Assessing medical students' knowledge in differentiating the diagnosis and treatment of unipolar vs bipolar depression.

Background: Depression is one of the leading causes of premature death and disability. However, both unipolar and bipolar depression are underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aims of this study were to assess medical students' level of confidence in and knowledge of diagnosing and treating depression before and after completing a psychiatry clerkship, and their knowledge of differentiating unipolar vs bipolar depression.

A primary care guide to bipolar depression treatment.

Manage uncomplicated cases following guidelines on medical therapy and with adjunctive psychotherapy. Refer complicated and severe cases to Psychiatry.

Differences in Medical Students' Academic Performance between a Pass/Fail and Tiered Grading System.

Objectives: Medical school implementation of a pass/fail grading system offers the opportunity for a reduction in student stress and anxiety and the creation of a less competitive environment, leading to an improvement in overall well-being. Some critics of a pass/fail system have raised concerns of a decrement in academic performance. The purpose of this research project was to determine whether medical students at the Medical College of Georgia experienced a significant change in academic performance when graded using a pass/fail grading system rather than a tiered grading system in the year 1 curriculum.

Perceptions of obesity: Black and White differences.

To better understand similarities and differences in Black and White women's perceptions about obesity, we conducted race-matched focus groups with thirty physician-referred, obese women. Participants completed demographic questionnaires and body image assessments. Analysis yielded some common themes.

Screening colonoscopies by primary care physicians: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: There is currently too few endoscopists to enact a national colorectal cancer screening program with colonoscopy. Primary care physicians could play an important role in filling this shortage by offering screening colonoscopy in their practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of colonoscopies performed by primary care physicians.

A collaborative approach to wellness: diet, exercise, and education to impact behavior change.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an interdisciplinary Wellness Program developed to help patients implement behavior changes necessary to begin weight reduction.

Data Sources: A 12-week program was developed to offer a choice of three diets, education, behavior change, and support groups that would allow participants to work through their concerns. A total of 109 participants provided feedback throughout the program and had varying degrees of change.

Attitudes toward performance of endoscopic colon cancer screening by family physicians.

Background And Objectives: This study's purpose was to examine attitudes of family physicians and gastroenterologists toward family physician performance of lower endoscopy in general practice.

Methods: A mailed survey was sent to 1,563 board-certified physicians in Georgia (1,303 family physicians, 260 gastroenterologists). Respondents were asked to describe their practice of lower endoscopy procedures and colorectal (CRC) screening preferences.

Survey of student education in surgery.

Background: Few data exist comparing medical student surgical education programs across the US and Canada. We conducted a 30-question, Web-based survey of 142 medical schools in the US and Canada about the administration of undergraduate surgical education programs at their institutions.

Study Design: From October 2005 to January 2006, 142 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) medical schools in the US and Canada were asked to complete a 30-item, Web-based questionnaire.

The prevalence of dysphagia in primary care patients: a HamesNet Research Network study.

Purpose: A number of disorders cause dysphagia, which is the perception of an obstruction during swallowing. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia in primary care patients.

Methods: Adults 18 years old and older were the subjects of an anonymous survey that was collected in the clinic waiting room before patients were seen by a physician.

Students assigned to community practices for their pediatric clerkship perform as well or better on written examinations as students assigned to academic medical centers.

Background: Medical schools are increasingly using community practice sites (CPS) for clerkship training.

Purposes: We compared the test performance of all students assigned to CPS with all students trained at an academic medical center (AMC) for their pediatric clerkship for the past 5 years.

Methods: Baseline comparability of both groups was established by the group mean scores on 1st and 2nd year medical school grade point average (GPA) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2.