Differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among fraternity and sorority members.

This study examined gender differences in alcohol consumption and problem behaviors among fraternity and sorority college students. Males were more likely to drink 13+ drinks at one time; females were more likely to drink 1-3, 4-6, and 7-12 drinks. Females experienced more problems at the 4-6 level; number of problems experienced were approximately equal at the 7-12 and 13+ levels. The correlation between consumption and problems was stronger for females (r = 0.58) than for males (r = 0.42). Problem behaviors might be due to individual differences or environmental forces acting upon individuals. Longitudinal studies should investigate possible causal pathways to inform the design of interventions for this at-risk population.

Comparing fourth-year medical students with faculty in the teaching of physical examination skills to first-year students.

PURPOSE: To see whether fourth-year medical students can teach the physical examination to first-year students as effectively as can faculty preceptors. METHOD: Ninety-three first-year students studying the physical examination were randomly assigned to one of ten fourth-year student preceptors or one of 15 faculty preceptors. Test results and course evaluations were compared by type of preceptor. Fourth-year student preceptors were surveyed regarding their experience. RESULTS: The mean test scores did not differ between the first-year students with fourth-year student preceptors and those with faculty preceptors. The first-year students rated the fourth-year student preceptors higher than they did the faculty preceptors. The fourth-year students rated their experience favorably. CONCLUSION: A select group of fourth-year medical students provides a successful alternative to faculty in the teaching of the physical examination to first-year students.

Alcohol risk reduction for fraternity and sorority members.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of "Talking about Alcohol and Drugs... Among Greeks" (TAAD), a lifestyle risk reduction program that is research- and theory-based, protocol-driven, and targeted for fraternity and sorority members. METHOD: One fraternity and two sororities on five campuses participated in the program. A total of 780 participants completed pre- and posttest questionnaires. Posttest data were collected 1 academic year after pretest data collection. RESULTS: Results indicate that the program decreased positive attitudes toward alcohol consumption among program participants, with participants in the true experimental condition indicating greater disagreement than control participants (F = 3.05, 2/701 df, p < .05). Belief in myths about the etiology of alcoholism was reduced among experimental participants who did not actually attend the program, with those participants indicating greater disagreement than control or true experimental participants (F = 10.92, 2/702 df, p < .0001). The program had no apparent effect on alcohol consumption by experimental participants. CONCLUSIONS: The program's ability to influence behavior was hindered by systemic problems, such as trainer credibility and implementation infidelity, and probable participant psychological reactance. Training by professionals and mandatory attendance would set the stage for improved program effectiveness. Beyond that, an approach that emphasized how high-risk drinking norms jeopardize the goals of the fraternities and sororities might be better received than the current approach, which focuses on how individual attitudes, beliefs and behaviors lead to alcohol-related problems and alcoholism.

Are fourth-year medical students effective teachers of the physical examination to first-year medical students?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if fourth-year medical students are as effective as faculty in teaching the physical examination to first-year medical students. DESIGN: Stratified randomization of the first-year students. SETTING: A public medical school. PARTICIPANTS: All 100 first-year medical students in one medical school class were randomly assigned (controlling for gender) to either a faculty or a fourth-year student preceptor for the Physical Examination Module. MAIN RESULTS: The first-year students of faculty preceptors scored no differently on the written examination than the students of the fourth-year medical student preceptors (82.8% vs 80.3%, p = .09) and no differently on a standardized patient practical examination (95.5% vs 95.4%, p = .92). Also, the first-year students rated the two groups of preceptors similarly on an evaluation form, with faculty rated higher on six items and the student preceptors rated higher on six items (all p > .10). The fourth-year student preceptors rated the experience favorably. CONCLUSIONS: Fourth-year medical students were as successful as faculty in teaching first-year medical students the physical examination as measured by first-year student's performances on objective measures and ratings of teaching effectiveness.