Teaching and learning in medicine
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Comparative Study
African American and white physicians: a comparison of satisfaction with medical education, professional careers, and research activities.
Given the disparity between proportions of minority in the general population and in the physician workforce and the projected increase in the minority population, it is important and timely to examine factors that contribute to satisfaction of minority physicians. ⋯ African American respondents were comparable with White respondents as to their medical careers, professional activities, and achievements as physicians. Their practice patterns reflected a greater sense of community need and involvement than their White counterparts. The sense of dissatisfaction with the social environment of medical school noted by African American respondents seems to persist during their professional careers.
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We implemented team learning, an instructional method that fosters small-group learning, in an evidence-based medicine (EBM) course. Our goal was to align instructional methods with EBM practices. ⋯ Team learning served as a useful framework, enabling a large enrollment course to have small-group experiences without large numbers of faculty. The method fostered individual accountability and promoted teamwork--behaviors consistent with effective EBM practice. Students' lack of enthusiasm for the method may stem from their comfort with didactic lectures.
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Training in empathy and compassion can foster altruism in medical students. ⋯ When used effectively, theater can be used to promote attitude change.
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One goal of program directors is to attract and retain high-quality residents. It is therefore important to study attrition of residents to determine specific cohorts that may be less likely to complete residency training. ⋯ Attrition from these programs remains a small but persistent issue. In addition, the differences in termination and transfer rates for the 2 years of the study were greater than the differences in rates between U.S. and international medical graduates.
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Because of the importance of faculty evaluation data for faculty development, promotion, reappointment, and remuneration, the quantity and characteristics of evaluation data need study. ⋯ The profile and precision of assessments for an individual will vary based on the number, timing, and source of ratings. Decisions based on similar data should be made with caution.