Medical teacher
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A pilot study of the levels of stress among residents was conducted in three departments in a university hospital prior to initiating a programme in stress management for residents. The Beck Depression Inventory, which is a brief, standardized self-report measure of depression, was given to residents in anaesthesiology, paediatrics and psychiatry. Six additional questions were asked about the functioning of peers and services residents would like to have available. ⋯ Residents felt that about 15% of their colleagues were emotionally impaired; 10% may have a drug and/or alcohol problem; 12% were having marital problems. Eighty per cent of all residents studied said that they would attend support groups if they existed. Approximately 60% thought coping skills/stress management seminars would be useful, and 30% of the paediatric and anaesthesiology residents (60% of the psychiatry residents) said they would use confidential individual psychotherapy if it were available.
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Problem-oriented case discussion is a valuable teaching tool in clinical pharmacology. Small groups are ideal for discussion but attempts to extend this to large groups often magnify the problems seen with small group discussion to an unacceptable extent. We describe a format which overcomes many of the problems encountered. ⋯ After discussion between the two groups the rest of the class join the discussion. Two new groups are chosen for the second case. This format facilitates self-directed learning, well-prepared participants and worthwhile discussion.
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A major Canadian teaching hospital has developed a program to recognize and reward excellence in medical education. The program includes a system to collect and evaluate feedback from trainees and administrators--with an annual celebration event where awards are presented. ⋯ There are departmental awards for best undergraduate and postgraduate physicians, allied health professional, and house staff/fellow. This program functioned well to evaluate teachers across departments and for all levels of trainees in the hospital and will expand to become part of the ongoing evaluation of teachers in the institution.
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Journal clubs have been used as part of a continuing medical education programme for over 100 years. The major role of a journal club is to introduce concepts of critical thinking and evaluation of research literature. This study describes how the understanding of papers presented in a surgical journal club improves by the use of a handout as an aid to revision, and reading skills of the participants are evaluated by a post-test. It shows how participation improves when a climate of mutual respect is created and when the subject under discussion answers questions related to real life needs and the new knowledge acquired has an immediate application.