A survey of student characteristics and attitudes toward nonspecialist general practice was undertaken in order to supply an input into the teaching strategies of the Department of Community Health at the University of Melbourne. The results include an indication that students interested in general practice need stronger training in the importance…

Matrix organization offers a structure that can facilitate coordination and cooperation in health care educational administration. Its application within the health care system is reviewed, the matrix organization of the primary care residency at the University of Pennsylvania is reported, and advantages and disadvantages are discussed.…

School based health care systems are a viable alternative to existing health care delivery methods because they can improve the health of all children, especially those that are indigent and living in medically underserved areas. (JD)

An academic general medicine clinic (GMC) was studied and profiles were generated to determine current patterns, shortcomings, and potential solutions. Conclusions include that GMC offers insufficient variety of patient presentations for optimal postgraduate medical education and inadequate accessibility for comprehensive medical care. (Author/JMD)

A continuing medical education program is discussed that addresses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and that links primary care physicians to a source of needed clinical knowledge at a relatively low cost. The educational methods, evaluation design, diagnosis of educational needs, selection of program content and behavioral outcomes are…

A seminar devoted to the psychological aspects of medical care has formed the major portion of the psychiatric training of primary care internal medicine residents at the Kenmore Center of the Harvard Community Health Plan. Content issues include professional identity, relationships with coworkers, and difficulties in handling patients.…

Defines health education and its role in a comprehensive school health program, stressing the role of teachers in health education. For each of four health care content areas (community resources, personal health and hygiene, primary health care, social development), gives a brief lesson plan including concept objectives, content, and activities.…

Students in nursing, allied health, social work, and medicine at the University of Maryland are offered clinical experiences on Smith Island in Chesapeake Bay. The program exposes them to the special health care needs and problems of an isolated, economically disadvantaged, rural community. (SK)

Researchers examined willingness to use a school-based health center's (SBHC) primary care services. Rural 7th through 12th graders completed a survey. Results indicated that, although most were initially unwilling to change their primary care site to an SBHC, many were willing to use a variety of the offered services. (SM)

Assessed the cost and effectiveness of contacting parents through schools, educating them about health insurance programs and preventive care, and helping them with insurance applications. Data analysis indicated that accumulative cost per enrolled child was $75. Schools located and assisted large numbers of uninsured children who had failed other…

Rural areas have difficulty attracting physicians, and they also send fewer students to medical schools than do urban areas. A program at the University of Washington's medical school known as WAMI--for Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho--is trying to combat that problem. (MLW)

A study investigated graduate medical students' perceptions of the effectiveness of financial incentives in recruitment to primary care residencies. Results indicated that a wide range of incentives is available, the trend is growing, and students find such incentives effective. Concern is voiced about diversion of funds needed for improvement of…

The Argus Commission, asked to examine the interface between academic pharmacy and education programs in dentistry, optometry, and podiatry, envisioned a primary health care team and considered mechanisms for encouraging development of such teams and reducing competition. Its conclusions and recommendations are summarized here. (MSE)

Graduates (n=638) of Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania) were divided into primary care and nonprimary care physicians and compared on performance measures, professional activities, satisfaction, problems, and research productivities. A logistic regression model could predict primary care-nonprimary care status from specialty interest,…

Health care reforms will dramatically change the culture of medical schools in areas of patient care, research, and education programs. Academic medical centers must construct mutually beneficial partnerships that will position them to take advantage of the opportunities rather than leave them without the diversity of resources needed to make…