Compared with direct observation of outpatient visits, the NAMCS physician report method is more accurate for procedures and examinations than for health behavior counseling. Underreporting of behavioral counseling and overreporting of visit duration should lead to caution in interpreting findings based on these variables.

These preliminary results merit replication in a larger primary care-based trial with a longer continuous intervention and follow-up period.

They estimated that this was in excess of the number that would be expected by chance. However, familial cases of myeloma do not differ from sporadic cases in terms of age at onset, sex distribution, symptoms and signs, laboratory and radiologic data, bone marrow findings, serum and urine electrophoresis, or course and pr~gnosis.~*~ Such similarities in the behavior of familial and sporadic cases do not suggest different disease entities with different etiologies.

No abstract

The anatomy dissection laboratory is a unique experience where medical students begin the transition from layman to physician, and may be a student's first experience with death. Attitudes developed there may influence interactions with future patients and their families. Consequently, anatomy faculty are in a position to recognize emotional issues that students may confront and to guide them toward becoming humane physicians. We surveyed anatomy faculty to assess acceptance of this expanded role and their means of meeting these obligations. A spokesperson for the anatomy department at each US and Canadian medical or osteopathic college (n = 142) was surveyed. One hundred three (73%) questionnaires were returned. Respondents overwhelmingly (93% agree or strongly agree) accept an educational role that includes helping students to become caring physicians and dealing with death and dying. Seventy‐nine percent agree or strongly agree that the anatomy laboratory can affect students' later relationships with patients. Time for laboratory orientation is limited (55%, 1 hour or less) and is used to address technical topics, such as rules for student behavior. Most departments (58%) have four or more memorial activities to acknowledge the contribution of the donors. The anatomy faculty who responded to the survey accept responsibility for acculturating preclinical students to medicine. Respondents identified additional orientation topics and expanded memorial activities to accomplish this goal. Clin. Anat. 10:264–271, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss Inc.