A study compared the 1984-88 test performances of United States osteopathic medical school graduates and Canadian medical school graduates with those of U.S. and foreign medical school graduates during the same period. Findings, limitations, and implications for recruitment and training of internal medicine specialists are discussed. (Author/MSE)

An innovative internal medicine clerkship provides a one-month ambulatory care component followed by two months of traditional inpatient experience. Assessment of the changes in student ability to diagnose in a variety of brief cases found knowledge gains in the shorter ambulatory care segment were double those in the longer segment. (MSE)

After identifying four medical specialty services in a hospital where patient lengths of stay were excessive, two educational interventions to decrease the time were developed. In meetings with each physician data on lengths of stay were discussed, and then a continuing education meeting was held. Improved efficiency resulted. (Author/MLW)

Some of the differences between in-hospital and ambulatory medicine and their implications for the teaching and practice of ambulatory care are explored. The availability of time, the role of patient cooperation, and the decision-making process differ in the two settings. (MLW)

Performance on patient management problems and multiple-choice questions was analyzed for candidates for American Board of Internal Medicine certification whose residencies had been problem-oriented, for candidates whose residencies had been classified as nonproblem-oriented, and for the national pool of U.S. medical graduates. (Author/MLW)

A study to assess medical students' attitudes about the diagnostic value of the history and physical examination, as compared with diagnostic testing, examined attitudes at the beginning of ward rotations and during the clerkship. It was found that students beginning clinical rotations have respect for the value of these procedures and are…

A study to determine whether general internal medicine and traditional track medicine residents differed in their outpatient management of essential hypertension is discussed. General internal medicine residents seem to do better in the areas of assessment of drug side effects and patient education. (MLW)

This research report examines the characteristics of patients and their compliance with drug prescriptions and suggests that there is a need for education among patients receiving medication so that they do not prematurely terminate the medication process. (JN)

A study of 184 third-year medical students randomly assigned to ambulatory care and traditional inpatient curricula in an internal medicine clerkship found those with the ambulatory care experience were somewhat more likely to choose an ambulatory care career than those in the traditional curriculum. However, the clerkship experience did not…

A total of 200 patients were interviewed at 2 out-patient settings to quantify the patients' perspectives on their illness by measuring their requests for help. Results showed specific requests were made by most patients that focused either on the problem and/or the treatment. (GLR)

The Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Roster System allows comparison of a cohort of faculty at any selected time following their first faculty appointments. Disparities between men and women in rank attained in radiology and internal medicine were examined. (Author/MLW)

Surveys were mailed to a sample of Michigan internists and family practitioners (N=2060). This study examined influences on (1) how confident physicians feel about treating a particular problem, (2) where they look for assistance and advice, and (3) what level of continued involvement in the patient's care they prefer. (MLW)

This study retrospectively applies aggregate scoring to the cardiology questions from a recertifying examination in general internal medicine. Three groups of experts were identified among the examinees and the remainder of the examinees were the participants (N=1887) of the study. Generalizability theory is applied to these data. (MLW)

A study found that a 50-minute lecture on the value of autopsy had little effect on housestaff patterns of requesting autopsies. Housestaff (n=27) attending the lecture did not request more autopsies or obtain more permissions than did the control group (n=26). Results suggest more sophisticated techniques than lectures should be used. (Author/MSE)

A study examined the relationship between (1) internal medicine patients' total charges and lengths of stay and (2) the degree of autonomy that attending physicians (n=65) permitted their residents (n=40). Results suggest that internal medicine residents have an inherently conservative practice style valuing low-intensity workups and rapid patient…