This brief report provides one teaching approach designed to help students and clinicians use the computing facilities available in their agencies to aid their clinical practice, and highlights issues central to this training. The teaching process involves using the computer as a tool, for identifying and operationalizing questions, analyzing data…

Educational alternatives to the lecture format in medicine should be considered. The case study is seen as one of the best teaching tools available to medical educators and is especially useful for teaching laboratory medicine. The use of case studies in a pathology department is described. (MLW)

A study compared results of 2 teaching methods, traditional Socratic method (22 students) and a problem-based curriculum (35 students) in a University of Kentucky medical school surgery clerkship. Results showed the problem-based method resulted in similar knowledge level but improved clinical problem-solving skills. (Author/MSE)

Dental instructors are encouraged to use questioning techniques more frequently in clinical and preclinical courses, to stimulate independent thinking. The characteristics of questioning, types of questions, reluctance to use the techniques, strategies with various student types, and strategies for awkward situations are discussed. (MSE)

A method developed at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for teaching modification of cavity design to large numbers of preclinical students in operative dentistry is reported. It standardizes the learning process for this complex problem-solving skill. (MLW)

This study evaluated a teaching method used to sensitize undergraduate pharmacy students to ethical concepts. The use of case scenarios resulted in improved ability to identify ethical issues but no increase in ability to generate alternatives and justify recommendations. An appendix presents guidelines for rating student responses to ethical…

Current changes observed in medical education include alterations in program intensity, length, and cost; a greater selection of teaching methods; clinical experience sites; institutional goals and objectives; student evaluation techniques; and teaching sites. Students are being challenged increasingly to become self-directed problem solvers.…

Techniques that practicing pharmacists can use to facilitate student learning in a clinical-preceptorship setting are specified. In addition, signals or clues in the situation that indicate the appropriate mode of teaching are identified and a blueprint for self-instruction in these techniques is provided. (JMD)

Reports on a content analysis of 18 manuals designed for college-level teaching assistants. Finds that frequently included topics focused on intellectual and interpersonal tasks. Suggests that the study's results could serve as a model for teaching assistant materials. (CFR)

A variety of teaching methods for interpersonal skills training are suggested and explained, including role playing, simulated interviews, stimulus vignettes, videotaping, and clinic experience discussions. Other suggestions for implementation of these methods address sequence, grading, and faculty development. (MSE)

Describes a number of teaching strategies to prepare nursing students to care for their hospitalized patients with alcohol-related problems but not in an alcoholism treatment unit, using a supportive-educational framework for the nurse-alcoholic patient relationship. A group of recovering alcoholics identified positive nursing actions as helpful.…

The University of Maryland Dental School began a comprehensive external and internal analysis of dentistry and dental education. Three analysis groups were established to review the external environment, the competitive environment, and institutional strengths and weaknesses. A strategic directions group identified directions and created a…

Activities to promote the transfer of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice have been developed to facilitate learning by individuals with various learning styles, reduce student stress, and improve teaching methods in a baccalaureate nursing program at the California State University, Chico. Specific activities included innovative…

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)

This course is designed to help military personnel to attain the rating of optometry specialist in the Air Force. The packet includes both a teacher's plan of instruction and five student study guides/workbooks. The teacher's plan of instruction contains lesson plans, lists of student instructional materials and audiovisual aids, and suggested…