterns in making decisions. (Author/MSE)

A study undertaken to explore how dentists use patient data to plan treatment is presented. Three hundred forty-six general dentists used oral and general health findings to determine periodontal treatment for seven prototypic elderly patients. The results indicated that oral hygiene and major medications best discriminated between treatment…

A new test developed by the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry that included videotape, visual aids, and relevant dental data as part of the exam is reported. The degree of student anxiety before, during, and after the examination was measured. A videotaped segment simulating a case history was used. (Author/MLW)

A study examined trends in the volume and type of inpatient clinical diagnoses, common medical services, and specialized services in academic medical centers (AMCs)--integrated and independent, other teaching hospitals, and nonteaching hospitals. Results indicate that despite rapid change in the health care environment, little change has occurred…