A laboratory course designed to provide simulated practice experience for pharmacy students at Drake University College of Pharmacy was redesigned by restructuring laboratory schedules to provide more time, by establishing competencies to be attained, and by self-pacing. Student evaluations of the changes were highly supportive. (MSE)

At the Rockford School of Medicine, clinical teachers of primary care medicine have developed a curriculum and goals to guide learning and to be used as a reference point for self-assessment and group assessment of teaching. In addition, other desirable teacher behaviors and concerns have been identified to be discussed at group meetings. (JMD)

A biopsychosocial model used in an attempt to integrate physical, psychological, and social data into a matrix that facilitates clinical problem solving is described. The purpose of the training was to expand the resident's understanding of the emotional aspects of patients' problems and his/her own difficulties in using such understanding. (MLW)

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.…

Despite a lack of agreement on its validity as a predictor of performance during residency, the dean's letter of recommendation has become an important factor in each medical student's application to postgraduate training programs. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the content of dean's letters was conducted. (MLW)

A study designed to collect data on the daily activities of trainees on a medical ward and to test the diary method of obtaining data is described. The data were compared with findings from a faculty survey to establish whether the training program conformed to desired standards. (Author/MLW)

Graduate education in the pharmaceutical sciences is examined. It is suggested that greater flexibility and quality of masters and PhD programs in pharmacy could increase enrollment levels in the graduate pharmaceutical studies. (SF)

Issues concerning graduate programs in the pharmaceutical sciences are discussed, including: recent trends, recruitment, clinical instruction, doctoral programs, graduate faculty, master's programs, competition, supply and demand, and professional education of professionals. (SF)

A survey of U.S. medical schools was conducted to determine the content and format of occupational health teaching during the 1977-78 academic year. In only 50 percent of the responding institutions was occupational health specifically taught, and it was required by only 30 percent. Thirty-eight percent offered a variety of courses or clerkships.…

Medical student instructional costs were determined for a required third-year primary care clerkship based in an ambulatory care setting. Included in the analysis were labor costs of faculty and other personnel, space, materials, and university overhead. Implications of the high costs generated by such clerkships are discussed. (Author/JMD)

The inpatient (ward/intensive care unit) performance of primary care medical residents was compared with that of their peers in the standard internal medicine residency program. Nearly identical performances of the two groups suggests that substantial time in the first two years of residency can be devoted successfully to ambulatory training.…

Perceptions of students who would have elected a preceptorship rotation had it not been required were compared with those of students who participated only to fulfill the requirement. Both groups perceived an increase in knowledge of primary care practices and confidence in relevant clinical skills. (Author/LBH)

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…