BackgroundHospitalised patients are often not able to correctly identify members of their physician team. Identifying physicians is a critical component of developing the patient–physician relationship and visual aids have been shown to improve physician identification and overall patient satisfaction.ObjectivesThe aim of this quality improvement study was to assess the impact of implementation of a physician facecard on the ability of patients to identify their attending physician and other members of the physician team, as well as to evaluate current use of patient whiteboards for physician team identification.MethodsWe prospectively studied 149 patients admitted to the medicine teaching service, who were randomised to receive a physician facecard or usual care. Patients were surveyed to determine their ability to identify physician team members. Observational data was also collected regarding use of patient whiteboards. Additionally, all hospitalists were surveyed to assess their perception of these visual aids.ResultsPatients who received the facecard were more likely to recall the name of the attending physician as compared with the control group (63% vs 32%, p<0.01). Additionally, 68% of patients with the attending name correctly listed on their whiteboard were able to correctly identify the attending physician (p<0.01). Ninety per cent of patients who both received a facecard and had their whiteboard correctly filled out were able to identify the attending physician. Eighty per cent of hospitalists surveyed agreed that use of the facecard added value and 90% disagreed that routine use of the facecard was burdensome.ConclusionThe use of physician facecards improves the ability of hospitalised patients to identify their attending physicians, and the combined use of facecards and whiteboards may provide additive benefits.

Medicinal and aromatic plants represent a relatively new area of horticultural education with considerable student and grower interest. To meet the demand for classes and information, the University of Massachusetts has developed a series of horticultural classes and outreach efforts to support current and future farmers and research scientists in this area. Emphasis has been focused on establishing a fundamental understanding of the myth, tradition, and science that envelops medicinal and aromatic plant materials and building foundations in horticulture, ethnobotany, chemistry, plant identification, and applications related to medicinal and aromatic plants. An annual, student sponsored HerbFest is held on campus to develop student and public interest in medicinal and aromatic plants and plant products. Outreach activities at the University include providing grower information, writing and editing books, publishing journals, and working with elementary and secondary school children.

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