This paper evaluates a case-study work-based learning (WBL) programme for final year health studies undergraduates, analysing key characteristics, and reporting benefits and tensions that result. It triangulates evidence from learners, community agencies and teachers. Cross-fertilisation of ideas between the academy and community agencies, and the…

This program description, written for psychology curriculum developers and faculty, addresses the design, problems, and benefits of incorporating a respecialization course of study into the existing psychology clincial training program at the University of Massachusetts. An example of the individualized curriculum designed to meet the clinical and…

A study of the preceived acquisition of clinical skills by second-year medical students in six required clerkships is reported. The students completed self-assessments of their clinical skills when taking the family medicine clerkship. The principal contributions of the family medicine clerkship were in the management of common problems.…

A 5-week family medicine clerkship is described that uses several innovative techniques: problem-based learning focusing on patient management tutorials; consultation with specialists; supervised patient care and a nursing home inpatient teaching service; and workshops on topics such as office-surgical techniques, practice management, and…

The required first-year clerkship in family and community medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is discussed. The goals and objectives and the teaching methods used to implement the program are described. It is suggested that community medicine clerkships belong in the first year of the curriculum. (Author/MLW)

The dying and death component of the psychiatry clerkship at Dartmouth Medical School is described. The educational objectives and instructional methods were developed to enhance the student's understanding of what terminal patients experience in psychosocial needs and to explore his role and skill in caring for patients in terminal situations.…

The implementation of a continuity of a care clinic in a highly subspecialized Veterans Administration internal medicine training program for postgraduate medical students is described, with focus on resolving problems created by the idiosyncratic administrative features and resource limitations of the hospital. (Author/JMD)

Describes design and implementation of a model for teaching drug information across the pharmacy curriculum. Program components include teaching/reinforcing drug information knowledge and skills; outlining practice-based outcomes for drug information; and impressing on students that such skills are routinely needed in pharmacy practice. Early…

A program in which first-year pharmacy students "shadowed" fourth-year students in clerkships for a day found the shadowing experienced did not significantly improve students' ability to master course objectives, but the introduction of younger students to practice areas of pharmacy was seen as very beneficial. (Author/MSE)

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School administered identical, simultaneous objective structured clinical examinations to large medical school classes and found the method logistically and psychometrically feasible. Potential for use of the test to make pass-fail grading decisions and proposals for modification of administration and…

The article discusses the Integrated Bachelor's/Master's (IB/M) Teacher Preparation, a five-year teacher preparation program that integrates coursework, school-based clinic experiences, and university and K-12 faculty in the preparation of pre-service teachers. A major component of the IB/M program is the relationship with selected public school…

OBJECTIVE: There is an urgent need for research training in psychiatry at early career stages, especially in geriatric psychiatry. The authors describe their first-year experience with the Summer Training in Aging Research Topics--in Mental Health (START-MH), a new federally funded national-level training program intended to offer intensive…

This paper presents a rationale for and description of psychological services in the areas of consultation and education for university dental students at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. The paper notes several factors pointing to the need for such services: first, while dental professionals and students are disinclined to seek…

Positive and negative aspects of assigning faculty in nursing specialties to teach foundations or basic nursing skills courses are discussed. Students' reactions to nursing specialists' instruction are also examined. Recommendations are made for duplicating the positive outcomes of a multidisciplinary faculty mix. (MF)

At the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a study was designed that graphically illustrated to beginning students that unconscious sociocultural stereotypes may influence clinical decision-making. Students were shown a videotape depicting five simulated patients, each with the same physical complaint. (Author/MLW)