Problem-based learning (PBL) with simulated cases is one method of delivering standardized pediatric curricular objectives, but the fact that students are dispersed and participating in community-based practices makes group meetings difficult. To address these issues, researchers developed and tested a new modality for presenting PBL cases, a…

Attitudes of 168 practitioners (pediatricians, psychologists, special educators, allied health professionals, and social workers) toward mental retardation were compared. Results showed that pediatricians were significantly more pessimistic about the ultimate abilities of mentally retarded adults than psychologists and educators. (Author/SEW)

Medical, pharmacy, and nursing students participated in a course on pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics of common pediatric bacterial and viral diseases during their rotation in infectious diseases. Student attitudes were highly positive, and substantial knowledge gain resulted. This interdisciplinary clinical approach is recommended to…

A pharmacy practice program added to the core baccalaureate curriculum at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy which includes a practice in pediatrics is described. An audiovisual program in pediatric diseases and drug therapy was developed. This program allows the presentation of more material without reducing clerkship time. (Author/MLW)

The flow of medical information to pediatricians in rural areas needs improvement. Pediatricians' perceived needs seem to change with their increasing distance from the university/hospital teaching center. A regional program in Illinois has been able to improve communications for determining education need in rural areas. (MSE)

Guidelines developed by the Section on Pedodontics of the American Association of Dental Schools for use by individual educational institutions as curriculum development aids are outlined. Curriculum goals, curriculum content, instructional modalities, sequencing of instruction, faculty and staff, and student evaluation are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The staff of the University of Colorado Child Health Associate Program critically reviewed the effectiveness of the program's structure and content during an intensive two-day seminar. Focus was on basic and clinical sciences, psychosocial skills, and proficiency testing, and the evaluations were used to improve the program. (Editor/LBH)

An opportunity for medical students to observe and interact with children in a setting outside the clinical environment was introduced as part of ambulatory pediatric clerkship training. Evaluation of the program indicated its overall effectiveness as well as areas for which changes are suggested. (LBH)

The Mobile Van Evaluation and Screening (MoVES) program was established in 1994 by Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) to provide developmental screening and evaluation services to children receiving primary medical care from the Georgetown University Pediatric Mobile Clinic. This article describes the developmental services offered by the…

Outcomes assessment reduced to its simplest definition is quality control. Characteristics of the new Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs include: patient oriented, take a definite posture in relation to the specialties, create a minimally educated practitioner, are process oriented, and provide a form of quality assurance in…

Data on 180 pediatrics and 302 internal medicine residency training programs concerning vacation, leave of absence, extension of training because of absence, and related policy suggest wide variation depending on postgraduate year of training, discipline, program size, and program type. Implications for accreditation, testing, and certification…

Dental students were videotaped presenting a child's case presentation to a parent. Students who viewed a model videotape demonstrated a significant improvement in performance from their first presentation. Students who evaluated their own tape showed no significant improvement. (Author/MLW)

A study of medical students' pre-medical-school and graduation specialty preferences examined sex differences in selection of pediatrics at both points and changes from preference for pediatrics. Half those abandoning early preference for pediatrics stayed within primary care. More shifted from family practice to pediatrics than kept their…

This article introduces several papers which discuss chronic illnesses that are frequently associated with learning disabilities, noting the relationship between the disease's pathophysiology and learning disorders and, sometimes, between the treatment of the disease and learning effects. The four papers in the series in this issue are each…

Presents seven reasons why it is important for health specialist teams to take action supporting the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. The article offers guidelines to help parents assist their children in maintaining positive eating, exercise, and self-esteem patterns, noting sensitive intervention is preferable to imposed diets. (SM)