Describes the restructuring of clinical clerkships at the University of British Columbia (Canada) dental school as part of a new, hybrid, problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum, focusing on strategies for integrating development of psychomotor skills. Methods of achieving both horizontal and vertical integration of competencies through grouping…

A survey of four classes of third-year dental students identified six top stressors: examinations and grades, graduation requirements, inconsistency of professors' feedback, patient tardiness or no-show, atmosphere created by clinical faculty, and financial responsibilities. Also, 15 of 38 stressors were rated moderately or extremely stressful by…

The first stage of a longitudinal study of volunteer pharmacy practitioner-faculty (n=835) investigated motivations to serve as clerkship preceptors. Results indicated that, although the volunteers felt it was worthwhile to participate and were motivated primarily by "internal satisfaction," they were neutral about whether they felt appropriately…

A study identified seven recurring ethical issues arising in pediatrics clerkships at the State University of New York at Buffalo, then surveyed pediatrics house staff concerning frequency of encountering the topics, levels of comfort in addressing them, role models and resources, and perceived need for training. Residents perceived training to be…

The University of Maryland Dental School's revised predoctoral general practice program includes a clinical component simulating actual practice, including patient, personnel and office management, team-building, marketing, specialist referrals, and quality control. The program is described and patient, student, and faculty responses to it are…

Articles by social work educators on some of the critical issues in community mental health are presented. Examined are some conceptual and program developments related to coordination, continuity of care, and the use of teams in planning and service delivery for community mental health (Lawrence K. Berg). The issue of civil commitment to and…

Three optometric educators provide separate perspectives on how and why to increase the amount of clinical experience in the optometry program, addressing such issues as how many patient encounters are enough to provide adequate training, salient factors in clinical experience outside patient encounter numbers (facilities and equipment, preceptor,…

Educators in dentistry and osteopathy discuss efforts within their fields to diversify clinical education. Dental school changes focus on curriculum reform, closer education-care delivery relationship, patient centeredness, comprehensive care experiences, and patient care as a distinct mission of dental education. Efforts in osteopathy emphasize…

Four professional participants in a well-developed community-based medical education system examine the implications of current change for their various roles, managing a community hospital, directing a local area health education center, teaching family medicine, and as a community preceptor. Some common themes concerning community-based medical…

A University of Missouri-St. Louis program combines a two-year optometric residency with a master of science degree in gerontology to prepare clinicians as teachers of geriatric optometry. The interdisciplinary program's components include optometric care of elderly patients, supervised student teaching, and coursework in geriatrics. (Author/MSE)

Harvard University's new dental school curriculum, and the changes mandated for its implementation, are discussed. The curriculum is characterized by small tutorial groups, student-centered instruction, and clinical treatment teams. The innovations have required significant institutional revitalization efforts and financial investment, with…

A 20-year follow-up study of 37 students enrolled in a University of Virginia alternative medical education curriculum found the program was successful in improving students' morale during preclinical instruction, preparing them for clerkships, and increasing sensitivity to patients. It was not effective in inducing students to enter primary care…

Considerations in planning optometric clinical experiences are discussed, including guidelines for curriculum design, typical teaching strategies, teaching methods and materials, support services and resources, student orientation and debriefing, logistics, costs, personnel, funding sources, and legal liability issues. (MSE)

An analysis of the state of postdoctoral clinical dental training looks at current enrollment level and trends, trends in faculty positions and demand for them, student characteristics, student objectives in pursuing postdoctoral education, trends in specialty and general practice, and implications for future postdoctoral general dentistry…

Differences in performance between male and female students in a combined baccalaureate and doctor of medicine (MD) degree program were studied. The University of Missouri-Kansas City offers a 6-year curriculum leading to both degrees. The study group consisted of all entrants into the program in 1972 through 1974 (n=219), 1978 through 1980…